Today the team passed the Harwheel wind farm, which is Oman’s first wind farm and made up of 13 turbines.

With a target of achieving net zero by 2050, the transition to a renewable and sustainable future is underway; Oman has set itself the challenge of becoming a global green energy hub, and a regional and world leader in the production of green hydrogen, a journey overseen by inspirational individuals such as Dr Firas Al Abduwani.

Expedition website: The Jewel of Arabia Expedition

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The Jewel of Arabia Expedition podcast is produced by Adventurous Audio

The British explorer, Wilfred Thesiger wrote that it’s impossible to be alone in the Arab world. This is a sentiment echoed by Mark and the team as they have travelled through Oman.

After the toughest day of the expedition so far yesterday, day 20 of the expedition was the complete opposite.

The day started with a walk along a beautiful, deserted beach of white sands and azure, blue water before they arrived at an abandoned fishing village. Before long some other travellers arrived and soon conversation over coffee was in full flow.

Mark describes his love for the hospitality and generosity of the Omani people. Because later in the day they met the fisherman would refuse any money for the fish he insisted the team cook around the campfire that night, the mechanic who helped fix the shredded tyre wanted only a smile and the coffee shop owner who heard the expedition team had arrived at his coffee shop insisted the round of coffees was a gift from him to the team.

Mark reflects on this being one of the many things that makes the country so special for him.

Expedition website: The Jewel of Arabia Expedition

Follow the expedition on social media: Instagram and Facebook

The Jewel of Arabia Expedition podcast is produced by Adventurous Audio

At the end of a long and tiring day, Mark talks to us from one of his favourite campsites in all of Oman. He is sitting in a cave, ospreys are circling overhead and the team are about to bed down, exhausted.

24 hours ago they were looking at looking at night sky when they noticed the stars disappear and felt the first drop of rain. The rain came and was followed by strong winds which led them to trying to quickly store and protect everything in camp. In the morning the weather had passed over.

Mark had been told about an incredible archaeological site near by that was full of trilith fossils, what they were and what their purpose was is still unclear, but they went up a nearby wadi to find them.

As they continued their journey later in the day the challenges began. A punctured tyre led to a shredded tyre and some route redesigning. But just as they approached their stopover where Mark talks to us from now, they encountered sabkha, which is like slippery, muddy quicksand.

But the team worked incredibly well together again, freeing one of the vehicles and reaching camp to rest after what has been a long and exhausting day.

Expedition website: The Jewel of Arabia Expedition

Follow the expedition on social media: Instagram and Facebook

The Jewel of Arabia Expedition podcast is produced by Adventurous Audio