This is my adventure area. As long as I can remember I've had an adventurous nature. As a kid I explored London in my summer holidays, I studied maps before we went on family holidays, and led my parents up muddy tracks in the Cornish countryside. I loved exploring and my family enjoyed the mystery tours which became a part of our family holidays.

I loved maps, I still do, and I've built up quite a collection over the years. I rarely go anywhere new without first buying and studying a map. I try to imagine what places will be like by poring over the maps, but thankfully the reality is usually a surprise, and visiting a new place usually beats what the the maps show. When GPS receivers became available, I spent a fortune and became one of the first to own one. GPS has come a long way since those early days, and my first Magellan unit is a bit of a dinosaur, but now my current unit does everything and goes on all my trips.

I just have to know what's round the next bend, and it's that basic desire that has lead me all over the world in search of adventure. In my quest I've learned to scuba dive, learned to sail, donned boots and rucksack, taken our off-road vehicles to places many people would hesitate to go, and camped out in the most amazing places. I've had a long affair with Nepal, and I've dedicated a separate section about that amazing country. Fortunately, my wife Liz is just as passionate about exploring as I am, and we're always looking forward to our next trip!

Unsurprisingly, all this exploring has led to an interest in nature and natural history. While scuba diving, I got pretty good at tropical fish, we haven't quite got the hang of things botanical yet, but in recent years we've taken a great interest in our feathered friends, and although we've got a great deal of catching up to do, we've made great progress over a short period of time.

So here in my Discovery Pages, you'll find bits and pieces about exploration, as well as things about my related interests mentioned above.

Come with me now and find out about climbing Jebel Sumayni a mountain in the Arabian Peninsula, or Jebel Rawdah near Hatta, or maybe try Jebel Qihwi in the Mussandam, or explore one of the other links at the top of the page.

© Roy L Richards 2008
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