Arabia Felix

CROSSING THE EMPTY QUARTER FROM OMAN TO QATAR WITH BERTRAM THOMAS IN THIS EPIC 1930 ADVENTURE

In 1930, British explorer Bertram Thomas set out from Oman to be the first non-Arab to traverse the formidable Rub Al Khali – Arabia’s vast and unrelenting “Empty Quarter.” Against all odds, he succeeded.

Modern readers can venture with Thomas into uncharted territory to uncover:

The gripping, true story of Thomas’s grueling 1,500 mile quest and the winding road to make history.
Fascinating insights into desert culture from a Westerner immersed in the Arabian way of life.
Vivid descriptions of oasis towns and sweeping sand dunes captured in rare archival photos and illustrations.
Thomas’ key role in the romantic legend of finding Arabia’s ‘Atlantis of the Sands.‘
Modern Photography of Dhofar in Oman, and other stops on Thomas’ journey adds understanding of the journey.

Cross the Rub Al Khali through Thomas’s eyes. With crucial context on this British trailblazer and his impact, rediscover the timeless allure of Arabia’s empty quarter.

This is a fascinating account of a groundbreaking expedition from Oman, through the Empty Quarter to Qatar and ideal for anyone interested in Arabia and its people – order today before the price changes.

Author Biography

My experience in Arabia and the Arab world dates back to 1985, encompassing extensive living, working, and travel across all the countries in the Arabian Peninsula, – Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Yemen. Over 35 years ago, Jeddah was my first stop in Saudi Arabia, as it was for many visitors. Since then I have travelled across this vast country, from Dumat Al Jandal in the far north to Najran in the south, and from Jeddah in the west to the Dammam conurbation in the east. I have enjoyed using the remarkable new metro in Riyadh; all three train lines (which are excellent), most especially the Haramain between Jeddah and Madinah: made use of the somewhat less impressive long-distance coaches. In major conurbations, I use the inexpensive local bus services: Uber and other taxi options. However to explore the kingdom I drove myself around.It was 22 years ago when I first visited Qatar. Again, I have travelled comprehensively, most recently enjoying the excellent Metro, Tram, and Electric Bus services.But before visiting Saudi Arabia and Qatar, I got my first taste of the Arabian Peninsula in Oman and the UAE. My first visit was 1986, when the World Trade Centre was the sole skyscraper on Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Bustan Palace had just opened its doors.Every country has undergone incredible transformations since my first visit and all are now welcoming tourists.I have been used to travelling independently in these countries – without the backup of officials or other people – which means that I have experienced each country in the same way many tourists will. I do have a slight advantage of speaking Gulf Arabic and having a good understanding of the culture (I used to provide cultural advice to executives of major companies moving to the region), however as English is widely spoken and the Arabs can be hospitable people any visitor should find help, if needed. I do hope you will also enjoy your visit using my books – thank you for your purchase.