In the cradle of civilization, where church bells chime, the muezzin’s prayer calls, and Judaism’s most holy site beckons, the story of the olive begins. Here, in what was once part of Phoenicia, now Israel, our expedition to uncover the story of the world’s most influential fruit draws to an end. History is palpable, presenting [...]
Entries Tagged as 'Blog'
Olive Odyssey Completed!!
December 2nd, 2011 No Comments
Tags: gethsemane · jerusalem · mount of olives · olive odyssey · olive oil
October Update - Sailing Sardinia
October 14th, 2011 2 Comments
We’re now in the third month of our sailing voyage, and have reached the southern coast of Sardinia. To see our latest photos, click here.
Our latitude is 39 degrees north which means we’re still experiencing balmy temperatures (highs about 25 degrees), however, the winds are becoming much more temperamental. As we sailed down Sardinia’s sparsely [...]
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Exploring olive history in Italy
October 5th, 2011 5 Comments
We’re currently in Perugia, Italy, an ancient city rich with Etruscan, Roman and Gothic architecture. It is an enrapturing city of narrow streets, capacious churches, and stunning architecture encircled by a towering wall that protected its citizens more than 2,000 years ago. Here are a few photos from the last two days in Perugia and [...]
Tags: ancient · DNA · genetic · italy · luciana baldoni · olive odyssey · olive tree
Sailboat Living and Ancient Olive Trees
August 15th, 2011 5 Comments
The sun continues to bake in Barcelona as we ready for our upcoming voyaging. Colin, Leif, and I have fully moved into our sailboat, and are loving life on the water. Our boat is situated in Port Olimpic Marina right in the heart of Barcelona. Within walking distance are wide sandy beaches, numerous shops, and [...]
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Boats, Olive trees and Pickpockets
August 10th, 2011 5 Comments
It’s been ten days since Julie, Leif and I left from Comox, and we`re pleased to say we have finally found the boat we will be sailing the Mediterranean in. It’s a 28 foot Spanish-built Sumplast. The process of searching for the right boat has not been easy. Since arriving in Madrid, we’ve travelled almost [...]
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July Update - Olive Odyssey about to begin!!
July 23rd, 2011 No Comments
It’s been a very busy month for Julie and me. Fifteen days ago I returned from my grueling row around Vancouver Island, and in twelve days we will be heading off on our four-month expedition Olive Odyssey.
The voyage around the island was every bit as challenging as I expected. The goal was to circumnavigate the [...]
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Day 15 - one more day
July 4th, 2011 7 Comments
“It was a lot of work and it’s all over by tomorrow around this time,” Colin said when he phoned me on the Iridium satellite phone this evening.
Tonight is his last night camping and tomorrow is his last day rowing. Colin rowed 76 km today and it’s another 75 km or so to his starting [...]
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Day 14 - Camped on Saltspring Island
July 3rd, 2011 1 Comment
It’s day 14 and Colin clocked another 69 km. Yesterday’s mileage was about 70 km.
Although the wind howled this morning, the gale force blow abated when Colin reached Victoria’s Oak Bay and started heading north.
“Gorgeous, just gorgeous, except for the pain,” said, Colin describing his day. It was sunny, warm, and the waters were [...]
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Day 12 - Epic Day
July 1st, 2011 2 Comments
Colin rowed an impressive 89 km today, and thank you to those who reminded me that I forgot to mention his mileage yesterday. It was 65 km.
As I watched Colin’s impressive progress today, I thought he must be feeling better. But his phone call set things straight.
“It was the most painful day ever. [...]
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Day 11 - still going
June 30th, 2011 5 Comments
It’s day 11 and Colin has made it to an island near Bamfield. Haines Island is uninhabited now, but old buildings and an orchard remain. It is also the where Voss and Luxton, who in 1901 set off to canoe around the world in their dugout Tilikum, spent a month after getting hit by a [...]
Tags: colin · rowing · tilikum · vancouver island
