Dear Reader, you are cordially invited to an exclusive supper at the Explorers Club on the Upper East Side of New York City on December 21, 2024.
In celebration of the 200th Karl Chronicle, an unforgettable evening with adventurers, travel writers, photographers, and legendary explorers has been planned.
Lucky for you, I had a last-minute cancellation—Ponce de Leon. Apparently, he’s still tied up in St. Augustine, Florida, in that elusive search for the fountain of youth. He was in charge of bringing the water for supper, but, you know... finding eternal youth can be tricky to pin down!
So now, I’m offering this rare spot to one lucky Karl Chronicle subscriber—yes, that could be you! Just a heads-up: there are no dietary accommodations, and the guest list is firm. Read on to discover our menu and meet your 11 dining companions. If you’re up for the adventure, RSVP in the comments and tell me which legendary traveller you’d like to sit beside. Choose wisely—every seat comes with a story! Oh, this is a black tie and evening gown event, no flip-flops, jogging pants, or Canadian tuxedos!
Venue
This evening’s dinner is at the headquarters of the Explorers Club, founded in 1904 to promote exploration “by all means possible". This international organization is dedicated to advancing field exploration, scientific inquiry and resource conservation. Among the members are leading pioneers in oceanography, mountaineering, archaeology, and the planetary and environmental sciences. The club has approximately 3,500 members worldwide, representing every continent, and has 34 chapters around the globe. The prestigious members include Edmund Hillary, Charles Lindbergh, Jane Goodall, Tenzing Norgay, Neil Armstrong, American President Theodore Roosevelt (see application), Ranulph Fiennes and a few members of our dining party this evening are members.
These Explorers achieved extraordinary accomplishments, becoming the first to the North Pole, the first to the South Pole, the first to the summit of Mount Everest, the first to the deepest point in the ocean, the first to the moon's surface and perhaps soon to include the first Canadian to ride his bicycle around the world.
Hosts
Your hosts this evening are Sir Michael Palin (an honorary member of the Explorers Club in recognition of his contributions to travel documentaries and exploration) and me. You’ll recall, Dear Reader, that Sir Michael interviewed me and Karl for the sesquicentennial blog from the opulent Imperial Hotel in New Delhi. He was so impressed with our journey he connected with me to submit Karl’s application to the Explorers Club as an honorary member. And to celebrate our bicentennial blog, Sir Michael thought it was only fitting that we organize a celebratory dinner. I set the guest list and menu while he arranged the venue at the Explorers Club headquarters.
Menu
Did you know, Dear Reader, there is an annual Explorers Club Dinner every year? In April 2024, the 120th dinner featured a menu themed around invasive species, offering dishes like roasted ants, cricket skewers, Madagascar cockroaches, and tarantula tempura.
But for our dinner this evening, I wanted to avoid insects on our plates and instead replicate this original menu from a dinner in the late 1920s, which I hope will accommodate the palates of most of our guests:
Celebrated Guests
Our guests this evening are among my favourite people who love travel, exploration, and adventure. Some have frontiers in their journeys, while others offer contemporary approaches with equal measures of curiosity. I have arranged the dining table for our respective guests to provide what I think will be quite a conversation between these elbow partners. But there is room for an extra seat for you, Dear Reader*, and as the seating plan is not yet firm, you can choose who you’d like to be beside.
*Although the vacant place setting is at seat #8, the plan is not firm, and your seat placement will be considered. But first, let’s learn more about who you’ll be dining with.
Isabella Bird (1831-1904)
Place of Birth: Boroughbridge, England
Pioneering Explorer & Travel Writer
Isabella Bird was one of the most remarkable female explorers of the 19th century. Known for her fearless spirit, she journeyed alone through the Rocky Mountains, Hawaii, Japan, and Tibet, often by horseback or mule. Her book A Lady’s Life in the Rocky Mountains remains a classic travel memoir, brimming with vivid observations and the resilience of a true adventurer.
Bird was also the first woman inducted into the Royal Geographical Society in 1892, a historic recognition of her contributions to exploration.
Overheard saying: “It was then 11:30 P.M., and I had not had a meal since 6 A.M.; but when I asked hopefully for a hot supper, with tea, I was told that no supper could be got at that hour; but in half an hour the same man returned with a small cup of cold, weak tea, and a small slice of bread, which looked as if it had been much handled.”
Will she regale us with tales from her horseback adventures in Colorado? or recount crossing a Tibetan mountain on a yak in the snow? Sitting beside her promises stories of daring exploits across the globe.
Ernest Shackleton (1874-1922)
Place of Birth: Kilkea, Ireland
Explorer, Leader, Survivor
Known for his legendary Antarctic expeditions, particularly the ill-fated Endurance voyage, Sir Ernest Shackleton demonstrated unshakable leadership, ultimately saving all 28 crew members after their ship was locked in ice. Born to Anglo-Irish parents, Shackleton rejected his father’s hopes for him to become a doctor, instead joining the merchant navy at 16—a choice that ignited his passion for exploration. Though he never achieved his dream of reaching the South Pole, his story remains one of the most remarkable survival feats, celebrated worldwide through books, films, and memorials.
Though he predates the Explorers Club’s founding in 1904, the club honours Shackleton as an iconic figure in the exploration world.
His family motto, fortitudine vincimus—"by endurance we conquer"—perfectly encapsulates his spirit. Ask him how this motto served him during his expeditions and the incredible challenges he faced, from navigating treacherous ice to leading his men through harrowing conditions. His insights into perseverance and leadership in adversity will inspire anyone with a spirit of adventure!
Louise Trotter (1973-)
Place of Birth: Gateshead, England
Photographer, Travel Writer
Could there be a more fitting "Globe Trotter" than Louise Trotter? Inspired by Karl M. Creelman, the first Canadian to bicycle around the world, she began her journey in Truro, Nova Scotia, retracing his 75,000 km adventure while adding her own bucket list destinations, including New Zealand.
Louise's extensive travels include memorable moments like her first trip in 1981, crossing the English Channel to Normandy, and adventures in London, where a pink sweater-wearing monkey once perched on her shoulder. One highlight was her visit to a remote village outside Moscow, where she connected with locals and discovered the joys of their everyday lives.
Perhaps after a glass of wine, she’ll regale you with tales of her traditional Ayurvedic massage in India, where she found herself slipping and sliding under the therapist’s hands. This story never fails to entertain!
Through her photography and writing, Louise captures the beauty and surprises of travel, inviting others to share her experiences. You might want to sit beside her to hear more of her adventurous tales—who knows what humorous escapades might unfold?
Gertrude Bell (1868-1926)
Place of Birth: Washington, England
Queen of the Desert & Middle East Architect
Known as the "Queen of the Desert," Gertrude Bell was an extraordinary explorer, diplomat, and archaeologist whose work helped shape the Middle East. Her mapping expeditions through Mesopotamia and Arabia and her deep cultural insight made her invaluable to British imperial policy. Alongside T.E. Lawrence (aka Lawrence of Arabia), Bell supported the Hashemite dynasties in Jordan and Iraq.
Bell’s reflections on travel capture her spirit of adventure: “All the earth is seamed with roads, and all the sea is furrowed with the tracks of ships…What is it, I wonder, that they go out to see?”
Picture her beside you, recounting the challenges of tracing boundaries in the shifting sands of Iraq, a reminder of the courage and intellect that defined her legacy.
Dervla Murphy (1931-2022)
Place of Birth: Lismore, Ireland
Pioneering Cyclist, Writer
Dervla Murphy was a true travel legend renowned for her audacious adventures and profound insights as she journeyed across continents. Born in Lismore, Ireland, she received a bicycle and an atlas on her tenth birthday, sparking a lifelong passion for exploration. Murphy famously cycled 4,400 miles from Dunkirk to Delhi in the 1960s, chronicling her experiences in her acclaimed book Full Tilt: Ireland to India with a Bicycle.
As a fearless adventurer, she traversed rugged landscapes with little more than the essentials, often sleeping under the stars or relying on the hospitality of locals. Her writings reveal the beauty of the places she visited and the intricate lives and cultures of the people she encountered. Her strong affinity for local communities, especially in Afghanistan and Coorg, India, shaped her perspective and advocacy for environmental and political issues.
Overheard saying: “Buying a bicycle is a momentous event, akin to marriage: you are acquiring a partner.” I have seated Dervla next to Karl, I think they will have a lot to chat about.
Karl Creelman (1899-1924)
Place of Birth: Upper Stewiacke, Nova Scotia
Bicycle Adventurer & World Traveller
Karl Creelman was among the first to bicycle around the world, departing from Truro, Nova Scotia, on May 11, 1899. His ambitious route spanned Canada, the U.S., Australia, Asia, Africa, and Europe, covering over 51,000 miles in just over two years.
Facing challenges like rough terrain and malaria in India, Creelman showcased remarkable resourcefulness, even taking shipboard jobs to fund his travels. Upon his triumphant return to Truro in 1902, he was celebrated by a cheering crowd that lifted him onto their shoulders.
I’d be eager to learn about his adventures at the 1901 International Exhibition in Glasgow. Did he ride the water chute at the Canadian pavilion? If you are an avid Karl Chronicle reader, you may have other questions if you sit beside him.
Levison Wood (1982-)
Place of Birth: Staffordshire, England
Writer, Explorer, Photographer
A former British Army officer turned explorer, Levison Wood, has walked the length of the Nile and the Himalayas, documenting these breathtaking treks in exquisite detail. His journeys capture the essence of modern exploration, and his work has taken him to over 100 countries.
Wood is a best-selling author known for his ambitious global expeditions. He has eleven critically acclaimed books, including Walking the Nile and Walking the Himalayas. He has also produced numerous documentaries that have aired worldwide, showcasing his adventures and insights into different cultures. His membership in esteemed organizations such as the Explorers Club and the Royal Geographical Society highlights his significant contributions to adventure literature.
While in Egypt, Levison stayed at the Old Cataract Hotel in Aswan, a historic site where Winston Churchill once stayed and where Agatha Christie wrote Death on the Nile. But maybe you’d be more curious to find out what shoes he wears to do this much walking. If yes, he’s your perfect elbow dining companion.
Nellie Bly (1864-1922)
Place of Birth: Cochran's Mills, Pennsylvania, United States
Trailblazing Journalist & World Traveller
Nellie Bly was a pioneering journalist who famously travelled around the world in just 72 days—beating the record in Jules Verne’s Around the World in Eighty Days. Her fearless dedication as an investigative journalist showed the world that journalism could challenge social norms and uncover hidden truths.
Did you know? During her race around the globe, Nellie Bly stopped in France, where she was invited to meet Jules Verne and his wife. She described visiting Verne’s study, writing: “On the desk was a neat little pile of white paper... part of the manuscript of a novel that M. Verne is engaged on at present.”
Nellie left details of the book undisclosed, but she might share more of her adventures from that memorable visit—or tell you about her impromptu purchase of a monkey in Singapore, a companion she named McGinty who travelled the rest of the world alongside her.
Anthony Bourdain (1956 - 2018)
Place of Birth: New York City, New York, United States
Travel documentarian, Author, Chef
American travel documentarian, author, and chef Anthony Bourdain was celebrated for his insatiable curiosity and fearless exploration of the world. Through his signature candour, empathy, and adventurous spirit, Bourdain revealed the transformative power of food as a gateway to understanding diverse cultures.
He embraced new experiences without judgment, often capturing the deeper truths of a culture far beyond tourist snapshots. He once said: “If I’m an advocate for anything, it’s to move as far as you can, as much as you can. Across the ocean or simply across the river. Walk in someone else’s shoes or at least eat their food.”
In his series Parts Unknown, Bourdain travelled to Oman—one of my favourite places—and I was thrilled that he was equally captivated by the country. He described it perfectly: “Oman defies expectations; it shouldn’t, according to the cruel logic of the world, exist. But it does, and it’s incredible. It is surrounded by some of the trickiest and most contentious powers in the region, and yet here it is: relatively small, tolerant, welcoming to outsiders, peaceful, and stunningly beautiful.”
Dear Reader, I will definitely sit next to Anthony at the table, but there’s an open seat on his other side. While I could suggest conversation topics, you’ll have to wait your turn—I have so much to discuss with him first.
Lady Jane Franklin (1791-1875)
Place of Birth: London, England
Pioneering Traveler & Advocate for Arctic Exploration
Lady Jane Franklin was a force of nature. She was renowned as one of the 19th century's most intrepid female travellers, voyaging across six continents and braving landscapes that few women of her time dared to explore. Her biographer celebrated her as "probably the most travelled woman of her time. " She embarked on countless journeys that spanned deserts, mountains, and islands, all while championing her husband Sir John Franklin's Arctic explorations.
With a love of travel that began in her youth, Jane’s insatiable curiosity led her to study languages, attend Royal Society lectures, and journey across Europe with her father, who encouraged her independence. Marrying famed Arctic explorer John Franklin only fueled her adventurous spirit. From the Mediterranean to Tasmania and to the rugged outback of Australia, she often travelled alone and navigated formidable terrains, thriving in challenges that would have deterred others.
When John Franklin embarked on his ill-fated Arctic expedition in 1845, Lady Jane continued exploring France, the Caribbean, and America. During this time, she tirelessly lobbied for search efforts when news from the Arctic ceased.
Ask her about when she descended into a crater in Hawaii or how she became the first woman to climb Mount Wellington. Sitting beside Lady Franklin promises tales of adventure and determination that will inspire any traveller at heart.
Michael Palin (1943-)
Place of Birth: Sheffield, England
Comedian, Actor, Writer, Documentarian
Monty Python alumnus Michael Palin, travelling writer and documentarian, has captivated audiences with his sharp wit and endless curiosity about the world. His acclaimed series Around the World in 80 Days established him as a beloved figure in travel, inspiring countless viewers to embrace adventure and explore new horizons.
A man who has visited both poles, Palin once remarked, “I've been lucky enough to stand on both poles, but the place that seemed the remotest to me was Butugychag, a former gulag in Siberia. It is completely cut off from the rest of the world.”
Overheard saying: “I am not a great cook, I am not a great artist, but I love art, and I love food, so I am the perfect traveller.” There are so many travel questions to ask Sir Michael, or maybe you want to hear Sir Michael say a few lines from the infamous “Dead Parrot Sketch.” Your choice, Dear Reader!
Yourself (or the lucky Dear Reader)
Place of Birth: Somewhere in the World
Aspiring Explorer
You! A special invitation to sit amongst history’s greatest explorers, adventurers, and storytellers.
So over to you, Dear Reader, RSVP in the comments:
Who would you like to sit beside? and
Why?
I look forward to your responses, and next week, the winner will be revealed.
If you are new to the Karl Chronicles, get caught up on our expedition around the world!
Start here 150 highlights from 150 Chronicles
Then get caught up on the rest of our journey, click here for more Karl Chronicles
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The Karl Journey is now registered as an official expedition with the Royal Geographical Society