Wilfred Thesiger

Wilfred Thesiger was one of the greatest explorers and travel

writers of the 20th century. He died in 2003. His books, which
describe his journeys in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, have
won many literary prizes. His best known book is Arabian Sands,
which is about two journeys through Arabia. People have praised
his description in the book of the 'Empty Quarter'.He spent five
years travelling in the 'Empty Quarter', often accompanied by the
Bedu, the fierce tribespeople living in the area.
Thesiger fell in love with the desert. He enjoyed the 'sense of
space, the silence, and the crisp clearness of the sand'. It was a
place where he found peace and friendship. He also learned to
love the Bedu, and they learned to respect him. He also became a
competent amateur doctor. He chose the 'Empty Quarter' for his
journeys because it was 'one of the very few places where he
could satisfy an urge to go where others had not been'

Wilfred Thesiger stopped for four afternoon on a long gentle slope

to rest the camels. Al Auf announced that they would go on again
at sunset. While they were feeding Thesiger said to him cheerfully
that they are across the Uruq al Shaiba at last. Al Auf looked at
him for a moment and then answered, that If they go well tonight
they should reach "The Uruq al Shaiba. Thesiger thought that
they crossed today was the Uruq al Shaiba. But That was only a
dune. He thought that the worst of the journey was behind them
but it was still ahead. At midnight they got some sleep and gave
the camels a rest. Thesiger dreamed they The Uruq al Shaiba
towered above them higher than the Himalaya.