My life-long passion for chasing eclipses continued in March 2006 with a major expedition to the scorched landscapes of the Sahara Desert in Libya. One of the most intensely anticipated eclipses of my career, this trip deliverd more beauty, more adventure and more satisfaction than I could have possibly imagined. And I am very demanding! But the Libyans came through! Their country is a vast, seemingly timeless expanse that exerts an undeniable force - pulling on you from the inside. From this one, we all came back changed. It was like going to the Moon and back. Libya is without question one of the hidden gems of the world - The Sahara, one of the most mysterious places. To collide, here, with nature’s grandest spectacle was one of the peak experiences of my life. So killer!

I embark on this journey with my friend Michael Riley. It’s our second chase together. We leave home for almost a month on 17 March 2006 - full of hope and expectations. But we have no idea what is waiting for us on the other side of the world.

We begin in Venice, Italy!

I like to do a lot of travelling before the eclipse. The momentum of all the anticipation is great fuel. And I have to say that the beauty of a city built on water and the sheer novelty of the intricate canal system makes Venice one of the must-see cities of the world. A delight for a few nights…

There’s nowhere like Venice.

Mmmm. Michael’s two favourite things… espresso and red wine.

Our plan is to fill up on red wine & Italian food before the prohibition and desert rations of Libya. So that’s exactly what we do. I like!

Palermo is our home base as we discover Sicily next.

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The Valley of Temples at Agrigento on Sicily’s south shores.

Within a few short hours from Palermo, you can be at any of Sicily’s great sites. The island is a lush green rock surrounded by Mediterranean Sea - home to a rich traditional culture that remains untouched by the march of time.

The intricate mosaics of Piazza Armerina - 2nd century ruins in the heart of the island.