A man who sparked an international search will be talking about his experiences off the grid at an event in Dundee next month.
Benedict Allen caused headlines across the world when he failed to turn up for his return flight from the jungles of Papua New Guinea.
Travelling alone and without a phone or any form of GPS, the writer’s disappearance resulted in a newspaper-funded rescue mission.
Benedict was airlifted to safety from a tribal warzone and returned to his family.
He now promises to “spill the beans” on the experience as he shares the truth about what happened during his jungle adventure.
His travails included bouts of malaria and dengue fever and tropical storms.
He will also regale the audience with the human stories he encountered as he made contact with the Yaifo tribe.
Benedict was there to reconnect with the isolated community after his first visit 30 years before, the first recorded contact with the tribe.
During his first meeting he took part in a brutal, six-week initiation ceremony which saw him lashed with bamboo and force fed. He also lost two pints of blood as ‘crocodile scars’ were permanently impressed on his skin.
Benedict said: “I’m so looking forward to coming back to Scotland, as part of the RSCS Inspiring People talks programme, to speak about my life ‘on the edge’ and particularly the true story of what really happened when I disappeared in Papua New Guinea last year.
“I’m particularly fond of Dundee, home of RRS Discovery, the ship that took Scott and Shackleton to the Antarctic.
“I feel it’s my job to inspire people to believe that they too are explorers. There’s so much gloomy news about, yet there are so many exciting discoveries to be made — whether in the Highlands of Scotland or the Highlands of Papa New Guinea.”
Mike Robinson, RSGS chief executive, said: “Throughout his career, Benedict has shone a light on this intriguing corner of the Pacific, and the ancient communities that have developed here.
“I hope the stories Benedict shares in Dundee will encourage people to learn more about groups such as the Yaifo people and his adventurous spirit and curiosity will rub off on the audience.”
Benedict will be speaking in Dundee University’s Dalhousie Building at 7.30pm on Tuesday February 5.
Tickets are available via Eventbrite.
