Matahi Drollet at Teahupo'o filmed by Manea Fabisch
Tereva David at Teahupo'o filmed by Manea Fabisch
Sunday, August 16, 2026
Saturday, August 15, 2026
Man lives alone on island for 33 years to ‘avoid talking to people’
From Surfer by Dashel Pierson
When Mauro Morandi’s catamaran broke down off Sardinia, he chose a different life and spent three decades alone on Budelli’s pink-sand island.
- Mauro Morandi lived alone on Budelli island for 33 years, avoiding society.
- He maintained the island’s ecology, educating visitors about its natural beauty.
- “I’m the living proof that a second, new life is possible,” Morandi once said.
Cellphones, social media, consumerism, politics, war, and so on.
It can be exhausting, at times, simply existing in the world today.
As Jack Kerouac wrote in Big Sur: “We all agree it’s too big to keep up with, that we’re surrounded by life, that we’ll never understand it, so we center it all in by swigging Scotch from the bottle and when it’s empty I run out of the car and buy another one, period.”
For one man, he had enough.
In 1989, Mauro Morandi sailed for the South Pacific, but he didn’t make it. Instead, his catamaran broke down, and he ended up on the small island of Budelli off the coast of Sardinia.
Isola de Budelli with the GeoGarage platform (IIM ENC)
He decided to stay.
Why? To “avoid talking to anyone.”
A former teacher, Morandi wound up living on the island for 33 years.
A former teacher, Morandi wound up living on the island for 33 years.
He stayed in an abandoned World War II shelter, as the sole inhabitant of Budelli.
Thus, he was dubbed the “Italian Robinson Crusoe.”
It just so happened that the island’s caretaker was about to retire, so when Morandi arrived, he took over.
Thus, he was dubbed the “Italian Robinson Crusoe.”
It just so happened that the island’s caretaker was about to retire, so when Morandi arrived, he took over.
He kept the island clean, keeping its iconic pink sand beaches pristine, and often taught day-trippers to Budelli about the native ecosystem.
“I’m so used to living in the middle of nature,” he told the Guardian.
“I’m so used to living in the middle of nature,” he told the Guardian.
“What would I do back in Modena? Play cards and go to bars like other people in their 80s? Give over! The thought of going back to live in a society that treats nature badly is very distressing. Nature needs to be loved and respected.”
Eventually, Morandi’s hermetic dream came to an end, when the island became a national park, and he was evicted.
Morandi moved into a one-bedroom apartment on La Maddalena, a large island off Sardinia.
And following a fall, his health started deteriorating.
He struggled with life back in the real world after over three decades of isolation.
“I became so used to the silence. Now it’s continuous noise,” he said.
Then, in early 2025, he died at the age of 85.
“I’m the living proof that a second, new life is possible,” Morandi once said.
Then, in early 2025, he died at the age of 85.
“I’m the living proof that a second, new life is possible,” Morandi once said.
“You can always start all over again, even if you’re over 80, because there are other things you can experience, a totally different world. I’m happy and I have rediscovered the pleasure of living the good life and enjoying everyday comforts.”
Rest in peace.
Rest in peace.
Links :
- GeoGarage blog : Meet the man who has lived alone on this island for 28 years
Friday, August 14, 2026
Saudi Arabia steps into the battle for control of the Red Sea
From The Shipping Brief
Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea moment has arrived
Saudi Arabia has announced the formation of a new multinational maritime coalition aimed at protecting commercial shipping routes across the Red Sea, the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Gulf of Aden, some of the most strategically important waterways in global trade.
The initiative reflects growing concerns over the vulnerability of maritime corridors that connect Asia, the Middle East and Europe.
The Red Sea route is a critical artery for energy shipments, container trade and supply chains, with thousands of vessels passing through the region each year to access the Suez Canal and wider international markets.
The announcement follows a summit held in Riyadh attended by representatives from 43 countries and the European Union.
The announcement follows a summit held in Riyadh attended by representatives from 43 countries and the European Union.
Fourteen countries have so far committed to participating in the Saudi-led framework, including Egypt, Pakistan, Turkey and Sudan.
The coalition is expected to focus on three core areas: intelligence sharing, coordinated naval operations and maintaining freedom of navigation.
The coalition is expected to focus on three core areas: intelligence sharing, coordinated naval operations and maintaining freedom of navigation.
While details of the operational structure remain limited, the initiative suggests a greater willingness among regional powers to take a more active role in maritime security.
Why the Red Sea has become a strategic flashpoint
The formation of the coalition comes amid a period of heightened instability around key maritime chokepoints in the Middle East.
Since late 2023, attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement on commercial vessels in and around the Red Sea have disrupted one of the world’s busiest shipping routes.
Several major shipping companies have diverted vessels away from the Bab al-Mandab Strait, opting instead for longer routes around the Cape of Good Hope to reduce security risks.
The Bab al-Mandab Strait, located between Yemen and Djibouti and Eritrea, is a narrow maritime passage connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.
The Bab al-Mandab Strait, located between Yemen and Djibouti and Eritrea, is a narrow maritime passage connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.
Its strategic importance comes from its role as a gateway between the Indian Ocean and the Suez Canal, through which a significant share of global trade normally passes.
At the same time, wider regional tensions — particularly concerns surrounding Iran and the security of the Strait of Hormuz — have added further pressure on Middle Eastern energy routes.
The Strait of Hormuz remains the world’s most important oil transit chokepoint, with a significant proportion of global crude and liquefied natural gas exports passing through it.
At the same time, wider regional tensions — particularly concerns surrounding Iran and the security of the Strait of Hormuz — have added further pressure on Middle Eastern energy routes.
The Strait of Hormuz remains the world’s most important oil transit chokepoint, with a significant proportion of global crude and liquefied natural gas exports passing through it.
Any prolonged disruption in the area could have major implications for energy markets.
Saudi Arabia’s energy security calculations
For Saudi Arabia, maritime security in the Red Sea has a direct connection to national energy strategy.
The kingdom has invested heavily in diversifying its export routes through the East-West Pipeline, also known as Petroline, which transports crude oil from fields in the east of the country to the Red Sea port of Yanbu.
This infrastructure provides Saudi Arabia with an alternative pathway for exporting crude without relying entirely on the Strait of Hormuz.
As geopolitical risks increase in the Gulf, the Red Sea has become increasingly important to Saudi Aramco’s ability to maintain reliable access to international markets.
Protecting shipping lanes in the region therefore serves not only broader international trade interests but also Saudi Arabia’s own economic and energy security objectives.
Protecting shipping lanes in the region therefore serves not only broader international trade interests but also Saudi Arabia’s own economic and energy security objectives.
A new layer in regional maritime security
The Saudi-led coalition adds another dimension to existing international efforts to secure Red Sea shipping.
The United States launched Operation Prosperity Guardian in late 2023 to coordinate maritime protection efforts in response to attacks on commercial vessels.
The European Union also established Operation Aspides, a defensive naval mission designed to help protect merchant shipping and ensure freedom of navigation.
The emergence of a Saudi-led initiative suggests a broader shift toward regional ownership of maritime security.
The emergence of a Saudi-led initiative suggests a broader shift toward regional ownership of maritime security.
While international naval deployments remain important, Gulf and Red Sea states are increasingly seeking a stronger role in managing risks in their surrounding waters.
What this means for global trade
The security of the Red Sea is closely linked to the stability of global supply chains.
What this means for global trade
The security of the Red Sea is closely linked to the stability of global supply chains.
Disruptions in this corridor can increase shipping costs, extend delivery times and create additional pressure on energy markets.
The creation of a new multinational coalition does not immediately eliminate the risks facing commercial shipping, but it represents an important step toward improving coordination between regional and international actors.
As geopolitical competition intensifies across the Middle East, control and security of maritime chokepoints will remain a central factor shaping energy flows, trade routes and regional influence.
Links :
The creation of a new multinational coalition does not immediately eliminate the risks facing commercial shipping, but it represents an important step toward improving coordination between regional and international actors.
As geopolitical competition intensifies across the Middle East, control and security of maritime chokepoints will remain a central factor shaping energy flows, trade routes and regional influence.
Links :
Thursday, August 13, 2026
China’s ‘Xuelong 2’ begins first ice station survey in central Arctic Ocean
Chinese research icebreaker Xuelong 2 Photo: VCG
From Global Times by Lu Wenao
China's research icebreaker Xuelong 2 began its first ice station survey of its current voyage near 84 degrees north latitude in the central Arctic Ocean on Sunday, marking the start of an approximately half-month comprehensive survey of the region.
After completing the first stage of comprehensive ocean station surveys on Friday, Xuelong 2 sailed toward higher latitudes and selected a large, relatively flat piece of sea ice about 1.5 meters thick in a densely packed ice zone for its first ice station.
According to Lin Long, captain of the Xuelong 2 sea ice team, the ice station survey conducted by the vessel during this voyage will include six short-term ice stations and one long-term ice station, the Xinhua News Agency reported Sunday.
More than 20 types of scientific operations will be carried out, including the deployment of expendable ice-based buoys, snow and ice-core sampling, under-ice water sampling, sea-ice remote sensing, atmospheric profiling and under-ice oceanographic observations.
Lan Musheng, assistant to the chief scientist of the expedition, said the researchers will comprehensively monitor changes in parameters related to the atmosphere, sea ice, upper ocean and ecological processes beneath the ice as the sea ice melts.
The observations will provide scientific data for studying the rapid changes in Arctic sea ice, the mechanisms behind those changes and the evolution of Arctic ecosystems.
The ice station work is part of China's 16th Arctic Ocean scientific expedition, which was organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources. The expedition set sail from Dalian, Northeast China's Liaoning Province on July 3.
The mission is being carried out by four vessels - Xuelong, Xuelong 2, Jidi and Tansuo-3 - and is expected to be completed in early October.
After completing the first stage of comprehensive ocean station surveys on Friday, Xuelong 2 sailed toward higher latitudes and selected a large, relatively flat piece of sea ice about 1.5 meters thick in a densely packed ice zone for its first ice station.
According to Lin Long, captain of the Xuelong 2 sea ice team, the ice station survey conducted by the vessel during this voyage will include six short-term ice stations and one long-term ice station, the Xinhua News Agency reported Sunday.
More than 20 types of scientific operations will be carried out, including the deployment of expendable ice-based buoys, snow and ice-core sampling, under-ice water sampling, sea-ice remote sensing, atmospheric profiling and under-ice oceanographic observations.
Lan Musheng, assistant to the chief scientist of the expedition, said the researchers will comprehensively monitor changes in parameters related to the atmosphere, sea ice, upper ocean and ecological processes beneath the ice as the sea ice melts.
The observations will provide scientific data for studying the rapid changes in Arctic sea ice, the mechanisms behind those changes and the evolution of Arctic ecosystems.
The ice station work is part of China's 16th Arctic Ocean scientific expedition, which was organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources. The expedition set sail from Dalian, Northeast China's Liaoning Province on July 3.
The mission is being carried out by four vessels - Xuelong, Xuelong 2, Jidi and Tansuo-3 - and is expected to be completed in early October.
The expedition is focusing on comprehensive surveys of sea ice, hydrology, biology, ecology and the atmospheric environment in key areas of the Arctic Ocean.
The two icebreakers Xuelong and Xuelong 2 will work together on the ice station surveys. Xuelong completed surveys at 12 ice stations on Friday.
Lin said the ice station locations planned for Xuelong 2 will work in coordination with those of Xuelong to form an observation array.
The arrangement will allow researchers to more deeply investigate the interactions among the atmosphere, sea ice and ocean in the central Arctic Ocean amid rapid environmental changes, as well as their coupling effects with the ecosystem.
The expedition is being conducted against a backdrop of rapid changes in the Arctic environment.
When the mission was launched in July, expedition leader Wang Jinhui said that global warming was driving rapid and profound changes in the Arctic natural environment, with trends such as sea-ice melting intensifying.
The expedition is therefore designed not only to monitor environmental changes but also to investigate frontier scientific questions, including the dynamic evolution of the oceanic crust.
Working on sea ice also presents significant safety challenges.
The two icebreakers Xuelong and Xuelong 2 will work together on the ice station surveys. Xuelong completed surveys at 12 ice stations on Friday.
Lin said the ice station locations planned for Xuelong 2 will work in coordination with those of Xuelong to form an observation array.
The arrangement will allow researchers to more deeply investigate the interactions among the atmosphere, sea ice and ocean in the central Arctic Ocean amid rapid environmental changes, as well as their coupling effects with the ecosystem.
The expedition is being conducted against a backdrop of rapid changes in the Arctic environment.
When the mission was launched in July, expedition leader Wang Jinhui said that global warming was driving rapid and profound changes in the Arctic natural environment, with trends such as sea-ice melting intensifying.
The expedition is therefore designed not only to monitor environmental changes but also to investigate frontier scientific questions, including the dynamic evolution of the oceanic crust.
Working on sea ice also presents significant safety challenges.
Low temperatures and complex ice-surface conditions can pose risks to researchers, while polar bears are considered the biggest safety risk during ice station operations.
The expedition team has therefore formulated specific bear-prevention and emergency response plans and equipped personnel with various types of bear-deterrence equipment and emergency supplies to ensure their safety.
The expedition team has therefore formulated specific bear-prevention and emergency response plans and equipped personnel with various types of bear-deterrence equipment and emergency supplies to ensure their safety.
Links :
- People.cn : China's research icebreaker Xuelong 2 carries out operations at ice stations in Arctic Ocean
- CGTN : Xuelong 2 begins 1st ice station survey during 16th Arctic expedition
- CBC : Canada, U.S. shadow Chinese research ships in the Arctic as concern grows over Snow Dragons' presence
- Financial Times : China bypasses shipping chokepoints with 'Ice Silk Road' through Arctic
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Why the Aug. 12 total solar eclipse appears to move backward on maps
A global map of the shadow path for the Aug. 12, 2026, total solar eclipse.
(Image credit: NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio)
(Image credit: NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio)
From LiveScience by Jamie Carter
While eclipse paths always move from west to east, this one seems to reverse direction on maps as it crosses the Arctic. Here's the geometry behind the illusion.
Every total solar eclipse travels from west to east, because the moon and Earth move in the same direction — counterclockwise, or from west to east.
Earth rotates eastward once every 24 hours, and the moon also travels eastward as it orbits our planet.
Because the moon's shadow moves across Earth faster than the planet rotates beneath it, the path of totality (the route of the moon's umbra, the darkest part of its inner shadow) always sweeps from west to east.
But if you've looked at maps of the Aug. 12, 2026, total solar eclipse, you may have noticed something puzzling. At first glance, the eclipse appears to do the exact opposite.
But if you've looked at maps of the Aug. 12, 2026, total solar eclipse, you may have noticed something puzzling. At first glance, the eclipse appears to do the exact opposite.
The path seems to begin in far northern Siberia, near the North Pole, before heading toward eastern Greenland, making it look as though the moon's shadow were traveling from east to west. It then appears to curve over western Iceland and northern Spain.
So what's going on?
The apparent reversal from Siberia to Greenland is an illusion.
The apparent reversal from Siberia to Greenland is an illusion.
It's created by geometry, but it's also a result of viewing the eclipse on a flat map instead of on a globe. The moon's shadow follows a smooth arc across Earth's curved surface and never changes direction, as shown by this animation.
This eclipse passes so close to the North Pole that the distortion caused by map projections makes the track appear to bend back on itself, when in reality, the shadow is simply sweeping over the top of the world.
An animation of the shadow path for the Aug. 12, 2026, total solar eclipse, from the point of view of the moon.
(Image credit: Michael Zeiler at EclipseAtlas.com/Fred Espenak at EclipseWise.com)
(Image credit: Michael Zeiler at EclipseAtlas.com/Fred Espenak at EclipseWise.com)
"The path of this eclipse also has a strong north-south component, the combined effect of Earth's rotation and the tilt of both Earth's axis and the Moon's orbit," experts at NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio explained.
"Combined with Earth's rotation, the umbra's eastern motion during the first half of its travel is effectively canceled out."
This causes the shadow to sweep over the Arctic in a broad curve, instead of following the more familiar west-to-east path.
This causes the shadow to sweep over the Arctic in a broad curve, instead of following the more familiar west-to-east path.
On a flat map, that curved route can make it look as though the eclipse briefly reverses direction, even though it never actually does.
The moon's shadow has two parts — the narrow umbra, where observers experience totality, and the much broader penumbra, where only a partial eclipse is visible.
The moon's shadow has two parts — the narrow umbra, where observers experience totality, and the much broader penumbra, where only a partial eclipse is visible.
The widths of these shadows depend on the moon's distance from Earth, while their speed is influenced by the moon's orbit, Earth's rotation and the geometry of the eclipse.
If you are among the millions of people who will be in the moon's penumbra on Aug. 12, make sure to always wear a pair of certified solar eclipse glasses (or use a solar filter on your telescope or binoculars) to view the partial eclipse.
If you are among the millions of people who will be in the moon's penumbra on Aug. 12, make sure to always wear a pair of certified solar eclipse glasses (or use a solar filter on your telescope or binoculars) to view the partial eclipse.
It is never safe to look directly at the sun, except during the moment of totality, when the sun is 100% covered.
Links :
- LiveScience : Where and when to see the Aug. 12 solar eclipse — exact times for North America and Europe / Which solar eclipse viewing method is right for you? / How to make a solar eclipse viewer to safely watch the solar eclipse on August 12 / Why Aug. 12 could be the greatest single day and night for skywatchers for years
- NASA : Total Solar Eclipse
- The Guardian : Europe’s total solar eclipse: the best place to see it and how to view it safely
- Sky&Telescope : Where to see the August 12th solar eclipse online
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)