We are delighted to welcome to Hong Kong Colonel John BlashfordSnell, the legendary British explorer, who gave the Branch's first ever lecture at its foundation. Colonel BlashfordSnell, a Royal Engineer, is the veteran of many famous expeditions, including the Blue Nile, the British TransAmericas and the Zaire River. In 1969, he formed the Scientific Exploration Society and went on to launch Operations Drake and Raleigh, which have involved thousands of young explorers from around the world. Colonel BlashfordSnell is the author of numerous bestselling books of his expeditions, and holds the Patron's Medal of the Royal Geographical Society. In this lecture, John BlashfordSnell recounts this amazing story of adventure and discovery, of lost civilisations and littleknown archaeological sites, and of the explorers whose combined efforts ensured the success of the Kota Mama Expedition.