February 16 2015 a day I will never forget I was on my way to the lost city
forget I was on my way to the lost city
forget I was on my way to the lost city for the very first time in my life I’ve
for the very first time in my life I’ve
for the very first time in my life I’ve been waiting 21 years for this moment
been waiting 21 years for this moment
been waiting 21 years for this moment and couldn’t believe was actually
and couldn’t believe was actually
and couldn’t believe was actually happening as I would look out the window
happening as I would look out the window
happening as I would look out the window at the jungle covered mountains I
at the jungle covered mountains I
at the jungle covered mountains I somehow had this thought that there’s
somehow had this thought that there’s
somehow had this thought that there’s absolutely no place to land in case of
absolutely no place to land in case of
absolutely no place to land in case of an emergency we’re screwed so I looked
an emergency we’re screwed so I looked
an emergency we’re screwed so I looked behind me at a military helicopter
behind me at a military helicopter
behind me at a military helicopter following us with other members of our
following us with other members of our
following us with other members of our crew and I noticed it was kind of
crew and I noticed it was kind of
crew and I noticed it was kind of rocking side to side pitching back and
rocking side to side pitching back and
rocking side to side pitching back and forth and I went this doesn’t seem right
forth and I went this doesn’t seem right
forth and I went this doesn’t seem right so I asked my pilot is this normal and
so I asked my pilot is this normal and
so I asked my pilot is this normal and he said absolutely not you look back and
he said absolutely not you look back and
he said absolutely not you look back and before we knew it the other helicopter
before we knew it the other helicopter
before we knew it the other helicopter was gone was nowhere to be seen as we
was gone was nowhere to be seen as we
was gone was nowhere to be seen as we turned around we heard a garbled message
turned around we heard a garbled message
turned around we heard a garbled message on the radio it was from the Honduran
on the radio it was from the Honduran
on the radio it was from the Honduran military commander telling us that the
military commander telling us that the
military commander telling us that the computerized stabilizers in their
computerized stabilizers in their
computerized stabilizers in their helicopter were failing and the pilot
helicopter were failing and the pilot
helicopter were failing and the pilot needed to immediately turn back and try
needed to immediately turn back and try
needed to immediately turn back and try and make it back to the airfield
and make it back to the airfield
and make it back to the airfield fortunately they did and all were safe
fortunately they did and all were safe
fortunately they did and all were safe we would not have to alter our plans as
we would not have to alter our plans as
we would not have to alter our plans as he waited for a replacement aircraft
he waited for a replacement aircraft
he waited for a replacement aircraft such as the typical challenge in the
such as the typical challenge in the
such as the typical challenge in the typical day in the life of an explorer
typical day in the life of an explorer
typical day in the life of an explorer it all began in 1994 when I was working
it all began in 1994 when I was working
it all began in 1994 when I was working as a cameraman and partner in a
as a cameraman and partner in a
as a cameraman and partner in a production services company in Burbank
production services company in Burbank
production services company in Burbank California I had grown tired of being a
California I had grown tired of being a
California I had grown tired of being a contractor to the entertainment industry
contractor to the entertainment industry
contractor to the entertainment industry and decided to be a good idea to start
and decided to be a good idea to start
and decided to be a good idea to start creating some of my own programming so I
creating some of my own programming so I
creating some of my own programming so I began to look for ideas particularly
began to look for ideas particularly
began to look for ideas particularly ones that catered to my native interest
ones that catered to my native interest
ones that catered to my native interest in science and adventure by chance a
in science and adventure by chance a
in science and adventure by chance a director friend of mine introduced me to
director friend of mine introduced me to
director friend of mine introduced me to a real live treasure hunter and Explorer
a real live treasure hunter and Explorer
a real live treasure hunter and Explorer type his name was Steve Morgan although
type his name was Steve Morgan although
type his name was Steve Morgan although he preferred to be called Captain Morgan
he preferred to be called Captain Morgan
he preferred to be called Captain Morgan because he had an affinity to the
because he had an affinity to the
because he had an affinity to the character in the rum ads Steve had
character in the rum ads Steve had
character in the rum ads Steve had written a number of very short stories
written a number of very short stories
written a number of very short stories about adventures he had done and wanted
about adventures he had done and wanted
about adventures he had done and wanted to do and thought they would be great
to do and thought they would be great
to do and thought they would be great for a TV show one of those stories was
for a TV show one of those stories was
for a TV show one of those stories was about a legendary lost city in the
about a legendary lost city in the
about a legendary lost city in the Mosquitia jungle of Eastern Honduras the
Mosquitia jungle of Eastern Honduras the
Mosquitia jungle of Eastern Honduras the place had two names Ciudad Blanca which
place had two names Ciudad Blanca which
place had two names Ciudad Blanca which means white city in Spanish because
means white city in Spanish because
means white city in Spanish because allegedly
allegedly
allegedly buildings are made out of white stone
buildings are made out of white stone
buildings are made out of white stone and lost city the monkey-god because
and lost city the monkey-god because
and lost city the monkey-god because supposedly the people who live there
supposedly the people who live there
supposedly the people who live there worship the monkey God
worship the monkey God
worship the monkey God explorers had been looking for this
explorers had been looking for this
explorers had been looking for this place ever since the conquistador Hernan
place ever since the conquistador Hernan
place ever since the conquistador Hernan Cortes first wrote about it in 1526
Cortes first wrote about it in 1526
Cortes first wrote about it in 1526 the Smithsonian even sent three
the Smithsonian even sent three
the Smithsonian even sent three expeditions in the 1930s some explorers
expeditions in the 1930s some explorers
expeditions in the 1930s some explorers would return with fantastical stories
would return with fantastical stories
would return with fantastical stories and enigmatic artifacts while others
and enigmatic artifacts while others
and enigmatic artifacts while others unfortunately never returned mainly
unfortunately never returned mainly
unfortunately never returned mainly because the Mosquitia was one of the
because the Mosquitia was one of the
because the Mosquitia was one of the least explored and roughest jungles in
least explored and roughest jungles in
least explored and roughest jungles in the world it still is actually with
the world it still is actually with
the world it still is actually with unbroken 50-meter canopy steep mountains
unbroken 50-meter canopy steep mountains
unbroken 50-meter canopy steep mountains vast rivers swamps incredibly thick
vast rivers swamps incredibly thick
vast rivers swamps incredibly thick vegetation and some of the deadliest
vegetation and some of the deadliest
vegetation and some of the deadliest wildlife in the Americas if you look at
wildlife in the Americas if you look at
wildlife in the Americas if you look at this old map from 1858 you’ll notice
this old map from 1858 you’ll notice
this old map from 1858 you’ll notice that in red it’s highlighted Portal del
that in red it’s highlighted Portal del
that in red it’s highlighted Portal del inferno it was once known as the gates
inferno it was once known as the gates
inferno it was once known as the gates of Hell as Morgan was telling me the
of Hell as Morgan was telling me the
of Hell as Morgan was telling me the rest of the story I knew immediately
rest of the story I knew immediately
rest of the story I knew immediately that this would be a great pilot for a
that this would be a great pilot for a
that this would be a great pilot for a TV series I was going to call tales of
TV series I was going to call tales of
TV series I was going to call tales of adventure I didn’t know however at the
adventure I didn’t know however at the
adventure I didn’t know however at the time that my eventual quest for the lost
time that my eventual quest for the lost
time that my eventual quest for the lost city would lead me down a path that
city would lead me down a path that
city would lead me down a path that would create a legacy and help change
would create a legacy and help change
would create a legacy and help change the attitudes of a country Morgan told
the attitudes of a country Morgan told
the attitudes of a country Morgan told me that he could arrange all the
me that he could arrange all the
me that he could arrange all the everything that had to be arranged in
everything that had to be arranged in
everything that had to be arranged in Honduras and all I had to do was just
Honduras and all I had to do was just
Honduras and all I had to do was just raise the money of course and take care
raise the money of course and take care
raise the money of course and take care of the TV production I really had no
of the TV production I really had no
of the TV production I really had no idea what what to do in a jungle or how
idea what what to do in a jungle or how
idea what what to do in a jungle or how to make things happen in Honduras I even
to make things happen in Honduras I even
to make things happen in Honduras I even thought maybe I could find a book called
thought maybe I could find a book called
thought maybe I could find a book called finding a lost city for dummies but
finding a lost city for dummies but
finding a lost city for dummies but there wasn’t such a thing
there wasn’t such a thing
there wasn’t such a thing so I did the next best thing which was
so I did the next best thing which was
so I did the next best thing which was take a deep breath hold it cross my
take a deep breath hold it cross my
take a deep breath hold it cross my fingers and hope the heck that Morgan
fingers and hope the heck that Morgan
fingers and hope the heck that Morgan knew what he was doing because I didn’t
knew what he was doing because I didn’t
knew what he was doing because I didn’t however in all fairness I did study
however in all fairness I did study
however in all fairness I did study archaeology in the earth sciences well
archaeology in the earth sciences well
archaeology in the earth sciences well in college so I suppose I had some ideas
in college so I suppose I had some ideas
in college so I suppose I had some ideas or delusions of what such an adventure
or delusions of what such an adventure
or delusions of what such an adventure would be like especially when I moved to
would be like especially when I moved to
would be like especially when I moved to Los Angeles in 1979 to work as my father
Los Angeles in 1979 to work as my father
Los Angeles in 1979 to work as my father in the business selling hot dogs out of
in the business selling hot dogs out of
in the business selling hot dogs out of a giant Wienermobile at Venice Beach
back then I was only looking for the
back then I was only looking for the lost bag of french fries
fortunately Morgan had a good friend and
fortunately Morgan had a good friend and fellow adventurer named Bruce Heinicke
fellow adventurer named Bruce Heinicke
fellow adventurer named Bruce Heinicke bruce was going to become our fixer in
bruce was going to become our fixer in
bruce was going to become our fixer in Honduras and take care of all the
Honduras and take care of all the
Honduras and take care of all the government permits and local logistics
government permits and local logistics
government permits and local logistics he had lived in Honduras for a number of
he had lived in Honduras for a number of
he had lived in Honduras for a number of years married to Honduran woman and
years married to Honduran woman and
years married to Honduran woman and really knew his way around if you know
really knew his way around if you know
really knew his way around if you know what I mean he looked like a character
what I mean he looked like a character
what I mean he looked like a character right I have a central casting for a
right I have a central casting for a
right I have a central casting for a b-movie with his large frame gruff
b-movie with his large frame gruff
b-movie with his large frame gruff demeanor gold chain pinkie ring and it
demeanor gold chain pinkie ring and it
demeanor gold chain pinkie ring and it don’t screw with me attitude I was
don’t screw with me attitude I was
don’t screw with me attitude I was really happy that he was on my payroll
really happy that he was on my payroll
really happy that he was on my payroll and only hoped that it would stay that
and only hoped that it would stay that
and only hoped that it would stay that way before long we were in Honduras
way before long we were in Honduras
way before long we were in Honduras traveling and dugout canoes over
traveling and dugout canoes over
traveling and dugout canoes over crocodile infested waters on a dark and
crocodile infested waters on a dark and
crocodile infested waters on a dark and moonless night suddenly there was this
moonless night suddenly there was this
moonless night suddenly there was this big bang in screams two of the canoes
big bang in screams two of the canoes
big bang in screams two of the canoes collided and they almost tipped
collided and they almost tipped
collided and they almost tipped completely over and I thought my god
completely over and I thought my god
completely over and I thought my god what are we doing here we’re all gonna
what are we doing here we’re all gonna
what are we doing here we’re all gonna die we’re never gonna get home well
die we’re never gonna get home well
die we’re never gonna get home well obviously we survived because I’m
obviously we survived because I’m
obviously we survived because I’m standing here several days later after
standing here several days later after
standing here several days later after slogging through the rainforest came
slogging through the rainforest came
slogging through the rainforest came upon this very interesting Boulder next
upon this very interesting Boulder next
upon this very interesting Boulder next to a river carved into the stone was
to a river carved into the stone was
to a river carved into the stone was this amazing image of a man with a
this amazing image of a man with a
this amazing image of a man with a strange hat or headdress on a mask a
strange hat or headdress on a mask a
strange hat or headdress on a mask a digging stick and what appeared to be a
digging stick and what appeared to be a
digging stick and what appeared to be a gourd with seeds falling out of it at
gourd with seeds falling out of it at
gourd with seeds falling out of it at least that’s what the expedition
least that’s what the expedition
least that’s what the expedition archaeologists told us I immediately had
archaeologists told us I immediately had
archaeologists told us I immediately had an epiphany I thought here we are in the
an epiphany I thought here we are in the
an epiphany I thought here we are in the middle of the rainforest high up in the
middle of the rainforest high up in the
middle of the rainforest high up in the mountains far away from any human
mountains far away from any human
mountains far away from any human dwellings
dwellings
dwellings what’s a carving of a man planting seeds
what’s a carving of a man planting seeds
what’s a carving of a man planting seeds doing in a place like this I mean no way
doing in a place like this I mean no way
doing in a place like this I mean no way you could imagine this is farmland it’s
you could imagine this is farmland it’s
you could imagine this is farmland it’s just all jungle he could barely see 20
just all jungle he could barely see 20
just all jungle he could barely see 20 feet I did know however that
feet I did know however that
feet I did know however that environments can and do change over time
environments can and do change over time
environments can and do change over time so perhaps it was once a more open
so perhaps it was once a more open
so perhaps it was once a more open landscape in the past either naturally
landscape in the past either naturally
landscape in the past either naturally or modified by the people who once lived
or modified by the people who once lived
or modified by the people who once lived there from that moment on I became
there from that moment on I became
there from that moment on I became obsessed with trying to find Sita Blanca
obsessed with trying to find Sita Blanca
obsessed with trying to find Sita Blanca or at least proving whether or not it
or at least proving whether or not it
or at least proving whether or not it really existed
really existed
really existed the 1994 expedition was followed by
the 1994 expedition was followed by
the 1994 expedition was followed by several others in the next few years
several others in the next few years
several others in the next few years each one lead
each one lead
each one lead a bit more to solving the puzzle but
a bit more to solving the puzzle but
a bit more to solving the puzzle but never coming to a definitive conclusion
never coming to a definitive conclusion
never coming to a definitive conclusion I started to become rather discouraged
I started to become rather discouraged
I started to become rather discouraged especially when my family was tired of
especially when my family was tired of
especially when my family was tired of hearing the stories and my wife would
hearing the stories and my wife would
hearing the stories and my wife would beg me don’t you ever mention the words
beg me don’t you ever mention the words
beg me don’t you ever mention the words Honduras and lost city in this house
Honduras and lost city in this house
Honduras and lost city in this house again or I’m leaving so being a prudent
again or I’m leaving so being a prudent
again or I’m leaving so being a prudent person I thought it was a good idea to
person I thought it was a good idea to
person I thought it was a good idea to move on with my life
move on with my life
move on with my life which I did however I could not keep
which I did however I could not keep
which I did however I could not keep seeing a Blanca or lost city out of the
seeing a Blanca or lost city out of the
seeing a Blanca or lost city out of the back of my mind in 2010 I was reading an
back of my mind in 2010 I was reading an
back of my mind in 2010 I was reading an article in archaeology magazine about a
article in archaeology magazine about a
article in archaeology magazine about a new technology called airborne lidar it
new technology called airborne lidar it
new technology called airborne lidar it was being used experimentally at a Maya
was being used experimentally at a Maya
was being used experimentally at a Maya site in Belize the idea was to see if
site in Belize the idea was to see if
site in Belize the idea was to see if airborne lidar could be used to uncover
airborne lidar could be used to uncover
airborne lidar could be used to uncover unknown archaeological sites in the
unknown archaeological sites in the
unknown archaeological sites in the surrounding jungle to everyone’s
surrounding jungle to everyone’s
surrounding jungle to everyone’s amazement it worked much better than
amazement it worked much better than
amazement it worked much better than expected no longer would you have to
expected no longer would you have to
expected no longer would you have to slowly trudge through the jungle hoping
slowly trudge through the jungle hoping
slowly trudge through the jungle hoping that you’re going to stumble on some
that you’re going to stumble on some
that you’re going to stumble on some rune those days were over now you could
rune those days were over now you could
rune those days were over now you could scan large areas quickly and efficiently
scan large areas quickly and efficiently
scan large areas quickly and efficiently from the relative comfort of an airplane
from the relative comfort of an airplane
from the relative comfort of an airplane this was a game-changing technology
this was a game-changing technology
this was a game-changing technology particularly for archaeological survey
particularly for archaeological survey
particularly for archaeological survey sea light our works a bit like radar and
sea light our works a bit like radar and
sea light our works a bit like radar and sonar except it uses laser beams instead
sonar except it uses laser beams instead
sonar except it uses laser beams instead to create 3d images of whatever it can
to create 3d images of whatever it can
to create 3d images of whatever it can scan and best of all for my purposes it
scan and best of all for my purposes it
scan and best of all for my purposes it would allow me to digitally erase the
would allow me to digitally erase the
would allow me to digitally erase the vegetation and expose the ruins
vegetation and expose the ruins
vegetation and expose the ruins underneath this was amazing I thought if
underneath this was amazing I thought if
underneath this was amazing I thought if I ever have the chance to go looking for
I ever have the chance to go looking for
I ever have the chance to go looking for Sita Blanca again this is what I’m gonna
Sita Blanca again this is what I’m gonna
Sita Blanca again this is what I’m gonna do
do
do forget the blind leading the blind
forget the blind leading the blind
forget the blind leading the blind through the jungle my attitude was
through the jungle my attitude was
through the jungle my attitude was goodbye Indiana Jones and hello Kem Kirk
goodbye Indiana Jones and hello Kem Kirk
goodbye Indiana Jones and hello Kem Kirk I’m going with you in this high-tech
I’m going with you in this high-tech
I’m going with you in this high-tech stuff from now on coincidentally just a
stuff from now on coincidentally just a
stuff from now on coincidentally just a few days after that and this is very
few days after that and this is very
few days after that and this is very strange I get a call from Morgan’s
strange I get a call from Morgan’s
strange I get a call from Morgan’s friend Bruce the guy who was our fixer I
friend Bruce the guy who was our fixer I
friend Bruce the guy who was our fixer I hadn’t heard from him in 10 years not
hadn’t heard from him in 10 years not
hadn’t heard from him in 10 years not sure I really wanted to but I did he
sure I really wanted to but I did he
sure I really wanted to but I did he said he had an in with the new Honduran
said he had an in with the new Honduran
said he had an in with the new Honduran president and they wanted to know if I
president and they wanted to know if I
president and they wanted to know if I was interested in looking for Sierra
was interested in looking for Sierra
was interested in looking for Sierra Blanca again and making a film about it
Blanca again and making a film about it
Blanca again and making a film about it my initial reaction was are you kidding
my initial reaction was are you kidding
my initial reaction was are you kidding if I could get my hands on this airborne
if I could get my hands on this airborne
if I could get my hands on this airborne lidar and combine it with the
lidar and combine it with the
lidar and combine it with the president’s offer to support the mission
president’s offer to support the mission
president’s offer to support the mission I had a winning combination I mean
I had a winning combination I mean
I had a winning combination I mean when else in my life would I ever have a
when else in my life would I ever have a
when else in my life would I ever have a president of a country invite me to
president of a country invite me to
president of a country invite me to pursue one of my dreams after that with
pursue one of my dreams after that with
pursue one of my dreams after that with the help of a few friends in the
the help of a few friends in the
the help of a few friends in the filmmaker named Bill Benenson we spent
filmmaker named Bill Benenson we spent
filmmaker named Bill Benenson we spent the next two years organizing to light
the next two years organizing to light
the next two years organizing to light our mission with making plans to make a
our mission with making plans to make a
our mission with making plans to make a film about it it all seems so easy until
film about it it all seems so easy until
film about it it all seems so easy until it wasn’t every day brought challenges
it wasn’t every day brought challenges
it wasn’t every day brought challenges Honduras was really a dangerous place at
Honduras was really a dangerous place at
Honduras was really a dangerous place at the time we had the highest murder rate
the time we had the highest murder rate
the time we had the highest murder rate per capita in the world drugs gangs and
per capita in the world drugs gangs and
per capita in the world drugs gangs and corruption ruled the day we had to take
corruption ruled the day we had to take
corruption ruled the day we had to take extreme precautions in fact we had to
extreme precautions in fact we had to
extreme precautions in fact we had to have heavily armed soldiers guard our
have heavily armed soldiers guard our
have heavily armed soldiers guard our light our plane 24/7 plus we had to fly
light our plane 24/7 plus we had to fly
light our plane 24/7 plus we had to fly at least a hundred miles a day out of
at least a hundred miles a day out of
at least a hundred miles a day out of our way just to refuel the aircraft at a
our way just to refuel the aircraft at a
our way just to refuel the aircraft at a secure military facility no matter how
secure military facility no matter how
secure military facility no matter how well we were prepared something always
well we were prepared something always
well we were prepared something always went wrong one of the worst times was
went wrong one of the worst times was
went wrong one of the worst times was when the lidar machine broke in the
when the lidar machine broke in the
when the lidar machine broke in the middle of the mission and we found out
middle of the mission and we found out
middle of the mission and we found out the only replacement heart in the world
the only replacement heart in the world
the only replacement heart in the world and was going to take days to get to us
and was going to take days to get to us
and was going to take days to get to us if at all plus we’re spending twenty
if at all plus we’re spending twenty
if at all plus we’re spending twenty thousand dollars a day while we’re just
thousand dollars a day while we’re just
thousand dollars a day while we’re just sitting around waiting I lost a few
sitting around waiting I lost a few
sitting around waiting I lost a few remaining here as I had in my head on
remaining here as I had in my head on
remaining here as I had in my head on that one eventually though we were able
that one eventually though we were able
that one eventually though we were able to map a large portion of the Mosquitia
to map a large portion of the Mosquitia
to map a large portion of the Mosquitia it was essentially unknown and it
it was essentially unknown and it
it was essentially unknown and it included happened to include not one but
included happened to include not one but
included happened to include not one but two lost cities precisely in the areas
two lost cities precisely in the areas
two lost cities precisely in the areas that I had targeted from my research
that I had targeted from my research
that I had targeted from my research over the years as you can see from this
over the years as you can see from this
over the years as you can see from this picture I was quite happy i felt quite
picture I was quite happy i felt quite
picture I was quite happy i felt quite vindicated now as always doing
vindicated now as always doing
vindicated now as always doing cartwheels and here are three images
cartwheels and here are three images
cartwheels and here are three images that show you what we first saw this is
that show you what we first saw this is
that show you what we first saw this is how the light are viewed the lost city
how the light are viewed the lost city
how the light are viewed the lost city area the green represents the trees in
area the green represents the trees in
area the green represents the trees in the jungle and the blue is a little
the jungle and the blue is a little
the jungle and the blue is a little river you can’t see anything underneath
river you can’t see anything underneath
river you can’t see anything underneath well with the magical lidar we erased
well with the magical lidar we erased
well with the magical lidar we erased the vegetation in the next slide and
the vegetation in the next slide and
the vegetation in the next slide and it’s like looking at the Moon or Mars
it’s like looking at the Moon or Mars
it’s like looking at the Moon or Mars and if you look in the River Valley
and if you look in the River Valley
and if you look in the River Valley you’ll see there’s various geometric
you’ll see there’s various geometric
you’ll see there’s various geometric shapes squares pyramids and other things
shapes squares pyramids and other things
shapes squares pyramids and other things that represent plazas pyramids and
that represent plazas pyramids and
that represent plazas pyramids and whatever anyway after we saw those
whatever anyway after we saw those
whatever anyway after we saw those images the president called and he
images the president called and he
images the president called and he requested that I brief him in his
requested that I brief him in his
requested that I brief him in his cabinet at a special meeting the next
cabinet at a special meeting the next
cabinet at a special meeting the next day everybody there was thrilled to have
day everybody there was thrilled to have
day everybody there was thrilled to have such great news emanate from their
such great news emanate from their
such great news emanate from their country after year
country after year
country after year of bad news the world media went crazy
of bad news the world media went crazy
of bad news the world media went crazy later that year I was at it I was
later that year I was at it I was
later that year I was at it I was surrounded by all kinds of movers and
surrounded by all kinds of movers and
surrounded by all kinds of movers and shakers at an event in Washington DC
shakers at an event in Washington DC
shakers at an event in Washington DC sponsored by foreign policy magazine
sponsored by foreign policy magazine
sponsored by foreign policy magazine someone from the World Bank approached
someone from the World Bank approached
someone from the World Bank approached me and said would you like us to help
me and said would you like us to help
me and said would you like us to help you with your project and I said yeah
you with your project and I said yeah
you with your project and I said yeah sure he said well the first thing you
sure he said well the first thing you
sure he said well the first thing you gotta do is figure out how your project
gotta do is figure out how your project
gotta do is figure out how your project can benefit Honduras financially I mean
can benefit Honduras financially I mean
can benefit Honduras financially I mean he’s a banker what else is he going to
he’s a banker what else is he going to
he’s a banker what else is he going to say right so I thought about it and said
say right so I thought about it and said
say right so I thought about it and said well it could possibly help develop some
well it could possibly help develop some
well it could possibly help develop some sustainable ecotourism which could
sustainable ecotourism which could
sustainable ecotourism which could attract more international goodwill
attract more international goodwill
attract more international goodwill which could also then maybe turn into
which could also then maybe turn into
which could also then maybe turn into foreign investment my mantra is that the
foreign investment my mantra is that the
foreign investment my mantra is that the Mosquitia is a rare jewel not only for
Mosquitia is a rare jewel not only for
Mosquitia is a rare jewel not only for Honduras but for the whole world rather
Honduras but for the whole world rather
Honduras but for the whole world rather than a few people making a lot of money
than a few people making a lot of money
than a few people making a lot of money from destroying the jungle and looting
from destroying the jungle and looting
from destroying the jungle and looting the ruins this could be a gift that
the ruins this could be a gift that
the ruins this could be a gift that keeps on giving for generations have
keeps on giving for generations have
keeps on giving for generations have cared for properly well much to my
cared for properly well much to my
cared for properly well much to my surprise almost everybody including the
surprise almost everybody including the
surprise almost everybody including the government officials thought this was a
government officials thought this was a
government officials thought this was a great idea and they made it a priority
great idea and they made it a priority
great idea and they made it a priority now that I had opened Pandora’s box
now that I had opened Pandora’s box
now that I had opened Pandora’s box I felt the moral obligation to try and
I felt the moral obligation to try and
I felt the moral obligation to try and guide the future of the project in the
guide the future of the project in the
guide the future of the project in the best possible way in the future I knew
best possible way in the future I knew
best possible way in the future I knew we had amount of ground expedition to
we had amount of ground expedition to
we had amount of ground expedition to verify the lidar findings plus we needed
verify the lidar findings plus we needed
verify the lidar findings plus we needed to also study the jungle itself this
to also study the jungle itself this
to also study the jungle itself this would require assembling a top-notch
would require assembling a top-notch
would require assembling a top-notch team of scientists from a variety of
team of scientists from a variety of
team of scientists from a variety of disciplines it took three years until
disciplines it took three years until
disciplines it took three years until 2015 to organize this mission it was far
2015 to organize this mission it was far
2015 to organize this mission it was far more complicated and risky than the
more complicated and risky than the
more complicated and risky than the original light our survey is now we
original light our survey is now we
original light our survey is now we would have to go in by helicopter and
would have to go in by helicopter and
would have to go in by helicopter and hack our way through the jungle to hedge
hack our way through the jungle to hedge
hack our way through the jungle to hedge my bets and keep us alive I wound up
my bets and keep us alive I wound up
my bets and keep us alive I wound up hiring three British SAS jungle warfare
hiring three British SAS jungle warfare
hiring three British SAS jungle warfare experts plus the Hondurans Gruen
experts plus the Hondurans Gruen
experts plus the Hondurans Gruen graciously some of their Special Forces
graciously some of their Special Forces
graciously some of their Special Forces soldiers conditions were really tough at
soldiers conditions were really tough at
soldiers conditions were really tough at times everyday we had an encounter with
times everyday we had an encounter with
times everyday we had an encounter with the fair – Lance Viper the deadliest
the fair – Lance Viper the deadliest
the fair – Lance Viper the deadliest snake in the Americas inch-and-a-quarter
snake in the Americas inch-and-a-quarter
snake in the Americas inch-and-a-quarter fangs in a strike now ask questions
fangs in a strike now ask questions
fangs in a strike now ask questions later attitude
later attitude
later attitude we were constantly bombarded by biting
we were constantly bombarded by biting
we were constantly bombarded by biting insects and surrounded by mud so much
insects and surrounded by mud so much
insects and surrounded by mud so much mud that our anthropologists had to be
mud that our anthropologists had to be
mud that our anthropologists had to be rescued from a mud pit as she was slowly
rescued from a mud pit as she was slowly
rescued from a mud pit as she was slowly sinking beyond her waist this is the mud
sinking beyond her waist this is the mud
sinking beyond her waist this is the mud pit I couldn’t we don’t have a picture
pit I couldn’t we don’t have a picture
pit I couldn’t we don’t have a picture of her sinking because we were too busy
of her sinking because we were too busy
of her sinking because we were too busy rescuing her I would sometimes sit in my
rescuing her I would sometimes sit in my
rescuing her I would sometimes sit in my tent listening to the incessant rain and
tent listening to the incessant rain and
tent listening to the incessant rain and wondering once again why did I come here
wondering once again why did I come here
wondering once again why did I come here and bring all these people to a place
and bring all these people to a place
and bring all these people to a place that was once called the gates of hell
that was once called the gates of hell
that was once called the gates of hell it was a combination of Indiana Jones
it was a combination of Indiana Jones
it was a combination of Indiana Jones Star Trek and Rambo mixed in with some
Star Trek and Rambo mixed in with some
Star Trek and Rambo mixed in with some serious scientific study I mean
serious scientific study I mean
serious scientific study I mean everybody who was there was so impressed
everybody who was there was so impressed
everybody who was there was so impressed with just how untouched and pristine the
with just how untouched and pristine the
with just how untouched and pristine the ruins in the jungle were at times was
ruins in the jungle were at times was
ruins in the jungle were at times was really almost like a religious
really almost like a religious
really almost like a religious experience and I’m being very serious
experience and I’m being very serious
experience and I’m being very serious about that it’s very rare to find a
about that it’s very rare to find a
about that it’s very rare to find a place like this in addition to the
place like this in addition to the
place like this in addition to the pyramids and the plazas and other
pyramids and the plazas and other
pyramids and the plazas and other structures that were identified by the
structures that were identified by the
structures that were identified by the lidar we also came upon this wonderful
lidar we also came upon this wonderful
lidar we also came upon this wonderful cache of beautifully carved stone bowls
cache of beautifully carved stone bowls
cache of beautifully carved stone bowls vases and effigies that were created by
vases and effigies that were created by
vases and effigies that were created by a culture in the words of the chief
a culture in the words of the chief
a culture in the words of the chief hunter and archaeologist who was with us
hunter and archaeologist who was with us
hunter and archaeologist who was with us we know absolutely nothing about them so
we know absolutely nothing about them so
we know absolutely nothing about them so this was a brand-new culture no one knew
this was a brand-new culture no one knew
this was a brand-new culture no one knew anything about news of the successful
anything about news of the successful
anything about news of the successful ground operation spread quickly and the
ground operation spread quickly and the
ground operation spread quickly and the Honduran government became even more
Honduran government became even more
Honduran government became even more committed to sustained Lee preserving
committed to sustained Lee preserving
committed to sustained Lee preserving both their natural and cultural
both their natural and cultural
both their natural and cultural patrimony in fact the president of
patrimony in fact the president of
patrimony in fact the president of Honduras made a statement at the Paris
Honduras made a statement at the Paris
Honduras made a statement at the Paris climate conference stating that he would
climate conference stating that he would
climate conference stating that he would protect the rainforest from that point
protect the rainforest from that point
protect the rainforest from that point forward this was a very big deal in
forward this was a very big deal in
forward this was a very big deal in addition to that the Hondurans also
addition to that the Hondurans also
addition to that the Hondurans also organized a special military unit their
organized a special military unit their
organized a special military unit their mission was called operation forest and
mission was called operation forest and
mission was called operation forest and their mandate was to patrol the jungle
their mandate was to patrol the jungle
their mandate was to patrol the jungle from that point forward and prevent any
from that point forward and prevent any
from that point forward and prevent any incursions by narco traffickers looters
incursions by narco traffickers looters
incursions by narco traffickers looters and illegal to foresters we began to
and illegal to foresters we began to
and illegal to foresters we began to work with the government National
work with the government National
work with the government National Geographic and Conservation
Geographic and Conservation
Geographic and Conservation International to start excavating the
International to start excavating the
International to start excavating the ruins and staying studying the unique
ruins and staying studying the unique
ruins and staying studying the unique flora and fauna of the jungle the
flora and fauna of the jungle the
flora and fauna of the jungle the government even declared the area
government even declared the area
government even declared the area a special heritage protected Heritage
a special heritage protected Heritage
a special heritage protected Heritage Site and started working with UNESCO
Site and started working with UNESCO
Site and started working with UNESCO which is part of the United Nations for
which is part of the United Nations for
which is part of the United Nations for those of you who don’t know in extending
those of you who don’t know in extending
those of you who don’t know in extending whatever international legal protections
whatever international legal protections
whatever international legal protections were available a nonfiction book was
were available a nonfiction book was
were available a nonfiction book was written about the project became a New
written about the project became a New
written about the project became a New York Times bestseller which was followed
York Times bestseller which was followed
York Times bestseller which was followed by the president of Honduras and the US
by the president of Honduras and the US
by the president of Honduras and the US ambassador honoring us at a special
ambassador honoring us at a special
ambassador honoring us at a special ceremony for me this was an amazing
ceremony for me this was an amazing
ceremony for me this was an amazing validation after 23 years of pursuing
validation after 23 years of pursuing
validation after 23 years of pursuing what most people including myself
what most people including myself
what most people including myself thought was a totally ridiculous idea
thought was a totally ridiculous idea
thought was a totally ridiculous idea the government also issued these two
the government also issued these two
the government also issued these two stamps in honor of the project I never
stamps in honor of the project I never
stamps in honor of the project I never ever thought in my life that I would be
ever thought in my life that I would be
ever thought in my life that I would be involved with something that would be
involved with something that would be
involved with something that would be memorialized or commemorated on a
memorialized or commemorated on a
memorialized or commemorated on a postage stamp in the end all of us have
postage stamp in the end all of us have
postage stamp in the end all of us have the ability to change the world an
the ability to change the world an
the ability to change the world an unanticipated ways both large and small
unanticipated ways both large and small
unanticipated ways both large and small when an idea or an opportunity presents
when an idea or an opportunity presents
when an idea or an opportunity presents itself we just have to rise up take
itself we just have to rise up take
itself we just have to rise up take action and not just think about it
action and not just think about it
action and not just think about it that’s what’s going to make the
that’s what’s going to make the
that’s what’s going to make the difference in the end
difference in the end
difference in the end thank you
thank you
thank you [Applause]
”
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