In a matter of hours – as early as tomorrow evening – my wife and I will be departing on a five year sailing circumnavigation called the Tahina Expedition. I’ve mentioned the trip on Google Earth Blog several times (for example: here and here) because we are using my favorite application a great deal on the trip. For planning the trip, documenting our route, displaying our track as we travel, displaying our photos, and even contributing content which Google will share with everyone. Not only that, but we just announced today that National Geographic will be following our trip and using our content on their ocean-related sites.
Here’s a couple of interesting Google Earth related projects we will be conducting on the Tahina Expedition:
- Kite Aerial Photography – I’ve got a camera rig that flies from a kite so we can take very high resolution aerial photos. The photos will be processed and sent back to Google so they can include them in the base imagery of Google Earth. See the first example in the post linked here.
- 360 Panoramas – We will also be taking 360 degree panoramas which will be put into Google Earth through the 360Cities.net layer. See the first test example of a photo taken a couple of days ago of Tahina.
- 3D Tahina – for fun, look at a 3D tour of our boat Tahina with the Google Earth plugin.
Make sure you book mark the Tahina Expedition site, and include our blog in your RSS reader. You’ll be able to follow along on our five year trip and see all kinds of interesting photos, videos, and Google Earth content. There will also be a layer in Google Earth showing our travels (that will be announced soon).
About Frank Taylor
Frank Taylor started the Google Earth Blog in July, 2005 shortly after Google Earth was first released. He has worked with 3D computer graphics and VR for many years and was very impressed with this exciting product. Frank completed a 5.5 year circumnavigation of the earth by sailboat in June 2015 which you can read about at Tahina Expedition, and is a licensed pilot, backpacker, diver, and photographer.
Bon Voyage, Frank! I’ll be keeping up to date on your trip.
You sure like starting with some rough seas though, don’t you? I hope leaving while the remnants of Ida are blowing around won’t make for any problems!
Congratulations! Have a great trip!
Have a great adventure. Bon voyage!
Have a safe and happy voyage, Frank.
great set of seas to start in …. Le Bon Ton Roulle! “Let the Good Times Roll”
I admire your adventurous spirit and zest for life. You are a great role model for everyone pursuing an ambitious goal, and wanting to do something meaningful in the process.
Bon Voyage,
Jim