
Carling Country xxxxxx The Skeleton Coast Incident
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Don Graham
Limu. Is that guy with the binoculars watching us?
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Don Graham
Liberty.
Nan Graham
Liberty.
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Carling Country Narrator
And now Carling Country. Carling World, brewers of the great American beer, present stories from stories from America's foremost authors. Stories of trial and endeavor, of the courage of people. Stories from Carling Country.
Sven
Tonight, Carling country presents a story of deceit that takes place in the desert wastes of Southwest Africa. Illicit diamond buying and high tension. In the story called the Skeleton Coast Incident.
Carling Country Narrator
It started in the Transvaal, swept through the Orange Free State like a prairie fire, then sett Natal alight and glowing. Now it's being hailed in every corner of the Cape Province, wherever men get together for a beer.
Sven
Oh, thanks. Mine's a Black Label. Yeah, that's the beer for men.
Carling Country Narrator
The beer that has won over the taste of men. America's lusty, lively Carling Black Label. Man, oh man, this is what real beer is all about. Strong, husky, lusty to the last lively drop. This is the man's brand, Carling's Extra strength Black Label Beer, now brewed in South Africa and on sale throughout the Republic. Get to know it and you'll stay with it. It's that sort of beer.
Don Graham
I was sitting in the lounge of the Fisherman's Arms in Swakopmund in Southwest Africa, doing very little but needing money to get out of there. Nan was sitting opposite me, managing to look cool and as if she still had enormous faith in me. All I had in the world was a light aircraft and no petrol and a hotel bill. There was a little shadow under Nan's eyes that said that she too was worrying about the hotel bill. By the way, my name is Don Graham and Nan has the misfortune to be my wife.
Sven
Poor kid.
Don Graham
Well, nothing for it. I guess we'll have to sell the kite.
Nan Graham
Oh, Don, you can't. Not after the way you worked for it.
Don Graham
No choice, have we.
Nan Graham
If you. If you could arrange a loan, perhaps.
Don Graham
A loan on what? We've already pawned your engagement ring.
Nan Graham
What happened about the whale spotting job?
Don Graham
Well, Svensson's a crazy man. But that wouldn't matter if I was sure there was money in it. Well, let's go down to the harbor anyhow. We could do worse. I guess there's the whaling factory ship lying offshore. I think Svensson's probably aboard one of the little catching ships. Chases, they call them.
Nan Graham
Oh, they look awfully small.
Don Graham
Yeah, I guess. Seasick looking at him. Hi, Sven, son.
Sven
I yourself come aboard.
Don Graham
Sven. I want you to meet my wife, Nan.
Nan Graham
Oh, hi.
Don Graham
Sven's harmless, Nan. He just looks that way.
Sven
Hello, Mrs. Graham. Well, don is a lucky person.
Don Graham
You're telling me.
Sven
Come, I'll show you around the ship. Careful coming up on their platform. Mrs. Graham. Have you had this? This is the harpoon gun. Every time I fire, D score Dead shot.
Don Graham
What kind of charge fires these guns, Van?
Sven
Same as a four inch gun. There's a. A rubber bung. The harpoon sits on you like a launching pad. And screwed on the nose of the harpoon is the grenade. It explodes on contact. And the rope, well, it's flaked down there. See? Nylon lines these days, not the old heavy Manila. Now, let's. Let's talk business, huh?
Don Graham
Well, we talk business. He was all for making a hard bargain. A cautious Norwegian whalerman. Always will. I told him I'd think it over. But when we got back to the hotel, there was a man wanted to see me. And I met him in the bar. His name was McAllister. A Scot with an open face and untidy hair. A man you couldn't help liking.
McAllister
Ah, so there you are. It's a charter plate. And I'll pay you well.
Don Graham
Just as long as you understand that this is diamond country. I'll have to talk to the authorities. You understand that they're suspicious about people just flying about gaily over the Skeleton Coast. And I'm not a South African citizen either.
McAllister
Take it from me, Mr. Graham, I have nothing to hide. The facts are on record. You remember the liner Tamarisk?
Don Graham
Yeah. She was torpedoed during the war, wasn't she?
McAllister
No. That's right. She went down off the coast.
Don Graham
But there's nothing left but a rotting hulk under the water just offshore. The tide races in there and you couldn't reach her anyway. If you're thinking of salvage.
McAllister
Salvage? I suppose you might call it salvage. Mr. Graham, I'm trying to save my own soul.
Don Graham
I don't think I quite follow you.
McAllister
The tamarisk went down quickly and only a handful of people got ashore. They were eventually taken off by aircraft. All but two. That is, my brother, Peter McAllister was one of those two. He died from exposure.
Don Graham
Yeah, I get it. But why go there now?
McAllister
The dead are dead. True enough. My Father and mother are dead too. Before my father died, I promised him I'd travel out to the lonely spot where Peter had lost his life. After saving the lives of others, I said I'd put the grave to rights and bring back a photograph of it. Well, I never did.
Don Graham
Yeah, I guess all of us have stories like that in the past.
McAllister
I was fond of Peter, and he died a hero's death. I'm not over sentimental. Most of my life's been given to making money, but, well, there it is. That's the story.
Don Graham
It's easy to see. A man could feel that way about his own brother. Or about a buddy, come to that. Sure, people do make sentimental journeys.
McAllister
Then you'll take me?
Carling Country Narrator
Yeah.
Don Graham
But with the reservations I mentioned, sure.
McAllister
Other facts can easily be checked by the authorities.
Don Graham
Oh, I don't disbelieve you myself, but the touchiest subject here is what they call idb. Illicit diamond buying. It usually involves the theft of diamonds from the mines to start with.
McAllister
I've heard something about that.
Don Graham
Let me say frankly, that if you have anything like that in mind, forget it here and now. You won't get away with it. Once upon a time, maybe not today.
McAllister
Nothing's further from my mind, Mr. Graham. You know the coast well, I suspect, reasonably.
Don Graham
I was flying for Western Concessions when they were prospecting for diamonds in the old riverbeds. It came to nothing and I was left holding the bag. You know how it is. Bankruptcy. What does it get you? Trying to sue for your money?
McAllister
Frankly, I wondered what you were doing.
Don Graham
That's my sad story. Forget it. Okay, then. It's a deal. Shake on it? Of course. We'll take off at dawn tomorrow. If I'd had any sense, I would have gone out then and got myself arrested. A skeleton coast is grief for any man. Fascinating grief. Like a too beautiful woman or a dangerous airplane, but grief just the same. Nan warned me, but I wouldn't listen.
Nan Graham
Don, you must be out of your mind.
Don Graham
We need the money, baby. Drink.
Nan Graham
I need you more than all the money in the world. You crazy man? No, thanks. No drink?
Don Graham
Mind if I do?
Nan Graham
I can't stop you, can I? When could I ever stop you? That is a landing on soft sand out there.
Don Graham
There's Western Concessions. Old airstrip a mile from the coast.
Nan Graham
For all you know, there's a sand dune across it by now.
Don Graham
For all we know, there isn't.
Nan Graham
And this. This McAllister, what do we know about him?
Don Graham
After all, I'm a good judge of people. Man, he's a nice Guy, any man who would travel all those miles to put his brother's grave to rights would be a nice guy.
Nan Graham
Don. Don, do you honestly believe that story?
Don Graham
Oh, for crying in a bucket, baby. The security boys have checked on him. The story's true in every detail, man. There isn't much danger and life's dangerous anyway. Cheers, doll. And stop worrying, will ya? Right.
Nan Graham
To your crazy expedition. And hold on. Take care of yourself.
Don Graham
Don't. I love you so I'll never know why. See you soon, Chick. It'll be okay. You'll see. Oh, one thing you can do. Tell Sven I'll take the charter and see him in a day or so. Check. Check.
Nan Graham
I suppose I just worry too much.
Don Graham
We can go now. I've registered the flight plan they've approved.
Sven
Great.
McAllister
I don't know what it means to me.
Don Graham
Maybe I can guess a bit. I had a kid brother killed in Vietnam. Climb aboard. Ahoy.
Sven
Ah, Mrs. Graham, come aboard. That's right. I saw Don's aircraft take off.
Nan Graham
Yeah, he has a short charter. Said he'd see you in a day or two. I advise him not to take the charter, but. Well, you know Don.
Sven
Ah, sure, but the man has a living to make. Now, what's wrong with each other?
Nan Graham
A man wants to fly to the Skeleton coast to see his brother's grave. The brother died of exposure after his ship, called the Tamaris, sank there in the war over 20 years ago. Sven, does it make sense?
Sven
Maybe to some men. True, I reckon it might. Only thing is, remember, Don can take care of himself. Like I say, person must earn his living the best he can. Now, come on in the cabin. Tell me all about it.
Don Graham
Well, there she is. See her? Oh.
McAllister
Bank over right. See?
Don Graham
She's just a rusting hulk. You can see her when the surf clears at every wave.
McAllister
I've spotted her now.
Don Graham
The landing strip is about a mile inland from here. We'll get this thing on the ground and then walk back. Well, we made it one way anyhow.
McAllister
Thanks to you. A remarkable piece of piloting.
Don Graham
Thanks. It's quite a country, this. All sand dunes and rocks on the edge of the Namib Desert. The Great Thirstland.
McAllister
Yet men have traveled through it.
Sven
Sure.
Don Graham
They say you can find water if you know where to look. I hate to try it myself.
McAllister
I wouldn't know how to start trying. Shall we take the gear and head back for the coast?
Don Graham
Yeah, we'll travel on the compass. It's easy to get lost among the dunes. Let's get the kit unpacked. We took the provisions we bought and headed back for the coast. MacAllister carried a short entrenching spade, the sort the army uses. It reminded me of the reason for our journey. A tribute to death.
Sven
Here.
Don Graham
This is it. Yes.
McAllister
Peter McAllister. Died 1943. That's his grave, all right. Here, take the spade.
Don Graham
Take the spade. What for?
McAllister
To dig with.
Don Graham
But why dig anyway? And why me? Hey, what are you supposed to be doing?
McAllister
I'm standing at a safe distance. You poor mug with his gun trained on you. Those beads can be deadly weapons at close quarters.
Sven
Here.
McAllister
Now just start digging.
Don Graham
Limu emu.
Narrator/Liberty Mutual Announcer
And Doug, here we have the limu emu in its natural habitat, helping people customize their car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual. Fascinating. It's accompanied by his natural ally, Doug.
Don Graham
Uh, Limu is that guy with the binoculars watching us.
Narrator/Liberty Mutual Announcer
Cut the camera. They see us. Only pay for what you need@liberty mutual.com Liberty Liberty Liberty. Liberty Savings Fairy Unwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and affiliates excludes Massachusetts.
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Don Graham
I was winded by discovering that McAllister was. Well, whatever he was. But the gun in his hand was steady and he seemed to know how to use it. So I began to dig, scared of what I might find. The heat was like the glow of a blast furnace and the eternal weapons waves of the Skeleton coast crashed in against the long sand beaches. My callus is. Sir, you're crazy.
McAllister
That isn't really a grave. And I'm not really called McAllister.
Don Graham
When I said you were crazy, I didn't mean that. How can you hope to fly that aircraft back without me?
McAllister
I'm at least as good as you are, Graham. Go on digging.
Don Graham
You mean you're a pilot, right?
McAllister
First time I said go on digging. You said that Western concessions went bankrupt. Ever wonder why?
Don Graham
You tell me.
McAllister
They had a job. Foreman named Kirkdale. Lonnie Kirkdale.
Don Graham
I know. So what?
McAllister
I hate to say this about any man, but he was dishonest. He didn't hand over all the stones they found in the old bed of the Mutab River. He dug a nice deep hole and buried them on the force that he just moved the marker from Peter McAllister's grave. Shameful thing to do. But it marked the diamond cash.
Don Graham
How did you discover this?
McAllister
Keep digging and I'll tell you. I met Kipdale in a bar in Johannesburg. He was broke, begging for drinks with a fortune in his cash out here in the coast. That was driving him mad.
Don Graham
So he told you.
McAllister
I heard that. I was a pilot and shall we say slightly sharp. He needed help to recover the stones.
Don Graham
Where's Kirkdale now?
McAllister
As you'd expect with a dishonest man, he came to a thoroughly bad end. Nobody will ever find his grave either.
Don Graham
You can't get away with this.
McAllister
Oh, that's a line from our cheap film. I'll be getting away with things all my life. I'll refuel at Swakamund. Take off again immediately to rescue you, Don. Once I touch Johannesburg, they'll never find me. Hit it. Good. So Kirkdale wasn't lying. Just drop the spade and back away. Don't try anything.
Don Graham
Don't worry, I won't keep going.
McAllister
A tin box from a pretties. Just as Kirk said. The clipping. The shining stones. Translated in terms of the sweet life. This is quite a discovery, Graham.
Don Graham
What are you gonna do with me?
McAllister
I'll decide later.
Don Graham
Get rid of me the way you did Kirkdale.
McAllister
No, I don't think so. I think I'll just take off and let you walk home. I'll say hello to your wife for you. Fair enough.
Don Graham
Better shoot me now, Mac Allister, or wherever your name is.
McAllister
I'll make it faster and easy.
Don Graham
Because I'll see you hang for Kirkdale if you leave me.
McAllister
Oh, don't be dramatic. I don't want your body found with a bullet hole, that's all. Now walk in front of me to the aircraft. Wish me luck, Graham. No, I wish you luck. Truly, Graham. Now back away from the plane. A hundred yards will do. That's far enough. Well, Todd sings. And you know what the script on the walls, Graham? Yankee, go home if you can.
Don Graham
So he lifted me. Standing. Literally. I had practically no water and not much food, no way of contacting anybody. I had a compass. It was then I remembered the deserted camp of the Western Concession Company, half a mile from the airstrip. There should have been a radio transmitter there. But when I found it, of course, there was no power. I lay down in one of the shacks and went asleep. After a while, I Wasn't going to be caught out among the dunes in the dark. I remember thinking about Nan. Wondering if she might suspect anything and what she might do about it.
Nan Graham
Hi, Spencer.
Sven
Hello. Come aboard. You hear anything from dawn?
Nan Graham
No, and it's worrying me. I expected him to cough around the transmitter and say good night. He always does.
Sven
And nothing this morning?
Nan Graham
No, not a thing.
Sven
I was just fixing to test this harpoon gun. But of course that can wait. Let's just walk ashore and check with the airport control. There's a telephone in the harbor master's office.
Nan Graham
Oh, that's a good idea. He should be on his way back.
Don Graham
Nice Finn.
Nan Graham
And he's bound to report.
Sven
Maybe his radio's on the blink.
Nan Graham
I'd like to.
Sven
Well, it happens sometimes. You know exactly where he was headed for?
Nan Graham
The wreck of the tamarist as I understood it.
Sven
I tell you what. If he hasn't been through to ground control at the airport, we'll come back to the whaling ships and get through to Southwest African police air patrols on shortwave. They can check if there's anything. Well, anything suspicious.
Nan Graham
Like a burned out airplane that tipped over in the sand. Oh, Steve, I'm scared.
Sven
Oh, there's nothing more wrong to probably then a fault in the radio sets.
Carling Country Narrator
They go wrong.
Sven
Our shortwave sets aboard the cat show sometimes.
Nan Graham
Do you know it's unlikely.
Sven
Sometimes the unlikely is exactly what happens.
Nan Graham
I had a hunch. Perhaps I'm imagining things. Oh, so easy to be smart after the event of the man says. But I didn't like McAllister or the trip.
Sven
Let's check up with the police. Come on.
Don Graham
I found a water tank half filled with brackish water. I sipped at it, ate the last of the food we brought with us. Every instinct tried to force me to reach civilization here there was only the sound of the wind in the empty camp and the far off thump of seas against the shore. So I forced myself to stay in the shade and stay quiet. The betting was that somebody would discover what had happened within a day or so. If I stayed put, they'd look for me. If I tried to walk, I'd walk into death. Not for the first time. All my hopes were on Nan.
Sven
Well, that is that Nan. Whatever's happened, it's been taken care of. The police patrol planes were looking at the old western concessions camp and report. If they find Don's aircraft, they'll investigate. If they don't, they'll flash us back here and a search can be here.
Nan Graham
Oh, you've been marvelous.
Sven
I just like Your crazy husband, that's all. He's got what it takes. And I wish he'd work with me, but I'm.
Nan Graham
I'm still scared, Sven.
Sven
I don't blame you.
Nan Graham
Oh, gee. Thanks for everything, Sven.
Sven
Well, I'll just turn the radio on and see. Well, that sounds familiar.
Nan Graham
It's Don. Sven at Don's aircraft.
Sven
It's coming in too low. That isn't like Don. Maybe he's in trouble.
Nan Graham
Full of motor sounds.
Sven
Okay, just hand me the glasses, binoculars. They're on the shelf under the chart table. Thanks. Just focus on him. Right now. There's only one man in that thing and it isn't done. See if you can make anything out of Come.
Nan Graham
Give me the binoculars, Sven. That's McAllister, the man who charted Don's plane.
McAllister
Wilson, pull her up. I've got to take off immediately.
Don Graham
Where's Mr. Graham, sir?
McAllister
He broke a leg. Such a stupid accident. Slipped down the side of a dune. I'm picking up Dr. Lansing at Otabisa and heading back.
Sven
Why come here then?
McAllister
Use your head, man. I didn't trust the fuel supply. And don't worry if you'll get paid for the petrol here. I didn't bring Graham back with a compound fracture. Let the dock splint it on the spot spots. Here, take your money.
Don Graham
Oh, thanks.
Sven
Hope Mr. Graham's going to be okay.
McAllister
The quicker you get the tanks filled, the quicker I'll be able to fix him up.
Don Graham
Right. You can be off inside five minutes.
McAllister
Oh, thanks. Just lucky I can fly a kite, eh? Or we have been in a fine mess as it is. We can save his life, if not his leg.
Nan Graham
There may have been an accident, Sven. We can't be sure.
Sven
Well, I'll contact the police on the radio. If there'd been an accident to Don, McAllister would have reported it to the police.
Nan Graham
Perhaps he couldn't. Suppose. Well, suppose he couldn't use the set.
Sven
Well, he flies well enough. GX TRD calling Southwest Africa police headquarters. GXTRD calling Southwest Africa police headquarters. Come in, please. Southwest Africa Police headquarters replying to GXTRD.
Carling Country Narrator
Identify yourself.
Sven
This is the Whale Chaser M7 of the Svenson Fleet.
McAllister
Over.
Sven
Go ahead.
Don Graham
Over.
Sven
Have you any information on me, Mr. Graham? The pilot believed missing on the Skeleton Coast. Over. One of our aircraft just picked him up. He'd been stranded on the coast by an IDB man named McAllister. Over. The dirty murderer. He's here at Swakopmund Airport.
McAllister
Over.
Sven
He's wanted for three murders. The plane carries a Fortune in stones. Over. Then come and get him fast.
McAllister
Over.
Sven
We're on our way. And he's dangerous. He'll kill on sight. Over and out. Thanks for the tip. Over and out.
Nan Graham
The planes.
McAllister
Take null.
Sven
Come with me.
Nan Graham
Where are we going?
Sven
The harpoon gun. If the harpoon will. With no line attached.
Don Graham
Put in the charge.
Sven
Screw the grenade on the nose.
McAllister
You can't, Sven.
Don Graham
You can't.
Sven
Oh, you watch me, Don.
Don Graham
It's.
McAllister
It's murder.
Sven
I'll see Don gets a new plane. Man. This man is a killer wanted by the police. For word.
Nan Graham
Please don't.
Sven
He is coming in nice. And as he turns. I'll help him there.
Nan Graham
No.
Don Graham
Oh, no. I feel the same as you. You man. Sven should have left him to justice. But Sven's a hunter. And he was red with anger at the way Mack left me in the desert to die.
Nan Graham
Let's forget it, my darling. Perhaps Mack himself would have chosen that.
Don Graham
Way rather than the trial on the rest, huh? Perhaps. Anyway, they've recovered the stones and we get the reward. That means more than just a new plane. And the company offers to pay that anyway.
Nan Graham
Don, you never feel you'd like to give up flying?
Don Graham
No, never. I'm sorry. Why don't I listen to you? But no, Nan. I don't want to give up flying. Not ever.
Nan Graham
Then never let me force you into it. One thing I've learned about you. You're only happy if you're doing what you like best, darling.
Carling Country Narrator
It started in the Transvaal, swept through the Orange Free State like a prairie fire, then set Natal alight and glowing. Now it's being hailed in every corner of the Cape Province, wherever men get together for a beer.
Sven
Oh, thanks. Mine's a Black Label. Yeah. That's the beer for men.
Carling Country Narrator
The beer that has won over the taste of men. America's lusty, lively Carling Black Label. Man, oh, man. This is what real beer is all about. Strong, husky, lusty to the last lively drop. This is the man's brand, Carling's extra strength Black Label beer, now brewed in South Africa and on sale throughout the Republic. Get to know it and you'll stay with it. It's that sort of beer.
Sven
Tonight's story from Carling country was centered in the Mammoth desert, Southwest Africa. Music especially composed by Sam Split. Next week we present the story of a search in the tale called the Other Life, another in the absorbing series from Carling country.
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Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: Carling Country – The Skeleton Coast Incident
Date: November 8, 2025
Host: Harolds Old Time Radio
Genre: Dramatic Radio Play from the Golden Age
This episode of Carling Country introduces listeners to “The Skeleton Coast Incident,” a tense adventure set in the desert wastes of Southwest Africa. Blending suspense, moral choices, and atmospheric storytelling, the episode follows down-on-his-luck pilot Don Graham, his loyal wife Nan, and a mysterious client, McAllister, on a journey that evolves into a struggle for survival and justice involving illicit diamonds, betrayal, and redemption.
[03:13] Introduction to Don and Nan
[04:40] Potential Odd Jobs
[06:07] McAllister’s Proposal
[07:49] Don’s Moral Debate
[10:26] Departure Amid Misgivings
[13:10] Arrival at the Skeleton Coast
[14:25] The Twist
[17:11] Revelation of the Real Motive
[19:13] Don is Stranded
[20:34] Don’s Fight for Survival
[21:17] Nan and Sven Mobilize
[24:07] McAllister’s Duplicity at the Airstrip
[26:24] Police Intervention
[27:10] Sven’s Vigilante Justice
[28:27] Aftermath
[29:00] Don’s True Calling
On desperation:
“All I had in the world was a light aircraft and no petrol and a hotel bill.” – Don Graham [03:13]
On moral choices and trust:
“If you have anything like that in mind, forget it here and now. You won’t get away with it. Once upon a time, maybe, not today.”
– Don Graham (addressing illicit diamond trading) [08:16]
On family promises and guilt:
“Before my father died, I promised him I’d travel out to the lonely spot where Peter had lost his life... I said I’d put the grave to rights...”
– McAllister [07:13]
Betrayal and revelation:
“That isn’t really a grave. And I’m not really called McAllister.”
– McAllister [17:11]
Survival against the odds:
“If I stayed put, they’d look for me. If I tried to walk, I’d walk into death. Not for the first time. All my hopes were on Nan.”
– Don Graham [22:44]
Vigilante justice:
“This man is a killer wanted by the police. For word.”
– Sven [27:35]
| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|---------------------| | 03:13 | Introductions to Don, Nan & their predicament | | 06:07 | McAllister’s charter proposal | | 10:26 | Departure for the Skeleton Coast | | 14:25 | McAllister’s betrayal at the grave | | 19:13 | Don is abandoned, survival begins | | 21:17 | Nan and Sven suspect trouble, organize response | | 24:07 | McAllister returns with Don’s plane—further suspicions | | 26:24 | Police revelation: true identity of McAllister | | 27:10 | Sven’s confrontation and McAllister’s death | | 28:27 | Aftermath, reward, and Don & Nan’s reflection |
The language throughout is concise and suspenseful, reflective of classic radio drama. Characters are sketched vividly—Don is stoic but world-weary, Nan is loving but anxious, McAllister is amiable yet menacing, and Sven is robustly pragmatic.
The story blends noir dialogue, evocative desert imagery, and a moral core, delivering a tale about trust, greed, and resilience with a vintage radio flair.
The Skeleton Coast Incident is a gripping example of Golden Age radio drama. Its tight storytelling, strong character voices, and atmospheric tension make this a standout episode—offering listeners an engaging glimpse into a world where adventure and danger are only a chartered flight away.