What are you doing tonight? If your answer is going home to watch an adventure flick or read a fantasy novel, then why not consider getting a taste of some real life excitement instead.

Local film maker, author and environmental advocate Andrew Stevenson will be hosting a special lecture about his explorations of the Annapurnas and Everest region tonight at Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute at 7.30pm.

Mr Stevenson first fell in love with the Himalayas in 1986. He was sent on assignment to Nepal to monitor and evaluate Canadian foreign aid projects, but felt a really strong attachment to the country.

“Over the next two decades he made 17 trips to the Himalayas exploring the Annapurnas, Upper Mustang, the Everest region and Bhutan,” said a BUEI spokeswoman.

“He has had three books on the Himalayas published. His third Himalayan book, “The Envelope: Walking up to Everest Base Camp” was bought by Lonely Planet and published in 2009 by Vajra Publications. Both the Annapurna and the Everest narratives were translated into German by National Geographic Adventure Press Germany,” she said.

Mr Stevenson currently lives in Bermuda with his wife, Annabel, and daughters, Elsa and Somers. He works full time writing and conducting research on whales.

At tonight’s lecture, he will be showing a 15-minute shortened version of his award-winning documentary film on the Annapurnas, “Paving Shangri La”.

He will also be offering an illustrated lecture on his time in the Annapurnas and the Everest region.

People are encouraged to make a night of it — Harbourfront restaurant will be offering a discounted prices for dinner for ticket holders, as well as special happy hour drink specials at 6.30pm.

The lecture costs $20 for BUEI members and $25 for non-members. The tickets can be reserved by calling 294-0204 or visiting BUEI’s Oceans Gift Shop.

Useful website: www.buei.org