This hour-long program, originally called The Quest For Tannu Tuva in the UK and The Last Journey Of A Genius in the US, is the last extended interview that physicist Richard Feynman gave. A few days after the recording he died.
Richard Feynman was not only an iconoclastic and influential theoretical physicist and Nobel laureate but also an explorer at heart. Feynman through video recordings and comments from his friend and drumming partner Ralph Leighton tell the extraordinary story of their enchantment with Tuva, a strange and distant land in the centre of Asia.
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While few Westerners knew about Tuva, Feynman discovered its existence from the unique postage stamps issued there in the early 20th century. He was intrigued by the unusual name of its capital, Kyzyl, and resolved to travel to the remote, mountainous land. However, the Soviets, who controlled access, were mistrustful, unconvinced that he was interested only in the scenery. They obstructed his plans throughout 13 years.
http://www.farnamstreetblog.com/2012/10/richard-feynmans-last-interview/
2. It has a fairly long border with Mongolia, so it makes sense
It was sad that his team was considering begging off, it was such a screwball thing to do. Those screwball things are the ones you look back on with the most satisfaction later in life. Feynman knew that, too, along with all the other things he was right about.