You can't get a suit of armour and a rubber chicken just like that. You have to plan ahead.

The trouble with travelling back later on is that you can never repeat the same experience.

I wanted to be an explorer, but gradually found the world had been explored and that there was nowhere left, really. Once they climbed Everest in 1953, when I was 10 years old, I thought, 'Well, that's pretty much it now.' But the idea of travelling and exploring and adventure was very strong.

I've never particularly liked travelling with large groups or being told where to go by somebody else. I prefer to find out for myself.

Contrary to what the politicians and religious leaders would like us to believe, the world won't be made safer by creating barriers between people.

First shalt thou take out the Holy Pin. Then shalt thou count to three, no more-no less. Three shall be the number thou shalt count, and the number of the counting shall be three. Four shalt thou not count, neither count thou two, excepting that thou then proceed to three. Five is right out. Once the number three, being the third number, be reached, then lobbest thou thy Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch towards thy foe, who, being naughty in my sight, shall snuff it.

I would love to go to Iran. The island of Madagascar, everyone says is pretty exotic, or the wonderful Namibian desert.