Lured by the wilderness, and by the chance of spotting rare desert elephants, a few intrepid tourists make their way to the Skeleton Coast each year. It's just about as remote as any tourist destination on earth, but one that pays fabulous dividends.

A journey, I reflected, is of no merit unless it has tested you.

There can be few situations more fearful than breaking down in darkness on the highway leading to Casablanca. I have rarely felt quite so vulnerable or alone.

Spend sixteen weeks in the jungle and you being to question your own sanity, especially when you are the one goading everyone else ahead.

The first rule of an expedition is that everyone should stick together.

Through bitter experience I have learned that it is best to promise little and then to reward hard work with generosity.

Usually, there is nothing more pleasing that returning to a place where you have endured hardship.