If hot food is they key to maintaining an expedition's stamina, then low grade gut-rot alcohol is the key to sustaining its sense of pleasure.

I was no longer troubled when he pulled out a machete in a crowded bar, tried to pick up schoolgirls, or threatened to scalp us, then rip off our heads and scoop out our brains.

Previous journeys had taught me the danger of taking too much stuff.

I felt sure we could gain the upper hand by putting ourselves in the mindset of the Incas.

There comes a stage at which a man would rather die cleanly by a bullet than by the unknown terror of the phantom in the forest.

These days no one challenges us,' he said. 'And because there is no challenge, there is no reason to work hard. And with no reason to work hard, we have all become lazy.

My father used to say that stories are part of the most precious heritage of mankind.