The attributes you need to be a travel writer are somewhat contradictory. For travel you need to be tough and resilient and to write you must be sensitive and sympathetic.

Sometimes journeys begin long before their first step is taken

Sometimes a journey arises out of hope and instinct, the heady conviction, as your finger travels along the map: Yes, here and here ... and here. These are the nerve-ends of the world.

A nation is bound not only by the real past, but the stories it tells itself: by what it remembers, and what it forgets.

Tears do not replace sweat, at least it never did in me... When I just cry, I'm in the same situation.

Act like you have a lot of venom inside you, but never inject them into anyone.

A joke's a very serious thing.

You mustn't be so afraid of life - it's all we've got. Don't let it hurt you so much.

God created the heavens and the earth, the oceans and the waves for our enjoyment. Surfing is just my way of worshipping Him.

I will try and remember always to approach God in secret with as much reverence in speech, posture, and behavior as in public. Help me, Thou who knowest my frame and pitiest as a father his children.

Since I achieved something, running has exploded in my country.

My religious background is that my mother is a Christian Dior Scientist.

Now I'm instantly nervous about the demands of doing a weekly column.

My father was interested in bringing reggae music to the entire world.