I've been lucky enough to stand on both poles, but the place that seemed the remotest to me was Butugychag, a former gulag in Siberia. It is completely cut off from the rest of the world. Michael Palin butugychagcompletelycut Change image and share on social
People are still crazy about Python after twenty-five years, which I find hard to believe. Michael Palin crazyfindhard Change image and share on social
If you had a successful TV show, people wanted to see you live. Promoters had had practice with pop groups, and 'Python' achieved a similar status. We also had lots of rock star fans - George Harrison, Pink Floyd, Robert Plant. Promoters saw that and liked it. Michael Palin achievefanfloyd share on social
Travelling, and being paid for it, is just great. Michael Palin greatpaytravel Change image and share on social
I do have high standards. I look at everything I have done and think, 'Why wasn't that better?' Part of my motivation is from crippling self-doubt - I have got to prove myself wrong. Michael Palin crippledoubthigh Change image and share on social
There are people who travel because they want to push themselves to physical limits, people who walk across deserts or cycle across the Antarctic - like Ranulph Fiennes, who just does it because it's there. And then there are people like me, who are just genuinely curious about the world. Michael Palin antarcticcuriouscycle share on social
I want people to know there is more to Somalia than looting and piracy. Michael Palin lootpeoplepiracy Change image and share on social
I saw novelists as being admirable people and I thought... I thought... maybe, one day, I could be one of them. Michael Palin admirabledaynovelist Change image and share on social
I know that we shall meet problems along the way, but I'd far rather see for myself what's going on in the world outside, than rely on newspapers, television, politicians and religious leaders to tell me what I should be thinking. Michael Palin leadermeetnewspaper share on social
I've never had a particular skill. I can't cook, dance, play an instrument, speak a foreign language. This used to worry me. I'd think, when I'm grown up, at 18, then I made it 21, it will be clear what role I should have in life. It never happened. I never signed on the dotted line as the sort of adult my father wanted. Michael Palin adultclearcook share on social