Benedict Allen on his global misadventures

Benedict Allen on his global misadventures

28 Oct 2010

Speakers: Benedict Allen

Whilst the audience delighted in his tales of misbehaving camels, ‘third-rate’ assassins, and hostile tribesmen, Benedict Allen repeatedly insisted that none of these ‘inconveniences’ were particularly funny at the time, and that “one of the prerequisites of being an explorer is that you report back.” He painted a vivid and enthralling picture of his adventures, which have included solo expeditions across the widest point of the Amazon delta, along the Skeleton Coast, and through the Gobi Desert. All were completed without GPS or radio, replacing Land Rovers and film crew with workshy camels and a chunky hand-held video camera.

Spurred on by a desire to deconstruct misconceptions of “the other,” he reminded the audience and panellists that, whilst they may be hailed as intrepid explorers and brave adventures, everywhere they go is home to someone. Far from being the hostile and uninhabitable environments we believe them to be, deserts and rainforests represent comfort and security for those who live there, and so they can for us. Allen’s approach - living with and learning from indigenous communities before setting out alone - exposes him to all elements of his chosen destination, and in this way he wholeheartedly embodies his philosophy that exploration is not about leaving one’s mark somewhere, but about “letting that place leave its mark on you.”

Benedict Allen

Writer and explorer who has journeyed to the Amazon, New Guinea and Siberia. He prefers to travel alone, immersing himself in alien environments.