Mark Thompson
1. The most important life lesson I learnt from Mike was …
One night while having dinner on the boat, one of us asked if Mike had ever felt lost on his solo expeditions. His response was very thought provoking. He replied that he never in fact felt lost, because he always knew where he was going. He said that you could have no idea where you are located, but if you know where you are going and you know what you want, then you will never be lost.
2. What will change in your life after this experience?
My respect for the natural beauty around us has been solidified and I am impassioned to do my bit to protect the environment.
3. The best part of this adventure was …
The moment the active Volcano came into view and erupted was a very powerful moment. I had never seen such a spectacle, and it symbolised the power and wonder of nature.
4. The worst was …
Throughout the whole expedition I was continually being amazed, but I was always aware of the fact that I was only one of a very small group of people that will ever do, see, and feel the things we did. I wanted everybody I know to be able to experience this experience. However, I realise that it is my responsibility to share my experiences with others so that they can have an appreciation for nature similar to mine.
5. What will you miss most when you leave?
I will miss the freedom and carefree attitude that can only be experienced when completely surrounded by nature as we did in the Andaman Islands.
6. What did you learn from..Catherine, Valentina, Manuel, Reuben, Mark, Elena, Lucie, Florence, Paridhi
Interacting with these amazing young people from around the world taught me so much. They opened my eyes to the world outside of my own shell, and showed me how diverse and interesting this world truly is. I have a newfound respect for other cultures as a result and also a newfound interest in geography and languages.
7. As a Pangaea ambassador, I would like to …
Open the eyes of my fellow Australians to the boundless natural beauty in our country that we so often take for granted, and to show this beauty to the rest of the world to inspire them to take action to respect and preserve it.
8. What is your life philosophy?
Don’t sit back and watch life pass by, take the driver’s seat and make the most of it!
9. What was the most useful thing you brought on expedition?
Sunscreen and insect repellent were by far the most useful things I brought! We were lucky enough to have glorious weather throughout the entire expedition, however we had to protect ourselves from the scorching sun as a result.
10. What made me laugh the most was …
The Moose Cut was the single funniest thing of the entire expedition! However my fellow young explorers were an amazing group of people who I shared many unforgettable moments that will always be looked back upon with a beaming smile.
11. What got you through the expedition?
Realising how lucky I was to be on such an incredible expedition got me through all the tough times, though there were very few of these as I loved every moment of the trip!
12. The five words that describe me are:
Australian, curious, enthusiastic, colourful and assiduous.