Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2010 | Page 39

interview

Island Life - August/September 2010

Whether it’s
Everest or
The Maasai
Paul makes
sure he is
enjoying the
challenges
of life
PHOTOS: Left: Paul St John Martin's altered
ego Sin Jun Farquar - Adventurer, Story Teller,
Comedian
Above: Pauls mum always told him to think
before he speaks!
on that adventure was never mix alcohol with
altitude.
On the way back down, which took seven
days, two of his colleagues – a Scot and a
South African – decided to have a few beers
in the hotel they were staying. They got a
bit boisterous playing cards and upset some
Germans who were on the way up to base
people to get into the doldrums, because
they just malfunction.
“But it was a fascinating experience. I
met people I could trust with my wife and
my wallet, but you meet others you could
barbecue!”
Then with the Millennium looming Paul
didn’t fancy doing what most others had
planned. So he decided to go to Mount
Everest – not right to the top but to the
base camp. Even so he had to encounter
temperatures of minus-25, a bit nippy for
someone who admits he prefers adventures
in much warmer places.
Paul was one of a dozen in his group who
undertook the trip, helped by porters and
guides, and it took 10 days to reach the
camp at 19,000ft. The one thing he learned
Visit our new website - www.visitislandlife.com

camp. One suddenly got up and shouted:
“Why don’t you English shut up!”
The Scot and South African were not
amused at being called ‘English’ and fisticuffs
threatened until Paul intervened, appealed to
their basic instinct and asked: “Do you want
a fight or dinner?” They chose to eat and
peace was restored.
Paul reckons the trip that taught him the
most was the one to Africa to speak to
members of the Maasai tribe, a Nilotic ethnic
group of semi-nomadic people located in
Kenya and northern Tanzania.
He says: “I met someone who took people
out there to show how the Maasai live.
People tend to think they are savage and
threatening, but nothing could be further
from the truth – they are wonderful people.”
Paul was in a group of eight, who travelled
39