Naked and Marooned

by Ed Stafford

  To Ed Faulkner at Virgin Books in London, Phil Budnick at Penguin Books in New York, and Julian Alexander at the LAW Agency for allowing this book to happen and encouraging me to write it honestly. You have all been a tremendous help.

  To Dr Mike McPhillips and Mal Kahn for patiently listening and gently pointing me in a less destructive direction.

  To Karen, Tony, James and Robert Lovell, my birth mother, birth father and two full-blood brothers whom I never knew I had until two years ago. Thank you for understanding and giving me space when I needed it. I love you all and hope to see more of you.

  To Harold Tayley. For your big heart, timeless understanding and eternal wisdom. Much love!

  To Jeremy Donovan for everything. I will never forget your warrior-like love and support for Amanda and myself, often at your own expense. I am always there for you, bunji.

  Gigi and Baba, for the love and support you’ve given me. For the openness of your hearts and the wisdom of your experience. I respect and love you both enormously. Don’t let the buggers get you down, FB!

  To my sister, Janie Stafford, and my two nephews Archie and Rupert. I love you all and hope you are happy. Family is everything.

  To my dad, Jeremy Stafford, for the continuing moral guidance you have always imparted. May I always follow your impeccable lead. I love you, Dad.

  To my mum, Barbara Stafford, for your love throughout everything. I love you unconditionally and always will.

  Amanda’s kids − Frederick and Coco – for staying strong and looking after your Mummy. For the love and happiness you have brought into my life. You have been my best teachers. I will always love you both enormously.

  To Amanda − the woman who came into my life with an open heart – for all the things that you went through and sacrificed for me. I am humbled by your love and care. I support you in everything that you are and everything that you want. Our lives were destined to be interwoven. Wherever I am on this Earth I will always be able to feel you in my gupanyung – my heart. May our souls dance together in the dreaming where time doesn’t exist. Walk in beauty, my love – just as you are.

  In all her splendour. Olorua will always be part of my own personal journey.

  The fat white giant. Being naked made me feel so much more vulnerable.

  Raw snails. To this day the thought makes me gag. Never, ever, ever again.

  Feigned happiness. I was actually angry at myself for my pathetic first grass skirt.

  My hand-chiseled rock seep with cord wick and plastic reservoir. Water was life itself.

  Looking down from the outcrop to my beach and Shipwreck Pool.

  Desperation? Eating a raw gecko after squeezing out the poo. Protein was vital.

  The rocky outcrop and the reef beyond. Exposed to the entire world I felt so small.

  Bush telly. The fire made my cave a home. It was so much more than a cooker.

  Orange was Amanda’s colour. Sunset was our time to connect to each other.

  The cave at night. Fire changed everything and gave me warmth and morale.

  An excuse to escape my torture? My illness seemed very real at the time.

  The beginnings of happiness. Slowing down to enjoy the simplicity of thatching.

  My new home. Putting the finishing touches to my shelter, it was time to move out of the cave.

  Shelter, food, fire, and water, but the face said it all. I was desperately lonely.

  The big daddy goat was mine. I estimated it must have weighed forty to fifty kilos.

  Making goat jerky with my handmade knife and the Peli-case as a chopping board.

  Extraordinary. Quite extraordinary. Goat so tender my toothless grandma could have wolfed it down with her lips.

  Evolution from animal to man – the use of skins to keep warm and comfortable.

  The staple. Crabs, taro corms, taro leaf, and thirty snails. Dinner was one of the best times of the day.

  The seedling of sustainable living. This was so much more than a fish, and I knew it.

  Escape. Elated and safe once more. Would I do it again?

  Would I fuck!