Twenty years of global adventure travel has given Paul Mungeam a unique insight.
Adventure cameraman Paul "Mungo" Mungeam has travelled to more than 90 countries working with celebrities, including Bear Grylls and Charley Boorman.
In his new series Expedition Mungo, he explores myths and legends he's heard during his 20 years of travelling the world, including tales, passed down through generations, of mythical - and terrifying - creatures. Mungo travels the world looking for the truth behind these legends, such as the dragon-like reptile terrorising a village in Borneo; a shape-shifting creature that locals in the savannah in Namibia believe to be linked to witchcraft; and a massive lizard in Liberia that looks very much like a dinosaur thought to be extinct.
Here, he shares some of the things he's learnt about travel along the way.
1 Always have an open mind.
People's stories are worthy of being heard before they're just simply dismissed. Travelling to the places in the show, I went in as a disbeliever in so many circumstances, but then came out being really challenged that I really should think harder about this and have my eyes open. One day some of these stories could be proved to be true.
2 But always have your guard up.
I've been to some wild and remote places but it's not just animals you have you worry about, it's people too. Try to predict what's going to happen, before it does.
3 Really appreciate this awesome world we live in.
I know it sounds cheesy, but I mean it in all honesty because it's a phenomenal place. The world's getting smaller so try to go to as many countries and experience as many cultures as you can. I've been very fortunate to do that through my work - someone paid me to do it, which has been amazing. But the truth is, there's so much more to learn from different towns, villages and countries. I think the world would be a much happier place if more people travelled because they would understand other cultures more. Sometimes our fears, which can divide nations, can be eased through travel. Over my career I've been given a world education, so I've kind of tasted lots of things in a small way but it certainly makes me more of a rounded person. It's a small world - get out there and use it.
Expedition Mungo premieres on Monday, October 30, at 9.30pm on Animal Planet.
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