I think you learn a lot about a country from its art. To me, it's part of the drama of life. It teaches you that there are places, moments and incidents in other cultures that genuinely have a life of their own.

After Python he began a new career as a travel writer and travel documentarian. In 1984 he reunited with Terry Gilliam to appear in Brazil. In recognition of his services to the promotion of geography Palin was awarded the Livingstone Medal of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society in March 2009 along with a Fellowship to the Society.

His journeys have taken him across the world including the North and South Poles the Sahara Desert the Himalayas Eastern Europe and most recently Brazil. Before Monty Python they had worked on other shows such as the Ken Dodd Show The Frost Report and Do Not Adjust Your Set. Palin continued to work with Jones after Python co-writing Ripping Yarns.