According to pi, two of the biggest contradictions of life on the lifeboat were?

boredom and terror
hunger and thirst
fatigue and anxiety
strength and weakness

pi kept almost constant eye contact with richard parker to

stay awake
watch him regularly so he would not be attacked
show weakness
keep his status as dominant over the tiger

when pi is near land and rescue, he first sees

another ship
the beach (not it)
whales
trees (not it)