Regular contributor Mac ruminates on the world of travel & some of his adventures along the way J This time round he answers some questions on his various travels and what has stuck in his mind along the way…

1. What countries did you visit and what time frame?

Over 150 countries in and out of service thru 85 years.

2. Which countries were you the most glad you saw ?

India of all places, (made me feel most like an

international traveller. I tend to like the exotic over Europe. Japan when I was there (five and one half years in service), Thailand, Mexico, Hong Kong, Singapore.

3. Which sights did you enjoy seeing most?

Taj Mahal, Great Wall of China,

4. Which waterfall did you enjoy most?

Probably Iguassu, South America despite the

bugs. Then Victoria Falls, Powerful. Liked the noise.

5. Which country was the most different than your preconceived idea?

South Africa, I loved it especially the game parks.

6. Which game parks did you like most?

Kruger in South Africa even more than the game parks in Kenya

7. Which countries would you like to revisit?

Austria, India, Thailand, Mexico. Mexico is one of my most favourite countries.

8 In which country were the people the most friendly and helpful?

Mexico

9. Which least friendly and helpful?

France with some exceptions.

10. Which country would you not particularly like to revisit?

Russia although I was there three times and saw most of what there was I could see. Same I can almost say of China although again I was there about three or four times and saw many things.

11. Which country the easiest to visit?

Australia – they are use to backpackers and don’t look down on them. You can go into any pub at noon and get a noon lunch special. Stay in YMCAs, and budget accommodations and in my case use military clubs, Civilian could use Athletic Clubs etc by showing passport etc. I enjoyed their exotic animals.

12. What travel items you took with you used the most and were most glad you took?

Small scissors to open hard to open cereal plastic things whistle, space blanket (can get in Army surplus stores like astronauts first used I think. No weight, silver lining that gives warmth.

13. Which travel guide books did you take and which did you like best ?

Lonely Planet. I take too many guide books as I am afraid I will miss out on something to see. I tear pages out that I don’t need and after done with those pages. I used to tear sheets out and just take them but it works better with me if I leave in book to get to them and tear out when done.

14. Were you ever uneasy on your trip?

I was picked up as a spy in Egypt (temporarily)…a misunderstanding. Will explain later (maybe)…