Name: Marc Casolani
Age: 26
Occupation: Freelance photographer
My best holiday ever…
We dodged still-warm bullet casings and walked through bombed-out areas, seeing many scenes of destructionand tragedy
It has to be my first ever independent, long-haul adventure to South America six years ago. My friends Dan, James and I travelled through Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina for six months.
It may have been a bit full-on for a first step into the real world, but it definitely paid off as my life changed for the better because of this eye-opening experience. I learnt so many great things, experienced so many special moments and met people from all walks of life.
Learning South American Spanish from scratch through the people, increasing my social awareness, trekking through the Amazon regions, swimming with pink river dolphins, witnessing amazing scenery and hanging out with some top guys from Israel and Palestine at the same time are just some of my favourite experiences.
What truly made this my favourite trip, however, was the fact that it all started when my two mates and I went out one night to catch up on life (all of us without any plans to travel) and had a few drinks too many. One month later, we were on a plane to Venezuela with big, naive smiles onour faces.
I would never return to…
Paraguay. The fact that we were in ‘no man’s land’ between Bolivia and Paraguay and the Narc squad tried to frame us for drug possession so that we’d pay a bribe was enough to put me off.
We were lucky enough to get away without paying a bribe as we stood our ground; most of the other foreigners we met along the Paraguayan trail had to pay a bribe for one reason or another. It is definitely one of the most corrupt nations I’ve been to.
The most dangerous place I’ve visited…
I did some freelance work with Rene Rossignaud in Libya during the revolution last year. In April we flew to Egypt, where tensions were still high, and did our planning in Cairo before catching buses and hitchhiking to the Libyan border.
Once in Libya we pretty much did the same as in Egypt and caught a ride with some of the revolutionaries to Benghazi – they were crazy drivers!
The furthest we got was Ajdabiya, which was one of the frontlines at the time. We dodged still-warm bullet casings and walked through bombed-out areas, seeing many scenes of destruction and tragedy.
My favourite city…
I would consider it to be one of the most advanced cities in the Far East: Singapore. From robotic, multi-functional toilet contraptions to a massive, futuristic-looking marina that boasts some of the most intriguing art – this is the city of the future.
Not to mention that this is the shopping capital of the East for all types of shoppers. Take my word for it, as I am not one who is normally interested in shopping.
My most memorable experience on an aircraft…
Having survived Libya and Egypt, you’d think the flight home would be simple. Well, it wasn’t. There were gale force winds over Malta. Up until touchdown, we could still see the tips of the wings closely shaving the runway. It was one of those unwanted slow-motion moments.
I took a five-hour taxi ride from the Venezuelan border to Colombia in a massive, fully-kitted, old-school American Cadillac
My most treasured holiday souvenir…
Ah, my precious conch. I had to hold it while diving for around 30 minutes, and I carried it for two months in my backpack, but it made it back home in one piece and I can still enjoy the Caribbean sounds to this day. FYI – the conch was found empty.
My biggest gaffe abroad…
My brain usually has a decent built-in GPS system, but I got it totally wrong one time in Barcelona. My friend Emma and I wanted to get to a specific part of the city and I convinced her we could get there on the localbus system.
The problem was that we needed to take three different buses, it was already past 4 p.m. and some of those buses had stopped operations for the day.
We ended up taking five buses – some right and some wrong ones – around unknown areas, and walking one-and-a-half hours along empty roads with no taxis to bail us out. The sunset was memorable though!
The friendliest people…
The Colombian people were by far the friendliest I have ever met. They wore their hearts on their sleeves. I have never felt more welcome and more at home, no matter what social class they came from. Their hospitality was very moving.
I never travel without...
Camera, Leatherman, medi-kit, flint firestarter and a jacket.
The taxi ride I will never forget…
A five-hour taxi ride from the Venezuelan border to Colombia in a massive, fully-kitted, hydrolics-functioning, old-school American Cadillac.
My all-time favourite holiday photo...
An eight-hour trek up Baru Volcano in Panama. The conditions were ice-cold but the view was a once-in-a-lifetime sight. I thought I’d lose a few fingers but I managed to take a few shots from the peak of the sun rising over the Atlantic Ocean and a massive lightning storm somewhere in the northern mountain range.
An unforgettable hotel...
Built by the brother of the Sultan of Brunei, the Empire Hotel cost around $1.2 billion (€955,946 million). The whole place was built of gold and marble. It was like something out of a fairy tale.
I return most often to...
Sicily. I enjoy a lovely feel-good sail to one of the coastal towns, followed by a massive local meal, ending with Limoncello, a motorino ride around the area and a good night’s sleep.
My ideal travel companion...
An easygoing and open-minded person.
Country with the best cuisine...
Tough call. I love my seafood so I will have to go for Kenya. I had some mouth-watering experiences in their coastal towns.
My next holiday plans…
Australia and New Zealand.
My dream trip…
New Zealand – a photographer’s dream and a paradise for outdoor activities. Need I say more? Actually, check out the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
I partied hardest in…
Thailand, party capital of the Far East. I went to a full-moon party that was said to have attracted about 60,000 revellers when I was there and around 80,000 the week before, for the New Year’s celebrations. In the big towns and cities there will always be some sort of event going on.
My travel tip…
If you dream of going somewhere, don’t linger on it; just book your flight and go for it. Have fun and go wild, but nevertheless, stay sharp and never let your guard down. Passport, money, visa, airline ticket, 10-kilo backpack... go!