Name: Daniel Cauchi
Age: 26
Occupation: Musician and singer, Big Band Brothers
My best ever trip…
I was interrogated for some time and it eventually transpired that no one knew anything about Malta and assumed I had a fake passport
I always put India at the top of my travel list. We were invited to play with Nafra at the Delhi International Arts Festival and we had the opportunity to experience both extremes of the country, from eating at the very best restaurants to travelling on the cheapest train possible (with people sleeping on you) to seeing the Taj Mahal.
I feel travelling is about understanding and appreciating cultural differences while also experiencing traditions. That is what I loved most about India.
I had read a lot about it before going, but the reality was completely different to what I expected. I was fascinated mostly about their deep level of spirituality and the different extremities in the country’s social classes.
I would definitely like to go back one day and see more of India.
I felt most relaxed in…
Amsterdam.
I lost my cool in…
Ciampino Airport. At the time I was studying in Rome and had to travel to London for a meeting with a low-cost airline. The flight was very early in the morning and (as invariably happens) I spent ages waiting in the queue to check in.
As soon as it was my turn at the desk, the clerk called security and I was escorted to the immigration office. I was interrogated for some time and it eventually transpired that no one knew anything about Malta and assumed I had a fake passport.
I was wearing a beard, as I do sometimes, and obviously that didn’t help. Just before the plane was about to leave they let me go and I checked in with a priority pass!
I felt so welcome in…
Most of the places I’ve been to, but mostly Istanbul. In Istanbul we stayed with friends we had met in Liverpool and they made sure we felt welcome.
We ordered drinks and there we were: eight single men in a gay club
I couldn’t wait to leave…
Almost every time I have been to Fiumicino Airport. To mention a few incidents: I was once travelling back to Malta for a concert and a rehearsal scheduled for that same evening.
I checked in and as soon as I passed security (meaning I couldn’t go back out), the airport announced that my flight would be delayed by 12 hours.
On another occasion, I was on a connection flight from Brindisi and the luggage handlers went on strike as soon as we landed in Fiumicino.
I had to wait in a queue for about eight hours to get a new flight for the following day, not knowing what had happened to my luggage and my instruments and having to pay to stay at the airport hotel, which was really expensive.
On yet another occasion at Fiumicino airport, I was exhausted after a whole day of travelling and was really looking forward to spending some quiet time at the airport. I presumed my night-time flight to Malta would be tranquil.
Instead, I found half of the Maltese population standing in the queue at the check-in desk. It was the day of the canonisation of Dun Ġorġ Preca and a lot of Maltese were making the trip back from the Vatican.
I partied hardest in…
Every time I went to Liverpool with the Big Band Brothers. We went to Liverpool for three consecutive years. The guys are the best company one could ever wish for. Just imagine 12 guys living in two apartments with no rules!
I cringe when I think of…
The travelling I did this summer to play in Belle-Ile, Brittany. I was invited to play in a festival for five weeks on this beautiful French island.
The experience was great, but I had to travel non-stop for 24 hours to get there. It was a three-hour plane journey to Orly, followed by four over-ground and one underground train, a boat ride and a taxi.
The worst part was that the tickets were all booked beforehand, and I just had a few minutes to connect from one train to the next. I had no clue where I was going, plus my French is pretty bad.
I laughed so hard in…
Lisbon with the Big Band Brothers. It was a fun and crazy trip. We were still very young and this was our first trip together.
To get to Lisbon we had a connecting flight in Milan. On the second flight almost all of the economy class seats were taken so they put half of our group in business class, enjoying full meals with champagne while those in economy class ate sandwiches.
I was in the group who got ‘promoted’. However, we arrived in Lisbon with no luggage. All our luggage and some of the instruments got lost on the way.
The funny thing was that we were all wearing the same T-shirt and ended up wandering around in ‘uniform’ for two days.
This happened to be the first ever trip abroad for one of our group so, to make sure he kept himself dry, he had packed 10 towels, one for each day!
Also, on our first night, still all wearing the same T-shirt, we went out to party. We found all clubs full and no one was letting us in. After a while we found an empty bar so we went in ready to party. We ordered drinks and there we were: eight single men in a gay club.
The furthest I have travelled is…
Hong Kong in 2006. I travelled with a Maltese delegation to put on a show for Chinese New Year celebrations.
I wish I could live in…
I am really happy living in Malta, but I would love to spend some time living in America.
I treasure the memory of…
When I was a young boy I travelled to Israel with my grandparents. I also treasure my honeymoon in Paris with Christina.
The most delicious food I’ve tasted was…
In Alexandria, Egypt, where I ate the best fish ever.
The hardest part of travelling is…
The limited luggage weight. Travelling with instruments makes it even harder
Travel has taught me to…
Explore and appreciate diversity while respecting cultural differences. I have also learnt to appreciate the history and the beauty of my country.
I dream of one day visiting…
Brazil. I am fascinated by places with strong musical traditions. For the same reason, I would also like to visit Cuba and Argentina.