Name: Chris Agius Burke
Age: 27
Occupation: Photographer
My best holiday ever…
It was just my luck that a lorry carrying chickens had crashed… chickens were everywhere!
Not exactly a holiday, but a few years ago I had the opportunity to spend three months in Mexico City. I was lucky enough to be living with locals, so I got to experience it from a Mexican’s perspective.
I was flung into a political protest on my second day. I had barely recovered from jet lag, and was just capable of uttering three words in Spanish, yet I was marching along with a million Mexicans.
I would never return to…
I have always had good experiences and fond memories of every place I visited.
The most dangerous place I’ve visited…
Mexico City, again. I was constantly reminded I should not go to certain areas because of the risk of being mugged or kidnapped. Luckily, sporting a tan and beard allowed me to blend in, so I was never really hassled, although I always kept one eye open for suspicious characters.
My favourite city…
Definitely Paris, but don’t let my London friends know that. Paris is absolutely enchanting. It is one of those cities I grew up seeing in movies, or reading about, so I had high expectations before I visited.
Needless to say that every expectation was met. On my drive from the airport to the city, I could barely make out the Eiffel Tower, but my heart skipped knowing that in a few minutes, all that I had seen and read about would be within grasp.
I recently returned on a photo shoot, and even though I was working it was just as stupendous as I remembered it.
My most memorable experience on an aircraft…
Free loading on champagne in first class on a transatlantic flight. I was pleasantly buzzed for the entire flight. The crew just kept on giving me more champagne… who was I to say no?
My most treasured holiday souvenir…
I can’t really pinpoint one item, so I would say the memories from each trip.
My biggest gaffe abroad…
May I share two? The first was in Brussels. I had somehow convinced myself that my luggage would get lost and, sure enough, as I waited for luggage on the conveyor belt, it never arrived. So I reported the missing luggage and made my way to my friend’s house.
On the taxi ride there, airport officials called to tell me that my suitcase had been going round and round in circles on the conveyor belt for ages… clearly I didn’t recognise my own suitcase.
The second gaffe was in Paris. Excited about some object in a window display, I moved in for a closer look and slammed my head against the glass window. I can’t remember what the object was, but it left a mark on my forehead!
The friendliest people…
It must be the Mexicans. I always say that Mexico felt like a home away from home, and who wouldn’t feel at home when your host’s grandmother invites you to join her for tequila shots?
I never travel without...
My camera, of course.
The taxi ride I will never forget…
Sporting a fever on my return to London from Malta, the taxi driver just wanted to chat for the entire ride. To make it worse, the journey took even longer then expected because we got stuck in traffic. It was just my luck that a lorry carrying chickens had crashed… chickens were everywhere!
My all-time favourite holiday photo...
A recent photo with my former flatmate in Brighton.
I had barely recovered from my jet lag, and was just capable of uttering three words in Spanish, yet I was marching along with one million Mexicans
An unforgettable hotel...
A small house in Portugal, which was smack bang in the middle of a golf course. It was a very random place to stay, but my father secretly took us on a golf trip. It turned out to be a brilliant location, and I got to drive the golf cart all the time. I had only just turned 13, hence the excitement.
I return most often to...
These days I live in London, so I return most often to Malta. It’s home, and it’s the best place to come and spend a few days.
I have learnt to appreciate Malta for what it is ever since I moved to London, and each time I return to the island I always feel like a whole new person.
My ideal travel companion...
Someone who likes to wander about the city or the country; is ready to ditch the map and discover new places; and will also try any local delicacy!
Country with the best cuisine...
Spain. Last summer I visited a small coastal town called Javea. The food there was incredible; we constantly ate fresh fish and bread drenched with local olive oil, and drank local white wine. The whole ethos was: ‘enjoy, be healthy, be merry’.
My next holiday plans…
I’m hoping to visit Turkey with some friends, but plans are still one the drawing board.
My dream trip…
It’s either India or Argentina – I can’t decide between the two.
I partied hardest in…
Prior to moving to London, it was the city I visited the most. When there I always met up with my good friend, Amy, who would drag me to all her socialite parties.
We would end up going to one after-hours party after another. I remember on one occasion we were partying at 5 a.m. in this lovely house just off Beak Street, and we ordered more alcohol from a delivery service!
My travel tip…
Always keep an open mind; each country is so unique that you would be a fool to shun a place just because it’s different from the norm.