Pharmacist, voluntary worker in Ethiopia and – in a past life – clubbing promoter, Keith Marshall has experienced many of the colours of this world. He shares some of his wildest moment with us.

Tell us something about yourself.

I’m a pharmacist (as accidental as it may sound), involved in product development and marketing mainly. Voluntary worker in Ethiopia and spent years and years in my past life organising a plethora of events – club nights, rock sessions, fashions shows, photographic exhibitions, expeditions up mountains... i’ve been round the block a few times.

How often do you travel?

As often as possible. On average four times a year – a long-haul vacation, a stint in Ethiopia, a stolen break in the summer months and probably a work-related trip.

Your first time abroad?

Overland in 1978 with the parents and siblings, crammed into our trusty Audi 100, making our way through land after land to get to our ultimate destination – Scotland (dad hails from those parts). It was tedious, but still a holiday I will always remember with the fondest of memories.

Best holiday ever and why?

Australia. I was coming off the back of a very intense period in my working life, which made free time all the sweeter. Six weeks of pure, unadulterated bliss. The company was great and the holiday came with more experiences than you could wave a hairy stick at in an action-packed roller-coaster ride of activity.

Which place would you never visit and why?

Toughie, as never is a big word. Every territory has its pros and cons... every country is a teacher in its own right.

Best travel companion?

I have been blessed with a wondrous collection of luggage-lugging comrades and all have had fantastic attributes to offer. I can only hope I wasn’t too much of a hindrance – in my day (or rather, night) I’ve been known to be quite the liability!

And what’s the worst your travel companion could do?

I’m hardly the prude, but attracting undue attention unnecessarily doesn’t sit too well in my mind. I’d have myself believe that I’m quite easy-going, whether life throws student digs, hostels, guesthouses or five-star hotels my way. I do my best to blend in with grace.

What do you usually look for when you travel?

Culture, clubbing, beaches, food – and more. Culture always runs high on my agenda as I enjoy history, architecture and the like. I spent years in the clubbing scene, so a good night out is also high on my list. Beachlife (in doses) would also float my boat (if you’ll excuse the pun) and anyone who knows me to any degree would probably be familiar with my fearsome appetite for good food.

Playing the wandering nomad across this amazing planet would make the perfect ending

The perfect holiday would be…

A fusion of the above. Not too many countries could gun on all fronts, but I heard a certain jewel in the central Med hits the right spot each time. No place quite like home is there?

What’s the furthest you’ve been from home?

Australia in terms of geographical distance, but Argentina, the US, Venezuela, South East Asia and a number of other destinations have all been rather taxing to get to. I remember it took a solid 36 hours to get back from Mexico, for example.

Package tours or DIY?

With my present mind frame, I’d definitely opt for my own path-finding. But this isn’t to say that a package tour wouldn’t be something I could enjoy. it’s just that at this stage in life, I can DIY, so I will.

What the best travel advice you can give?

Make sure you are of the same mind-frame and share similar passions with whoever is delivering advice. Remember, one man’s meat is another man’s poison.

And what’s the worst piece of advice you’ve been given?

We once took advice from a friend of a girl I was dating and ended up travelling through the South American outback, sharing a bus in stifling heat for hours on end, listening to Reggaeton and rubbing shoulders with a bunch of rather silly geriatrics for four days. Oh well, you can’t win them all.

Flying – hate it/love it/neutral?

I’m normally quite comfortable in the air, although I distinctly remember getting caught in some seriously strong cross-winds over the Atlantic. White-knuckle ride.

The one place you never get tired of visiting?

Ethiopia for the love of the people, meaningfulness and open vistas; Corfu for the comfort and sanctuary the island offers; and Istanbul for its friendliness, history and tremendous architecture.

Describe one memory that stuck with you from a place.

Getting to the peak of Kilimanjaro will always be a special memory. The effort it involves makes it all the sweeter. Riding the rapids on the Zambesi; bungee-jumping 700 feet of a bridge in South Africa; hooking a sailfish in the Maldives; performing the Harlem Shake at Everest base-camp... these are just some that come to mind.

You met the coolest people at?

Too many in too many places to mention. Just got back from Rock Werchter in Belgium, so that’s fresh in my mind. I met up with some pretty cool people.

Your best budget tip to save money on holiday?

Don’t get lost in silly creature comforts that you have at their beck and call back home. Use the money saved on more meaningful moments.

Don’t snog a girl in public in a Muslim country; don’t feed the pigeons in San Francisco; don’t carry your shopping in a plastic bag in Rwanda

If you actually had to live away from Malta, where would you pick?

There is no place like home, I would find it tough laying my cap anywhere else. The closest would have to be Australia, though.

What’s the one thing you would never do in a foreign country?

I’d never disregard tradition and culture. When in Rome do as the Romans do... everyone should toe the line. Don’t snog a girl in public in a Muslim country; don’t feed the pigeons in San Francisco; don’t carry your shopping in a plastic bag in Rwanda (don’t ask). Nowadays, taboos and no-nos can be researched off the web, so there are no excuses.

Anything on your travel bucket list?

I’d love to witness the Aurora Borealis some time soonest. Oh, and whale-watching in Vancouver. There’s also a mountain I’d like to tackle, waiting on the green light from a travel buddy.

Travel is important to you because?

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page.” I’m quoting St Augustine: travel is knowledge. It expands your angle of vision and extends your horizons. Someone who’s a seasoned traveller will betray his passion from a mile away.

What has travel taught you?

To be open-minded; to be street-wise, but not too wary. Most people are intrinsically nice, especially in the third world. Not everyone flashing a smile is your proverbial axe murderer. Take offers in your stride, but be attentive. And do take time out to throw caution to the wind. Remember, while you’re struggling to stay alive, life is passing you by. Immerse yourself into the country’s culture, eat off the street, dress down and take a chill pill.

Where would you retire and why?

Tricky. Lying back and being the pina colada-and-parasol kind of guy wouldn’t be up my street. I could imagine myself dedicating a fair share of time to the impoverished and under-privileged children of this world, living with them and feeling the love and kindred spirit that is often so lacking among us. This and playing the wandering nomad across this amazing planet would make the perfect ending.