On my first visit to Russia, I visited a place called Zagorsk to see the holiest monastery in Russia, founded in the 14th century. Inside the cathedral, the black robed priests chanted prayers for St. Sergius. The pilgrims queued to kiss the holy images but most wonderful of all, was the impromptu choir of elderly "babushkas", who sang so beautifully, their careworn faces alight with religious fervour.

On my first visit to the Caribbean, I was amazed by the diversity of the islands - thought by many to be good for beaches alone. I did a whistlestop tour of Barbados with its cosmopolitan atmosphere and Antigua with the historic Nelsons Dockyard and English Harbour. Then there was Grenada, 'The Spice Island' and Jamaica with her wealth of mountains, rivers, beaches and of course, music ! I came home both invigorated and exhausted but also with the real impression that the Caribbean offers something for everyone.

I have several diverse highlights from my travels - swimming with rays in the Maldives; experiencing the huge open skies and golden desert of Jiayuaguan on the Silk Route of China; enjoying the midnight sun of northern Norway. But I harbour a particular soft spot for Malawi, a land of contrasts with the Highlands, Lowlands and of course the Lake, with its colourful fish. I think the haunting call of the fish eagle from the shores of Lake Malawi will remain with me forever.