The Daily Telegraph - Saturday - Travel
Travelling life
Sir Ranulph Fiennes Explorer and author
How often do you travel?
In between planning, going on expeditions and charity fundraising, mostly for Marie Curie, I’m in demand for speaking around the world so I’ll have lots of whistle-stop trips – recently I was in Toronto for less than 12 hours. By the time my daughter Elizabeth was four (she’s now 10), she had 182 stamps in her passport. She went everywhere my wife, Louise, and I lectured.
What’s your earliest travel memory?
I was brought up in South Africa from the age of six months until I was 12. My sisters were much older than me and got taken on trips to Kruger National Park to see the wild animals. I was considered likely to do something stupid, so I never went. Instead, for my summer holidays, I was sent to a lady called Aunt Atcha who lived on a big stretch of coastal dunes near Cape Town. There was plenty of wildlife, such as snakes, to keep a wee boy fascinated.
What was your earliest expedition?
When we came back to the UK and settled in Lodsworth, Sussex, I got myself a rickety old canoe and decided I’d set out to sea in it. After navigating a three-mile glorified stream full of logs and nettles, my sister and I continued into the Rother and then the fast-moving Arun before meeting the sea at Littlehampton. We even had trouble with the natives; a retired Army major screamed at us when we had to traverse his garden.
Your most authentic travel experience?
Eleven years ago, when Louise was five months pregnant with Elizabeth, a group of Tanzanians and Zambians invited me to retrace Livingstone’s journey to Victoria Falls on the 150-year anniversary. We used the same type of dugout (a primitive canoe) as Livingstone and stopped overnight at each of the points he had, but most of the villages had long since disappeared. We saw lots of wild elephants, hippos and crocodiles.
The most remote place you’ve been?
Antarctica, as part of my Transglobe Expedition from 1979-1982. We were the first humans to travel 900 miles in a straight line across an unexplored area the size of France. The most dangerous aspect was the uncharted nature of the place. You never knew when you were going to come across a great big crevasse. Book now to secure the final two places on this trip of a lifetime, joined by our greatest living explorer.
Favourite city?
London. I’m afraid so, sorry! I find it easy to navigate and it’s practical from a work perspective; plus culturally you are spoilt for choice.
Favourite restaurant?
There’s an Italian place in Chester called Piccolino (01244 312123; piccolino restaurants.co.uk), which is hard to beat.
Worst travel experience?
I was on an early-morning flight from Bristol to Edinburgh with easyJet in June 2003. Just before take-off, I collapsed and had a massive heart attack. Within four minutes of collapsing, the emergency fire service had arrived with a defibrillator. I don’t remember any of it as I was out for three days during which I had a double bypass.
What are your travel essentials?
My wife, if she can get away, plus climate-appropriate clothing, a mosquito net and a good printed map.
What do you hate about holidays?
Long flights – I’ve got long legs and space is an issue.
Where next?
Luxembourg. More exotically, I’d love to go to the Gobi Desert as there’s a camel that’s very small and on the verge of extinction. READER EVENT
Put your questions to Sir Ranulph Fiennes at an exclusive Telegraph Bespoke event to celebrate the launch of his latest book, The event will be held on Friday, November 11 at The Mermaid Theatre in London. See telegraph.co.uk/sirranulph or call 0800 542 5859.