Michael Palin on childhood holidays, stunning South American citadels, and West African delicacies

Michael Palin is a well-known personality in the field of travel. After being a part of Monty Python, the comedian has filmed various travel documentaries and penned down his experiences on various destinations across the globe. Since 1980, Palin has produced multiple TV travel shows and is distinguished for his writing and presenting skills. In the following text, the British celebrity reminisces about his visit to the fascinating Norfolk, the stunning views of Machu Picchu, and trying out colossal land snails in Nigeria.

Where did you recently return from?

I recently visited Costa Rica with my daughter and explored the lush rainforest located in the north, close to the volcanic area. It was an incredible experience especially when it rained. The rain made everything vibrant and colourful, with an array of beautiful birds. Later on, we travelled to the Pacific coast, which was equally breathtaking. Walking along the beach and feeling the warm sunshine was incredibly soothing. We also indulged in some delicious seafood, with the fish being particularly fantastic and the oysters were a treat worth having.

Can you think of a location that completely met your expectations? Give me an example of a place that was just as amazing as you thought it would be.

The verticals of Machu Picchu are truly breathtaking. It feels like you're in the middle of a massive, steep world, holding onto the side while looking down. The cliffs drop down to the river below by 1,000 metres. It's hard to imagine how anyone managed to build a city in that place, and where they got all the materials. Nowadays, there's no one there except for llamas. They wander around and can be quite unfriendly sometimes, even spitting at you.

Which city do you like the most?

Istanbul is a unique city because it spans across two different continents. Additionally, its age adds to the culture and charm that can be found in its streets, small establishments, and other interesting places. Furthermore, its location by the Bosphorus makes it a picturesque destination. New York, on the other hand, is similar to Machu Picchu - there is no place quite like it in terms of visual appeal.

Can you recall any specific moments or experiences from your vacations when you were a child?

We used to refer to the North Sea as "the ocean" and it was extremely exciting given that we resided in Sheffield, a place that seems to be situated in the core of industrial England. Viewing the sea itself was simply breathtaking. As my father hailed from Norfolk, we spent nearly a decade visiting Sheringham located on the Norfolk shoreline. Being able to savor food obtained from the salty sea air was quite a delight! What a stark contrast it was compared to Sheffield. Norfolk soon became our version of a mysterious and exotic world.

In the past, I used to tan my skin by sunbathing because it was considered attractive. When I was working with the Python team in Barbados on the script for Life of Brian, we spent a lot of time sitting by the ocean. It was crucial to expose as much skin as possible to the sun's rays. Nowadays, I view things differently. I prefer to explore and observe my surroundings by walking around or reading in a shaded area. I've come to realize that I'd rather not risk getting sunburned by lying out in the sun.

Explain a vacation disappointment

In 1978, we traveled to Torquay and stayed at a hotel named Gleneagles, which was vastly different from the Scottish hotel of the same name. Unfortunately, our experience was not a pleasant one, as we encountered a very impolite man at the hotel. Our schedule the following day required us to begin filming at 7:30am, so we requested breakfast for 7am. The man reacted rudely and exclaimed, "Seven o'clock?... Seven o’clock! Who's gonna be able to get you breakfast at seven o’clock?" It was this experience that inspired John Cleese to create the comedic series, Fawlty Towers. As a result, myself, Graham Chapman, and Terry Jones decided not to stay at the hotel beyond the first night.

The renowned figure known as the Dalai Lama, who is extremely respected in Tibetan culture, is known as the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people. He is believed to be the reincarnation of past Dalai Lamas and has been a significant figure in Tibet since the age of two. He is known to be very wise and compassionate, and his teachings and guidance are highly valued by many people worldwide. The Dalai Lama has also received numerous awards for his humanitarian work and efforts towards promoting peace and understanding among people of different faiths and cultures.

Who is the most fascinating individual you have encountered while traveling?

We visited Dharamsala when the Dalai Lama was receiving visitors. Around 200-300 people had lined up to see him. It was fascinating to see how he interacted with each person. They would bow down in front of him, and he would lift them back up to meet him face-to-face while using a different word for each person. Then we got a chance to interview him, and I was really impressed with how he treated us. He shook hands with everyone on our crew, which was unusual. Even with all the pomp and circumstance around him, he remained humble and down-to-earth. He was a joy to talk to, and I was struck by how he managed to maintain such a humble demeanor even though he's such an important religious leader.

What is the most intelligent hotel you have ever lodged in?

During the filming of Around The World in 80 Days, we took a dhow from Dubai to Mumbai. The dhow didn't have any amenities and moved slowly. At the beginning, I thought it would be a terrible experience. However, it turned out to be an incredible adventure. We had to sleep on the cargo as there were no cabins. The crew of 18 Gujarati fishermen didn't speak any English, but over time we got to know them, and they were very friendly and helpful. We had brought food from England, but they didn't want us to eat it, so they shared their curry with us, and we became a part of the ship's life. This kind of experience cannot be provided by any vacation company. We arrived in Mumbai and stayed at the remarkable Taj Hotel. However, when I saw the way the guests treated the staff, I felt unhappy. It made me realize how much being on the dhow meant to me because we all had to look after each other, and I would never experience that again.

What is the location on earth where you have experienced the greatest joy?

Usually, I find myself the happiest when something has gone awry. One time, my companions and I embarked on a difficult expedition up the Amazon. After much hardship, it was a great challenge to secure an airplane out of the jungle. Eventually, we made it to Bogotá in Colombia, and it was truly magnificent. Although not particularly attractive, Bogotá had coffee shops, bookstores, and other things that made it hard to resist. I felt as though it was the most amazing place in the world. The return to civilization was incredibly memorable because of the brutal journey we had just experienced. It was a time for healing and restoration. Nevertheless, the footage we captured from the Amazon was remarkable. It seems that you always get the best footage when there is suffering involved.

Have you had the opportunity to sample any of the local cuisine during your recent journey in Nigeria for your latest series?

I decided to taste the snails and was surprised by their size, they were as big as small steaks! It was unbelievable! However, we weren't recording at the time. When I mentioned it to David Attenborough during our conversation about my trip, he informed me that these snails are the largest in the world! He was shocked that I had eaten one and asked how it tasted. Although it wasn't seasoned with garlic or anything like that, it’s an experience that I will always remember - trying the enormous land snails of Nigeria.

Michael Palin's documentary about Nigeria will be shown on Channel 5 starting in April.