My life in travel: Russell Kane

'I've promised myself I'll meet Mickey'

'I've promised myself I'll meet Mickey'

Comedian Russell Kane is currently on a nationwide tour with Posturing Delivery. For tickets go to: russellkane.co.uk

First holiday memory?

Devon. I remember being in the cottage, it raining and there being a power cut. I also got sunstroke during that trip. Rain and sunstroke on the same holiday – welcome to Britain!

Favourite place in the British Isles?

Edinburgh. I have such an affection for it because it's given me my whole career. I won the Perrier Comedy Award there and it's where I did my first gig. I live there for a month every year during the festival time and I've fallen in love with the place.

Best holiday?

The one I've just come back from. I went to Bangkok, Koh Samui and Koh Tao, so I had three holidays in one. In Bangkok, we careered around on tuk tuks, bartered in the streets and partied in the dodgiest dives. Next, we got a boat to Koh Samui and stayed in a gorgeous beach villa. We started every evening with a massage, followed by a green curry and then danced until the sun came up. Finally, we moved on to Koh Tao for some peace in the hills.

What have you learnt from your travels?

Human beings are disappointingly universal. The only place where I've truly felt like I was in a completely alien place – and loved it because of that – was Japan. I felt like I was on a different planet or in a futuristic movie.

Ideal travelling companion?

My girlfriend, Lindsey. Recently, I walked out of my front door with my pug, Colin, and drove to Andalucia. I stopped in Madrid and Lindsey flew in to meet me. We went out tapas-crawling, before driving to a villa in the hills. I like being in a relationship and doing things together.

Most intrepid trip?

Once I decided I'd spin the globe and just go, on my own, with a backpack. My finger landed on Botswana. I checked it was safe on the Lonely Planet website and booked a flight. I absolutely loved the adrenalin rush of getting on the plane and not having anyone to turn to. By that evening, I was friends with about 20 people. We went into the Okavango Delta, got in a makoro (canoe), paddled through crocodile-infested swamp and stayed on a mud island for three days.

Holiday reading?

I'm a voracious reader. I usually have about four books on the go. I used to have problems with my luggage, but now, thankfully, the Kindle has been created. I've currently got a collection of short stories by Raymond Carver, a book about sugar by Robert Lustig called Fat Chance and The Complete Works of Anthony Trollope.

Better to travel or to arrive?

I went to Australia four times in a year once, so I've no problem with sitting on an plane. I could chill out in Virgin business class all day. But you still can't beat arriving somewhere new.

Worst travel experience?

Zambia. We booked an excursion where you can go and stay with a local tribe. We were taken to meet the chief and were given this huge meal. I love eating local food, so I ate everything.

But afterwards, my stomach just turned, and the toilet was a hole in the ground. The worst thing was the thought of offending their hospitality. It was embarrassment on a new level.

Best hotel?

The Peninsula in Bangkok is hard to beat. You feel like a rock star when you turn up because there are eight people waiting to meet you, put flowers around your neck and carry your bag. The rooms are so tastefully done and we had a balcony that looked over the Chao Phraya River.

Best meal abroad?

Thai food is notoriously delicious. In Bangkok, we went to one of the restaurants in the Lebua at State Tower. The curry was only about 200 baht [under £5] and it had huge chunks of fresh white snapper, stuffed with lime, coriander and garlic. I've never tasted food like it.

Where next?

I'm going to the States in September with Lindsey. We're flying into Chicago, hiring a car and driving all the way down through Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans to Orlando. I was deprived as a child and never went to Walt Disney World, so I've promised myself I'm going to meet Mickey.