Everybody said I was crazy. You can’t go around the world in five weeks. It’s too hard. But I don’t know what they mean. I’ve been around the world twice before in less than 4 weeks with no problem at all.

Back in December, my trip started in Los Angeles. Instead of staying in a hotel I stayed with my friend Susan. House? She lives in a mansion. Gorgeous...and I have my own apartment on an upper floor. We go down to Sunset Plaza and people watch. While sitting at the outdoor café, someone comes by, takes a second look at me. “Hello Gino! Long time no see!” Who is it? I’m stymied. He turns to his beautiful companion and says “Gino used to book me in clubs in Toronto.” It’s JIM CARREY. How could I not recognize him. He looks great! We discuss his new movie “Dumb and Dumber” mutual friends and he goes on his way. Susan was impressed. That night it’s dinner at Peggy Lee’s mansion (I’m getting used to it). It’s wonderful to see how good she looks and that she is singing even better than ever. While “doing” L.A., also got to catch up with Lily Tomlin (she looks wonderful... we have tea)... Michael Nouri (at the new cigar and coffee... I just have coffee) Vanna White and her husband sitting at an outdoor café sipping champagne... dinner with June Wilkinson and an all nighter (til 4am) with Susan (and some of her weird friends from all over the continant) at a Rock and Roll club on Sunset (I fall asleep at the table!) Another until I get to visit my friend Tino Barzie who used to work with Pia Zadora and her now gone multi multi million dollar husband Ric... Down to Westwood to join up with Hal Linden and his popular wife Francis. Watch him tape a seg of The Boys are Back. After a wonderful Italiana dinner, we head down to the HOUSE OF BLUES to hear some music and see another buddy, DAN ACKROYD (who was a no show) I hate to say it but I started to show business with Dan! Well, Hell who wants to leave L.A.?

But its time to catch the Air France flight to Tahiti and one of my South Pacific “homes” The Beach Comber Hotel. A relaxing three days; not much to do in this paradise unless you like watching tourists at the open air stalls. I took a trip way up the mountain to one of my favourite restaurants THE BELEVEDERE (must be good, I remember the name) and watch the incredibly beautiful sunset with my friend, owner Pepe. The French speaking population, both male and female, are beautiful and could not be more friendly. I take a trip through the rainforest and the Gaughin Museum, lie in the sun, take a drowsy jaccuzzi, well hell who wants to leave Tahiti?

On to the New Zealand Air flight To FIJI by way of Raratonga and continuing to Nadi... and the regent of Fiji Hotel. Same luxury, warm staff from previous trips. I look up my buddy, security guard and rugby player Sela, we go out to 2 or 3 Fijan “nightclubs”. At the open air market I met the most beautiful girl that I have ever seen Malanie, she is half Nubian and half Fijian. Watching her move give you the most undiscribable pleasure I’m not going to tell you about the rest of my visit. Well hell who wants to leave Fiji?

I arrive in Sydney with Qantas for a quick changeover to go onto to Bali. Never been to Bali before, but Rita Coolidge says you haven’t lived until you do. Get off the plane... its hot! Most be well over 100% in the shade. Boy did I welcome that cool, refreshing tropical punch they serve while you check in. I have discovered a new home in the south pacific THE INTERCONTINENTAL is a dream come true. The suite is almost 1500 square feet with a drop dead view of the cost line.

Can’t write anymore about Bali or the next stops in Singapore, Istanbul, Ephasus, Cairo, Nairobi, Johannesburg, Cape town, Pretoria, Lisbon... have to get on to the final stop and back to show business in London, because Mark Tan is on a deadline and I’m LATE... But... Well, hell... who wants to leave any of the above?

Some quick headlight are in order, The New Raffles Hotel in Singapore is the winner, New years in Istanbul is all belly dancers and gambling casinos... The ruins in Ephasus have to be seen to be believed and whether you believe it or not, The Virgin Mary’s home gives you a feeling of close to tears with thanks to be there. I am a “hotel nut” but the Mina Oberoi Hotel in Cairo which overlooks the pyramids which is another out of this world luxury experience! Didn’t think much of the light show in front of Sphinx but I loved my camel ride between two pyramids... Hardly recognized Nairobi but found a painting by a Native Artist that was a steal. Turned out to be one commissioned by the Government and given back to the Artist after the tour of duty and he needed the money and I came along...Sun City is two hours from Johannesburg and the new Palace Hotel is beautiful beyond description! Cape Town was warm and windy and cannot miss The Blue Train (which is like a luxury hotel.) You see all of South Africa as well as Giraffes, ostriches, antelopes and other species, all from your stateroom window! In Pretoria I saw the South African version of “Buddy” and “Crazy For You” than an auto ride through an incredible game preserve and I saw 21 different animals including Lions) Onto Libson and two two “Fado” music cafés (and I cried along with the singers) made my pilgrimage to Fatima and saw the floor show at the decadent Lisbon casino where they won’t let you in unless you have your passport. Well hell who wants to leave any of these places?

British Airways to London (grey, wet, windy)... London does to me what New York does... Juices me up beyond belief. Another wonderful intercontinental Hotel (used to stay at the Savoy but its up to practically $500.00 per night for a tiny room) I met with my buddy producer Paul Elliott. His “Buddy” Show is now on its seventh year I London and stil touring around the world. No wonder he can buy an island in the Mediterranean. He also produced about 200 Pantomimes a year in England and Scotland and uses all top English names in them.

Paul arranged tickets for me for Grease which I missed because the Hotel neglected to tell me the tickets were there. I did see the Queen and I which was very funny for the first half but than became a repeat joke but the cast was wonderful. Then I called on another buddy who is also a producer Roger Ashby, who asked me to see his show written by Barry Manilow, called “COPACABANA”. The British press called it a piece of fluff. It was! But most enjoyable. I had fun and a nice surprise, my friend Jenny Logan, who has gorgeous legs, was playing one of the leads. We had some very good food at the Planet Hollywood across from the theatre and also had a good laugh. I must have looked like “one of the boys” even though I have never made an action film, because the staff kept treating me like a very special customer.

The next night went to SHE LOVES ME with my friend Roger and we took in Joe Allen’s after the show and every British cabaret star was there! Roger also manages Petula Clark who is currently on tour in the US with Blood Brothers. Got a midnight call from Danny Larue, on the road in one of Paul Elliott’s pantomimes, and he told me he was going back into the West End in Hello Dolly. Much, much more to tell but... Well, hell, who wants to go home!!???