Porn shock on the streets of Madrid

OVER 1,560 battery powered bicycles and 123 self service docking stations were introduced on the streets of Madrid, as part of a new revolutionary bike hire system to minimize traffic and environmental damage in the Spanish capital today.

But the inaugural week was marred by hackers, who placed pornographic clips on the touch screens of the BiciMad terminals around the city.

A spokesperson for Bonopark, the operator of the bike hire system refrained from further comment on the incident but said they were aware of the recent obscene attacks.

But obscene images were not the only glitch experienced by the docking station during its first week, as the bike hire system’s mal function, safety concerns and protests from the local taxi drivers were constantly putting off new members.

Bonopark blamed the glitches on the huge demand from Madrid citizens, nevertheless, only 3,300 people out of Madrid’s three million residents signed up for the scheme during its inaugural week.

The urban development expert from Madrid’s IESE business school, Pascual Berrone, said: “There are places it is quite easy to ride a bike, but other areas where it is extremely dangerous. It is often scary to ride a bicycle in Madrid.”

Cannibal drug in use in Spain

THE zombie apocalypse could well be upon us after all.

But who would have thought that the first zombie would speak English and that the apocalypse would be called MDPV? Or that police officers would be the first to be bitten?

Guardia Civil officers in Ibiza are on the lookout for a dangerous substance very similar to cocaine that can be smoked like synthetic marijuana, snorted or injected.

It is said to cause extreme paranoia, psychosis, violent reactions, suicidal tendencies and an uncontrollable urge to bite.

Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), which was first legally sold in Spain as bath salts is now the prime suspect.

It is the same substance, allegedly, smoked by the US cannibal Ruby Eugene, Miami’s Hannibal Lecter, who bit a homeless man’s face back in 2012 before being shot dead by local police.

The Head of the local Anti-Narcotics Police Force in Ibiza warned against the presence of a substance on the island that has caused “an outbreak of extreme violence in patients hospitalised for drug use for the last three or four days” at a San Antonio hospital.

He nicknamed it “Cannibal”, which does not coincide with any of the other names MDPV is known for. He went on to say that it seems to be one of the many substances that “arrive on Ibiza to be tested before they’re sold for consumption around the world.”

“One of the patients was extremely aggressive and he was handcuffed. Many police officers were trying to hold him down on the stretcher and he fell to the floor,” said Matilde Fernandez, one of the nurses working at the San Antonio hospital. “He bit one of the police officers on his hand but he only caused a bruise because the officer was wearing gloves.” she added. The officers had to call for reinforcements to subdue the patient.

The hospital personnel are not surprised by the recent outbreaks of violence. “Every night we attend to six or seven tourists who have been attacked by young Brits with bottles and glasses.” said Fernandez.

The effects of five milligrams of MDPV can last for up to one week. Users feel outside their body and are said to feel no pain, not even fractures.

In fact, Ruby Eugene was first shot by Miami Police officers in his leg and he allegedly did not react to the pain.

Emergency Staff – a private company that attends to many of the people with alcohol and drug intoxications on the island – says drugs have nothing to do with violence or cannibalism.

“No substance can turn anyone into a cannibal. Maybe the person is predisposed to cannibalism.” said company sources talking to the media.

“Every year people talk about pills adulterated with rat poison or cocaine making their way onto the market but after analysing them, we found nothing of the sort, only MDMA (ecstasy).” they added.

School caretaker arrested for dealing to students

NATIONAL POLICE in Malaga have detained the caretaker of a school for selling drugs to the students

His wife and son have also been detained for the same alleged crimes.

The detainee used his house, which is within the school boundaries, for dealing – sometimes to minors.

Police officers have confiscated 40 hashish pellets with a total weight of 416 grammes, a bag full of marihuana and €2,256 in cash.

This investigation comes under a larger, more general operation in Malaga to try to stamp out all the small to medium dealers in the area.

Investigations revealed that the caretaker was selling on school premises as the students would go to his house to buy the drugs as well as the bar down the road which he sometimes used for dealing.

After confiscating drugs from several people who had bought them from the caretaker, thus establishing the point of sale, the police proceeded to arrest the caretaker, his wife and 25-year-old son.

Alleged British Drug Trafficker Arrested In Marbella

SUSPECTED British drug trafficker, Christopher Mealey, aged 38, has been detained in Marbella. Mealey was captured in a joint operation involving Britain's National Crime Agency (NCA), the Spanish National Police, and the Metropolitan Police.

The suspect was arrested as he was walking down the Paseo Maritimo or promenade. He was wanted in relation to an investigation into the smuggling of millions of pounds worth of cocaine. He was using a fake ID and had reinvented his background.

He is the 60^th member to be arrested of the 76 published names of fugitives in the Operation Captura campaign. It involves releasing wanted posters with the photos of the fugitives and details of their alleged offences.

“If you think you can evade capture by fleeing to Spain, you should know that we will track you down – the NCA and its partners have the capability to pursue fugitives relentlessly,” stated the department.

The Spanish National Police Fugitives Unit also stated that the “cooperation between Spain and the UK on fugitive operations has never been better. This arrest once again demonstrates that sooner or later any British fugitives hiding out in Spain will be caught.”

British expats, especially in the Costa Del Sol area should contact Crimestoppers with any information which could lead to the arrest of wanted British fugitives.

Seven others, including his father-in-law John Reed, have been jailed and received a combined sentence of 130 years in prison. However, one of Mealey’s associates, Daniel Bowes still remains at large.

How to capture a geisha

Geisha are found throughout Japan, but Kyoto is considered the birthplace of geisha culture. The city's historic Gion district is probably the most popular place for seeing geisha.

There are easy ways to distinguish between maiko (apprentices, pictured) and geisha. A maiko will have decorations such as flowers in her hair; geisha will not. The maiko's obi (kimono belt) will hang nearly to the floor; the geisha's is folded into a square shape on her back.

"Geisha are aware they are special ... and subject to interest, but people need to respect them," says Avi Lugasi, who runs a travel company in Kyoto. He helps clients get photos such as this one of an apprentice geisha leaving a tea house in Gion district.

A full-fledged geisha serves tea during Kyoto's annual Plum Blossom Festival. Aside from their regular hosting engagements, trained geisha are often hired to perform at local festivals.

The maiko's obi (kimono's belt) is long and drops almost to the floor (pictured), while the geisha's belt is folded into a square shape on her back.

Sometimes, maiko will wear high platform wooden slippers as seen here. Geisha always wear flat ones.

Though geisha and maiko can be spotted all over Kyoto, tourists flock to Gion for its traditional wooden buildings and near-guaranteed geisha and maiko sightings.

Every day at 5:45 p.m., tourists congregate around Hanami-koji street in Kyoto's Gion district in the hopes of being able to spot an authentic geisha headed to a tea house or banquet.

During a visit to Kyoto's Sagano bamboo forest, we spotted what appeared to be a maiko enjoying an evening ride. But according to Kyoto resident and travel guide Avi Lugasi, she's actually a tourist in costume.

• Tourists hoping to photograph a real geisha head for Kyoto's Gion area


• "Geisha are aware they're special and subject to (tourist) interest so it is part of their lives," says local guide


• Hair accessories and kimono belts offer clues when distinguishing geisha from apprentices


• Entertainment from a high-end geisha typically costs between $3,000 and $10,000

(CNN) -- It's 5:55 p.m. on a warm summer evening on Hanami-Koji Street in Kyoto's historic Gion district.

A dozen or so camera-clutching tourists line both sides of the cobblestone road, waiting for that magical moment.

Then it happens.

A single apprentice geisha emerges from a nearby taxi.

The crowd descends, timidly at first, like a pack of wildlife photographers on safari not wanting to frighten their prey, all angling for a perfect picture.

Her bright red lips turn up into a small smile as tourists tap shutters and smart phones, but she doesn't stop, instead gracefully making her way into a nearby tea house.

The crowd is pleased. They've ticked off an item on their Kyoto "must see" list.

Such scenes are a nightly occurrence in Gion, with its traditional wooden machiya houses.

Though geisha can be found throughout Japan, the former Imperial capital Kyoto (794-1869) is considered the birthplace of geisha culture.

Contrary to unsavory myths, geisha -- or "geiko" as they're called in Kyoto dialect -- are actually professional entertainers hired to perform and interact with guests during dinners and other occasions.

But before you join the Gion masses in the hopes of snapping a geiko or maiko (apprentice geisha) on her way to work, there are a few things worth knowing.

1. Unwritten rules for photographing geisha

Self-described geisha fanatic Avi Lugasi is the founder and managing director of Windows to Japan, a high-end travel company based in Kyoto.

Fluent in Japanese and a Kyoto resident for nearly 20 years, he often assists clients who want to photograph geisha on the city streets or experience an evening with them.

"Generally speaking, paparazzi is the name of the game," says Lugasi, adding that tourists should keep in mind that the geisha they see are usually on their way to work and not being paid by the tourism board as some local mascot.

"Geisha are aware that they are a special and unique aspect of the Japanese culture and subject to interest so it is a part of their lives, but people need to respect them too."

This means you shouldn't block their way by standing in front of them when they're walking.

"Take photos from the side or back, but leave their path open," says Lugasi.

Kiku, which means "chrysanthemum" in Japanese, has been a geisha for 10 years.

She tells CNN that she understands tourists' interest in geisha, just as she'd be interested in traditional or cultural elements typical to any country she visits.

"However all the attention can be bothersome at times, as geisha are only human and not objects," she says. "So we would appreciate our privacy being respected by not having our photo taken when we are walking with a guest or aren't on the way to work."

She adds that it would be nice if people asked if they can take a photo and not just go crazy, shooting photos as they run after them, as has happened to her many times.

MORE: Koyasan, Japan: Overnight on one of the world's most sacred mountains

2. Timing is everything

Most geiko who live in Kyoto's hanamachi (geisha neighborhoods) head out at about 5:45 p.m. to their evening engagements, which makes this the best time to see them.

"For good photo results, one should look at the background behind the geisha," says Lugasi, himself an avid geisha photographer.

"People tend to concentrate on the geisha and forget about the background, which can affect any shot."

Gion, with its many traditional machiya buildings, is probably the most popular place for photographing geisha in Japan.

Its two hanamachi -- Gion Higashi and Gion Kobu -- are by far the biggest and most famous out of the five geiko areas of Kyoto, the others being Kamishichiken, Pontocho and Miyagawacho.

"It also has beautiful preserved architecture, which gives the feeling of how Kyoto used to look in the past, so it's very photogenic," adds Lugasi.

3. Difference is in the details

All geisha attend a special school throughout their careers, where they go through rigorous training in traditional Japanese arts, such as tea ceremony, flower arrangement and various musical instruments.

A geisha serves tea during Kyoto's annual Plum Blossom Festival.

But a maiko apprentice needs to study for at least five years before she's considered skilled and mature enough to become a full-fledged geiko.

So how do you tell the difference between the two?

"There are two easy ways to distinguish between maiko and geisha," says Lugasi.

"Maiko will have decorations like flowers in her hair, which geiko will not.

"From behind, the maiko's obi (kimono belt) is long and stretches down almost to the floor while the geiko's obi is folded into a square shape on her back."

Also, Lugasi says maiko will sometimes wear high platform wooden okobo (slippers) while geiko will always wear flat ones, called zori.

MORE: Fountain of youth? Historic Japanese inn famous for beautifying baths

4. It's OK to dress like a geisha, even the Japanese do it

After seeing the beautiful, graceful geisha in action, many tourists want to get in on the action.

And plenty do.

On a visit to Kyoto prefecture's Sagano bamboo forest, several women could be spotted walking around in kimonos, some in full makeup.

Given the city's history and status as one of Japan's top centers of traditional culture, some Japanese women we spoke with said it's fun to come to Kyoto to get dressed up in the traditional Japanese style.

A few studios in Kyoto will even give tourists full geisha and maiko makeovers, also setting them up with a photographer to follow them through the streets of Gion to snap a few glamor shots.

For example, Aya Studio in Gion offers a variety of packages ranging in price from 12,340- 28,790 yen ($121-283), depending on how many photographs you want taken.

The full experience at Maiko Henshin costs 40,000 yen ($394) and includes photos in a garden, studio, tea room and rickshaw. This one lasts about four hours.

MORE: Look, but don't stare! Hanging out with Kyoto's macaques

5. You won't fool the locals

According to Kyoto travel guide Avi Lugasi, this maiko is actually a tourist in costume.

Multiple Kyoto tour guides and hotel staff share stories of tourists being delighted to meet a friendly geisha in the street, only to learn she was actually a costumed tourist from Hong Kong, Tokyo or Taiwan.

Lugasi says if the geisha or meiko is overly friendly and posing on the road, chances are she's not the real deal.

"First, consider the area where you see her," he says.

"If it is in the Kiyomizu area and the streets around it, then she's probably a 'studio' geisha. Also, the 'geisha for a day' will usually walk around, take lots of photos and agree to stop for you to take her picture.

"Real geisha do not usually do that. Real geisha, when dressed up, are on the way to work or on the way back so do not have time in spare."

He says the quality of the white makeup is another good indicator of authenticity -- a real geisha's face will be refined and smooth.

But will your legions of Instagram followers know the difference? Probably not.

MORE: 11 extremely practical Japan travel tips

6. Forget those "memoirs"

As Gion was the scene of much of the drama in "Memoirs of a Geisha" -- the popular novel and film that reignited global interest in geisha culture -- it's not surprising that many tourists want to visit the area.

But Kyoto geisha Kiku says the real lives of geisha are nothing like the ones depicted on screen.

"It's complete fiction and Hollywood entertainment that does not at all represent the world of geisha," she says.

"In that sense the film made our lives more difficult as people come with many misconceptions so we need to explain how our world is not what people saw in the movie."

7. If all else fails, cough up the cash

The old school way to meet a geisha is to simply book yourself an evening at an ochaya (tea house).

Not cheap, but certainly the most authentic geiko experience.

Traditionally, access to high-end geisha experiences in tea houses (also referred to as banquet halls) is gained through connections only.

But those willing to cough up the cash -- usually starting from 100,000 yen (about $1,000) -- will find it's possible to buy their way through the doors.

Historic Ichiriki Ochaya has been around for more than 300 years. Famous for bringing in the top geisha in Kyoto, it's among the most challenging to get into.

Concierges in Kyoto's five-star hotels and luxury ryokan (inns) are usually able to set up evenings for those who want to experience geisha entertainment at a Kyoto restaurant.

Lugasi says he offers different geisha experiences for clients who book a complete tour with Windows on Asia.

"The most common experience is a private meeting and dinner where the guests will spend 90 minutes to two hours with a geisha, see her dance and ask her directly (usually with translation) about her life, her choices and her art, while also taking photos with her and playing typical geisha games," he says.

For a budget experience, there's always Gion Corner, a contrived one-stop shop for geisha entertainment open nightly from 6 p.m. that panders to tourists with tea ceremonies, puppets, flower arrangement, music and dancing.

The price of this one is ¥3,150 (about $30) per adult.

On the upside, you won't have to hang out in the streets like a celeb-stalking paparazzi.

MORE: Kyoto without the crowds: Escape like a local

CNN Travel's series often carries sponsorship originating from the countries and regions we profile. However CNN retains full editorial control over all of its reports. Read the policy.

Boeing delivers 1,500th 747

The Boeing 747 is one of the iconic commercial jets of the 20th century. It arrived in the late 1960s largely because Pan Am thought bigger planes would be the answer to passenger congestion at airports. The 747 was 2.5 times the size of Boeing's earlier 707 model and was the world's first wide-body aircraft. Its distinctive front bulge came from placing the cockpit on an upper deck, allowing a freight-loading door in the nose. Pilots were trained to taxi this beast by sitting three stories high on a moving truck. Lufthansa received deliver of the 1,500th 747 on June 28.

Built in 1928, the Model 80 was America's first airliner designed to transport passengers on a scheduled service. It had room for three crew, 18 passengers and 408 kilograms of cargo. The fuselage was covered in fabric. Pilots accustomed to open-air cockpits complained about the enclosed flight deck. Cost: $140,000.

Debuting in 1933, the Boeing 247 held three crew, 10 passengers and 182 kilograms of mail. It had a range of 1,198 kilometers and a ceiling of 25,400 feet. The world's first truly modern airliner, it was also the first to incorporate and combine retractable landing gear. It took 20 hours to fly from New York to Los Angeles, including seven stops.

The "Jumbo" of its time, the 314 Clipper made the first scheduled trans-Atlantic flight in 1939. It held 74 passengers and cemented regular flying on long-haul routes from North America across the Pacific to Asia and across the Atlantic to Europe. Its well-appointed cabin heralded the real birth of in-flight service.

Based on the B-17 military bomber, Boeing's 307 Stratoliner first flew on December 31, 1938. It was the first commercial transport aircraft with a pressurized cabin, allowing it to fly above the clouds and bad weather. Howard Hughes bought one, and turned it into a "flying penthouse" with a bedroom, two bathrooms and lounge area.

The 707 doesn't look like much now, but it started the 7-series of Boeing planes and is viewed as the jet that ushered in commercial air travel. It was the dominant passenger airplane of the 1960s.

Boeing struck gold with the 727. Just 250 were planned, but demand was so high a total of 1,832 were built by the time production ceased in 1984. The most distinctive of Boeing's early jets, with a T-shaped tail and a trio of rear-mounted engines, the noisy 727 took its first flight in 1963. It was designed to use smaller, less developed runways, making it amenable to a host of out of the way airports.

Chances are you've flown on a 737, which has been around since 1967. The best-selling jet in aviation history offered six-abreast seating, allowing more passengers per flight. The number of seats was increased by moving the engines under the wing. Flight engineers were made redundant by the 737's technology and a two-crew cockpit became standard.

Upon hitting the skies in 1994, the 777 became the widest, most spacious jetliner in its class. Carriers have increasingly used the 777 as a fuel-efficient alternative to other wide-body jets, particularly for long-haul flights.

The Dreamliner is said to have revolutionized jetliner design and brought commercial aeronautics into the 21st century. Its "plastic" fuselage makes it lighter and 20% more fuel-efficient than similar-sized aircraft, while it claims to enhance the passenger experience with bigger windows and more space. Nevertheless, Boeing's 787 Dreamliner launch gave the company a nightmarish ride. The four-month global grounding of the entire Dreamliner fleet earlier this year, kicked off by a battery fire on an ANA flight in January, has been unprecedented in the past 30 years. The grounding was lifted at the end of April.

Boeing officially launched its 777X program this week at the Dubai Air Show. The 8X version will offer a range of more than 9,300 nautical miles and have room for 350 passengers. The 9X will have a range of over 8,200 nautical miles and fit 400 passengers. Notable changes from the original 777 include a longer, composite wing and a new GE engine. Production is scheduled to begin in 2017 and first delivery is targeted for 2020.

• German airline Lufthansa takes delivery of 1,500th Boeing 747 -- a major landmark for large passenger jets


• 747 is credited with ushering in an era of mass tourism by making air travel more affordable


• The aircraft's milestone comes at a time when aviation industry is moving away from large aircraft

(CNN) -- It's the biggest milestone yet for the aircraft affectionately known as the "Queen of the Skies."

The 1,500th Boeing 747 has been delivered to German carrier Lufthansa -- a figure unsurpassed by any other wide-bodied plane.

To celebrate, the plane was greeted with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and given a special logo in honor of its status.

History of an icon

The revolutionary jet is beloved not only for its mammoth size and recognizable shape, but for the way it's influenced the aviation industry during a five-decade career.

After debuting in 1969 at the Paris Air Show, it opened up air travel to millions of passengers previously unable to afford taking to the skies.

Able to fly longer and carry twice as many passengers as its ancestor, the 707, the plane's arrival led to a drop in ticket prices and ushered in a new era of mass tourism.

Tom Ballantyne, aviation journalist and chief correspondent at Orient Aviation magazine, said the 747 also heralded a new standard for in-flight comfort.

"And let's not forget the freighter version also changed the air cargo scene, allowing air transport to move large items and freight in bulk it had not been able to handle previously," he told CNN.

MORE: Best of Boeing: 10 revolutionary aircraft

The 747's milestone comes as the aviation market is shifting away from jumbo jets.

Many airlines now prefer to run medium-sized twin-engine planes -- such as the Boeing 777 or Airbus A330 -- on more frequent timetables than operate four-engine double-decker jets.

The smaller planes seat fewer passengers but cover the same distances and need less fuel.

Japanese carrier ANA made headlines earlier this year when it retired its last two 747s for economic reasons, despite the airline's professed emotional ties to the aircraft.

The jumbo jet breaks another record.

Biggest fan

Lufthansa remains one of the few champions of the new Intercontinental, as its newest incarnation, the 747-8, is known.

Only four other airlines had taken orders of the 747-8 as of February 2014, according to the New York Times.

"Lufthansa is honored that the 1,500th 747 will fly with the Lufthansa livery," the airline's executive vice president, Nico Buchholz, said in a statement.

The 1,500th plane is the Frankfurt-based airline's 14th 747-8 Intercontinental. Lufthansa has 19 more still on order.

MORE: Flying the flag: Great World Cup airplane paint jobs

Marine plans 20-year run

The Marines helped him overcome a life of drugs, and now a life project to run across every country in the world will help him overcome PTSD -- Akshay Nanavati's trek across Greenland, completed in 2012, was the first on his mission.

It will take 20-25 years to complete all 193 countries (as declared by the UN), though he plans for a quick start, crossing 20 countries between now and May 2015.

Nanavati's latest run took place in the Caribbean in June 2014. This is a picture from Barbados.

"On a 50-kilometer run last weekend, I went through many moments where I asked myself 'Do I really want to do this for the rest of my life?'," says Nanavati. "But as soon as I got back home, I found a 50-miler that I want to run next."

Nanavati's 28-day journey through Greenland was the first.

He dragged a 190-pound sled with full of supplies across the ice and snow of Greenland. Some sections were completed on skis.

"For some places, like Greenland and eventually Antarctica, I will be on skis -- apart from walking and jogging," says Nanavati. "I officially define the expedition as 'crossing every country in the world on foot,' if someone really were to get technical about it."

He completed the one-month trek across Greenland "in a tiny hunting village on the east coast ... where there are more dogs than people. I was greeted by two Inuit boys who wanted to drag my sled to the final house where we would take our first shower in a month."

"I have always been an avid traveler as well, so it occurred to me that there would be no better way to see the planet and the people that live within it than by doing so on foot." Here Nanavati's hiking up Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

Nanavati has also spent two weeks mountaineering in Bolivia (pictured), doing Polar training in Norway and swimming with sharks in South Africa.

• Akshay Nanavati, an ex Marine, plans to run across every country in the world


• He aims to complete around 20 countries by May 2015, with the whole project likely to take up to 20 years


• The toughest run will be the one crossing Israel and Jordan while Rwanda's run is his most anticipated trip


• Nanavati says meticulous planning, positive attitude towards fear and extra shoes will help to fulfill his mission

(CNN) -- "My thighs cramping up on the very first day ... the mental trauma ... physical adversity ... I felt a great deal of fear wondering how I would make it through the next month," says Akshay Nanavati.

The 30-year-old American businessman and former Marine is describing his 28-day run across Greenland in 2012, dragging a 190-pound sled.

"Waking up, swallowing down the most disgusting freeze-dried food, packing up our tents and skiing for up to 12 hours a day in temperatures so cold that on some days my entire beard would be covered in ice.

"On some days my entire beard would be covered in ice," Nanavati says of his Greenland trip.

"This was my life for one month, except for the five days we were stuck in storms so powerful, the inside of our tent sounded like a washing machine."

Nanavati finally completed the journey 20 pounds lighter in bodyweight, with mild frostbite on his fingertips, a swollen ankle and a sunburned nose.

And he's going to do it all again, about 190 times.

His mission is to run across every country in the world in the next 20-25 years.

There is no globally accepted definition for the number of countries in the world. The United Nations puts the figure at 193 and the U.S. State Department puts it at 195.

But that's a lot of running, whichever authority you listen to.

It's the first time this specific feat has been attempted, though other similar attempts have been recorded, and this former Marine is doing it in reaction to a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) diagnosis he received after returning from a seven-month deployment in Iraq.

"When I returned home from Iraq, the VA (Department of Veterans Affairs) diagnosed me with PTSD," Nanavati tells CNN.

"I see now that it is not PTSD but post traumatic growth that has led to my decision to run across the world, because I choose to do something that inspires me to wake up every morning in order to make my life and the world better."

Making history

Tom Denniss became the fastest person to run a loop around the globe -- more than 20 countries -- from 2011 to 2013.

Robert "the runningman" Garside trekked across 30 countries in five years during the late 1990s.

But Nanavati will hope his attempt will be without the controversy Garside stirred. Garside's run was questioned after he was seen sunbathing on a beach instead of running across the Amazon jungle as he claimed.

Starting with four crossings covering 125 miles (201 kilometers), around the Caribbean islands -- Barbados, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis and Antigua and Barbuda -- in June 2014, Nanavati aims to complete 20 countries by May 2015.

READ: The world's toughest endurance challenges

The runner's troubled history

"I began running at the age of 18 after recovering from a life of drugs that killed two of my friends," he says. "Running and physical fitness became my way out of that life and into the Marines.

"It replaced the high I got from drugs."

The adrenaline junkie then discovered skydiving, mountain biking, scuba diving, rock climbing, ice climbing; "anything that forced me to face my fears," he says on his website.

Then came the Marines, Operation Iraqi Freedom and the PTSD diagnosis.

If the runs themselves don't sound tough enough, Nanavati also plans to do it all while still running his current business, Existing2Living, which aims to help people achieve their potential.

That business will help with the funding of the trips, and he has some small sponsorships too, from running shoe manufacturers.

Nanavati's mission to run across every country in the world will take about 20-25 years, he says.

The most challenging trip will be one crossing Israel and Jordan, a 550-mile (885-kilometer) run planned for December 2014.

"Running allows me to experience the spectrum of the human condition: ultimate bliss, extreme suffering, complete stillness where there is no past and future and everything in between.

"In one run, I get to experience an entire human life."

His most hotly anticipated run will be across Rwanda, currently planned for August 2014.

"I wrote my history thesis about the genocide and am very fascinated by the resilience of humanity displayed by the people in [Rwanda]," says Nanavati.

"Not only will that trip involve the run across Rwanda, it will involve working with genocide survivors as well -- the overall mission of this project is about connecting with humanity."

MORE: A drinker's guide to running the world

Pain, fear and extra shoes

His mission will depend on meticulous planning and a willingness to embrace fear, he says.

"Every time I look at my itinerary and realize how much work I have to do, not just in terms of training, but also in terms of logistical planning, it terrifies me," says Nanavati.

He replace shoes every 350 miles (560 kilometers), requiring at least two pairs on each run.

"I have to not only plan for my next few runs, but plan for the ones after that as well to ensure success.

"On a 50-kilometer (31-mile) run last weekend, I went through many moments where I asked myself, 'Do I really want to do this for the rest of my life?'"

"But as soon as I got back home, I found a 50-miler (80-kilometer run) that I want to run next because, despite the pain, there is nothing like that feeling of reward that comes with accomplishing something that pushed your mind, body and spirit to its limits."

MORE: Semi-secret Alpine huts: Where hard core hikers party

Towel elephants, other curiosities

"Have you got a limo? Yes? In that case, I am Mr. Cyp." Keep those airport driver signs coming.

Welcome drinks -- more like cough syrup than a cocktail.

Pillow chocolates are thoughtful. And more practical than a pillow pizza.

Carry them from our front door, then we may have a deal.

A cute pair of trunks.

Best way to ruin a peaceful space? Flood it with instantly annoying lobby music.

Good Wi-Fi -- major cause of traveler insomnia.

Greatest appetite killer ever devised.

Always smiling, always genial, always ready to serve. The Internet will never replace the best concierges.

Magnetic misfires -- the barrier between you and badly needed rest.

• Airport taxi chauffeurs -- a quick, easy, way through the chaos of a new city


• But bellboys? We've humped our bags all this way, we can manage the last 20 meters too


• Bad hotel Wi-Fi is the quickest way to have your flustered guest demanding a refund

(CNN) -- In many ways our relationship with the hospitality industry is like a fledgling romance.

Sometimes, it pulls some smooth moves, everything clicks and we walk hand in hand into the sunset.

But just as often, its fumbling advances leave us feeling cheap, embarrassed and more than a little concerned about an itchy rash.

So, in the interest of seeing this relationship through its growing pains, here are a few hints about what we'd like to see more of -- and less of.

Share your loves and hates in the comments box below.

We love airport taxi driver signs

Foreign airports can be intimidating places.

Humidity hangs in the air, smells hang in the toilets and the mustaches hang off the faces of customs officials.

These can all leave the frazzled traveler feeling disorientated.

So, when we emerge onto a concourse filled with hundreds of baying touts, there's nothing more comforting than seeing a small cardboard sign bearing our misspelled name.

This is our ticket through the chaos.

Instantly, we have a friend and guide to get us through the perilous first few hours, to usher us to an air-conditioned vehicle and navigate the potholed roads that lie between us and our hotel.

And if we're not too choosy about where we're staying, there's no need to book ahead to take advantage of this service.

Few drivers speak our language and will be so bored of waiting, they'll happily accept our claim to be "Goerge Cloney."

Clooney can find his own way to the city.

MORE: Which city has the world's best taxis?

We hate welcome drinks

Because -- after we've traveled halfway across the world in a cramped and airless passenger jet -- the last thing we want on arrival at our resort is a glass of sugary punch to swill into the fur-coated hole we used to call our mouth.

Maybe hotel staff think that hot, sticky and uncomfortable guests need hot, sticky and uncomfortable beverages.

But what's wrong with a freshly brewed cup of tea or coffee or a restorative pitcher of beer?

Failing those, a bucket of cold water would do the trick.

Cuter and more practical than a pillow pizza.

We love pillow chocolates

There's a glorious lack of logic to the hotel habit of placing chocolates on pillows.

When we've brushed our teeth in readiness for a snooze, why do we then need a mouthful of sugar?

But for anyone who relishes the joy of a new hotel room -- trampolining on beds, raiding minibars, wallowing in bathrobes -- pillow chocolates serve to heighten those childish pleasures.

They do, however, present a hazard to those too exhausted to spot them.

Although there are probably hotels somewhere that deliberately cater to this, most guests won't enjoy waking up to find a blotch of warm, brown goo sliding down their cheeks.

MORE: Heartwarming, hilarious: Most bizarre hotel guest requests

We hate bellboys hauling our luggage

We've bounced our suitcase down 6 million steps from our apartment.

We've pulled every muscle in our upper bodies hoisting it into the overhead lockers.

We've survived angry mobs bent on avenging the elderly woman we hospitalized with a careless swing of our backpack.

So why do we now need to tip someone to carry our bags the last 20 meters?

Sure, we appreciate that some frail or lazy folk need a helping hand with their luggage.

But look at us: we're normal human beings, we've made it this far and we can manage on our own.

It's a long shot, but we can probably also figure out how to switch on the lights in our room, flush the toilet and put the large denomination banknote, which is inevitably the only cash we have on us right now, to much better use.

We love towel elephants

"Towel elephant" sounds like a euphemism for an unexpected encounter in the men's steam room, but actually describes a form of origami deployed by some hotels.

This involves folding together a hand and bath towel to produce a cute, fluffy pachyderm, replete with trunk, ears and legs.

Towels have long been at the front line of hotel cost-cutting -- usually in the shape of those environmental notices that urge you to reuse them as much as possible -- so it's nice to see a bit of attention lavished on them for once.

Just remember to unfold them before use.

There can be few things more distressing to hotel maids than seeing a damp elephant in the corner of the bathroom, its trunk drooping in shame.

MORE: 15 quirky hotels around the world

Canned saxophones: best way to ruin a peaceful space.

We hate hotel music

There are two types of jazz -- and they're both execrable.

Neither more so than when they're oozing through a hotel loudspeaker system.

As if it wasn't bad enough to smother us with soft saxophone every time we step into an elevator, many hotels also pursue us down their corridors via loudspeakers embedded in the ceiling.

In psychological warfare, music is often blasted round-the-clock at targets to force them into surrender.

This won't work if the enemy has spent any amount of time in a hotel.

We love the concierge desk

Always smiling, always genial, always ready to serve.

Many of the responsibilities of the concierge are being replaced by the Internet -- after all, it's tough to compete with local websites when searching for the best jalapeno-infused margarita in town.

But it's nice to know these service stalwarts are still around to scatter our dog's ashes in the sea and find us life-sized replicas of ourselves made of chocolate at a moment's notice.

We're not making those up.

Click here for a list of bizarre hotel guest requests.

We hate feeble Wi-Fi signals

For most people, an Internet connection is now as essential as having water on tap in the bathroom.

So if you're going to include it in the price of our hotel room, make sure you give us a strong, uninterrupted signal.

If the water slows to a trickle or cuts out every couple of minutes, angry guests will willingly stomp down to Reception, naked apart from a bath towel, to point wet accusing fingers at the manager.

Given that many bored business travelers also use the Internet while wrapped in a bath towel, it's in everyone's interests to ensure they are kept online and their wet accusing fingers are kept out of Reception.

MORE: Do hotel star ratings mean anything anymore?

We hate unreliable magnetic swipe cards

Magnetic key cards are easier to carry than clumsy old skeleton keys and when we forget to return them at checkout they're easy to throw away.

Hooray.

But few indignities foisted on us by the hotel industry are as aggravating as returning to the hotel at 11:30 at night after drinks and dinner, crossing the lobby, taking the elevator to the 23rd floor, walking down the hallway thinking of nothing more than that toilet in the room we so desperately need right now ... then not seeing that reassuring little green light appear when we swipe our key card.

Wait, did we do that right?

Try it again.

Try the other one.

Do it again.

The other way.

Try the ...

Eventually, the only thing left to do is slog back down to the front desk for a "quick fix" to a problem that pops up far more often than it should.

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We love free bread sticks

Perhaps love is too strong a word.

But we like them a lot, so do keep them coming while we're deciding what to order.

Yes, obviously some are finding their way into our pockets for later consumption, but after the "towel elephant" incident in Reception and that George Clooney mix-up with the taxi, it could be a while before we're able to sneak past the bellboys and get to eat our pillow chocolates.

What are your hospitality industry loves and hates? Share them in the comments box below.

Originally published August 2012, updated June 2014.