I've always found it strange to hear people arguing that animals don’t feel and think, but that they are merely preprogrammed to behave in certain ways, like a machines, with no choice of their own. This claim, however, can be made only by those who have never bothered to watch animals, to learn about them and see the complexity of their behaviour.

For the sake of honesty, I don’t know if we, humans, are machines, and if we are conscious and have true will or choice. But, if we are not machines, animals are not either. If we have choice, animals do too.

It’s obvious to any dog or cat lovers that their animal has personality. But even when watching animals such as rats, birds, or even reptiles you will see that each individual has its own personality, each makes its own choices and decisions, and each is a feeling and thinking organism.

In the picture are our two pet Bearded Dragons: Mr. Spoke and Lieutenant. They both have their likes and dislikes. Mr. Spoke likes Grapes, and Lieutenant likes green veggies. Mr. Spoke is lazy and would wait unmoving for the crickets to come to him, Lieutenant chases them actively. Mr. Spoke loves being handled and played with, Lieutenant prefers to be left alone.

So if you’ve ever claimed that animals are nothing but machines, be honest with yourself; how much have you watched and studied them? How much do you really know about them? Or can it be that making such a claim is not based on any knowledge whatsoever, but only on your prejudice?

As far as fitness was concerned, I thought that I had seen it all, but I was wrong. It was neither in the military Special Forces nor in the fighting arena, but in the inaccessible parts of the Himalayas when I finally realised what superhuman fitness really meant.

In villages that have not seen a car, motorcycle or even a bicycle; places so high that for lack of oxygen every few steps you must stop and take a rest; places so steep, that even bulls or yaks cannot pass, the mountain porters ascend to the highest picks carrying enormous weights, occasionally up to 120 kg, which is twice their body weight.

The building of entire towns and villages is relying on their endurance: from nails to heaters from hummers to generators, all is carried on their backs. No terrain or weather will stop them when they carry their loads, for weeks, from the tropical heat of the valleys to the highest snowy mountain-passes that only with ropes can be crossed.

They are neither big nor muscly; just the opposite. Most of them are no heavier than 60 or 65 kg. That is, while chatting, smoking and always smiling, they carry twice their body weight along the steepest slopes of the globe.

They hold the records for fastest climbing to the top of the Everest – and many other summits. They hold the record to the highest-altitude marathon, the Everest marathon. Nothing seems impossible for them, nothing seems beyond their abilities. And yet, with all their abilities, there is no hint of arrogance in their manners ¬– just as a true super human should be.

The week after next I will be visiting Tokyo. I used to live there, but it’s been nearly ten years since I was there last. Any recommendation for things I mustn’t miss while there? Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu.

I've had many pets of all types shapes and forms. But the one I found to be the best is the rat. It's affectionate and great with kids. It’s intelligent and can be taught many tricks, much more than a cat or a dog. You can carry it in your pocket or on your shoulder, and it's always up for a new adventure. It's much more fun than a hamster, rabbit or a mouse. Believe me, I've had them all.

So if you are after a fun and interesting pet, try a rat, you won't regret.

A beautiful city is Jerusalem. Even more so when it snows.

Even though the picture is of poor quality (a pocket camera after all - unbelievable what you can do with them nowadays), Isn't it the most amazing bird you've ever seen?

It is my belief, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest alleys of London do not present a more dreadful record of sin than does the smiling and beautiful countryside. Arthur Conan Doyle, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.

And it is my belief, that this it is no different in the luxurious homes of those who think themselves high and above the common mortals.