Veteran visitor notes drastic drop in natural habitat

Englishman Michael Khan, who is on his 43rd visit to Malta, lamented the reduction in the natural habitat and the number of cars on the road.
He has been visiting every year since 1975 and knows practically all there is to know about the island.
"It's perfect, geographically, and the warm climate is always welcome," he said.
Mr Khan, 80, who celebrated his 60th wedding anniversary here earlier this month, has built lifelong friendships that kept him coming back.
He considers himself a visitor rather than a tourist.
During his first few visits here he used to stay in rented houses that were being hired by English teachers throughout the winter. When the teachers left, Mr Khan thought that meant an end to his journeys to the island.
Once he was involved in an accident and a Maltese man offered to be an eyewitness. "I told him he sounded Maltese and asked whether he knew anyone who had apartments for rent in Malta. It turned out his mother did," he recalled. A lifelong friendship developed right after.
The Maltese man, Carmelo Camilleri, said he could stay at his apartment in G"ira and the Khans have been hosted at Mr Camilleri's home every summer since.
Mr Khan has seen Malta...

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