My Holiday: Justin Rogers
What was your greatest holiday?
I went to New York City for the first time earlier this year — it was incredible. My highlights were seeing Jake Gyllenhaal live on stage at the Public Theatre and an off-Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along .Iwas in Broadway-nerd heaven.
If we bump into you on holiday, what are you most likely to be doing? Chatting with strangers, trying to inconspicuously count my local currency while not looking like a tourist or seeking out locations where films were shot.
If we could teleport you to one place in New Zealand for a week-long holiday, where would it be?
Oakura Bay, Whangaruru. So many family memories and I could drop everything to go there at any moment. It’s my happy place.
How about for a dream holiday internationally?
I’m in love with the Italian summer house in the film Call Me By Your Name. So take me there to live the bougie wine, cheese and bread life. What’s the dumbest thing you’ve ever done when travelling?
I had about US$40 in coins that I was planning to use on my last day for food and I left them on the hotel room desk while I went for coffee. When I got back, the room had been made up and the coins were gone! In America, coins on the desk means “Hey, maid, here’s a tip” not “Choice! I’ll save these coins for Maccas at the airport!”
Aisle seat or window seat?
Aisle seat — I find it nearly impossible to work up the courage to ask my seat neighbour to move in the middle of the night so I can use the toilets.
Complete this sentence: I can’t travel without . . . my pairs of Me Undies. If you haven’t heard of this brand of underwear, google it. You’re welcome!
What’s the best travel tip you’ve ever been given?
Plan ahead, then go with the flow.
What was the most memorable meal you’ve had while travelling?
Alcohol can sometimes be classed as a meal, right? I tried a Pickleback in a dive bar in Squamish, British Columbia. It’s a shot of whiskey followed (immediately) by a shot of pickle juice. Sounds gross, and for a split second it is — but then it’s delicious.
What’s the best thing you’ve brought back from a trip?
I bought these special green tea leaves from a tea plantation in Hangzhou, China. It’s called the Emperors Tea — it’s delicious, healing and probably magic. Favourite airport for landing? Wellington. You can see every little part of Welly when you fly in and I have such vivid memories placed all over that city from my time at drama school. It’s like a happy/sad/nostalgic private movie every time I land there. It’s also frighteningly windy so it’s good to be reminded of your mortality once in a while.
What’s the next trip you have planned? We’re heading back to the USA to tour Mrs Krishnan’s Party in October — then I’m looking forward to having a long summer holiday in Vanuatu at the end of the year.
Justin Rogers performs in Mrs Krishnan’s Party, returning to Auckland’s Q Theatre from August 6-18 after a whirlwind North American tour. Tickets available from qtheatre.co.nz