My Holiday: Reb Fountain
What was your greatest holiday? I’ve spent much of my life heading to the Abel Tasman for the summer — be it a few days or a few weeks (longer is always better). Camping at To¯ taranui is my dream holiday spot. And the worst? Driving the Pacific Coast highway with my Mum, my two tweens and a carload of stuff with not enough time and sooo little space. It was rushed and squished and only redeemed by visiting The Trees of Mystery; with few trees or mystery but a hair-raising gondola ride where I was crylaughing in fear — all recorded by my kids which meant we could laugh (repeatedly and at my expense) about it later.
If we bump into you on holiday, what are you most likely to be doing? Nowadays I get to travel more often but holidays are few and far between. When I get a little space I beeline to ‘nature’; a forest walk, a river swim, making a snowman — followed up by hunting out some local kai.
If we could teleport you to one place in New Zealand for a week-long holiday, where would it be? One way ticket to the Abel Tasman please. How about for a dream holiday internationally? I’ve been dreaming about — and talking about — going to South America for as long as I can remember. Performing there would be a great start!
What’s the dumbest thing you’ve ever done when travelling? I left my small but precious touring suitcase jam-packed with all my favourite things/outfits in the hallway of my motel room. The glass front door was closed but unlocked and 20 minutes later it was gone. Thank goodness for supportive bandmates and the one outfit I had on … but never again.
Aisle seat or window seat? Aisle take an upgrade! Complete this sentence: I can’t travel without . . . my glossy photo of Nicolas Cage.
What’s the best travel tip you’ve ever been given? Dinner at Dishoom in London and travelling Eurostar from London to Berlin — magic.
What was the most memorable meal you’ve had while travelling? I’m wheat-free so was delighted to find the most beautiful sans gluten patisserie in Paris on my first visit there. I ordered a croissant and a pain au chocolate (in poor French) and sat on the cobbled streets of Paris savouring the moment avec cafe. What’s the best thing you’ve brought back from a trip? Memories.
Favourite airport to land at? Vancouver, Canada — coming home feels so good, even though it’s very much my second or third home now. I get to see my family and really relax. Just landing and breathing the air at the airport makes me feel happy. What’s the next trip you’ve got planned? My band and I are heading out on tour mid-October and will be travelling around Aotearoa playing music. I love touring and performing and it’s especially lovely to see old friends and much-loved places around the country. Not much of a holiday but a hell of a trip.
Award-winning singersongwriter Reb Fountain appears at Tauranga Arts Festival on October 24. Details at taurangafestival.co.nz