MY BLUE CRUSHES
CARMEN PRETORIUS Phi Island and it was here that I learnt how to scuba dive with a sexy Australian.
MOST RELAXING DESTINATION?
Seychelles. I love its gorgeous shores and I adore the small island lifestyle. Don’t stay in the sterile, commercial hotels. Find somewhere with more personality. One has to take a walk to the nearest spaza shop to buy anything and the selection is limited. I felt as if I was really away from the world there.
FAVOURITE RESTAURANT?
Locally, I adore The Cube Tasting Kitchen (Johannesburg), Manga (Cape Town) and Roots (at the Forum Homini Hotel in Kromdraai). The flavours that are explored in these “food laboratories” are sensational and thought-provoking.
FAVOURITE CITY? WHY?
Istanbul, Turkey. What a historic city, filled with taste, sound, colour and life. This is a place where stray animals are cared for by the community, so they lounge around the city looking healthy and happy. Taking a stroll through The Grand Bazaar, drinking in the prayers emanating from the Blue Mosque at sunset, savouring fresh pistachios and pomegranates ... I could go on forever.
MOST ADVENTUROUS TRAVEL EXPERIENCE?
I was on the hunt for some watches in China and a friend suggested we go to the Silk Market. After walking around a bit, my friend signalled to a man standing near a stairwell. Before I knew it, we were whisked up three flights of stairs and into a room filled with Piaget, Rolex, Armani and the like. I was shaking in my boots. I could not believe how easy it was to find oneself in a precarious position, or how big the black market for luxury goods is. ( No, I didn’t buy anything).
FAVOURITE HOTEL?
The Cinnamon Grand in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It has an airy, old-school design that is welcoming and friendly. When one checks in, a waiter brings chilled pineapple juice and there is always a pianist at the grand in the foyer restaurant. These small details have set it apart from other hotels, worldwide.
BEST PIECE OF TRAVEL ADVICE?
Buy yourself the Face Cradle travel pillow. You’ll look like a weirdo and feel like a hero!
WHAT’S YOUR ONE TRAVEL ESSENTIAL?
Hand sanitiser.
WHERE NEXT?
New Zealand. This is in my top five favourite places in the world. I can’t wait to see the friendly Kiwis and to soak up the breathtaking beauty of the country.
Carmen Pretorius stars as Maria in The Sound of Music, on at Montecasino Teatro now until April 29.