South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
Missing the joys of travel
Before the coronavirus pandemic hit, actress Daphne Max well Reid was booked on an expedition cruise that would’ve taken her from Dakar to Portugal and (back to) the west coast of Africa. “It was canceled mere days before we were to depart for Africa to meet the ship (due to) COVID-19,” said Reid. “I do miss my international travel opportunities, which I usually have at this time of the year. I have had the pleasure of taking a few plane rides under very strict precautionary measures, the last being to Los Angeles to shoot ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion’ special for HBO Max (for) our 30th anniversary.” Reid played Will Smith’s Aunt Viv on the beloved sitcom. Q: Whatwas the first trip you took as a child?
A: Thatwas quite a long time ago. My family drove downto Greenville, S.C., to visit my sick maternal grandmother. I vividly remember knocking over a rock withmy little red wagon and seeing a worm! Yuck. Iwas a Manhattan-born and -raised girl.
Q: What’s the most important thing you’ve learned fromyour travels? A: To stay open and present to be able to absorb all of the things that make where I’m going different from where I live. I love to find new sounds, tastes and sights, as well as the commonground thatwe share. Q: What is your favorite vacation destination?
A: Anywhere in the
world where I can see, smell, taste and photograph a different culture frommy own. I love old historic villages asmuch as I love the beach. I am attracted to the history and art of wherever, or the makers of art and craft in the region. If one chooses to go to Venice, Italy— one ofmy favorite cities (that) I return almost annually, Iwould suggest walking along the streets where the Venetian people live and stop to have ameal in a local taverna. The museums are exquisite and should not be missed, but the actual neighborhoods where the Venetians live are richly fascinating.
Q: What untapped destination should people know about?
A: Vatulele (which is south of Fiji’s largest island, Viti Levu). Q: If you could only pick one place to eat, would you choose a street cart or a fancy restaurant?
A: I prefer fine dining at a nice restaurant. I like the formality, cordiality, the attention and the expecta-
tion of a fine meal. Q: Do you speak any foreign languages?
A: I speak Spanish, crudely, and can understand some Italian, Portuguese and French. I can get around pretty confidently. Sometimes I drawpictures or find a common language that I can converse in that is close to the other person’s language. Iwas totally stumped in Japan and China!
Q: When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?
A: Comfortable shoes andmy camera and computer.
Q: What would be your dreamtrip?
A: At this time ofmy life, (it) would be to cruise up thewest coast of Africa that I did not get to do this spring, ending with a few days on the beach in Porto, Portugal. I would also like to take a yacht trip through the Greek Islands, focusing on Santorini.