Favourite holiday destination? - “I travel a great deal and experience very different countries and cities, but for my wife, Leanne, and me, Venice retains a special attraction. It has retained its magic largely unspoiled by our 21st century commercial w
Favourite holiday destination?
“I travel a great deal and experience very different countries and cities, but for my wife, Leanne, and me, Venice retains a special attraction. It has retained its magic largely unspoiled by our 21st century commercial world. It’s still a very romantic destination and there is always something different to explore.”
Favourite place within WA to take a short break?
“It has to be Margaret River; great wine, great arts and craft, and great beaches.”
What do you think is the best destination to holiday if you have to/want to take the kids?
“Our kids have grown up; however, this Christmas, we hired a house opposite the beach at Centennial Park in Dunsborough. It was great for our young nephew and niece, with shallow water and play equipment nearby; and the big kids had a ball as well.”
Pet hate when travelling on airplanes?
“Generally when you travel business or first class, the passengers tend to go with the flow, and usually don’t interfere with each other’s space. Occasionally there will be someone on board who creates a fuss over nothing, and then grumbles about it for the rest of the flight. This is painful.”
If you could only take one item on a long haul flight, what would it be?
“Leanne. I generally feel that I am marking time in no man’s land when I am flying, so having my wife on board means that we are heading somewhere together and it’s not just another bus trip to work.”
What has been your biggest travel disaster and what did you learn from it?
“I have been incredibly fortunate. I have had no disasters on the hundreds of trips I have made – and that’s exactly how I like it. I have lost luggage (always temporarily) and left various items at home (cufflinks and business shoes, we make do with paper clips and our loafers, don’t we?), but there’s no-one to blame but me.”
How often do you take a holiday?
“Usually annually, however, Leanne and I will tack on a few days to a business trip once or twice a year and get to see a little more of the places that I travel to.”
What do you wish you could change about Perth?
“I wish that Perth could be more vibrant, come alive at night and the weekends with more restaurants and bars. I wish that we could make greater use of the river and for transport and make a better linkage between Perth, Kings Park, Northbridge and South Perth.
Perth has a unique lifestyle and attraction and I wouldn’t want to attempt to copy another city, but instead leverage off the mining and energy boom and build on our strengths.”
You hope Perth retains…
“I have really enjoyed daylight saving, in that Leanne and I are able to go for a walk or a swim together after I get home from work.”
Where have you always wanted to travel/holiday but haven’t managed to yet? When do you hope to go there?
“Last year I finally made it to India and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. There are still many places left that I have not yet visited. One is Egypt, as I have always had fascination for the pyramids and the pharaohs. It’s on the list with no timing at present, as this year the destination is Croatia.”
What was the last book you read?
“I normally read autobiographies, but I am currently reading The Machiavelli Covenant – a best seller by Allan Folsom.”
What CD is currently in your car?
“I have a dozen or so CDs in my car at any one time. Earlier in the week I was looking for a CD in Wesley Classics and came away with Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite by the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, which I last played as an LP record. I also bought Sting’s medieval “Songs for the Labyrinth”. These I will thrash for the next few weeks over and over as I don’t spend a great deal of time in the car.”
What is your favourite overseas restaurant?
“It sounds bizarre, selecting a Chinese restaurant in London, but the Kai Chinese Restaurant in Audley Street in Mayfair is unbelievably good. Just ask them to bring food and be delighted.”
What WA/Perth restaurant do you keep going back to and why?
“Zafferano’s for great food, service and ambience (don’t tell everyone).”
