Johannesburg - Renate Stuurman is an actress, producer and interior decorator. Helen Herimbi chats to her about her best and worst travel memories.
First holiday memory?
I remember driving from Cape Town to my gran’s house in Oudtshoorn. She would be standing at her gate waiting for us. We’d wake up to baked bread and it was warm and had butter and cheese on it.
Favourite place in SA?
I was lucky enough to work in Durban for a few months and while there, I realised how much I enjoy KwaZulu-Natal. I enjoy the Midlands, the tropical by-the-sea element – all of it. I think it is fast becoming my favourite place in the country. The weather is never really that bad. I love it.
Best holiday?
A few years ago, my boyfriend and I made a short film, Beau Belle Cosmetics and entered it for the 48- Hour Film Project festival (in 2012) and it won. Part of the prize was that we travelled with the film for a year. We went to Los Angeles and Paris and I’d never been to them. We also went to Amsterdam for two days before we came home and it was such a beautiful city. We had time to relax there and my boyfriend had lived there for many years so it was fun for him to show me around. It’s such a friendly city and such a beautiful place with a lot of history. I’m definitely going back.
What have you learnt from your travels?
I’ve learnt I love to travel and need to do it more. When you come home after travelling Europe, you walk into your house and say: ‘geez, man. This place is huge compared to that matchbox that we were just staying in.’ You come back and learn to appreciate what you have here. But also, it’s great going somewhere else and experiencing a different culture.
Ideal travelling companion?
My boyfriend is a good travelling companion. We’re really good friends so we can hang out wherever we go. I make sure we have our passports and he makes sure we get to do some really fun things so we don’t just arrive and go to sleep because we’re jet-lagged. We’re both quite easygoing when we’re away from home so we never have an itinerary. It’s important to travel with someone who is open to new experiences and doesn’t get flustered .
Beach bum, culture vulture or adrenalin junkie?
I’m a beach bum. My idea of a holiday must include sand and warm water. I love the culture thing but it’s also my job so I need a break from it. I like to be near a sandy beach with warm water.
Greatest travel luxury?
I’m not concerned about luxuries when travelling. I’m happy flying long distances in a seat where there are not three people squashed next to each other – that’s my luxury.
Holiday reading?
I love to women authors, but during the year, I find I don’t have time for reading. This past holiday I read Sweet Medicine by Panashe Chigumadzi and The Spider King’s Daughter by Chibundu Onuzo. I find that most of the reading I bookmark during the year is fiction by an African author and the chances are it will be by a woman. That’s the kind of thing I save for December.
Where has seduced you?
Mozambique! I love it and have gone there a few times.The people and the attitude they have is awe- some. I went in December and there was just a festive vibe. We stayed with a Mozambican family that was very welcoming and open. We were able to unplug and forget our worries.
Worst travel experience?
When we flew to Paris on Air Egypt, it was like the Translux bus of the sky with only one screen onboard for everyone. The plane reeked of smoke, the food was terrible and the people, who were rude, would push you out of their way and didn't sit in their seats. Why issue seats when passengers do what they like?
The worst thing about it was this was the flight from Joburg to Cairo. From Cairo to Paris, we changed to another plane which was very nice and everyone had a screen. I was like: “Why is that rubbish plane reserved for Joburg to Cairo but when we go to Europe we get an upgrade?” That was the worst!
Best hotel?
When we stayed in Amsterdam, we found this wonderful hotel on booking.com. I love design and the interior of this hotel was lovely although the rooms were small. It was a very cute little boutique hotel.
Favourite walk, swim, ride or drive?
When we were in Los Angeles, on one of our off days, we went to Santa Monica Pier. We walked from Muscle Beach to Venice Beach. Because we all watched American television, there were familiar things like the Baywatch tower. I was just expecting Pamela Anderson to come running out onto the beach in her red costume. So we just walked, ate a corn dog and watched people exercise. It was so much fun.
Best meal abroad?
In Paris, every meal we had was the best meal. We stayed in a flat in Belleville in the French capital. I only remember that name because that’s where my parents live in Cape Town. I tried to remember my high school French to ask for pain au chocolat. Everywhere we stopped and ate, the food was great. Whether it was a crêpe or a sandwich we got on the go or that onion soup, the food was just exceptional.
Where next?
I haven’t been to Asia at all so this year, I would love to go to Bali, Thailand or India. That’s hot on my list.
l Renate Stuurman is an actress, producer and interior decorator. She has acted on Jozi-H, The Lab and The Mating Game and is one of three leading ladies on the blockbuster SA film, Happiness Is A Four-Letter Word. Directed by Tebogo Moleya (Jacob’s Cross, Zone 14), it stars Stuurman, Khanyi Mbau and Mmabatho Montsho as three close friends. Stuurman portrays Princess, a commitment-phobe forced to rethink her life when she meets a man who changes everything.
The film, which opened last weekend to positive reviews, is about love, female friendship and gorgeous shoes.
Saturday Star