Johannesburg - Popular comedian Donovan Goliath chats to us about his most memorable holiday experiences.
First holiday memory?
Camping in Port St Johns, Eastern Cape, with my family. Small rural towns have a place in my heart. I love the untouched nature and the simplicity.
Favourite place in South Africa?
I’ve pretty much been all over the world, but the best times I’ve had were in Namibia and in Malindi, Kenya.
What have you learnt from your travels?
That I’m interested in culture, language, architecture and design. I love learning and love the feeling of being lost in a foreign country.
Ideal travelling companion?
Someone who is willing to ignore the tourist traps, throw the brochures away and just get lost with me.
Beach bum, culture vulture or adrenalin junkie?
Culture vulture all day, every day. I mostly do it for the “likes” on Instagram. Kidding. I’m genuinely a culture sponge.
Greatest travel luxury?
An incredibly cool, but comfortable pair of sneakers.
Holiday reading?
I really enjoy reading biographies on holiday. Art and design books make their way into my bag too.
Where has seduced you?
Amsterdam. I loved every single thing about it. The design, the art and the friggin’ bicycles blew my mind.
Worst travel experience?
I haven’t had a terrible experience, but the most annoying was when I flew to Zimbabwe once to perform at a stand-up comedy festival. The documents required for me to perform had supposedly gone missing at the airport and they refused to let me into the country. I waited for three hours before one of the officials admitted they wanted free tickets and a bribe. Hahaha.
Best hotel?
I stayed at a really amazing hotel in London during the rugby World Cup, but can’t remember the name. I had breakfast with Jonah Lomu there. One of the nicest, most comfortable hotels I’ve stayed in, although so is the Boardwalk Hotel in Port Elizabeth. I always look forward to staying there.
Favourite walk, swim, ride or drive?
Favourite walk has to be around Paris, especially the older parts of the city.
Favourite ride was on a scooter in Thailand, except I hit some gravel and had a crazy accident. The real adventure started after that, trying to find a hospital while sitting on the back of another scooter, half-bleeding to death. The next day I was back on a scooter because I’m a liker of things.
Best meal abroad?
Let’s change this to strangest meal - I once ate a small bag full of deep-fried grasshoppers, cockroaches and locusts in Bangkok.
Favourite city?
Amsterdam and Barcelona.
Where next?
New York - my spirit home. I still can’t believe I haven’t been there yet. I’m just so afraid that I may move there because I will love it so much.
Independent Traveller
* Popular comedian Donovan Goliath, of the famous Goliath and Goliath comedy crew, is taking his first one-man show, presented by M-Net Live, across the country. The show is to be available on DStv’s Box Office by next year. For details visit Donovan Goliath or Goliath and Goliath on Facebook.