Johannesburg - Writer, entrepreneur, blogger, and poet… there is seemingly no title that Kojo Baffoe hasn’t tackled.
First holiday memory?
It would probably be visiting my oupa and ouma in Hamburg, Germany, as a seven- to eight-year-old over Christmas. I remember going for a walk with my oupa and my ears getting so cold, he carried me on his shoulders through the snow, all the way home. He was in his seventies then. I also went to watch the film St Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band featuring the Bee Gees. I used to travel to Germany at least once a year around Christmas to visit family until my early teens and I have a lot of memories from those trips, from flying unaccompanied to learning to ski in Munich.
Favourite place in South Africa?
Probably Franschhoek. Every year we go to the Magic of Bubbles festival there.
Best holiday?
The first proper family holiday we took was to the Club Med in Mauritius two years ago. Getting to chill, with family, building new memories and shared experience. Travelling with children can be hard work but being able to provide them such experiences far outweighs any challenges.
Also visiting Accra, Ghana, with my father and brother (the first time we travelled together since I was aged about five) in 2008. While it is one of my home countries, it was the first time I had the opportunity to visit and see the places my father grew up in. It was also a chance to reconnect. Plus, my favourite food is Ghanaian food so whenever I go there, I come back a couple of kilos heavier.
What have you learnt from your travels?
That there is a whole world out there. That we are all different but we are also similar as beings. I like to try to get a true sense of people and places that I visit, as opposed to trying to impose my view on those places. I try to gain understanding. I also tend to be laid-back, without major expectation, open to whatever comes. I love the quote, by St Augustine: “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”
Ideal travelling companion?
My wife and children, although we haven’t travelled together a lot. We work to be able to travel more. I would like my family to also experience how travelling enriches one in the same way that I did growing up.
Beach bum, culture vulture or adrenalin junkie?
A cross between a beach bum (I like to chill, although I am not the biggest beach fan – my family are) and culture vulture. From The Louvre in Paris, a vintage car museum in Malaga, Venice Beach in LA, the National Palace Museum in Taipei, the Blue Man Group show in Las Vegas, the backroads of Goa, a bus tour of Marrakesh or the boxing gym where Mike Tyson used to train in New York, I love stories, old and new.
Greatest travel luxury?
Flying business class and a decent hotel room, in particular a shower. I do like comfort.
Holiday reading?
I read multiple books and magazines so it is whatever I am working through at the time.
Where has seduced you?
China, in particular Hangzhou and Shanghai, although I loved navigating both the old and the new in Beijing. Spending eight days on a press trip is one of the best trips I have been on. I’d also still love to go back to Taipei and Marrakesh.
Worst travel experience?
Getting ill on a trip to New York via London. Landing in London, my stomach started churning.
Best hotel?
Not a fan of the man, but Donald Trump’s hotel in Las Vegas as well as a boutique hotel I stayed in on 5th Avenue in New York in 2011. Each room had been designed and curated by prominent US designers.
Favourite walk, swim, ride or drive?
Walk. I do more walking in another city than I do at home.
Best meal abroad?
An “off-the-tourist-path” restaurant in Hangzhou. I didn’t go for the bullfrog dishes but it was an amazing meal with assorted dishes.
Favourite city?
Paris. There is something about the city.
Where next?
Not sure. East London in South Africa to see my in-laws. Franschhoek. We had planned to go to Bali or Brazil for another family Club Med holiday earlier this year – may finally do that in the new year.
l Writer, entrepreneur, blogger, and poet… there is seemingly no title that Kojo Baffoe hasn’t tackled and he recently added “judge” to his repertoire as well as part of the panel on e.tv’s She’s The One.
Saturday Star