Johannesburg - Aviation goddess Cathy Specific struts her stuff as the glamorous MC in the current season of Madame Zingara, which follows a sell-out Cape Town season with a festive twirl in Joburg.
First holiday memory?
As a six-year-old girl boarding a huge Boeing 747, sitting on the upper deck with my parents and being fascinated by all the buttons on the overhead panel, the tray table that came out of my arm rest and the two beautiful flight attendants that looked exactly like my Barbie and Ken! When that aircraft took off and it felt like I was falling backwards, I had no doubt that flying would become the love of my life.
Favourite place in South Africa?
With all my overseas travel there is honestly no greater feeling than opening the front door to my pad and knowing I can close it behind me and hide for a while… until of course it’s time to once again put my smile to automatic and crotch check!
Best holiday?
Two weeks in the Med on Steven Spielberg’s yacht… just me, myself and I – oh, there may have been a Boris as well…
What have you learnt from your travels?
That it takes all kinds to make a world and that the sound of a call bell is enough to put me in a bad mood… I mean, music to my ears! I’ve also learnt that supermodels are not a pretty sight when they wake up in the morning and that I most certainly don’t want to be a member of that sought-after “club” every passenger wants to join. I know we all like a tight fit, but I’m 2.1m in heels… do me a favour!
Ideal travelling companion?
Valoids and imodium!
Beach bum, culture vulture or adrenalin junkie?
Absolute beach bum! Sun, sand, sea, surf and the tiniest two-piece bikini!
Greatest travel luxury?
My job! Travel is my luxury; flying is my gateway to the world, being able to travel anywhere and anytime in style and getting paid handsomely for it! Oh yes, I also never have to clear customs!
Holiday reading?
Any gossip magazine – I need to know who my competition is and, as I mostly fly around the rich and famous, I need to know what my passengers are getting up to!
Where has seduced you?
Where hasn’t? I’m easily seduced!
Worst travel experience?
Worst for them! Serving my former fiancé and his new wife in first class, the woman he had the affair with and, hey, where was the money when we were together? But a few eye drops over their food can come in very handy… at 35 000ft above sea level there’s no telling what can happen and remember you’re in my hands!
Best hotel?
I am fortunate enough to only stay at the best hotels in the world so I could most certainly not single out one hotel in particular. I usually stay at the same one each time I return to that city and always in the same suite. The concierge knows me by name; room service and I are the best of friends; and I’m on the VIP guest list for every New Year’s party!
Favourite walk, swim, ride or drive?
I’ll answer all four:
Favourite walk is through any international airport, with everyone’s eyes fixed on my every move; favourite swim is on the 76th floor of Hong Kong’s W Hotel, one of the highest infinity-edged rooftop pools in the world; favourite ride – now that’s a personal question; and favourite drive is anywhere with a chauffeur!
Best meal abroad?
I’ll change that to best meal “on board”! I’m probably the only person in the world who loves aeroplane food… I can’t tell you what it is, but do I have a knack of whipping up some gourmet meals halfway to heaven!
Favourite city?
Really too many to mention, but I can single out New York and London. This is probably because I know my way around both cities and because I have made so many friends along the way. When those aircraft wheels touch the runway it feels like I’m coming home. Being a musical theatre girl I just love Broadway and the West End… lights, more lights and even more lights!
Where next?
I’ve got two days off before I head to the US on a charter flight for a huge media mogul – perhaps I’ll fit in a consultation with Dr Rey (Dr 90210) followed by a colonic at the famous Beverly Hills Spa Hotel on Rodeo Drive… seductively saucy, tantalisingly tempting and frequently freshened up – that’s me!
Saturday Star