Johannesburg - This month will find comedian Rob van Vuuren haunting Cape Town’s Baxter Theatre with a new stand-up comedy show. Here he chats to Theresa Smith about his most memorable travel experiences.
First holiday memory?
We went on an epic holiday when I was a kid that included Oudtshoorn (Cango Caves and riding ostriches) Joburg, Sun City and eventually my first visit to the Mother City. It was a huge family road trip that just totally blew my mind.
Favourite place in South Africa?
It’s difficult to pick a favourite. The country is so vast and diverse (geographically and culturally).
Recently, while shooting SABC 2’s reality talent show, Showville, I got to immerse myself in small town South Africa in the Western Cape, Free State and KwaZulu-Natal. I fell deeper in love with this incredible country than ever before.
However, if I had to choose I would have to say the Eastern Cape. I was born in Port Elizabeth and grew up on a farm outside East London and even though we moved to Pietermaritzburg for my high school years, the Eastern Cape still feels like my spiritual home. Whenever I drive through its rolling hills dotted with red-tipped aloes, it’s as if each aloe lights a fire in my heart.
Best holiday?
These days I don’t really get to do holidays… I travel for work and try to treat it as a holiday as much as is possible. One such experience was on tour with the play, The Three Little Pigs (written by myself, James Cairns, Albert Pretorius and Tara Notcutt), to Edinburgh and Amsterdam. I took my wife and 3- year-old daughter with us and we spent an entire month there and another month between London, Gengenbach (in the Black Forest in Germany) and Amsterdam. It was a phenomenal experience.
What have you learnt from your travels?
Dress comfy for those long flights, it’s not a fashion show. Also those little flight pillows really help.
And when you are travelling on a rand budget, it’s amazing how far you can stretch a buffet breakfast through the day. Just try not to step into the lift with an armful of baguettes, cheeses and fruits, etc when the manager of the Parisian hotel is in there too.
Ideal travelling companion?
My wife and child. Without them it really isn’t a holiday at all. If my loved ones happen to be with me, then it feels like a holiday.
Beach bum, culture vulture, or an adrenalin junkie?
All of the above. I’ve lazed on the beaches of Zanzibar (and all over South Africa), I’ve scoured the museums of France, watched theatre in London and zip-lined through the mountains of Ceres. I try to immerse myself in whatever my destination has to offer.
Greatest travel luxury?
I have to splurge on a couple of good meals at fancy restaurants and spending money on theatre or live music is always money well spent.
Holiday reading?
Always. I’m an insatiable reader and so I’ll take along whatever I happen to be reading at the time plus a couple of extras. I hate being caught without a book.
What place has really seduced you?
Stone Town in Zanzibar was magical. Paris stole my heart. Edinburgh during the festival is incredible.
Worst travel experience ever?
That one time when I was driving to Oppikoppi and my car broke down in De Aar for two days was pretty kak.
Best hotel?
The Hotel Kempinski in the Serengeti was insane. As we were having sundowners at the pool a herd of elephants ambled up and starting drinking from the pool. Breathtaking. The 12 Apostles Hotel & Spa in Cape Town is another hotel experience I won’t soon forget … All you can eat oyster buffet. The decadence!
Favourite walk, swim, ride or drive?
Walking through the chaos of Edinburgh during the biggest theatre festival in the world. Swimming in the azure blue off the coast of Zanzibar. Riding through the streets of Paris at night. And driving across the length and breadth of South Africa exploring countless hidden gems far off our national roads. I’m also partial to a train trip anywhere in Europe.
Best meal abroad?
On our honeymoon in Zanzibar we met a man who took us on a splendid dhow trip. He dove into the water, caught an octopus and invited us to his tiny little home to eat it later that night. His house was nothing more than a shack; however, he and his wife had so lovingly prepared a meal for us that it rivalled any 5- star dining experience I’ve had.
My first steak tartare in a tiny little restaurant in Avignon also rates very highly. And of course those oysters at the 12 Apostles.
Favourite city?
Paris. Amsterdam. And New York. Even though I haven’t been to New York, I just know I’m going to love it. One day.
Where to next?
Does Grahamstown count? I’ll be taking a host of new shows to the National Arts Festival in July.
I’m hoping we’ll shoot a new season of Showville this year and can’t wait to explore more of the country’s small towns with the show’s amazing crew. Unfortunately I have no international travel planned for the near future. However, I am always willing to go to New York if anyone wants to take me… anyone?
l This month will find comedian Rob van Vuuren haunting Cape Town’s Baxter Theatre with a new stand-up comedy show. A recent run-in with a motivational speaker forced Van Vuuren to question his own purpose in life and subsequently the comedic cynic in him ran rampant to create Life.
Saturday Star