This was published 9 years ago
Famous flyer: Linda Gray says time to ditch the baggage
Actress Linda Gray loves to travel light but once she went too far, forgetting to pack clothes, writes Paul Ewart.
By Paul Ewart
Linda Gray with the late Larry Hagman, Dallas’s infamous J.R. Ewing.Credit: Getty Images
FAMOUS FLYER:
LINDA GRAY
When travelling, packing light is essential for Dallas star Linda Gray.
world's best island for 2016: Maui, Hawaii.Credit: iStock
WHICH WAS YOUR BEST HOLIDAY?
I love travelling and do it a great deal, but I'll always remember one holiday in Hawaii that I spent with my family when I was a teenager. My mother is from there and on one particular trip we went to Maui. We rented bicycles, went skydiving and gliding - it was so relaxed and warm. It's a holiday that we all remember fondly and still talk about today.
AND THE BEST HOTEL YOU'VE STAYED IN?
The Four Seasons in Ubud, Bali. Everything about it was spectacular and I really enjoyed Ubud; it's such a spiritual place, very peaceful, wonderful food and the people are lovely. I'd go back there in a heartbeat.
WHAT DO YOU ALWAYS TAKE WITH YOU?
Things have changed a lot since I started travelling. Nowadays I can't go anywhere without my smartphone. It's loaded with pictures of my kids and my cat. I also always take noise-cancelling earphones with me wherever I go. It really helps for a more quiet and peaceful travelling experience.
WHAT DO YOU NEED FOR A PERFECT HOLIDAY?
I truly love to experience new countries when I travel. It doesn't matter where I go, I just like to immerse myself in the local culture and soak it all in. I love to travel with my family, especially my grandchildren. While I'd say I'm pretty open to things, I do find that having them with me results in my being dragged to do things that I might not normally do.
WHAT'S YOUR BEST PIECE OF TRAVEL ADVICE?
Always take a carry-on. I can't stand waiting for luggage at the airport, it just feels like a waste of time when instead you could be starting your holiday. After many years of travelling together I've converted my co-star Patrick Duffy (who plays Bobby Ewing) and every time I see him with his carry-on I smile.
AND YOUR WORST EXPERIENCE ON HOLIDAY?
My family and I were invited by some friends to go away to their place in the mountains during winter in the states. I made sure my entire family was packed, but somehow I managed to leave all of my clothes behind. So, when we arrived, I realised that - aside from what I was wearing - I had nothing to wear for an entire week and it was absolutely freezing. Thankfully clothes were borrowed from friends, though I still ended up having to wash my underwear in the sink every day. Thankfully I can laugh about it now.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST PACKING MISTAKE YOU'VE MADE?
See above.
WHERE DO YOU WANT TO GO NEXT?
Japan. I've never been to Japan and there's really something about the Japanese aesthetic that appeals to me and I admire their Zen approach to living. I love to cook and have had several cooking experiences while in France and Italy and this is definitely something that I'd like to repeat over there.
Linda plays Sue Ellen Ewing in Dallas, now airing on Foxtel's SoHo channel.
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