Famous Flyer

We’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later.

Advertisement

This was published 10 years ago

Famous Flyer

"I felt like a princess": Amanpuri Resort, in Phuket, where Mahalia Barnes stayed.

"I felt like a princess": Amanpuri Resort, in Phuket, where Mahalia Barnes stayed.Credit: Getty Images

Wherever you go, always take a power adaptor, says Mahalia Barnes.

WHICH WAS YOUR BEST HOLIDAY?

My now husband and I spent a month in Europe together in 2007. It was our first big trip together and one of the first big holidays I’d had without my family. We spent a few weeks driving around France, eating at the markets, boulangeries and fromageries and staying in quaint bed and breakfasts and chateaus. Really beautiful.

High note: Mahalia Barnes.

High note: Mahalia Barnes.

AND THE BEST HOTEL YOU’VE STAYED IN?

Years ago I was lucky enough to stay with mum and dad [Jimmy Barnes and Jane Mahoney] at the Amanpuri in Phuket. We had a private villa on the hill overlooking the water with our own pool and chef; I felt like a princess.

WHAT DO YOU ALWAYS TAKE WITH YOU?

A power adaptor. These days I travel with so many electronics – camera, iPad with movies for my three-year-old Ruby, laptops, phones and hard drives – so I don’t want to always be scrounging around for a way to charge them.

WHAT’S YOUR BEST PIECE OF TRAVEL ADVICE?

Advertisement

Don’t be afraid of eating where the locals do, because that’s where you find the best food.

AND YOUR WORST EXPERIENCE ON HOLIDAY?

Getting so sick I ended up in hospital in Thailand five years ago. It was a strange virus and it was right at the end of our trip so the only way I could get home was to have a nurse fly with me and be attached to a drip for the entire flight, then I was still sick for two or three months afterwards. It was ironic because I was over there doing health retreats and detoxing and things like that but I ended the sickest I’d ever been.

WHERE DO YOU WANT TO GO NEXT?

South America, to Brazil and Buenos Aires, and also to Cuba. They’re all such special places for music.

Mahalia Barnes is an ambassador for Weight Watchers Australia and is currently touring nationally.

Interview by Nina Karnikowski.

Sign up for the Traveller newsletter

The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now.

Most viewed on Traveller

Loading