This was published 5 years ago
My travel life: Jeremy Fernandez, ABC journalist
By Sue Williams
Jeremy Fernandez is looking forward to his passport expiring and getting a new photo.
NUMBER OF COUNTRIES VISITED 25.
I GOT MY FIRST PASSPORT WHEN I WAS 13 and moved to Australia with my family.
MY PASSPORT PHOTO IS nearly retired, thankfully; my passport expires next year. I'm hoping my next passport photo doesn't make me look so severely upset.
ANY PASSPORT MISHAPS/MISADVENTURES? None – yet. I'm one of those people who travels with digital and paper copies of passports, tickets, and booking documents – which reminds me to triple-check everything for peace of mind.
I CAN'T STOP GOING BACK TO Kuala Lumpur – I was born there, and still have many relatives there. I love going back to catch up with them, eat the food of my childhood and shop.
AISLE OR WINDOW? Window.
MY LAST TRAVEL DESTINATION WAS London and Windsor – to cover the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
MY NEXT TRAVEL DESTINATION IS Tasmania – for a short autumn road-trip to take in MONA, and the excellent culinary scene.
I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO so much good food in Tasmania; many progressive breakfasts, lunches and dinners. I'm also looking forward to spending time bushwalking in the wilderness.
WHAT I REALLY WANT FROM MY NEXT TRIP IS to unwind – tune out, eat well and enjoy some peace and quiet. I also want to explore – anything from restaurants, markets, quaint streets, laneways, and antique stores.
I LOVE TO TRAVEL BECAUSE it takes me out of my comfort zone. It's invigorating to see the diversity of daily life in a different place.
MY TRAVEL PHILOSOPHY IS to be bold: try everything – food experiences in particular. I also try to walk as much as possible which is a great way to take things in.
THE ONE TRAVEL MISTAKE I ALWAYS MAKE IS cramming too much into my itinerary, which leaves me needing a break after my holiday.
THE ONE THING I REALLY DO GET RIGHT WHEN I TRAVEL IS being quite organised, much to the amusement of friends and family. I usually have bookings, dates, times and optional activities mapped-out beforehand, but anticipating a holiday is part of the fun.
IF I HAD TO SIT IN THE MIDDLE SEAT THE PASSENGERS I'D WANT ON EITHER SIDE OF ME WOULD BE Annabel Crabb and Leigh Sales. I'd be inclined to just sit back and listen to them – until they inevitably require dispute resolution.
THE ONE FAMOUS TRAVELLER I REALLY ADMIRE IS Rick Stein. I just love how he immerses himself and his viewers in local history and culinary tradition with such intrepid joy.
THE ONE FAMOUS PERSON I'D LIKE TO TRAVEL WITH IS Maggie Beer. She's such a good woman and, like Rick Stein, her joy, positivity and generosity seem boundless.
AIRLINE FOOD IS not really a problem. At best, it can be very tasty and, at worst, it's something to top up my pre-packed snacks.
AIRPORT SECURITY IS usually not as bad as the queues suggest. It can be testing, navigating the chaos in major airports but I'm always grateful for the peace of mind, airside.
HOTELS ARE not always as they seem. I'm not a five-star traveller. The most memorable hotels I've stayed in were quirky, small boutique hotels off the main strips.
I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO GO TO South America. I haven't spent much time in the Americas and I'd love to see more.
I'VE NEVER WANTED TO GO TO ... I've been caught out by dismissing certain destinations before, only to find myself passing through and wanting to go back again and again. So, never say never! The world is full of surprises.
Jeremy Fernandez hosts the national late ABC TV news.
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