KEY POINTS:
Do you travel light or heavy?
Quite light. I tend to stuff some clothes in a suitcase - and hope for the best. I try to stick to the basic "two of everything". I buy anything else I need.
Cattle or first class?
I tend to suck it up and travel cattle, but if I can negotiate my way into first class with a smile (it does happen) then I will. As of late I have had the opportunity to travel business class.
I can't travel without ...
A contact number for my bank manager. The phone numbers of my closest friends (the ones who you'd call if you'd got in trouble, which is likely to happen with me) and a couple of boxes of Twining's Green Tea.
What type of suitcase do you carry?
I bought one wholesale for $80. It's black and oblong. It does the job.
What's always in your hand luggage?
Wallet, pen and paper, iPod and books I'm reading.
Are you a planner or last-minute packer?
I tend to come in under the wire (eg an hour before I'm due at the airport).
What's the best thing you've brought back?
Ideas! I go somewhere for purposes, plans and possibilities.
Favourite airport to land in?
Auckland. I love coming home.
Best travel tip?
Watch your back, keep your wits about you, and smile.
Most memorable trip?
I spent the summer break this year immersed in training camp in Thailand studying Muay Thai boxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It was physically demanding but it was awesome.
What do you do on the plane?
Continue my pursuit to get upgraded (ha ha). There's also something about being confined in a small flying tube that makes me reflective. I find myself thinking about life - where I've been, what I'm doing, where I'm going and how I'm going to get there.
* Ben Mitchell is an actor on Shortland Street, TV2
