What was your greatest holiday? Most of my travels recently have been related to promoting my graphic novels:writers' festivals and book fairs.
Unfortunately these usually involve travelling by myself. So I'd say travelling with my wife from Auckland down to the South Island by train, on our honeymoon, was oneof my best holidays.
And the worst? Staying in a haunted hotel in Taiwan freaked me out a bit. My phone mysteriously turned off during my first night's stay. Innocuous, I know. The following day someone told me it was well known to locals that the place was haunted; apparently all the paintings were hung in the lobby in a vain attempt to ward off the spirits. One of my travelling companions had been kept awake all through the night by sounds of scratching in the wall behind her head, despite there being no room next to hers. The ghost switched my phone off again on the second night.
If we bump into you on holiday, what are you most likely to be doing? You're likely to find me chowing down at good but cheap local eateries. I'm a poor man's foodie and love trying tasty food unique to wherever I am. Poutine in Canada, mi goreng and waluh in Ubud, bubble tea in Taiwan … though somehow I missed out on Peking duck in Beijing (sigh).
If we could teleport you to one place in New Zealand for a week-long holiday, where would it be? I've never been to Milford Sound, so beam me up (er, down) Scotty!
How about for a dream holiday internationally? I'd love to take the family to Europe, New York, China … and Disneyland before the kids outgrow it.
What's the dumbest thing you've ever done when travelling? At Ubud's Monkey Forest a monkey was ferreting around in my satchel. I swung it a couple of times to shake the monkey off. It held on to my leg so I flicked it off, Bruce Lee style, and it got really mad.
Suddenly a dozen more monkeys starting circling me, baring their teeth; I had to backtrack pretty quick … a real Planet of the Apes scenario.
Aisle seat or window seat? Aisle seat for long haul and window seat for short flights.
Complete this sentence: I can't travel without ... contact lens solution.
What was the most memorable meal you've had while travelling? I had an incredible series of meals in Taiwan on a graphic novelist exchange, Because of our hosts' hospitality it seemed at times more like a food tour than an art exchange.
What's the best thing you've brought back from a trip? Great memories, hundreds of photos and a beautiful wooden Buddha from Ubud, Bali.
Favourite airport to land at? Arriving back in Auckland; no matter how amazing the holiday, it always feels so good (and sometimes emotional) to come home.
Helen and The Go-go Ninjas by Ant Sang and Michael Bennett, available now, RRP$30.
