My holidays: Kimberley Skipper

Actress Kimberley Skipper in Samoa.

Kimberely Skipper appears in Hinepau on Saturday, at Te Pou Theatre as part of the Koanga Festival from September 1-17, koha entry.

What was your greatest holiday?
Christmas 2016 at Iritekura Marae in Waipiro Bay, East Coast. It was the Awarau Family reunion, and I saw family I hadn't seen in forever. On New Year's Day, our whole whanau got together to watch the sunrise. It was magic.

And the worst?
Funnily enough that was also Christmas at Waipiro - the year before. Our house was broken into and completely trashed. It's an awful feeling. Luckily, they only took off with some milk and a sack of potatoes - I guess they were making mash?

If we bump into you on holiday, what are you most likely to be doing?
Jeremy (who's also performing in Hinepau) and I are pretty laid-back - you'd probably find us sitting at the bar, under the sun or in the middle of the pool, enjoying a cold one. On the islands, they have the best bars.

If we could teleport you to one place in New Zealand for a week-long holiday, where would it be?
Marlborough Sounds. The pictures look stunning, and I've heard you can go diving at a shipwreck. Unfortunately we won't get there on this tour ...

How about for a dream holiday internationally?
Italy - we had a pretty tight schedule when we performed there and I didn't get to do half the things I'd like to. I'd take my whole whanau to see the sights, ride around on vespas and eat pizza. It would also mean heaps to pay our respects at the Maori Battalion burial sites.

What's the dumbest thing you've ever done when travelling?
Not checking the back pocket of the chair before getting off the bus in Italy. Goodbye brand new camera and all our photos of Italy ...

Aisle seat or window seat?
Window seat - not only do you get to enjoy the scenery, but you don't have to constantly get up when your friend (Jeremy) needs to go to the bathroom.

Complete this sentence: I can't travel without ...
An overstuffed bag!

What's the best travel tip you've ever been given?
Pack light, roll your clothes, don't take too many pairs of shoes ... good advice that just doesn't seem to stick!

What was the most memorable meal you've had while travelling?
Escargot. My whanau were pretty grossed out. It tastes rubbery ... a bit like an eraser.

What's the best thing you've brought back from a trip?
A nice golden tan - and I always get a soft toy for my little brother everywhere I go.

Favourite airport at which to land?
Although it can be a very windy and scary landing at times, Wellington is my favourite airport. It means we've made it safely back home.

What's the next trip you've got planned?
An island cruise - Tonga, Fiji and Samoa. It'd be great for Jeremy and me to take a break from performing, lie back and watch some of the local performing artists, eat island kai and get a tan hanging out at the pool bar.

Kimberely Skipper appears in Hinepau on Saturday, at Te Pou Theatre as part of the Koanga Festival from September 1-17, koha entry.
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