Travel Weekly recently caught up with G Adventures’ sales manager for Australia and New Zealand, who revealed his fave comedy series and his secret holiday spot.
What are you reading?
Cookbooks and trashy whodunnits. The first gets me creatively and physically engaged, and the second is perfect for when I need the complete opposite.
What are you watching?
Reruns of Arrested Development – I can’t think of many other shows with the same genius level of comedy writing. And cooking shows – Flavorful Origins on Netflix is beautifully shot, but always ends up leading to an Uber Eats binge.
What are you listening to?
Spotify betrayed me recently and listed ABBA as featuring in my top five plays of 2020, so I’m actively working to ensure that doesn’t happen again.
My partner is involved in the Aussie music industry, particularly with Indigenous Australian artists, and there is so much great talent out there in that space.
What are you cooking?
The kitchen is where I do my best work! This summer has been a shift away from red meats and more towards things from the garden and the ocean. I’m also learning about native foods and foraging, and I’m keen to incorporate these into my cooking.
How are you staying fit both physically and mentally?
Chasing an 18-month-old up and down the Corso, lots of time ocean swimming and the odd touch footy game on the beach. I believe one health leads to the other – if I care for myself physically, I find the mental side is taken care of as a by-product.
What’s something positive you’ve witnessed or experienced since the coronavirus hit?
It’s important to acknowledge the challenges, but I’ve seen friends and professional contacts pivot to career pathways they may never have been brave enough to commit to without the impact of the pandemic.
What have you learned about yourself amid the crisis?
My initial response to the crisis was to work longer hours and take on more projects. The last six months, however, have seen me become okay with admitting I’m struggling and finding positive ways to address this.
What’s your advice for others in the industry on coping with the crisis?
Shout-out to the multiple industry groups who’ve pulled together during this time. I’ve been proud to be a part of the cause.
The way we measure a successful day or week, or business interaction, has changed. Comparing ourselves to where we were this time last year is an unfair way to judge yourself.
Where is your favourite domestic travel destination?
We had an incredible week as a family in the Glennifer Valley near Bellingen, on the Mid North Coast of NSW. It borders Dorrigo National Park and is ridiculously serene. Don’t go there though – I want it to stay a secret!
What is the one international travel memory keeping you going through this time?
Around this time, a few years back, I was getting ready for a motorbike trip in Pakistan with a great mate. That was an incredible experience and I’d love to return.
Where do you want to travel to once international travel restrictions ease up?
It’s not glamorous or exciting, but I haven’t seen my mum in over a year, and she hasn’t seen my daughter (her only grandchild) in that time as well. I can’t wait to jump on a plane and spend time with family back home in New Zealand.
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