Everyone’s favourite comedian with the big hair, Marc Lottering, is performing his latest show This is Captain Lottering Speaking. On his many travels, Lottering has been seduced by Indian food and Dubai glamour, but his love affair with Cape Town remains as strong as ever.
Here he shares some travel thoughts.
First holiday memory?
Durban. In the family car. With warm cream soda and boiled eggs.
Favourite place to travel to in South Africa?
Rosebank, Joburg. For a Capetonian, being in Joburg is like being overseas. I love the pulse. A good friend owns a sexy apartment in Rosebank. I spend at least a month there annually. Cape Town is home, but Jozi is something else.
Best holiday ever?
My first trip to Zanzibar was mind-blowing. One of those trips that looked exactly like the pics in the brochure. Perfect beaches with endless cocktails. New York is a close second, and also got my heart racing, but your credit card needs to come to the party.
What have you learnt from your travels?
Enjoy your own city more. Do stuff. See stuff. You only realise how amazing your own city is once you leave it.
Ideal travelling companion?
I usually travel with my partner Anwar who, unlike me, is able to read maps and find sights. When I’m travelling on my own, I simply find a pavement café and a glass of wine, and watch the locals go by. Okay, two glasses of wine.
Are you a beach bum, a culture vulture, or an adrenalin junkie?
I’m going to have to go for culture vulture, whatever that really is, as I most definitely am not either one of the other two.
Greatest travel luxury?
I don’t travel without an extension cord so I can always have my iPad or my iPhone close to my bed.
Holiday reading?
I get Vanity Fair magazines at the airport shop. And sometimes hide the Huisgenoot inside the Vanity Fair.
What destination has seduced you?
Only this year, was I introduced to the charm of Paternoster on the West Coast, only two hours from Cape Town. A perfect get-away from city life, offering great accommodation close to the beach, with amazing restaurants. You almost don’t want to tell anyone.
Worst travel experience?
No serious disasters come to mind. I will tell you this though: I’m not that crazy about those resort-type package holidays when you have to see the same people daily, and everyone’s on honeymoon, wearing full make-up for breakfast. I recently went to Mauritius…
Best hotel?
I get to stay at very many smart and sexy hotels thanks to kind producers. This year alone: Cannizaro House in Wimbledon, London, as well as Media Rotana in Dubai. Both fabulous.
Favourite walk, swim, ride or drive?
I often walk along Sea Point Promenade. There you get to see so many fascinating groups of people: fitness fanatics, families, dog-lovers, lovers, party-animals recovering from the night before – everyone’s there! And then there’s that breathtaking view.
Best meal abroad?
Easy peasy. All my meals in India. Oh. My. Word.
Favourite city and why?
Of course I’m going to say Cape Town. It’s my home town. And it just happens to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world. All the people of Cape Town should get to experience that beauty. That’s my prayer.
Where to next?
No plans yet. I’ll probably want to go someplace where there’s electricity. We’ll see.
Sunday Tribune