Cape Town - Celebrated actress Sandra Prinsloo has worked on stage, in film and on television. She’s best known to TV audiences as Pearl Jansen in the drama series Known Gods and as the host of the Afrikaans talk show RaakPraat Met Sandra. In the 1980s Prinsloo and fellow actor John Kani caused a stir – and an audience walk-out – during the play Miss Julie when the two exchanged a kiss, the first cross-colour staged kiss under apartheid.
Prinsloo is currently in The Sewing Machine at the Baxter.
How widely have you travelled?
I have been most fortunate over the years to have travelled extensively throughout Europe, the UK, North America, the Indian Ocean Islands and southern Africa. Further north on our continent, I have been to Morocco and Egypt.
Where was your favourite holiday or time spent abroad?
Some of my favourite holidays were definitely those spent on a yacht sailing the Mediterranean. I enjoy the open sea.
Your worst experience on a holiday?
After a long ocean crossing in very bad conditions we finally arrived at the Cape Verde Islands where we booked into a hotel. I needed and longed for a hot shower. You could say it was a way of washing away the preceding experience. So when I turned on the shower tap to find no water I was not happy.
Your funniest experience?
Funniest, let’s see. One night in Zambia, while travelling around looking for a camping spot, we were held up by two guys in army camouflage and machine guns. The situation looked pretty tricky and things got really tense. There we were, all of us on our knees, hands raised in the air. I saw one of our travelling companions shaking and her teeth were chattering. I bravely decided to asked her, “Gilda, are you scared?” and she duly replied, “No, I’ve got malaria, you idiot!”
Anyway, the situation was resolved.
We had accidentally strayed into army territory and on the way back, the night became filled with hysterical laughter from all three of our vehicles as we recounted who had said or done what – shared danger, shared laughter!
What do you avoid during a holiday?
Crowds, whenever possible. Airports can also be a nightmare.
Best meal abroad?
Some years ago I attended a friend’s wedding in Paris on a barge. The food was outstanding (as only the French know how) prepared by a local caterer. I may add that the foie gras was made by the chef of the George V.
Your favourite spot for sundowners?
There are definitely too many to name but it takes a lot to beat a drink on the afterdeck of a yacht, watching the sun go down – or at my cottage at Verlorenvlei.
What have you learnt from your travels?
When things go wrong try to turn it to your advantage. Take as little luggage as possible and choose your travelling companions wisely.
Ideal travelling companion?
Now that’s a problem! So far, my labrador, Oliver, has been great.
Culture vulture or adrenaline junkie?
Both, I fear. I like them equally.
Greatest travel luxury?
Endless space, peace and quiet at the end of the day… and, of course, a good champagne
Holiday reading?
I am definitely partial to a good novel for holiday reading.
Favourite drive?
My favourite is most certainly any rugged 4x4 trip (there’s my adrenaline junkie rearing its head again). Especially trips in Zambia, Tanzania, around South Africa or the desert.
Dream trip?
The Antarctic. It has got to be one of the most exhilarating experiences – the wide open spaces and everything about it is very inviting for me.
As a seasoned traveller and flyer can you share some tips?
Flow like water, use local transport if you really want to get to understand the heartbeat of a country, and treat or spoil yourself whenever you can. - Weekend Argus