My holidays: Andrew Little

Labour leader Andrew Little on holiday at Mt Cook. Photo / Supplied

Labour leader Andrew Little shares his most memorable holiday moments.

What was your greatest holiday?

The few days I spent with my family, my wife Leigh and son Cam, in Paris when I was on the way to the International Labour Organisation conference in Geneva in 2010. It was in May, so it was getting warm. It was great, and really easy to get around on the Metro.

And the worst?

I had been to Scotland for a week and was on a train. Killer storms, really vicious ones, had hit the UK. We became stranded in the middle of nowhere. Eventually we were slowly shunted back to Manchester where we had to spend the night in the station. There was a cafe there that was open late. We were exhausted. I thought I'd have a beer. Unfortunately I still had my backpack on. I swung around and the beer went flying. I was just about at breaking point by that stage. Thankfully, the staff were very nice about it - I got another beer.

If we bump into you on holiday, what are you most likely to be doing?

I'd be at the beach definitely - either with a book or in a kayak.

If we could teleport you to one place in New Zealand for a week-long holiday, where would it be?

Spirits Bay in the Far North. It's a beautiful spot, unspoiled, I guess. And, as its name suggests, there really is something spiritual about it.

How about a dream holiday internationally?

Somewhere on the Mediterranean, somewhere exotic, near the sea, with good food.

Complete this sentence: I can't travel without ...

A decent book, a real book with pages.

What's the dumbest thing you've done while travelling?

I was on a train in Germany and put my bag with my passport and cash in the overhead locker, which was open to everybody. Some chap came up and struck up a conversation - it was clearly part of a sting because next thing he'd taken off and when I went to get my bag it was gone. Lesson learned.

What's the best travel tip you've ever been given?

Take a universal plug. They're really handy, whether you're at a camping ground or hotel.

What was the most memorable meal you've had while travelling?

In Paris, because not only did we get some good meals cheaply, every meal was good.

What's the best thing you've brought back from a trip?

The portable bidet I was given in Japan. I use it to water hanging plants.

Favourite airport at which to land?

Hong Kong. There's a lot going on.

What's the next trip you've got planned?

A work trip to Europe, ending in Gallipoli on Anzac Day.