My holidays: Paige Hareb

Paige Hareb fancies taking a cruise around the South Pacific or the Caribbean. Photo / Dean Purcell

What was your greatest holiday?

A ski holiday with my family to Blackcomb/Whistler, in Canada. My whole family skis and I have been doing it since I was three years old.

And the worst?

Phuket, Thailand. I got food poisoning, it rained a lot, and I slipped and nearly broke my wrist and then Dad got hassled by a ladyboy in the street.

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

I surf all year round, but a lot of the time it's to go to contests, which I don't consider a holiday. So I'm more likely to go on a ski and snowboard holiday to take a break from the surf.

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

Wanaka/Queenstown for a snow holiday or Raglan or somewhere on the east coast for a surf holiday. Gisborne and the Mount are great places to get away for a surf.

How about for a dream holiday internationally?

America or Europe as they have a bit of everything including snow and surf. I would try surfing in the South of France; I love a small town called Hossegor - it's a beautiful place to surf. Then I would jet over to the alps for some skiing. I passed through Andorra, a small city state, once on a trip and there were lifts everywhere, so I really want to go back.

What's the dumbest thing you've ever done when travelling?

Got my flight time wrong and missed it by a mile. Sometimes time zones mess with me.

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

... a good book, phone, credit card and US cash.

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

Always make sure you are in a window or aisle seat. And then ... look after your suitcase. My suitcase is my home. I haven't stayed at my house for more than two weeks in several years.

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

Driving back eight hours to the airport from Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka and our driver took us to a random place on the side of the road in the hills. Everyone in the restaurant was eating with their hands. There was no cutlery to be seen, so I had to eat the spiciest curry I've ever had with my hands too. Surprised how good and fun it was.

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

Memories. I like to buy a piece of art from wherever I go, so I have a mixed culture of art from all over the world all around my bedroom.

Favourite airport at which to land?

Anywhere that has an Air NZ lounge but I like Madrid because it has my favourite European clothes shop, Zara.

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

Gold Coast, Australia to pick up my new Mt Woodgee surfboards and work more with my shaper, Wayne McKewen. After visiting this ship, I'm definitely keen-as to do a cruise. I fancy a South Pacific cruise, or even a whirl around the Caribbean.

Paige Hareb rode the FlowRider surf simulator on Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas while the ship was in Auckland at the weekend.