Home and Away star Emily Weir has travelled the world, eating strange foods and having all manner of adventure, even losing her passport in odd places.
I got my first passport…
At 19 when I was off on my first international holiday travelling Europe, then settling in London. This passport was lost not once but twice and I managed to get it back both times. Once was in the middle of La Tomatina (the tomato-throwing festival in Spain) and once in a toilet in Egypt. Since then, I’ve been to 23 countries.
My favourite place in Australia is…
If I had to pick, I would say Bargara, a beach in Bundaberg, Queensland, because of the sentimentality I have for the place. I grew up holidaying there with my family from when I was very young and the place is littered with wonderful memories.
The place I’d love to visit in Australia is…
Hamilton Island. I have family there and would love to be able to go and also do the Great Barrier Reef, as I even seen it.
I lost my first passport twice. Once was in the middle of La Tomatina and once was in a toilet in Egypt. Picture: Jeremy Greive.
The place I’d rather be right now is…
The Maldives. Or Jamaica. I’m a sucker for anywhere sunny with a coast and beautiful water. However, I’m trying to lean towards doing new things, so skiing is high on the list; New Zealand and Japan, I am coming for ya!
My holidays are mostly devoted to…
When I was younger, partying and dancing was so much fun, but now I’m seeking more history and spirituality on my adventures.
The place I’ve visited most often is…
Spain. I visited Spain a lot when I was living in London. I went there and worked over a couple of summers and absolutely loved it. Places like San Sebastián really blew my mind, and travelling around in a van and attending the celebrations like Running of the Bulls in Pamplona was just wild.
The advice I’d give to young travellers is go and do it! Picture: Supplied.
The place that most surprised me was…
China. It was completely fascinating. The food, the markets, the Great Wall and the dense history. The Forbidden City in Beijing was mind-blowingly huge and so well preserved. Emperors and empresses, and the way the civilisation there came to be was really eye-opening. I also ate a scorpion at Tiananmen Square night markets.
The most interesting place I’ve been to is…
Egypt was amazing! I’d always wanted to go to Egypt as a young girl, as I was obsessed with hieroglyphics and Tutankhamun. When I finally got to go, I loved it. The pyramids, the history and the people were amazing.
The advice I’d give to young travellers is…
Go and do it! Travelling and seeing the world teaches you valuable skills and gives you incredible memories that last a lifetime. You become independent and see things you don’t see by staying at home and working 9 to 5. It humbles you and makes you less judgmental and more understanding, and you meet people you’d never meet otherwise. Travelling is a must, so get out of your comfort zone and do it.
Now, I’m seeking more history and spirituality on my adventures.
The worst thing that’s happened to me while travelling…
It’s the worst and the best. It was my 21st birthday and I’d organised a big group of my friends to do a seven-day Croatia sail with me. As my birthday loomed closer, all my friends, one by one, started pulling out for various reasons. It went from 20 people to three people. As I was feeling sorry for myself, walking towards the boat, I turned a corner and there were all 20 friends dancing around a van with music blaring.
The most interesting person I’ve met on a plane is…
A tattoo artist who was flying from Brisbane to Germany. He read the blurb of my book and started up a conversation and we chatted the whole flight.
The weirdest things I’ve eaten while travelling are…
I’ve tried a lot of interesting foods – ostrich, wildebeest, crocodile, emu, crickets, scorpion. And I’ve got to say I didn’t loathe any of them. Some were actually delish. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.
The best hotel I’ve ever stayed in…
The Ungasan in Uluwatu, Bali. Holy heck, it was so beautiful and picturesque – what I would hope heaven looks like. I had my own pool, the facilities were amazing and the food was next-level.
Emily plays Mackenzie Booth on Home and Away (7pm Monday to Thursday on Channel 7 and 7Plus) and she is part of the all-new season of Dancing with the Stars on Seven.