Why stage star Bianca le Grange loves a naughty holiday

08 May 2016 - 02:00 By Elizabeth Sleith

The star of 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat', on now at the Pieter Toerien Theatre at Montecasino, tells us about going nude in Rio and visiting Bob Marley's tomb How often do you travel?For the past three years, I have spent six months of the year in Jozi and six months in Cape Town. I try to go overseas once a year when I have time. But travelling has always been a part of work. I travel all over South Africa and our neighbouring countries. I tend to go on holiday overseas when there is time.Do you have a favourite SA neighbour?We have many beautiful neighbouring countries but Namibia is my favourite, especially Swakopmund. With just a road that separates the desert and the ocean, it's truly something to marvel at.Describe your first trip abroadMy first trip overseas was in 2002, right after Idols. I travelled to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The people are beautiful and vibrant and I loved the beaches and the coconut cocktails.You can find the most unusual bikinis there. I wore a g-string bikini on the beach and it was normal. I had gone to sing at the World Petroleum Congress so it was a lekker paid holiday.What do you need for a perfect holiday?Money, money, money. Comfortable shoes and an adventurous attitude.Favourite holiday destination?Jamaica was definitely my favourite. I went in 2008 for two weeks and visited Negril, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Kingston. I got to swim with dolphins and visited Bob Marley's tomb. I partied all night and slept on the beach all day. I also went to a nudist beach. Who doesn't want to see Jamaica and experience the rich culture and the people? It was the best holiday ever.mini_story_image_hleft1What was it like to visit Marley's mausoleum?Nine Mile is a village in Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica. This is where Bob Marley was born and later buried. I'm a huge fan of him and his music. The Bob Marley Mausoleum has a small museum full of his personal items, including guitars, awards and photographs.There is a Rasta-coloured "rock pillow" here where Marley is said to have laid his head when he was looking for inspiration.His body is buried with his guitar, a soccer ball, a marijuana bud, a ring and a Bible in a small church of Ethiopian design.There is another mausoleum here too that houses the remains of his mother, Cedella Booker, known as Mama Marley.And a nudist beach?It is said that Jamaica has the best nudist beaches in the world so I was curious to check one out. I went to Hedonism II in Negril. I was way too shy to go the Full Monty but the people who go there are free to be naked and they're not shy at all. I couldn't stop looking at the naked people - I found it very weird and funny.Most relaxing destination?Zanzibar. All you do is eat, drink and tan on those beautiful beaches - well, that's all I do when I go there. It's a great place to rejuvenate.Best holiday ever?Rio. The people are so beautiful and vibrant. I loved the beaches and the coconut cocktails.full_story_image_hleft2Favourite restaurant?Bread & Wine Vineyard Restaurant at the Môreson Wine Farm in Franschhoek, a character-filled, rustic restaurant in the Franschhoek Valley. I'm a big fan of their bread, which is freshly baked, and their wines and champagne. "Miss Molly" is out-of-this-world. I love the sweet potato red curry, the grass-fed sirloin and, for dessert, the dark chocolate pavé.Favourite city?Cape Town. It's filled with awesome restaurants, wonderful sightseeing and exciting nightlife. It's also home to some of my favourite theatres, namely the Fugard, Theatre on the Bay and the Baxter.Most adventurous travel experience?Amsterdam. Seeing the red-light district was super crazy because I got to do it with my mother, who wasn't shy to walk into the sex museums. It was really uncomfortable for me but I have a very charismatic mom.story_article_right1Favourite hotel?I loved staying at the W Hotel in New York on 42nd and Broadway. I would come out of the hotel and see those yellow cabs like in the movies and walk around the corner to Times Square. Being a theatre queen, you can imagine how excited I was to be in the headquarters of the theatre world. It was a dream come true. Also, the hotel lobby was stunning. The doorman was super friendly and the reception area had a bar that made the best cocktails ever. My girlfriends and I would dress up like royalty.Best piece of travel advice?Always follow the law; pack your own bags; carry money in your sock.What's your one travel essential?My make-up bag. You never know who you'll meet.'Joseph' is on now at the Theatre on the Bay in Cape Town until November 5...

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