OT: Do you enjoy travelling? Shahnaz Hussain: I love travelling. Travel adds another dimension to one’s life
OT: Which is your favourite holiday destination?
Shahnaz Hussain: London is my favourite city to holiday in. In fact, it has become a home away from home.
OT: Your favourite Indian destination, a place you keep returning to?
Shahnaz Hussain: Nainital, a place of exceptional scenic beauty. I have spent many memorable summers there.
OT: Any dream destination you still haven’t been?
Shahnaz Hussain: Morocco is a dream destination which I am yet to visit.
OT: What is the last place you visited?
Shahnaz Hussain: I recently visited Egypt for the first time. It was like travelling back in time. Few countries evoke the kind of awe and mystery that Egypt does. The architectural brilliance of ancient Egypt left me mesmerised. Like India, the modern and the traditional co-exist here. It is a sightseer’s delight and one visit is just not enough.
OT: Do you experiment with different cuisines when travelling?
Shahnaz Hussain: I do love trying out different cuisines, because the culinary art of a country provides a wonderful insight into its history and its people.
OT: Any travel disasters you’ve encountered?
Shahnaz Hussain: Once my husband and I landed in Paris and he went off to cash Traveler’s Cheques, while I was having a cup of coffee. He turned around to open his briefcase and found that it had vanished. It was a real calamity, because it contained all our travel documents, Traveler’s Cheques, credit cards, etc. We didn’t even have a coin to make a call, leave alone take a taxi to our hotel. With the smattering of French I knew, I explained to Starbucks why I couldn’t pay for my coffee! Then we took a taxi to the Indian Embassy. I spoke to the ambassador and borrowed money to pay the taxi. Then disaster management followed — getting our passports processed, talking to our travel agents in India about the lost Traveler’s Cheques and getting more issued. I still remember that night, walking down the Champs-Elysées at 1am, totally penniless.
OT: What is the one thing you always pack?
Shahnaz Hussain: I never forget to pack my diary. It has my appointments and I also have a habit of jotting down thoughts that occur to me.
OT: What herbal cosmetics would you recommend one carry when travelling?
Shahnaz Hussain: It is imperative to carry a cleanser containing aloe vera and lemon, a rose skin toner, sandalwood protective cream and a sunscreen.
OT: Your best piece of travel advice?
Shahnaz Hussain: Take great care of your travel documents and passport. Avoid carrying cash — Traveler’s Cheques are preferable, as they can always be replaced in case you lose them.
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