My Travel CV: Jimmy Rees' travel tip - Never take this side of the hotel bed

The Aussie comedian has travelled the world, and has a unique take on an age-old hotel quandary.

The Aussie comedian and entertainer Jimmy Rees has an eye for a crazy place name and knows how to avoid waking up on the wrong side of the bed. This is his Travel CV: 

My travel tips are…

Whichever side of the bed you’re first inclined to pick, go with the opposite. Trust me, everyone uses that side. Don’t get to the airport too early.

I got my first passport when…

I was 16 and went to Adelaide for the Fringe Festival. I know you don’t need a passport to go to Adelaide, but it felt like I needed one. No, I went overseas that year to visit relatives in the UK with my folks.

My first holiday memory is…

On a farmstead with my family. I vaguely remember sheepdogs herding sheep, riding on tractors and finding skulls and other random things at the farm. Oh, and also playing with my brothers in the mud underneath a windmill. In terms of overseas holidays, a trip to the UK, Switzerland and Spain in my early teens.

I’ve been to...

Eighteen countries (I think), mostly European. Yes, I did a Contiki tour.

I got my first passport when I was 16 to visit relatives in the UK.

My most recent trip was to…

Singapore, which was, surprisingly, my first trip to Asia. Like a lot of Australians, it was always a stop-off point on the way to Europe, but I didn’t ever really leave the airport (and if you’ve been through Changi Airport, you can understand why). But this year, I finally got a chance to go exploring. Singapore is amazing. For a small country in Southeast Asia, I was surprised by how much there is to do there, but at the top of my list of things to try was the food. It is out-of-this-world delicious. I highly recommend visiting the hawker centre, Lau Pa Sat. All in all, the people are friendly, there are plenty of attractions, the whole place is so easy to get around, it’s green, it’s warm, and I love it.

My favourite place in Australia is…

Bright, Victoria. Beautiful country town. Float down the river in summer and go mountain bike riding, and in winter you are close to the Victorian ski fields. I live near the beach, so it’s always great to go inland.

The places I’d love to visit in Australia are…

Useless Loop (WA), Nowhere Else (Tas), Nowhere Else (SA), Eggs and Bacon Bay (Tas) and Gympie (Qld). And yes, all these places actually exist, even Gympie.

My most recent trip was to Singapore, which was, surprisingly, my first trip to Asia. Picture: iStock.

The place I’d rather be right now is…

Home. I like my home. It has an open fire going right now, my dog, my family and a bunch of my favourite toys.

The place I’ve visited most often is…

The toilet – even overseas – especially overseas. It’s one of those things that comes with travelling to some of the places I’ve been to over the years. I had no trouble in Singapore, though. I am looking forward to going back, this time with the kids.

The advice I’d give to young travellers is…

Are you saying I’m old? How dare you! Travel now, and do it because one day you will have twin five-year-olds and a nine-year-old and it becomes a logistical nightmare and expensive.

The sickest I’ve been on holiday was when I got eczema travelling to Queensland, now I have it forever. Picture: iStock.

The sickest I’ve been on holiday…

I got the worst eczema one year travelling to Queensland and now I have it forever. (I was also only 13, so maybe a coincidence.)

The souvenir I always buy…

I don’t buy souvenirs. I’d rather just eat the local cuisine and maybe take a picture.

The most interesting person I’ve met on a plane is…

I once met an author who wrote psychological horror books.

Travel has taught me that Australia is massive. Picture: iStock.

My go-to dish for room service is…

Chicken parma with chips, a side of vegies and gravy, and a gin and tonic.

The best hotels I’ve stayed at...

My top three: The Tasman in Hobart (got an upgrade), Hilton Singapore and Jackalope (on the Mornington Peninsula).

Travel has taught me…

Patience and also, Australia is massive – let alone the world. The history, influences, food and culture of different countries is amazing and I wish I had more time to explore. Also, you just have to be patient with the waiting and the flying and the transfers and the living out of the suitcase.

An ambassador for the Singapore Tourism Board, Jimmy Rees is on his Let’s Get Regional tour, with shows coming up in Warragul, Cairns, Geelong, Townsville and Mt Gambier.

How many flights have you missed?

Zero (lucky me).

Passports/visas/wallets/luggage lost?

Zero passports / zero visas / zero luggage / 48 wallets … I’m hopeless with the wallet.

Who is your favourite travel  companion?

My noise-cancelling headphones and my wife – in that order. (This is a joke.)

Flight, cruise, car or train?

Flight all the way. Business Class Singapore Airlines (I wasn’t paying). Incredible.

Originally published as My Travel CV: Jimmy Rees' travel tip - Never take this side of the hotel bed