Staff Profile: Claire

Claire, Administration & Promotions Manager

Home Country and one great thing about it: New Zealand - our Nuclear Free & Conservation policies (hence why it’s so damn beautiful!!!)

Quirks/Oddities:
 I am completely anal about my books & CDs (Books - thanks to my Welsh English teacher in school!)
 I throw up on white wine (even only after a couple of glasses!)
 I can juggle, but I have never been able to do a handstand or a cartwheel!
 I have a passion for History of Art
 I write a lot - my journals are becoming more elaborate every year!
 I go insane without having a book to read!

Sign:Taurus

Favourite Smurf: Papa Smurf, because he gets to wear the red trousers & hat, and has the huskiest voice

Favourite Quote(s): "Remember to look at the marvels of the world, but never forget the drops of oil on your spoon" - The Alchemist

Favourite 80’s fad: fluorescence socks (wearing them with white Barter Bullets)

Likes: eg. books, films, music
 Patting stray cats (see the photo), and yabbering to babies
 My nephews & nieces who ask me to send them plane tickets so they can come & visit
 Laughing uncontrollably with good friends
 Strawberry Daiquiris
 Swimming & kick-boxing
 Films: Muriel’s Wedding, La Vita é Bella, foreign films & art-house
 Music: World Music, Jazz, anything not main-stream & not commerically modified
 TV: zilch - but when the series are running, perhaps ’6 Feet Under’, & ’The Sopranos’
 Books: All of Margaret Attwood books - Handmaid’s Tale, The Robber Bride, Alias Grace, The Blind Assassin, Lady Oracle, Surfacing...

Dislikes:
 People who don’t listen
 People who litter!!
 Ignorance
 Mosquitos!
 Sunday morning bells of San Pietro!

How her co-workers describe her in 3 words:
 Carrie: courages, "simpatico" and a damn good laugh with Proseco at 8 in the morning!
 Annie: Inquisitive, Kindhearted, and Luminous.
 Rochelle: Content, Wise, and Warm

Handy travel hints: Having travelled & trekked through Egypt & Thailand, an essential item I carried was Antibacterical Handwash.It requires no water and comes in a handy pocket size! Use it before you eat & after, and of course for the trip to the bathroom or nearest bush! The best way to avoid stomach bugs, as many stomach bugs are not caused by the food you eat, but by the person who handled the food before you! Also, Babywipes are essential when you are sweating & just need a wipe down when there’s no where to take a shower!

Dream Vacation(s): Somewhere really obscure & remote - sailing the islands of the South Pacific?

Places she has called home: New Zealand - Tokoroa & Wellington. England - Kent, Hampshire, London. Scotland - Edinburgh. Europe - Venezia!

Best or most bizzare vacation ever:
 Doing the Haggis 6 day tour of bonnie Scotland & falling into the ’Fairy Brook’ where apparently the Fairies live & grant you luck if you dip your head in the water. I now have a life time supply of Fairy Luck!

 My 6 week ’first time traveling’ through Asia on my own. A lifetime of an experience, flying into Bangkok, strolling Kho San Road, over-night trains to Chaing Mai in the north. Trekking in the wilderness for a week, 4 hour river rafting on a make-shift bamboo raft, a day of riding the elephants to our next stop, experiencing the hospitatily of the Hilltribes & their simple & happy way of life. The tranquil islands & beaches of Southern Thailand. The people you meet traveling on your own.

 Egypt: the fellucas & history along the Nile’s banks. Drinking ’Donkey Tea’, a Nubian natural remedy made out of lemons & chamomille to soothe upset tummies!

Best 3 websites:
 www.guardian.co.uk - The Guardian Newspaper website, great for catching up on world news if you can’t get your hands on a newspaper. Also a fantastic site for the Arts - reviews of theatre, galleries, what’s up and coming, etc. Brilliant site for jobs across all sectors.

 www.thegumtree.com - a typical community website for Aussies, Kiwis & SA. Loaded with flatshares, buying & selling of cameras, plane/train/concert tickets, jobs etc.

 www.lonelyplanet.com - an easy site to use & get general information on other coutries. Great for ’ah where do I feel like going today’. The photo gallery is superb, and there’s a community area too where you can post all of your travel questions and have them answered by follow travellers!