“How I Travel” with Actress Morgana O’Reilly
The New Zealand-born White Lotus star is set to appear in upcoming drama Playing Gracie Darling and once travelled solo to 17 countries in eight months. Here are her insights.
Where’s your favourite place in the world?
I met my husband [director Peter Salmon] at a mutual friend’s 30th birthday in New York – a stupidly romantic place to fall in love. We spent the next two weeks going to galleries like the Guggenheim, The Met and the American Museum of Natural History.
The book that inspired you to travel?
The Memoirs of Cleopatra by Margaret George. It’s about an empowering figure who represents adventure, intrigue and courage.
What’s the show that takes you away?
Ripley. It’s filmed in black and white and set in and around Atrani on Italy’s Amalfi Coast, with devastatingly beautiful scenery.
Your must-listen holiday songs?
Lively Up Yourself by Bob Marley takes me back to summer holidays in New Zealand. And Even After All by Finley Quaye.
Top destinations on your bucket list?
The Tonnara di Scopello on the Sicilian coast and Alexandria in Egypt, to scuba-dive the ruins of Cleopatra’s underwater palace.
The hotel you’d return to in a second?
The Four Seasons Resort in Koh Samui, Thailand. I stayed there while filming The White Lotus [O’Reilly played wellness mentor Pam in season three]. Everybody made me feel part of the family and they had the best Danish pastries.
Your perfect travel memory?
Bundi in Rajasthan, India, visiting the Taragarh Fort. A young kid took us through and invited us home for dinner. One of the best meals I’ve ever had was sitting next to the little lake there and eating Rajasthani thali – a selection of curries and rice. We still talk about it.
What are your travel essentials?
A sleep mask and SkinCeuticals face masks.
