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By Selene Brophy
August 13th, 2008

Andrew Barnes is always open for a lunch date, if it involves television breaking news that is.

And a 'day at the office' happens to be one of his most memorable travel experiences.

GoTravel24.com: You're the face of SA’s prime time and lunchtime news on etv, what’s the most challenging aspect of your job?

Andrew Barnes: "Definitely being up to date and on top of whatever is happening in the world.

I never know when there might be a major development on a story while I’m on air, so I have to be as prepared as possible.

I also never know when I might have to ad-lib on an issue, so I need plenty of facts, dates and time-lines at the ready. My “homework” is reading as many newspapers as I can get my hands on, and that’s especially on a Sunday.

Enjoy all the creature comforts of your holiday. Book a competitive package deal today!

Where’s the most interesting location your career has taken you to thus far?

" I can’t really pinpoint one place, as I’ve been lucky enough to travel to all sorts of places during my career, including The Comoros, Los Angeles, Washington DC, Switzerland and the home of the Olympic movement in Lausanne.

But I would say covering Diana’s funeral in London in 1997 was perhaps the most memorable 'day at the office'.

How do you unwind from the stresses of the job?

"Now that I’m no longer in management, I find it much easier to unwind when I’m away from the studio.

I have the best job in the world. To unwind though, there’s nothing quite like a walk on the beach with the dogs, or a trundle into the Winelands.

Do you mind being recognised while taking a break, any particular instance that stands out?

I’ve become quite used to that side of the job, so it no longer irritates me, but I do have to watch my “Ps and Qs” when in public.

One Sunday morning my partner and I were standing in the queue at Pick ‘n Pay, when the woman in front of us recognised me from just listening to my voice…! Thank goodness we weren’t gossiping about her shoes at the time…

You’re also one of SA’s first gay couples to get married after the landmark constitutional ruling – where did you go for your honeymoon and what was it like?

"We travelled through Singapore to Langkawi, Malaysia, which has to be one of the most beautiful islands on Earth.

Nestled on the border with Thailand, it’s full of palm-fringed beaches, craggy limestone cliffs, masses of tropical rain-forest, and thousands of little islands dotted in the ocean. The sea was the colour of jade, the cocktails perfect. Need I say anymore?

Tell us about your most recent holiday?

"We do like to get away at weekends when we can. Most recently we were in Paternoster, which I like to think of as “Greyton-on-Sea”. We’re planning a trip to Rajasthan in India for next year, but that’s another story…

Are you a bush baby, eco adventurer, extreme thrill-seeker, beach bandit, or five-star freak?

"Mmmm – good question – and I’m not sure, but I suppose I’m not much of a bush-baby.

I love my creature-comforts, but they don’t necessarily have to be 5-star.

As long as the sheets are crisp and clean and the room’s devoid of creepy-crawlies, I’m usually fine. Wherever I go though, I make a point of soaking up everything the place has to offer, be it para-sailing, eating sea-cucumbers or turkey bacon, or kayaking though the mangroves.

Your favourite hangout in the global village is...

"Without a doubt, New York City.

Your travel nightmare would have to be...

"Lots of screaming children during a long flight, with parents who seem oblivious. Oh, and I never want to see those oxygen masks come out of the ceiling…!

Your idea of travelling in style is...

"A first class flight to London. A transatlantic cruise on the Queen Mary 2 and a first class flight home from New York.

Have you had or made any mile-high club propositions?

"No. My partner and I have seriously thought about it, but the toilets are just too small for the two of us.

Your ideal travel companion is...

"The man I married. Nothing fazes him while he’s travelling; he’s taught me to leave my watch at home when we travel; and he can negotiate with a taxi driver regardless of any language barrier. He rocks.

Tip to make and not break the holiday...

"Go with the flow."

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First and foremost

Submitted by gt24.editor.selene on Fri, 08/15/2008 - 09:55.

First and foremost the person quoting spiritual scriptures also used derogatory terms in the very same comment.

We've decide to remove all comments that incite religious arguments and hate speech, please refer note above.

Thanks

Selene

Please note...

Submitted by gt24.editor.selene on Fri, 08/15/2008 - 09:34.

I would herby like to attest to the fact that GoTravel24 is not a forum for hate speech, nor a platform for the religious polemic - any comments relating to or inciting this train of argument will be deleted.

Thanks
Selene

Hi Selene Perhaps you could

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 08/15/2008 - 08:17.

Hi Selene

Perhaps you could explain why you chose to delete one post about this matter, and one post only. I am referring to the one that has Christian and Jewish scripture contained in The Bible. You deleted this one even though it presented fundamental reasons why we disagree with this kind of lifestyle.

Are the 7,000,0000 or so devout (read fundamentalist) Christians, Muslims and Jews supposed to read into this that our interest in travel and the Rands we spend not important to your organisation? Or is the Pink Dollar, which represents around 750,000 gays in South Africa of more interest to you?

I suggest that you guys make your position clear. I can't believe that you'd choose to delete scripture, but then leave comments about gays contemplating having sex on a plane. This on a free-to-view website that carries no warning about explicit talk, and certainly has no "Adult Content" warning on any of the search engines I've checked.

Please help me understand.

Thanks
Frank Michaels

He is Unprofessional

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 08/14/2008 - 12:48.

This Barnes is NOT a Profesional
HE is Quick to IMPOSE his Lifestyle and on us i have seen and heard him do it often on us
And as for being a News Reader
He relishes Running down things that dont agree with him ON AIR!
News readers are supposed to be impartial or is it OK for him to do it because he is Gay

Andrew Rocks...............

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 08/14/2008 - 11:47.

For those of you who have not noticed, we have entered a new age of acceptance and tolerance. There used to be a time where we feared and tried to pull down those who are diffirent to us. That time has defenitely passed, except in the heads of a few it seems. Andrew I hope you read this, because, most people will have nothing but respect for you. Not only do I think you are exceptionally talented, but you are also the best news Anchor on SA television. Well done and I will defenitely keep on watching.

HONESTY

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 08/14/2008 - 11:42.

ANDREW WAS ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERED THEM WITH HONESTY.
HOW MANY OF YOU "FINGURE-POINTERS" WOULD DO THE SAME IF ASKED THOSE EXACT QUESTIONS?(BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF NOW!!)
AND AS TO NOT WATCHING E-TV ANYMORE, HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW OF THE PERSONAL LIVES OF ANY TV PRESENTER, ACTOR, ETC. HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE PERSONAL LIFE OF YOUR DENTIST, AND THE SPECIALIST WHO MIGHT ONEDAY OPERATE ON YOU?
SHOULD WE BANISH ALL PEOPLE WITH DIFFERENT LIFESTYLES TO OURS?
IS THIS NOT WHY THE WORLD IS IN THE STATE IT IS?
ANDREW, I GIVE YOU 10 OUT OF 10 FOR YOUR PROFESSIONALISM IN WHAT YOU DO AND TAKE MY HAT OFF TO YOU FOR BEING SO HONEST.

TRAVELLING WITH A PARTNER SUCKS!!!!!

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 08/14/2008 - 05:58.

I dated a girl for 4 years. everything waqs a rosy as can be. We were hopelessly in love with each other until we went on a two month overseas trip.

Things went pear shaped from day one. We were both out of our safety zones, in foreign countries, different traditions, hot women everywhere and different way of life in general and the result is that we fought like cats and dogs (she's the dog)!

Needless to say, we broke up when we came back...got back together months later but she dumped me again two years later coz i was full of cr@p. Boo-friggin-hoo!

So if you planning to spend your life with someone do yourself a favour and go and travel with them and i dont mean to Hermanus or Durban. Go overseas and spend time there together and you'll see a new side to your relationship. Then decide if you want to marry your partner. There is a 2 to 1 chance you wont.

Selene Brophy You must be

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 08/14/2008 - 02:35.

Selene Brophy

You must be very desperate if you interview people like Andrew.

Why not?

Submitted by gt24.editor.selene on Wed, 08/13/2008 - 23:21.

Hi Carmen..

I appreciate the sentiment - for the record I implied nothing. Amor and Joost did in fact have a terrible time in Atlanta, en route to Canada, due to Jordan being sick. I certainly would agree with you and feel your ‘poor journalism' remark would be valid if you weren't able to click through and get the full story - because we all know what happens when we assume...

Andrew was asked if he'd like any revision to his questions, but he's made a life commitment to his partner so why should he feel any shame in mentioning how much fun he has with his husband while travelling - and subsequently - why should I not mention it or revel in the fact that we have a slick and successful news anchor who actually has a life. I’m also proud to say he will be contributing to the site on a regular basis.

Not only that, Cape Town is celebrated as a pink destination and I’m sure many would find this information interesting and value his opinion on reputable places to visit.

I’d also love to hear your take on mainstream shows like Queer eye for the straight guy or Nate's very public loss of his life partner in the tsunami, which Oprah chose to dedicate an entire segment to. But not for one minute am I implying that I want to be like Oprah :)

For the record it is not found anywhere in the header and is only mentioned in the blurb. Please keep the feedback coming, it keeps us on our toes.

Thanks

Selene

GoTravel24.com Editor

Good for him!

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 08/13/2008 - 19:42.

I'm glad to see a high-profile journalist come out and say his married without fear. I'm a man, who's also happily married to another man.

The bigotry and homophobia in these comments is to be expected. However, the constitution and marriage act allow all South Africans equal rights. Just the way it should be! We should be proud, not ashamed!

Gay

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 08/13/2008 - 18:58.

The polarity of certain comments amuses me.

His Husband????

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 08/13/2008 - 18:26.

This is SICK!!!
No wonder we are not winning any medals at the Olympics.
We are obsessed with this stupid stuff. "His Husband" We as a nation need to repent and get back to morals and God.

Nope

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 08/13/2008 - 18:12.

I will no longer watch E-News with this man.

Kevin

Pathetic

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 08/13/2008 - 18:00.

You people are actually PATHETIC.
Barnes is a great journalist, and a rather nice piece of eye-candy to boot.
Who gives a flying you-know-what whether he's married to a man or a woman??

Mile High Club

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 08/13/2008 - 15:41.

You are not a member of the Mile High Club unless you do it on the seat! The toilet doesn't count.

And yes I agree, it was unnecessary and sensationalist to mention the husband in the heading.

PS yes I am a proper member of the Mile High Club, a few times over ...

You rock!

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 08/13/2008 - 15:26.

Andrew Barnes, who cares that you have a husband!! Not sure why the editor decided to add that to the column heading. maybe to sensationalize everything, but well, who cares. You are a great personality and love, i wish you and yes YOUR HUSBAND enough love!

Vanessa

Why mention his 'husband' in the header?

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 08/13/2008 - 14:28.

Does News24 Travel have an editor? Your previous travel article implied that Joost vd Westhuizen's wife had a dismal travelling experience in Canada...the actual article had ONE line about it and technically had NOTHING to do with Canada!

With Andrew Barnes, mention of his husband in the header is pure sensationalism! Who cares that he has a husband besides News24 who wishes to make it a public fact! If I was a celebrity, I'd tell you to take a 1-way ticket to Mars! Poor journalism!

I wonder what these celebrities think of how you position their travel experiences.

Carmen

Each to his own, people -

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 08/13/2008 - 13:48.

Each to his own, people - each to his own...

I might not like it, but that's not to say someone else doesn't!

Primetravel

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 08/13/2008 - 10:53.

Why are you worried and sad? There is nothing wrong with gay people. I have gay driends and they are wonderful. There is nothing sad about it at all and I find your comment insulting.