Please visit news.com.au and go to newstext
Sarah Davies, 19, a business student at the Queensland University of Technology, has already made several trips abroad. And as Australia's representative in the Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico next month, she'll soon be packing her bags again. If she wins the world crown, Davies will receive more than $600,000 in prizes and live a year in New York courtesy of the quest owner, Donald Trump.
When was your first trip abroad?
When I was only six months old. My family went to live in Malaysia. Dad is an engineer and we had three years in Kuala Lumpur. It was wonderful experience and gave me an acceptance of different styles and cultures. Since then we have been to the Canada and the US, and when I was a teenager the family went to France, Germany, Austria and Switzerland and the Czech Republic. I'll never forget it.
What are your most memorable travel experiences?
I adored Vienna; the history, the architecture, the tree-lined boulevardes. I also found the German opera to be full of emotion and very moving. I also did some skiing in Utah in 1995 and that was great. And I remember going to Ayers Rock when I was eight. We travelled through the desert on the Ghan train from Adelaide to Alice Springs.
What is the best hotel you stayed in?
We had one Christmas in Vienna staying at the Imperial Palace. It was absolutely amazing. I also enjoyed staying at the historic Banff Springs Hotel. It is said to be haunted but it is full of character with panoramic views. I love that part of the world because I love skiing.
What was the worst hotel you stayed in?
I can't remember the name but it was in Carcassonne in France. We had been driving all day and we arrived late. We didn't have a booking so we had to take what we could get. It was the middle of winter. I can remember it was tiny and and horrible.
Your favourite souvenir?
I went on a study trip to China with the school. What a fascinating country. I brought back a stamp and sealing wax kit. It gives me fond memories of China.
What do you least like about travel?
Unpacking when you get home.
Who would you most like to sit near on a long flight.?
John F. Kennedy. He was such an interesting person. I wouldn't mind sitting next to Nelson Mandela either.