Always impeccably dressed with a great eye for style Manjula is professionally qualified in Marketing and Management, and has worked in the hospitality trade for over 10 years. Now happily retired with one kid and a husband who has a thirst for exploring new destinations Manjula states her views on travel.

Why do you love to travel?

Travel opens my mind to other cultures and offers me experiences that I will treasure for life.

Your favourite travel destination and why?

Malaysia. As it is a country rich in culture as well as being modern.

What do you need for a perfect holiday?

I always travel with my family and my perfect holiday would be if there is something that each member of my family can enjoy. For example, my husband loves to take picture of wildlife and my daughter loves to visit game parks and I love to go shopping. So if we can combine all these aspects in one holiday, this will be ideal.

In which country have you felt most at home?

Singapore. There I feel free and protected and even at night a lady can walk alone undisturbed without getting hassled.

Most unusual souvenir you have brought home?

The most unusual souvenir I bought home is an exotic wall art from India. It was so abstract and weird that I could not bring myself to hang it on the wall.

Your worst travel experience?

At Bombay airport when I was travelling alone and the customs officers thought they can harass me being a female travelling alone.

Best piece of travel advice?

Pack lightly, leave room to bring back more than you take.

Your top 5 destinations?

Malaysia, Kenya, Singapore, USA and Hong Kong.

What has travel taught you?

To appreciate other cultures, meet new people and be open to others opinions and most of all enjoy and experience what the world has to offer while we are young and able to do so.

Where did you taste the best cuisine?

It was in India. Partly because I was employed by an Indian hotel chain and got to taste the best cuisine the best hotels in that country had to offer.

Next travel destination?

Kenya.

By Tina Edward Gunawardhana