Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

OT Your most favourite places in the world
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan I&rsquom very quick to feel at home in any place. So, don&rsquot even get me started on my favourite places (laughs) South Africa has a special place in my heart. When I went there for the Miss World pageant in 1994, I realised I&rsquod be away from everyone for a month. I had this sense that my life was going to change and it did Immediately after that, I went to London, to spend a year there as Miss World.

Dancing atop the Great Wall of China for Jeans was an unusual experience. In fact, I owe it to (director) Shankar, who has made me see parts of the world that I probably wouldn&rsquot have otherwise. Machu Picchu, for instance, where we shot for Robot.

Visually, I loved Tunisia and Slovakia while shooting for The Last Legion. I was bowled over by Tunisia&rsquos spectacular beauty. The places were quaint and simple. Slovakia was familiar because I&rsquod been to Prague. It&rsquos amazing how a place can be so cold and yet so green.

OT What do you do in a place that you haven&rsquot been to before
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan I&rsquoll go out and experience a place. I love walking that way, you feel the pulse of the place, get to connect with the people and the culture. Yes, I&rsquom recognised anywhere, and I&rsquom responsible about it, but I don&rsquot mind it. People come up to shake hands or bless me.

OT Do you remember your first overseas trip
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan I must have been eight my dad was a marine engineer, and we went to Japan. Travel was a way of life for us and often we had our bags packed permanently.

OT How is travelling different now
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Everything is rushed. Everything is a 14-hour or 18-hour flight to &lsquojust an overnighter&rsquo I do it so often and there are always commitments to juggle.

OT What do you bring back from your holidays
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Memories, lots of them Friends for a lifetime and, sometimes, clothes and lots of toys for my daughter Occasionally, I pick up quirky things such as feathers and curios.

OT What places would you like to visit
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan I would like to go to the polar regions once Aaradhya is a little older.