Memoirs of a travel host
By May Seah, TODAY | Posted: 13 November 2009 0843 hrs

	Photos  of
	Related News • Zhang Ziyi to produce English film "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan" • Zhang Ziyi in S'pore for opening of Omega watch boutique

SINGAPORe : What is life like in Zhang Ziyi's world? That's a question that truly continues to mystify.

At times dripping with sweetness, at times a foot-stamping diva, but usually quite vague and guarded, you can never really tell what this international movie star - who has been thrice named one of People magazine's most beautiful people - is thinking.

Perhaps, though, you can learn more about her through the "Zhang Ziyi Travel Series", in which the Beijing-born actress plays host on a journey of discovery to exotic locations. In it, she watches endangered turtles hatch on a beach, dances with Bedouin warrior-musicians in Oman, and stars in a high-fashion photo shoot on the steppes of Inner Mongolia.

The National Geographic programme is produced with the support of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, for which Zhang is a Global Ambassador.

"Through this project, I am now able to fully appreciate everything that nature provides to us in our daily lives. This trip has helped me realise the importance of protecting the environment," said the 30-year-old in Mandarin over the phone from Borocay.

Very politically correct for someone who needed Internet connection in her grassland tent. But hey, it isn't easy looking this good. One always needs a place to plug in one's hairdryer.


What did you find difficult or challenging about the project?

We spent some nights sleeping outdoors in the desert. In Mongolia, I had a Mongolian tent with Internet connection and a TV, so it didn't feel like a camp. I assumed the conditions would be the same in the Middle East, but I was wrong. The tent was made out of four poles with cloth draped over them. One evening, there was a big sandstorm and the local people said to put our shoes upside down in case scorpions crawled inside! It was very cold. And we had our meals and brushed our teeth in the desert storm without electricity.


Tell us about the fashion shoot you did in inner Mongolia with photographer Yu Tsai, featuring brands like Gucci, Hermes, Armani and Prada.

It was very fashionable. We had a different theme for each place, such as the ocean in Inner Mongolia. We have shared our photos with fashion magazines, and I think the combination of fashion, nature and animals is splendid.


How did you feel about modelling haute couture in such poor places?

You imagine the people there to be poor and unfortunate but, honestly, I think they are doing well. We didn't stay there for long, so we didn't see the contrast between the rich and the poor. We saw how passionate and happy the Oman people are. We saw groups of men wearing traditional costumes having friendly chats every day.


Catch "Zhang Ziyi Travel Series" on Saturday at 10pm on the National Geographic Channel (StarHub TV Ch 11).

- TODAY/il