By Jae-Ha Kim
Tribune Media Services
October 30, 2007
Born and raised in North Dakota, Josh Duhamel was best known to fans as the head of security on the NBC series “Las Vegas.” That is, until he landed a co-starring role in the summer blockbuster “Transformers,” which is currently the year’s top-selling DVD.
“It was so much fun making that movie,” says Duhamel, 34. “People ask if it was difficult to physically prepare for the role of a soldier, but it wasn’t really hard work to be honest. I was expecting an intense boot camp where they would kick (our butts) for three weeks. But it was kind of fun. It was more difficult getting all the terminology correct. I had a mouthful of words that I kept getting wrong – I think it took about 20 takes for me to finally get one scene correct.”
Duhamel, who dates Black Eyed Peas singer Fergie, currently is back on set filming “Las Vegas,” but he’s looking forward to going away on another trip to some place warm and relaxing. For now, he reminisces about one of his favorite vacations, bar none.
THE BEST PLACE TO GET AWAY FROM IT ALL: I haven’t been to as many places as I’d like to get to, but I do have a few favorite destinations. (Fergie) and I go to Mexico the most, ’cause it’s so easy to get there from Los Angeles. Cabo San Lucas is a favorite for us. But the most beautiful place I’ve ever been to is the Cinque Terre in Italy. It literally translates into the five terrains and it’s just gorgeous.
THE FIRST TIME: I was in the Cinque Terre for the first time about six years ago. I remember looking around and just being amazed. It’s right on the Mediterranean and has a gorgeous view, no matter which way you look. It really is a breathtaking place.
SOUVENIRS? NOT SO MUCH: I don’t like to buy a lot of things when I travel. But I do enjoy experiencing the culture and taking my memories from there. They had some amazing wine in Italy, and it was cheaper than water! And back then I didn’t have a lot of money to spend so I took full advantage of the wine. I had enough to get by, but I couldn’t afford to stay at the Four Seasons or anything fancy. But even though I can spend a little more these days, I think it’s actually better to travel simply. Just pack up and go and don’t worry about taking your entire closet with you.
FAVORITE MEMORIES: I remember walking around the Cinque Terre and taking a nice nap on the beach. And it wasn’t because I was tired …
LOW MAINTENANCE KIND OF GUY: I travel light out of laziness. If I don’t have to check any baggage, all the better. I hate waiting in lines, only to find that your luggage has been lost. I don’t need a lot when I travel. Just some clean clothes and it usually fits into a carry-on. Now, when I travel with Fergie that’s a different story all together. But she’s special and one of a kind. I don’t mind waiting with her for anything. She’s worth it.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT CINQUE TERRE:
WHERE IT IS: Located southwest of Tuscany, the Cinque Terre is just off the Ligurian Sea.
POPULATION: 6,000.
SIZE: 4 square miles.
CURRENCY: Euro.
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: Italian.
FACTOID: The Cinque Terre is on the World Monument Fund list. Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore are the five villages that make up the Cinque Terre. Fly to the Cristoforo Colombo International Airport in Genoa and the Galileo Galilei International Airport in Pisa to travel to Cinque Terre. Read more about the Cinque Terre at www.cinqueterre.it.
© 2007 JAE-HA KIM
DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
