*A Special Request*

While I was working on ships years ago, I was able to bring to my Sister, Brother, Mother and Grandmother each on a cruise with me. My Dad was never able to come out and cruise.

During my childhood my Dad ran his own Chiropractic Clinic in Northern California. He worked hard to provide a comfortable living for his family. Running your own business often means great sacrifice - and in my Dad's case, it meant that if he vacationed, we had no income. We went on a few family trips over the years - Disneyland and family visits, but more often than not, my Mother would pack us kids up in the car and my Dad would stay behind to run his practice.

My Dad has always been amazingly supportive of my travels. He gets so excited for me to go on trips and loves to see the pictures I bring home. He sent me on my first trip to Europe - at the age of 18, and it changed my life forever.

Dad has had a lifelong dream - to visit the beautiful shores of New Zealand. As with many others, the years have not been kind to my parent's financial situation. Dad turns 70 this year, and though he has retired from Chiropractic, he is still working odd jobs to make ends meet, which means that travel is a luxury that my parents cannot afford.

Last year Dad suffered from a series of strokes, impairing his speech and ability to walk. Since then, he's recovered wonderfully - he can walk and talk normally again - But he tires easily, and I fear he won't be with us for much longer. I want more than anything to take my Dad to New Zealand. I want to share my passion for travel with my Father. I want him to be able to see it's green, lush hills and breathtaking expanses and to fulfill lifelong his dream.

I think that an overland trip would be too much for him, he can't do much walking or strenuous activity. So I had the thought to take him on a cruise. However, cruising NZ is extremely pricey. Add in airfare and excursions for two and that kind of trip is way beyond my reach!


I recently learned that Princess Cruises is having a contest. 
It's called the Bucket List contest.
I entered my favorite travel story for the chance to win a cruise for two to anywhere - including New Zealand!!

So here's where you come in.
If you've got a Facebook account, you can help me win a trip for Dad by clicking on the following link:

http://apps.facebook.com/princess_bucketlist/entries/view/719

-That link will take you to my contest entry.
-At the top of the page, click the "LIKE" button to "Like" Princess Cruises.
-Once you've done that, you can click "Vote for this".

YOU CAN VOTE ONCE PER DAY, STARTING TODAY UNTIL FEBRUARY 25th!

So please, dear readers, bookmark that link and tell your friends. Tell your friends to tell their friends, and vote every day!  Let's take Dad to New Zealand!!!


THANK YOU!

Love,
Christy

Faraway Fantasy Friday: New Zealand

My little sister is going on her first business trip in a couple of weeks. And boy, oh boy is it a doozy! She'll be going to New Zealand for ten days!!! How cool is that?

Hopefully there will be a little bit of time for her to see a few sights while she's there.

I've always wanted to go to Australia, but New Zealand hasn't held the same fascination for me. But given that little sis is going, I've looked up some factoids + some of the amazing things there are to do/see there:

Factoids (from Lonely Planet)

Fast Facts about New Zealand

• Unemployment 3.5%
• Number of NZ glaciers over 100m long 3100
• Area 268, 680 sq km (similar to Colorado, bigger than the UK)
• Inflation 3.2%
• Population 4.2 million humans, 40 million sheep
• Number of international visitors 2.2 million in 2007
• Width of Cook Strait 23km (14 miles)
• Life expectancy 100 for tuatara (lizards); up to 2000 for kauri trees
• GDP growth 2.6%
• Number of microbreweries 45 in 2007

Here is what Nomadic Matt suggests you see whilst in New Zealand: (http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-guides/new-zealand-travel-tips/)

• Queenstown. The action capital of New Zealand, this is one of the funnest cities I’ve ever been in. There’s a lot of activities to do in the area, amazing restaurants, and the best night life in New Zealand. Everyone who comes ends up staying longer.
• Franz Josef Glacier. Hiking these glaciers is pretty amazing. Be sure to crawl through the glacier tunnels!
• Tongariro Crossing. Labeled the best one day hike in New Zealand, this walk takes you through where they filmed Mordor in Lord of the Rings. The walk takes a full day and is one of the most beautiful places I saw in New Zealand.
• Bay of Islands. North of Auckland, this area is great for dolphin and whale watching, relaxing on the beach, swimming, boating, and eating great seafood.
• Bungy Jump. Any adrenaline seeker worth his salt will do the 143 meter Nevis Bungy Jump outside of Queenstown. If that’s too high, there are smaller ones in Auckland and Queenstown.
• Skydive. Another popular adventure activity, sky diving is best down over Lake Taupo. It provides the best backdrop as you plunge to Earth from 14,000 ft.
• Abel Tasman National Park. Located in the south island, this national park looks like something out of Asia with its turquoise blue water, dense jungles, and warm temperatures. There is great multi-day hiking and beautiful sea kayaking.
• Wellington. New Zealand’s capital has great architecture, character, great nightlife, restaurants, and cultural activities.
• Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Explore these caves in sheer darkness with nothing but the glow of glowworms to guide your way. It’s an exciting activity as you float down rivers and jump over waterfalls.
• Maori Cultural Show. Maori culture is important to understanding life in New Zealand. You find Maori symbols and words throughout the country. See a cultural show while you are there to get a better understanding of life in New Zealand and its native population.
• Dolphin and Whale Watching. Whether you go from the Bay of Islands, Auckland, or down in the south island, New Zealand is a great place to spot dolphins and whales.
• Skiing. During the winter months, the south island, especially the are around Queenstown, has snow covered mountains that offer some of the best skiing in the southern hemisphere.
• Rotorua. Rotorua is famous for its Maori cultural shows and for its smell. All around the city are sulfur mud pits that give the city a unique odor. If you are looking for a place to relax, Rotorua and the variety of spas they have here is the place to go.