Tauranga was the last port of call before Auckland. Tauranga is a beautiful, charming and unique island. The main streets are made of a colorful tile and flower baskets hanging all along the way.  That Saturday, we were watching a boat and canoe race along with many other spectators. The event was to raise money for breast cancer cure and research. We were touched by that good cause, as my daughter Vicki is a cancer survivor. Four years ago, Vicki was diagnosed with stage 3b IBC, Inflammatory Breast Cancer, she lost both breasts. I know what my daughter went through for a year and a half with Chemo and radiation with suffering and pain along with the rest of my family because we all felt pain with her.  Life is fragile and we learn not to take anything for granted anymore. Everyday is a blessing and a gift from God. One more reason we shouldn’t postpone today for tomorrow, tomorrow may never come.  After two weeks of the Cruiser, we finally said goodbye to the friends we shared time with during the trip.  After that we checked into our hotel in Auckland. It reminds me of any other big city, quite modern and many high rising buildings.  We toured the town, did two days of shopping, and then took the fary boat to visit two islands.  One impressed me more than any words I can ever tell.  See Vicki’s Blog for the best explanation.  New Zealand is a big green country, just like I always thought it was.  After 4 days in Auckland, we flew to Fiji for 4 more days where we had made reservations at the Westin Resort. My first impressions of Fiji, I thought it was a little part of heaven, beautiful, sunny beaches, warm water, golf courses, green trees and flowers all over. Our hotel was an old traditional resort with the style and the charm of the Polynesian culture with very modern amenities. Our accommodations were also superb; we had a veranda overlooking the ocean, a perfect place to relax. All we wanted to do was lay on the beach, swim in the warm water, and enjoy it all poolside. Two days after, we were cooked pretty well from the sun. A few miles away from our hotel, there was a little town called Marina Beach. Every night we would go to diner at different restaurants and try different food. It was a place where at night everything came alive. Music, dancing and entertainment, yes Fiji is a beautiful Island, but there is a part of the land in the narrows island that is not so beautiful and rich. Tourists very seldom get to see it.  People are very poor and have nothing. Last January, they had a flood of water, 4 ft high that almost destroyed the town and the village.  We visited and met some of those people. They are kind, friendly and contented. They all speak the native language plus English and they also love America. Fiji was the last destination of our trip. We packed and hit the road for the airport. We left Sunday at midnight with Air pacific with 20+ hours in flight. We arrived home in Phoenix on Sunday night at 8 pm.  It was a long trip. I don’t remember Monday and Tuesday as I slept through day and night feeling like a zombie, but I honestly say I was blessed to have made 5 weeks of a memorable journey. Not only will I never forget, but also I wouldn’t have missed it for anything in this world. 

Love, Momma