As you all know I’ve been working in the casino industry for just over 10 years working initially on land then working on cruise ships at sea.

I started at Auckland casino and left in 1997 to head off to Australia. I moved to Sydney because I was looking for a change and got it! Sydney was huge!!!!! With lots of new challenges and a fresh perspective on where I was in life and where I wanted to head. I made tons of friends and had an absolute blast.

In 2000 I decided to move on and fulfill some of my other goals that had for some time been put aside. Yes the kiwi dream of travel. When this girl decides to travel she doesn’t just buy a bus pass. So far I have done between 80 and 90 countries and the number is still climbing.

My first contract I did 54 countries and by the time I got to England I was pooped. I did so many things on my to-do list.

I visited the Komodo dragons on Komodo island in Indonesia. I went to the Taj Mahal in India and while I was there I got one hell of a case of Delhi Belly. I have ridden camels around the pyramids, seen countless ruins, churches and architectural feats.

Later I changed cruise lines and did things like dog sledding in Alaska to joining in Carnival celebrations in Rio, to getting sunburned on the beaches of Aruba.

It seems for everything that I finally manage to do, three more things pop up in their place that I would also like to do.

I have become a bit more domestic in the last three years having bought a property in South Australia. It’s a four bedroom house with a pool and granny flat. I rent out the house to help pay the mortgage and live in the granny flat (Mi Casita) when I am home and use it for storage when I am away working.

It is now time for me to head back out to sea for six months. I keep getting asked when am I going to give it all up. I don’t have an answer for that. I guess I will keep doing it until I am ready to give it up.

If in my travels I get the opportunity to see any of you, I would try love to see you all. Until I do take care

Hugs, Tanya