| In my quiet moments, I sometimes fantasise about | | | | watching from Kaikoura but were thwarted by bad |
| how I would spend my lottery winnings should my | | | | weather so we would definitely schedule that into |
| numbers ever come up. And with odds of 14 million | | | | the itinerary and hope the weather gods looked on |
| to 1, or thereabouts, I'm afraid fantasy is all it's likely | | | | us more favourably second time around. Other stops |
| to be! Of course, one of the great pleasures of | | | | on our grand tour would take in The Coromandel and |
| winning would be the sharing of my good fortune | | | | The Tongariro National Park on the North Island. |
| with family, friends and favourite charities but once | | | | 3. China |
| their needs were met, my thoughts would quickly | | | | Like many other people last year, I watched the |
| turn to travel. So, of all the incredible places and | | | | coverage of the Beijing Olympic Games on TV and |
| experiences the world has to offer, what would be | | | | became increasingly interested in visiting China. If my |
| on my lottery list? | | | | lottery win happens soon, I may even make it in |
| 1. The Galapagos | | | | time for the eclipse! Must see sites would of course, |
| Topical, in this anniversary year of Charles Darwin, | | | | include The Great Wall, The Terracotta Army, |
| The Galapagos would definitely be somewhere near | | | | Tiananmen Square and The Forbidden City. |
| the top of my list. Located 1,000 kilometres off the | | | | 4. African SafariIt has long been a dream of mine to |
| coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands are a | | | | see big cats, elephants, giraffes and other exotic |
| National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The | | | | animals in the wild. Safari holidays are very popular |
| islands are described as a living laboratory of | | | | these days and unfortunately can be very expensive |
| evolution where birds and animals have no fear of | | | | but with my lottery winnings in hand, I could afford |
| man. Being able to get this close to such | | | | the best! I think it's really important to do your |
| extraordinary wildlife, which roam as freely as they | | | | research when planning this type of holiday. There |
| did thousands of years ago, would really be a unique | | | | are lots of options when it comes to location and |
| experience. Unfortunately, the islands and their flora | | | | type of experience and timing can also be a key |
| and fauna are at risk from the increasing amount of | | | | issue. |
| tourism, so it would be important to find a holiday | | | | 5. Skiing in StyleSkiing is one of my passions and no |
| with the smallest possible impact on the environment. | | | | travel list would be complete without a great ski |
| 2. New Zealand | | | | holiday. So where would I go? Whistler, in Canada, |
| We were lucky enough to visit New Zealand a few | | | | has been my favourite resort since my first visit in |
| years ago and there were several places we visited | | | | 1993. I haven't been there since 2002, so I think |
| which I would like to go back and devote more time | | | | doing Whistler "in style" would be my ski holiday of |
| to. One of which is Abel Tasman National Park on the | | | | choice. "In style" would mean first class travel, |
| northern coast of the South Island. Famous for its | | | | helicopter transfers, private ski instructors, staying at |
| golden beaches, granite cliffs and the Abel Tasman | | | | the Chateau Whistler and eating at great restaurants |
| Coast Track, it is New Zealand's smallest National | | | | like The Bearfoot Bistro. |
| Park. And as a lottery winner, I would definitely | | | | Well, I think that would keep me busy for a |
| indulge myself and stay in the heart of the park at | | | | while...long enough to think of a few more |
| the wonderful Awaroa Lodge. | | | | experiences to add to the list anyway! |
| On our previous trip, we also tried to go whale | | | | |