This is not so much a vacation I *can* relive as it is a vacation I *want* to relive.

As a young little smokie, my parents took my sister and me to Nairobi and Mombasa so we could learn all about animals.

We went on a safari and saw monkeys, elephants, lions, cheetahs, jaguars and giraffes. Later, at the zoo, my dad insisted that my mom go inside a leopard cage and take a photograph with the cats. The result is a hilarious photo with my mom looking horrified.

We spent mornings drinking fresh juice out of coconuts and feeding fruit to the monkeys that kept swinging down from trees. We swam in the Indian Ocean a lot. Cristina got African braids in her hair. I imagine we had tons of fun.

Then, we took a tiny little plane to a beautiful island nation called The Seychelles. I do not remember a single thing about the trip as I was maybe 2 years old. I've seen photos though and the beaches look sick!

I clearly was a lucky little terd child as my exotic animal education took place in their habitat as opposed to the common form... from a "book." But, I will complain and say what the heck, parents?! Could you not have waited until I was 5 or 6?

Well, I suppose that just means I must go back.