The story we all loved to listen as kids was the one about dad that would explain why his face was covered in what we as kids saw as millions of little incisions and scars of which I will tell you all about closer to the end of my tribute to the greatest dad a girl could ever have had. His demise at the early age of fifty four arrived as a shock specially when his designation for the hospital was to get a plaster cast removed only to bring him dead in the waiting room.

Although our his death was sudden, the fondest of memories still held a solid presence in my mind for twenty-six years. If I could turn the time back - I would tell him how sorry I was for the times I took him for granted but unfortunately that self-reproach will be carried to my grave where I know being the good man that he was will be ready and waiting for me at the pearly gates with open arms full of pardon.

The thought that solaced me and aided to still the resentment I felt was the one that goes “the good die young”.Why are dads extraordinary - why is my dad more extraordinary than all other dads, simply because people see the word special in many contrasting ways. So what do I see different in dad that makes him so special?

Dad and his Fathers Day Gifts served thirty-four years in the army but trouble was brewing up on communist day in Hong Kong where dad was sent. It was the sound of warning signal bells that prompted the evacuation into motion for the folks living outside the barracks to come back to the camp right away.

8 of us were bunched into the rear of a 3 ton army wagon with pillows for protection and ordered to keep our heads down of which we obeyed - the Chinese mob appeared from the ditches that lined the route, equipped with all kinds of arms - twenty-one stones got in the wagon as we maneuvered toward the camp.

The convoy that followed now stood as burning wrecks.You can only guess what the truck and the driver looked like when a shelling of boulders were lunged into the front portion of the wagon. There were no medals of bravery presented to the driver when acknowledgement was delivered by the army officers for his act of valor. The reason was due to a technicality that he wasn’t suppose to drive that day so the recognition was granted to the wrong man who was sitting up in front.

I often inquire today this day would we all have got out alive if the boot was on the other foot, if those drivers did not violate the rules.

The result of that terrifying day was a truck with no windshield, a driver with no face and eight people who lived to recount the story. Now, you know the reason why the scars on my father’s face scarred us for life.

A holiday can aid you relax from the day to day hustle and bustle. My relaxing Pacific Island vacation was sufficient to convince me that I wanted to go back once more..

When you feel stressed out, you need to unwind and chill out, think Pacific Islands. An island holiday provides the answers to reducing your stress level and getting you genuinely grounded once more. Nothing feels better than to return to work feeling relaxed and positive.

New Caledonia, my own island getaway, is my own favourite. The islands are breathtaking.Their natural beauty and temperate clime is enough to make you wake with a smile every morning.

The entire area is a paradise, with miles of white sand and lovely swaying trees that literally sing to you. The Pacific Islands feature those tremendous blue lagoons and coral reefs that make swimming, snorkeling, diving, and fishing, something you simply have to go through. Snorkeling in the balmy waters of New Caledonia is reminiscent of a lovely odorous spa.

The Pacific islands has got to be the most laid back and relaxing vacation destination on earth providing you the perfect diving conditions. The submarine world is nothing less than impressive, as you swim along with the dolphins and colourful fish. The island also boasts some very peaceful lagoons with crystal calm waters that offer up an marvellous array of life.

Back on shore, the residents of the Pacific Islands seem to be more friendly than anyplace else you’ve ever visited. Anxious to help you find your next activity, the local people would stop and visit, smile and chat with you. Whether you meet them in a restaurant, or on the street, there was always a “hello”. The cities offer you marvellous food, fun and a night life that is as exciting and as unique as the many natural places to visit.

If you’re stressed out from day to day living, or just need a little break from reality, there is no better place in the world to get that instant pick-me-up holiday than the Pacific islands.

My relaxing Pacific Island Holiday left me wishing I had a great deal longer to stay.