Emmie's Mum and Dad take Cassie on holiday

Okay, so I probably can't officially allow my parents to enter the competition. Isn't the general rule, "immediate family and employees are ineligible to enter"? Just as well there are no employees in the Emmie Dark corporation, then... (yet!).

Mum and Dad have just returned from a cruise that took them from Sydney through Asia to China, Korea, Hong Kong and Japan. Just as they were leaving, I said, "Don't forget to pack my book!".

Now my mother will be the first to admit that she's not that handy with the camera--and one of the reasons is that she often just forgets to take photos, because she's more of a "be in the moment" kind of person. But she surprised even herself with some of these shots and I have to say, trying to cull down the dozen or so she sent me was hard work!

My favourite, though, is this one, from the Beomeosa Temple in Busan, South Korea:

Here are Dad and Mum (don't think I need to point out which ones they are) with monks in South Korea. Apparently Dad wanted to get the monks to hold the book, but Mum didn't think it would be appropriate, so she wouldn't let him ask. What with it being a bit of a drrty book and all.... ;)

Dad in Busan, South Korea, taking a little rest from the temple sight-seeing to check in with Ronan and Cassie.

This is in Rubaul, Papua New Guinea. I love this photo and not just because the sky in the background is the same color blue as the cover. What a wonderful expression on this woman's face. So patient and sweet. I can just imagine her thinking, "Yes, I will indulge your very strange request." 

Mum loved this guy. He was the best tour guide they had in Japan, apparently. Although he did get them lost when he forgot to tell them that the bus wouldn't pick them up again if they got off. But that just meant they got to see a little more of Japan. And they didn't miss the boat, which is really the most important thing.

As if we didn't have proof enough, the sign says "Yokohama". Cassie was definitely in Japan!!

So, there you go. Pretty awesome, huh? Think you can beat it?

I'm giving away a $100 Amazon voucher to a randomly selected entry. All you need to do is send in a photo of yourself with Cassie, somewhere in the world! (Entries from other planets are automatically disqualified.) Competition closes 30 April.

Sorry Mum and Dad, you can't win. But you still got to have a great holiday and get in some good practice with the camera!