One-time vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin today made public her reasons for resigning from her position as governor of Alaska. At a press conference on the capitol steps in Juneau, Palin told the crowd of reporters and onlookers that she is stepping down to embark on an around-the-world cruise with her family.

“I’ve always wanted to travel to far away places…even farther than Washington, D.C.,” gushed the excited Governor to the crowd of over one thousand. “Seeing Russia from here isn’t enough - I have to actually go there. And Europe and Asia, and Africa, and other exciting places, too. Golly, the only foreign country I’ve been to so far is Canada. I think it’s a foreign country, anyway.”

Palin plans to take her entire family along on the two-year-plus adventure, which will include spending some time on a hunting safari in Mozambique, and possibly a seal hunt in Greenland. The Palin family will spend the next few months planning their itinerary, and will leave on a cruise ship from Seattle in late fall.

“There are lots of really neat animals in the world,” added Palin. “I’d sure like to have some of those on my walls when I get home in 2012.”

When asked what her plans might include after her return, Palin suggested that the world tour might qualify her for an appointment as an ambassador.

“I hope this trip gives me a chance to shop around and see what country I might like to serve diplomatically,” said the soon-to-be ex-governor. “It could be Australia, Paraguay, or Kazakhstan, who knows? What a great way to try one on for size!”