thanks so much guys. i really am very grateful for the comments/advice. i'm about to fly to europe this march (and the whole world after that; i'm a cabin attendant) and i would like to treasure the moments. i only have a 12megapixels fuji finepix fd and it's not enough. i understand that having a pro camera is such an investment, that risk i'm willing to take because i know it'll be worth it. thanks again.

'looking forward for more suggestions :)