Life is better at the Beach!

From the sounds of the ocean waves crashing on the shore, to watching a sunset on a tranquil lake while the crickets chirp in the back ground. To me, being by water has become a place of relaxation and peacefulness.

From the time I was just a baby, I have spent many a summers in Wasaga Beach, Georgian Bay, visiting my godfather who still lives there today. Being by the water, was just part of the summer routine growing up. As the daughter of immigrants, I was also very fortunate to travel to Portugal a few times, where I enjoyed many days on Portuguese Beaches, such as Nazare where my father spent time as a child to the famous topless beaches of the Algarve. For this Canadian girl, I learned quickly that Europeans are much more liberal.

Fast forward to my 20's and a spring break vacation in Cancun Mexico. It is pretty much what people often read and hear about, tequila, partying and more tequila. From university students past out on lounge chairs to wet t-shirt contests with very willing female participants. But what I remember the most, is laying out on the sand with the feel of the sun and the salt water mist on my skin. By the way, I did not familiarize myself with tequila until my 40's, but that is for another day.

With a love for the water, it was only appropriate that I would marry on the beach, which I did 18 years ago this month, in Nassau Bahamas. It was a rather warm day, especially for my husband in his dark suit. The overall experience was a lot less stressful that a traditional Catholic wedding and a grand Italian/Portuguese reception. We were only a party of 9! And what better memento than wedding photos of me in my white strapless chiffon wedding gown with the Bahamian beach as a back drop. Well, a photo bomb with Lenny Kravitz would have been cool, but I guess this girl cannot have it all.

Santa Monica, La Jolla (San Diego), Vero Beach (Florida), Chatham (Cape Cod), Mayan Riviera, Cozumel, Varadero, Corfu, Mykonos even Balsam Lake, life is better at the beach!