I do, I really, really do!
Who knew, that growing up in Australia I had become so spoilt. I had what can only be described as some of the best beaches around (if not, the WORLD'S BEST!) at my fingertips day after day, summer weekend after summer weekend.
And now, here I sit in a Canadian winter as the snow falls ever so softly onto the waiting grass below. Don't get me wrong, I just LOVE the four seasons. That's why I moved to the northern hemisphere. Call me crazy! I never missed a White Christmas until I experienced one and now the BBQ filled summer one's seemed lost on me. I never knew what it was like to see the leaves change colours to vibrantly daring red's, yellows and oranges. The leaves never made it to the ground in such a manner that they needed to be raked. I grew up with constant evergreens. If the trees were green in summer, they were green in winter.
But as winter is precisely halfway through it's season, I now see why so many Canadians and Americans relish their beloved 'Spring Break'. It's a chance to get away and enjoy some sunshine, some poolside drinks, some beachside lounging... some absolute nothingness!
I grew up with golden beaches, crashing ocean waves, beach cricket... and jellyfish stings (it's not all glamour folks!)... and man, do I miss it! I used to love summer as a kid, but then growing up in the city I lived in, summer was all we got. If we were lucky, sometimes we saw spring and got to experience TWO seasons. 'Winter' as I knew it was a cold 20 degree day - that's 70F for my American readers. Imagine California, just... Down Under! Now that I'm back on top, my winter days actually feel like winter. This past week alone I've experienced rain, snow, wind and mild flurries where the temperature has ranged from 5C to -19C then back to 3C (40F to 2F to 34F). Right now, it's currently a wonderful Canadian -14C (6F). It is quite the change from the tropical climate I knew as a child.
It is true what they say - 'You don't know what you've got 'til it's gone'.
Here's my beloved Noosa Beach on the Sunshine Coast...
But I digress. Back to my winter daydreaming...
As I sit here dreaming of my beloved golden beaches (one of the few things I miss about my native Australia), I find myself googling getaway packages to places like Cuba, Costa Rica, Jamaica and the Domenican Republic. Places I, a seasoned traveller, couldn't even point to on a map! But my, how I'd love to visit... even if it is for an all inclusive 7 days.
For a mere $1000 I can disappear for a week and sit by the kabana wasting my day away. I'd make my fingers go all prune like as I float in the pool. I'd work on my cancer inducing tan on the white sandy beaches. I'd have more time to read all the books I've got stacking up in my bedroom which I buy on self promises of 'I hope to read those soon' thoughts. I'd relax poolside ordering all inclusive drinks. Now, I don't drink a lot of alcohol - a beer here and there, a Pina Colada in Mexico - but even I'd take advantage of that! Oh, and not only do you get all of that pleasing R&R... they even have the audacity to throw in your Flight AND all three daily meals ontop of your accomodation. I mean, for not even $200 a day, why shouldn't I book?
Be honest, would you turn down a place that looked like this?....
As if to tease me and hit that 'purchase now' button, Zac Brown Band's song 'Toes' has come on the radio as I type this blog post... 'I got my toes in the water, ass in the sand, not a worry in the world, a cold beer in my hand. Life is good today... life is good today!'. Well, it sure is tempting. I just might bring his advice to life!
No wonder so many 'snow birds' fly south for the winter!
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