Bikinis, Suntan Oil, and Fishing Poles...

just seem like they go together, right????? LOL...with the snow falling as I type this, I am definitely thinking YES right about now!! Deep sea fishing isn't something I have done a ton of in my life...and I think I need to remedy that!!

Winter brings about a lot of emotions for me...fear that the snow and ice won't melt before my spring trip for pike, love for the natural beauty of a fresh fallen snow, frustration at the morons that don't know how to drive in the above mentioned snow, anticipation for the new and upcoming year and all the fishing it will bring, and finally longing for a much needed relaxing break from all the stresses just living of our lives brings us. As much as I LOVE Canada and its excellent lakes and fisheries...it's times like this, when the snow is falling and the temps are below zero, that I dream of a sunny beach, a tiny bikini, and a pina coloda...and of course, my fishing pole!!!

During these desperate times, I take to looking at old pictures (like the one above I took in St. Lucia last year) and to the internet (to research future destinations) to feul my desires of that magnificent faraway dream land. Last year, at just about this time, I was actually in the lovely Saint Lucia staring at the beauty of the Piton Mountains (which are pictured above), sipping on some Piton Beer and celebrating my graduation from Law School.

What an amazing time we had touring around the island and yeah...the snorkeling was fantastic. If you love fish as much as I do...snorkeling is a great reminder that catching fish doesn't always have to be the only fun you can have with these amazing creatures.

For example, I swam along with some of these nice little guys. Also, I saw lots of barracuda. As a matter of fact, I had no idea what the barracuda were and tried to touch one...lol!! Lucky for me, it found me uninteresting and swam away!!

St. Lucia was a blast and a trip I will never forget. Another trip I really love is the yearly cruise I take with my mommy to Mexico. Usually, it involves a stop in Cozumel and Playa Del Carmen which are both places that I truly adore. Snorkeling in Cozumel is by far some of the best on the planet...but if you aren't one who loves the sport, an underwater boat tour allows you to experience alot of the same kind of fun!!! On our boat tour we saw a lot of these types of views...

and we saw lots of these little guys who for some reason seemed to be fascinated with our boat...

I am a very lucky girl who has been able to travel to many beautiful places around the world in my life...but I am definitely not done yet!!! There are a few other places that I want to visit, as well. For example, Belize is one of my future destinations, and I want to wet a line there, for sure!!!

This Blue Hole (pictured above) fascinates me...and if you haven't ever researched it, I would advise looking it up!!! Other places that are on my list are Roatan (Honduras), Isla Mujer (Mexico), Greece, Greenland, Fiji, Iceland, Martinique, Anguilla, Australia, Bonaire, Curacao, South Africa, England, and...okay pretty much anywhere in the whole world where I can learn about another culture, relax, and wet a line!!! But those places I mentioned specifically are at the top of the list...LOL!!!!

Researching and dreaming of magical, faraway places can be a great way to use the time until winter passes or until your next big trip. PLUS...if you are like me and research trip after trip after trip trying to find just the perfect spot, the webpages, articles, and blog posts you may come across while daydreaming might just lead to a new dream desitination that perhaps you hadn't thought of before. Keeping your mind and heart open is truly the key to experiencing the most fabulous places, people, and things in life!!! You should never be scared to take a risk and say yes to a new adventure.

I mean...what if I had said no to my first Canadian fishing trip just because I was scared of some dirt and an outhouse. The fact is...I almost DID say no...I resisted for quite a while. What a MAJOR MISTAKE I almost made just because my heart and mind weren't open to new things. I would never have known how much those trips enrich my life and strengthen important bonds. I would have never known how complete my life could actually be!!!

So now...it's your turn to dream of FABULOUS, MAGICAL PLACES in a faraway land and to tell me all about them. Leave me a comment and tell me all about your dream adventures and what places you would LOVE to visit...and even better, tell me how leaving your mind and heart open to new adventures has changed YOUR life!!! I would really, really adore hearing all your stories!

Happy Mid-Winter Dreams ~

LIZZY aka The Fisherbabe