by Emese Tuza

Created on: August 25, 2008   Last Updated: November 24, 2008

Close your eyes for a minute and picture and dream about the most perfect Caribbean beach - the beach of your dreams.

If you had to pick just one beach to name as your absolute favorite, which one would you pick? What does your dream beach look like? What color is the water? How about the sand? Are there palm trees lining the edge? Is this a real beach or does it only live in your imagination?

The best part about my dream beach is that it is real. I've been there before. My dream beach has a crescent shape, pure white sand and the most incredible shade of turqoise blue water. The best part is that this beach is not only a dream; this little piece of heaven is Half Moon Cay, a private island owned by Holland America Cruise lines. If you happen to be on a Holland America cruise in the Caribbean islands, you will most likely land here.

You know when you are getting close to it...the water goes from inky, navy blue to azure blue and then an even lighter color, a shade of turqoise and aquamarine. You are mesmerized by its color. You cannot wait to get out there and play in this beautiful warm water. You laugh as you dive in and splash around. You chase colorful fish while snorkeling. You lounge on a floatie, or you simply dig your toes in the sand where the water meets the beach.

The sand is incredible - it is the exact shade and consistency of fine baking flour. You have seen sandy beaches before and you have walked on yellow sand, black sand and even green sand in Hawaii, pink sand in the Bahamas, but never seen anything like this before. It is simply devine! No beach blanket, towel or chair is needed, you can lay on this soft and luxurious sand whithout anything coming between you and its smooth, soft texture. You stretch out, sunbathe, even take a nap in the shade of trees that are at the edge of the crescent. Could your life get any better?

The water is warm and soothing, caressing you and you decide right then and there that you never want to leave. If you had to be left behind on a deserted island, you'd pick this one. This is the place where you forget about all your worries, where you wish to walk around in a swimsuit with a sarong and you wear a flower behind your ear. You have never felt more relaxed or more in tune with your surroundings. The beauty of this beach and island that surrounds you is second to none. It doesn't get any better than this, this is your little bit of Heaven in the Caribbean.

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