These are a few of my favorite...beaches! by Sophia Sasson

As hot summer days reluctantly give way to incoming Fall breezes, I hunger for salty ocean air. I can almost hear the roar of the waves and feel the grit of the sand on my skin. It’s my happy place. So I thought I’d revisit the beaches I’ve been fortunate enough to visit in my life. 

My favorite is St John, in the US Virgin Islands. I married my husband here in Hawksnest beach. The island has been devastated by Hurricane Irma and my heart and thoughts are with those who are on the long and difficult journey to recovering their lives and homes. St John is 70% national park so it’s one of those few places in the world where natural beauty dominates and tall resorts don’t mar the landscape.  It’s as close to a deserted island as you can get and still have cell phone reception.

A close second favorite is Breach Candy, Mumbai, India. 

I was born in Mumbai and it’s a throbbing city more congested than New York City. You’d be hard pressed to find elbow space on the streets, or a breath of fresh air in the hot humid weather. I grew up near Breach Candy and remember it as an oasis from the hustle of the city. There is nothing more therapeutic than sitting on the black boulder rocks and taking in a deep cleansing breath as the sound of the waves crash underneath your feet. And if you walk a few feet to the nearby children’s park, there is amazing street food to be had. If you have the stomach for it J

I can’t pick a third, fourth etc so here are a few more in no particular order.

Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. 

The canary islands belong to Spain but are located off the cost of North Africa. My parents lived there for 13 years so I spent my summers on these beaches. Back then, there wasn’t much development on the island, now it’s a holiday hot spot for Europeans. I’ve only gone back once as an adult but what I remember is the feeling of total isolation. It’s so far away from the U.S that I still remember the feeling of awe at how big the world is. The real vacation benefit of this location; it’s volcanic and Mount Tiede is so tall that all of the rain leaden clouds dump on the North of the island. So you’re guaranteed sunny days if you stay in the South.

Acajutla, El Salvador. About 90 km from San Salvador. We all understand low and high tide but at a resort on this West coast of El Salvador, we got to experience it's true vastness. Our entire swimming beach would disappear at low tide. We could walk the ocean floor a mile out. Then at high tide, water would rush in over a few hours filling the tidal basin past the breakwaters with more than six feet of water.  It’s best seen in aerial view. The water recedes past the rip rap in low tide (see picture on right) and comes all the way into shore at high tide.

I could go on for days about beaches but one more. Two Lovers Point. Guam. Those of you who’ve read Mending the Doctor’s Heart know the fable that gives this location it’s name. But my love for this island reaches beyond just the beautiful beaches. My heart has been forever changed by people who live here, the bonds of family and culture that unite them, and the strength and resilience of their society. It was the inspiration for my book.

In fact, the Art Director at Harlequin was taken by this picture I sent her with my art cover sheet for the book and incorporated the location into the cover.

So how can I leave and not mention some of my other favorite beaches; Maui Hawaii, Ochos Rios, Jamaica, St Thomas USVI, Ocean City, MD, Myrtle Beach SC, Destin FL, all of the FL keys. I could go on. On my bucket list for beaches is Tahiti, the Maldives, Alaska, Thailand, the West coast of South America…..so many beaches so little time and money so lets stop here for now.

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Don’t forget to check out the amazing line up of September heartwarming releases  from Betina Krahn , T. R. McClure, Eleanor Jones and Janice Carter.

So tell me, what’s your favorite beach? Or what beach is at the top of your bucket list?