Living in south Florida for about five years taught me one very clear lesson: I can never live too far from the beach because I just love it too much. I’ve been to some very impressive beaches in my life, mostly in the Caribbean, but nothing compares to the crystal clear waters of the Maldives. It was almost like being in a trance the first time I saw pictures of that gorgeous country. I not only need to go to the Maldives, but I specifically need to go to one of their stereotypical but totally awesome over water hotels like the one in the picture above. I could stare at that picture forever.