Best Beaches in the Bahamas

Central America - Ross French - July 15, 2012

More than three thousand islands, islets and cays make up the beautiful Bahamas. Located in the Atlantic Ocean, the Bahamas is a magnet for travellers looking for an escape from their busy everyday lives. The Bahamas is famous for sun, sand and sea, but there are many other adventures that you can do here. Even Christopher Columbus was enamoured by these islands. Go sailing, diving, kayaking, swimming, lounging on the beach, shopping, partying, and dining. You can explore underwater caves, have fun at a casino, or take a cruise. When you stay at places like Club Med Turks and Caicos all inclusive resort, your options will be endless!

Here are the best beaches in the Bahamas:

Grace Bay Beach on Providenciales
Probidenciales is home to the famous Club Med resort in the Bahamas and this 12 mile Grace Bay Beach is rated among the top ten beaches in the world by Conde Naste. It has stunning white sands, aqua blue waters and amazing reefs to snorkle or scuba dive around. This beach is also a popular destination for fishing.

Paradise Beach on Paradise Island
Paradise Island is composed of a pristine white sand beach that is one mile long. The clear crystal water is both inviting and peaceful. A large portion of Paradise Island is open to the public. You will find little huts all around for you to stay in. Enjoy parasailing, snorkelling, jet skiing, diving and other watersports activities here, Take a walk along the powdery white sand beach or take an underwater adventure and see wrecks and sea gardens. There are also breathtaking views around Paradise Beach. Walk up the towers of Fort Fincastle and observe the island from two hundred feet above sea level. Visit a reassembled 12th century French monastery on the Versailles Garden. If you’re bringing the kids, take them to Atlantis Paradise Island Resort and Casino’s enormous playground. Composed of thirty four acres, the playground features a marine habitat, an underwater snorkelling trail, a Mayan temple replica and a river ride.

Cabbage Beach on Paradise Island
Cabbage Beach is one of the busiest beaches in the Bahamas. People flock to Cabbage Beach all year round. Enjoy the long stretch of beach that is three kilometer long. The beach is crowded not just with people, but also with hotels, bars, restaurants and other commercial establishments. Cabbage Beach has been dubbed the “las Vegas of the Tropics”.

Western Esplanade near Nassau
Also known as Jukanoo Beach to locals, Western Esplanade is a mere ten minute walk from Nassau. On weekends, you might see people having a cookout or barbeques, or groups having fundraisers along the beach, Western Esplanade provides a great view of the harbor and the ships coming and going. If you are bringin kids with you, they will enjoy horse back riding and pony riding.

Caves Beach near Nassau
Caves beach is a place to sit back and relax. It is much less populated compared to other beaches. Go swimming, snorkelling or dining at some of the best and most authentic restaurants on the island. Crescent-shaped Caves Beach provides free access to the public all day. Bring a book, spread a towel and relax. Take a walk down the beach and watch the sun set. After, enjoy a tasty fish fry for dinner at a nearby resto.

The Bahams has many things to offer to its visitors. Blessed with nature’s many wonders, it is the perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of everyday city life.

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From Hate to Love

Central America, Destinations, Travel Blog - Ross French - June 15, 2012

By: Hogga

You’re so easy… What a bunch of suckers! I’m not about to tell you of some hunky man who has finally been able to tame this wild, single lass. I’m going to tell you how I went from hating a city to falling in love with it!

The city? Granada, Nicaragua. I’m sure most people who’ve been there would ask “how could you ever hate it?”. Granada has a lively city centre and a few blocks lined with patio bars. The people are super friendly (some a bit fucking weird) but it was definitely my kinda place. Did I mention there’s a few streets lined with bars? HA! Heaven!

Unfortunately, when I first arrived there, my friend and I spent hours walking in circles around the deserted back streets, unaware of the city center, bar streets and other awesomeness.

The restaurant we chose didn’t serve booze (FAIL) and the bar we found later was very sketchy. And by sketchy, I mean… I was verbally molested.

I blame myself for my initial impression of Granada. I didn’t do any research on the city, I just hopped on a hot, sweaty bus there. Eventually I found out where the stores, bars, restaurants and of course, sexy Latin men were located. I ended up spending a week there and actually going back again a month later. That’s how much it tickled me in a romantic, non sexual way… well maybe a bit sexual. But this blog is PG13, so I’ll save those stories for ChickenChunk.com

Awesome Things to Do in Granada
– Ride in a horse and buggy around town, touring the historical buildings. (Beer makes this trip more awesome).
– Take a boat ride around the 300-something islands. The lake may not look that appealing, but once you get into the area with all the islands it’s gorgeous. (Beer makes this trip more awesome).
– Go smoke and buy cigars. (They give you rum, but you may want to bring beer)
– Go to the chocolate factory/store. (You probably need a beer for the walk there, it’s hot in Granada).
– Go to a pool party on Saturday night at the back of Encuentros. (And drink beer)
– Drink beer on a patio or at my favorite Irish pub (Kelly’s Bar – the owner and everyone who works there is super friendly).
– Plus there’s a whole bunch of tours to volcanoes and stuff like that (I don’t know if you’re allowed to bring beer).

Have you been to Granada, Nicaragua? Anyone else meet crazy Ricardo? (aka Ricky). If so, please share your stories!

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Best Mexican Foods

Central America, Destinations - Ross French - April 11, 2012

Guest Post

The best part about staying at one of the Mexico vacation rentals is the food. The tastiest kinds of Mexican foods are those that have not been altered or adapted to fit in with other forms of cooking. Traditional Mexican fare includes some of the best dishes in the world and not just from Central America. Toasted tortillas, known as chilaquiles, are covered in salsa (red or green), shredded chicken and crema, which is similar to sour cream.

Torta Cubana is a type of sandwich, but only order one if you have a large appetite. This is packed with several meats, including chicken, pork and beef. Avocados, bean spread and mayonnaise are added once the meat has been packed into the bread. Pozole is made by using dried maize patties, also called hominy, which is put on the stove and stewed for a long time. A variety of meat is added to the pot and once it has stewed for several hours, it is taken off the stove and lettuce, oregano, lime, onion, radish and chillies are added to give that traditional Mexican taste.

One of the tastiest Mexican dishes combines chicken with a peanut sauce – pollo encacahuatado.

Snacks can be bought on most street corners in the big cities. Gorditas are great because any topping can be used. These corn cakes have great texture, as they are soft in the middle, yet crisp on the outside. Stuffed peppers, whether bell or the more spicy poblanos can be stuffed with just about anything. Try the hotter variety of pepper, jalapeno stuffed with cheese and melted under the grill.

Chimichangas can be eaten on the go and can be very nutritious, depending on what they are filed with. The beef and onion ones are a favourite. Add cheese, salsa and sour cream once they are ready and if you do like food spicy, chop habaneros or jalapenos and sprinkle into the melted cheese. When it comes to desserts, Mexico has plenty to choose from.

Fried ice cream, which is encased in a flour tortilla wrap, along with spices such as cinnamon, is a popular choice and is served in restaurants all over the country. Mexican Cochinos are very easy to make. They are essentially cookies flavoured with molasses. All spice, ginger or cinnamon may be added to give the cookies a warm, spicy taste. These sweet treats are usually eaten cold but are delicious served directly from the oven with coffee or hot chocolate.

Mexicans do like to utilize a wide variety of spices in their cuisine but not everything needs to be hot. Remove chilli seeds if your palette prefers a milder heat and maybe have some sour cream or guacamole on hand to cool things down a little.

The best part about eating Mexican food, apart from the variety on offer and the taste, is the sharing of food. Sitting at an outdoor table that has been laid with several bowls and platters containing brightly coloured sauces, salads, meats and desserts is the ideal setting for the family to sit and chat about their day.

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My Hungover Fishing Trip

Central America, Travel Blog - Ross French - March 26, 2012

By: Hogga

I agreed to go fishing with a few guys I met at the hostel in San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua. Unfortunately, we were out super late the night before shotgunning beers and had to get up to board the boat at 9am. I was okay at first and fished for about 30 minutes until I started to crash.

I can handle boats for the most part, but there seems to a recurring theme of being hungover on them and that doesn’t go over well with my stomach. My hangovers usually consist of just being tired, but the minute I get on a boat, my tummy turns into a washing machine.

Touching sardines to put on my hook didn’t help much either, BARF.

In my Spanglish I explained to our guide that I was very hungover and he made me a lovely bed out of life jackets. I slept for the rest of the trip while my man bitches caught dinner.

They did pretty good, we ended the trip with a bag full of 16 fish (none caught by me). We carried them into town and had a local restaurant cook the fish for us. I love seafood, but I’m not a big fan of fish. This may change as the tuna and snapper these guys caught was AMAZING.

It was well worth my hangover nap on the boat.

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