(NewsUSA) - Cold brew coffee continues to be a hot trend. Recent market research shows an increase in sales of 580 percent between 2011 and 2016 as coffee drinkers have embraced the smooth flavor of cold brew.<br /> <br /> Cold brew is coffee made with cold water. It sounds simple, but making cold brew concentrate from ground coffee at home can be a messy and time-consuming process. Most devices on the market require 12 to 24 hours of steep time at room temperature to brew a coffee concentrate suitable for cold brew coffee, so serving cold brew coffee has traditionally required advance planning. But now a specialized coffee press allows cold brew coffee lovers to get their fix in a couple of minutes.<br /> <br /> By briskly stirring coffee grounds and room temperature water together in the AeroPress coffee maker, you can cut brewing time from many hours to just two minutes. Simply add finely ground coffee and room-temperature water, stir, press, and enjoy a cup of smooth, flavorful cold brew coffee.<br /> <br /> Another advantage of the AeroPress is a quick and easy cleanup. Unlike typical cold brewers, the AeroPress does not leave a large filter full of messy coffee grounds after brewing. It is designed to consolidate the used grounds and filter into a small, neat puck that pops out ready for composting.<br /> <br /> A huge advantage of cold brewing is it can be done where there is that no access to hot water. When traveling, hiking, biking, or doing other activities away from the home kitchen, there is almost always a source of water but often no way to heat it. However with a lightweight, portable AeroPress, it is easy to brew a cup of smooth rich cold brew using tap water in about two minutes.<br /> <br /> Not only does the AeroPress brew delicious hot coffee in addtion to cold brew, but as a multipurpose coffeemaker, it helps cut kitchen clutter by eliminating the need for separate machines.<br /> <br /> Visit aeropress.com for more information about how to enjoy cold brew (or hot) coffee with ease in the comfort of your home.<br /> <br /> Ref: Drinks - in Blogs

Just me writing my little story! It's a coming of age story about a girl graduating from high school and not being sure where to go from there. Her family and friends help her out with a little bit of chaos and a lot of luck!<br /><br />There are too many people here. It’s a boarding school, and yet, there are so many people and no places to sit. Hailey flutters past with Mouse hot on her heels, as they usually were, and I reach out to grab Hailey’s arm, causing her to do a funny little twirl thing and for Mouse to bump into her. <br />“Sorry!” Mouse squeaked and jumped back a step, their sneakers making a funny noise on the floor. <br />“Not your fault… Are you coming to the soccer party?”<br />“Nah, I’m gonna stay here. Hails and I are breaking up when you two leave this party so I figure I can’t really show up on her arm.” Hailey rolled her eyes as Mouse spoke, and I once again wondered how the two of them had managed to put an end date on their relationship and actually have it work out. They had sort of always known that they wouldn’t last outside of high school, so after the party they would just go back to being friends. It didn’t make sense to me, but whatever, I wasn’t either of them. <br />“Alrighty… I was actually about to ask Hailey when we were going to leave, but um, if you two want to stay? I don’t wanna rush out, but the band kids aren’t really my crowd…” Hailey grinned at me and blew a kiss as she grabbed Mouse’s hand. <br />“We can leave as soon as I say bye to everyone! Thank you for coming!” I rolled my eyes as they disappeared in the sea of people and I shrunk back to the corner and pulled out my phone. It wasn’t that I disliked the band kids, they were all pretty cool, I just didn’t know them well enough to party. <br />I had a text from Leo, Hailey’s older brother, a few from Evelyn and a good night text from Cardan, that simultaneously requested that I tell the theater kids he was sorry he couldn’t make it. More than likely, if I looked at their group chat, he had already sent twenty apology texts and there was no reason for me to do that. I shot Evelyn a quick text that said I would be leaving as soon as Hailey was ready, which we both knew meant I would not be leaving for at least a half an hour, then I settled against the wall to text Leo. <br />Leo has been best friends with my older brother Zebediah since he started going to school here, they even opened a cafe together. Plus, he and Hailey get along super duper well, so I’ve become friends with him. His current text was just reminding me to not stay out too late so I wouldn’t be exhausted and sleep through my alarms tomorrow. <br />T: I don’t sleep through alarms with Evelyn around haha. That girl would wake up to a pin drop :p <br />L: Valid. Have you made it to the soccer party yet, or is Hails still procrastinating her doomed relationship ending?<br />T: I wouldn’t call it procrastinating…. More like socializing so people don’t realize they broke up haha<br />L: I don’t think I will ever understand those two<br />T: You just have to remember Yolanda, and it all makes sense again<br />L: Tia, nobody remembers Yolanda like I do lmao<br />L: I lived with Hails that summer, remember?<br />T: Hahaha you live with her every summer goofus<br />L: I could be living with you every summer though ;)<br />I rolled my eyes and left him on read, sliding my phone back into my pocket so I could find Hailey and pretend that her brother didn’t just flirt with me. She knew he did though, and it wasn’t like I didn’t flirt back, we just didn’t actually like each other. It was still her brother though, so I was never allowed to mention it. <br />Pushing off the wall, I went to find her, sliding past kids I had known my whole life and trying to ignore the nagging feeling of doom about the fact that I would never again see all of us in one room. We would never be the same kids again, and we were all about to go live real lives, not closed up in a boarding school. <br />Hailey was in the middle of the dance floor when I found her, with Mouse wrapped around her, and they looked deep in conversation, so I backed away, but Hailey spotted me and held up a finger, so I didn’t wander far, just turned to say hi to Mae, a violinist in the band. <br />“You ready to be out?” She called over the music. I laughed and nodded, and she patted my arm. <br />“Tell your girls I said good job last week, and good luck in college! I like you all, but I am not about to go to a jock event with no alcohol!” She lifted her Solo cup with a salute-like gesture and then pointed over my shoulder before waving and walking away. If I hadn’t known the universal signal for “Hailey is coming, gotta go”, I probably would have questioned the quick exit. Some people just knew that she talked a lot and did not have the time. <br />“Ready, Freddy?” Hailey asked, slinging an arm around my waist, as though it was my shoulder. I looked down at her, and she grinned up at me, so I nodded. The breakup must have gone to plan if she wasn’t upset. She skipped out of the room, somehow dragging me along, despite me being almost over a half a foot taller than her tiny 4’ 10” person. <br />Once we were outside of the dorm collection that was hosting the band event, Hailey did a little twirl and grinned at me, stopping me where I stood. <br />“Are you ready for the best night of your high school life? Ready to say goodbye to all of your teammates and start your fabulous life as a rockstar?” A snort escaped me and I patted Hails on the head before tugging her down the hallway. <br />“I guarantee that I will not become a rockstar if I become anything. Not a rockstar, not a professional athlete, and definitely not an actress.” Hailey had started throwing random jobs at me this past week, trying to find one that clicked. Of course, she never threw out valid options, just ridiculous ones that I would never actually become. <br />A shriek and then my name being yelled alerted me to the presence of Evelyn about five seconds before she launched herself into my arms. <br />“Oh my god, you won’t believe what is happening in there! Gina is WASTED!” <br />“I thought real athletes didn’t drink?” Hailey cried as she shoved past the two of us to get to the dorm cluster that was hosting the “jock people”, which really just meant the kids who played sports, but we weren’t all serious jocks. <br />“Gina isn’t going pro, so she decided that she wanted to get wasted with us once before we all head our separate ways. Katrina, Lucy and Cam are a little tipsy, but most of us are sober.” Evelyn punched my arm on “us” like she was implying that I was part of the “real athletes” squad. I didn’t drink because I wanted to be in good shape for the sports and because I liked runner’s high, not because I was going pro like a lot of my teammates. <br />“And the guys…” I trailed off as Evelyn and I finally followed Hailey into the party and I found a horrifying scene in front of me. If Katrina, Lucy and Cam were tipsy, I did not want to see Gina. The three girls were standing on a table, doing the macarena and singing Sweet Caroline as the welcome committee and just behind them, I could see Parker, Isaac, Dominic and Justin lining up shots, all four of them shirtless and screaming. <br />“Welcome to Hell!” Evelyn cried as she pulled me past the alcoholics and into the main room. Gina was laying in the middle of the floor, but everyone else was mostly just mingling and hugging, a couple people were crying, and I relaxed at that. I did not want to drink and I was worried my friends had lost their minds for a second. We just weren’t those people usually. I normally felt okay about not drinking at parties with them. <br />“T! Come over here!” Veronica, our goalie, waved me and Evelyn over to a group of girls who were sitting on a couple couches and chatting. I headed over, glancing around for Hailey, but I wasn’t worried when I didn’t find her. She was probably halfway done with her rounds or caught up talking to someone. <br />I joined the girls on the couches and Bea Olsen pulled a bag of pretzels out from behind a pillow and offered me one. <br />“Gina tried to run off with them earlier,” she explained as Bea Klutz offered me a carrot from next to Bea Olsen. <br />“She did not try to steal the carrots though,” I laughed and relaxed into the couch, content to talk to my teammates for one more night.<br />A little while later, Evelyn tapped my arm and I nodded, grabbing one more carrot before standing up. The Beas simultaneously cried no and jumped up to hug us. <br />“Don’t go yet! You only have to be up in…” Glancing at her watch, Bea Olsen cringed, “four hours… Oopsie!” I laughed and hugged her back, biting my lip so I wouldn’t cry as a whole line of teammates that I had known my whole life and worked with, slept with, breathed with and basically lived in each other’s back pockets during soccer season hugged me and said goodbye. We would all see each other on the train tomorrow, but it just wasn’t the same. This was our last soccer night. This was the last time I would see the Beas, or Veronica for a very long while, since they had all been recruited to play soccer in America. A few others had made soccer teams, but more local, or just at a college, but I still wouldn’t see them as much. <br />“Hey, keep in contact, yeah?” Veronica asked as she hugged me, squeezing tight. I hugged her as tightly as I could, nodding even though she couldn’t see me. We held on for a little longer than the others had, and I buried my face in her neck before pulling back and letting her hug Evelyn as I pulled myself together. Evelyn grabbed my hand as we left the party, neither of us looking back. <br />The walk back to our room was pretty quiet, and when we got there, Evelyn squeezed my hand before heading to her dresser to grab pajamas. <br />“5 am, right?” There was a crack in Evelyn’s voice as she asked, but I replied just like I had everyday since seventh grade. <br />“Always,” I whispered as I grabbed my own pajamas and headed to change my clothes.<br /><br />The next morning, when my alarm went off and I looked at Evelyn sitting up, I bit my lip to hold off the tears as we changed into our running clothes and headed out. Evelyn offered me her earbud and I dug my nails into my palm so I didn’t cry. When Don’t Stop Believin’ played, I pulled my hair a little harder than usual into a ponytail so I would have an excuse for the tears welling. If we ran a little slower than usual, it was because we were tired, not because our lungs burned with the urge to sob. When the final notes of the playlist rang out through the earbuds and we just stood, staring at the doors to the school, it was because we were tired, not to remember every day that we had run that same path, chattering and getting to know one another, and giggling as we tried to keep quiet as we reentered and didn’t want to wake the people who put off getting up until the last second. If my hand shook as I handed her the earbud, it was from the lack of food before the run, not because I would never listen to that playlist with Evelyn on school grounds again. If my face was a little wet in the shower, it was from the water, not tears falling down my face. When I got out and pulled my pajamas back on, I curled into a ball because it was a good way to sleep, not because I was hiding tears. Evelyn didn’t go back to bed, she never had. I closed my eyes and pretended to sleep, but I listened to her going through her morning routine. The one I knew she went through every single morning in the same order because she hated change. This morning, if she paused and took a rattled breath every once in a while, I tried to not flinch because she was just yawning. When Hailey’s alarm went off, Evelyn was gone, down at breakfast like usual, and Hailey walked over to shake me, but instead she pulled me into a hug, and for once, didn’t say anything. <br /><br />Breakfast was a weird affair. They had a line up of grab and go foods as everyone carried their luggage to the train. Underclassmen chattered about summer plans and who was rooming with who the next year and the usual end of year conversations, but I didn’t say anything as Hailey chattered about the parties she had gone to after I went to sleep. She hadn’t gotten to bed until 4 am the night before, and I wasn’t sure how she was functioning. Cardan was standing against a wall with an apple in his hand, his tall frame standing out, even if his blonde hair wouldn’t have defined him instantly. After I grabbed a muffin and a banana, I headed over to him, Hailey trailing behind as she spoke.<br />“Good morning, sunshine!” She greeted Cardan, wrapping him in a hug, which he quickly returned. “Ready to go home?” Cardan glanced at me as Hails asked the question and I giggled a little, knowing that in his head he was quoting Harry Potter at Hailey, who would never understand the reference no matter how many times the two of us had forced her into marathons. Plus, Hailey liked being home, unlike Cardan. <br />“Ready for you to visit.” He booped Hailey on the nose and I reached up to ruffle his hair. <br />“Smile, pretty boy. It’s two weeks. You’ve got this. I’ll call you everyday, and I might even be able to bully my brothers into calling you.” Cardan nodded stiffly at me as I spoke, and Hailey peeled herself off to munch on her own muffin. <br />“Hey, I’ll be there in one week, and if T isn’t hogging all of his time, I can get Leo to text you daily too,” Hailey said softly, offering Cardan a smile. He nodded again, but his hand was tapping away at his leg and he was chewing his lip already. <br />“One week,” he mumbled to himself before grabbing his bags and leading us all to the train. We didn’t talk much on the walk there, and I fell asleep with my head in Cardan’s lap on the ride, his fingers brushing my hair and Hailey chattering away, just like old times. The only difference was that when I woke up and got off the train, I knew I wouldn’t be getting on it again in a few months. <br />

(NewsUSA) - Independent films are the heart and soul of the movie industry. These original works of art have the potential to push the boundaries of film; engage new, underserved audiences and, just maybe, develop into blockbuster hits seen by millions of viewers worldwide.<br /> <br /> This journey of growth, however, is no easy task. For an independent filmmaker, distribution can be the difference between a flop and a million-dollar success.<br /> <br /> How can filmmakers trump this trend? The Movie Studio (TMS) evolved with an answer to this ever-important industry problem.<br /> <br /> The TMS model is two-fold. The company both creates its own movies and simultaneously distributes other independent films. The combination provides TMS with a full library of diverse work that appeals to a broad network of buyers worldwide.<br /> <br /> Currently, TMS is focused on English-speaking films. Plans are in the works, however, to enter the foreign films language market in the near future.<br /> <br /> Gordon Scott Ventures, CEO, stated, "We are very excited to assist many independent producers, with their collective team in their quest for having their efforts rewarded by reaching audiences around the globe."<br /> <br /> TMS' growth comes through enrolling indie producers from the top film schools and film festivals. If recruited, producers have the opportunity to share their work with audiences in more than 60 countries. These moviemakers can also become a member of TMS' growing family of followers, shareholders and supporters, ultimately working together for a mutual profit.<br /> <br /> In addition, TMS continues to prove its value through its finesse and speed, period. The organization prides itself on giving viewers the power to decide for themselves if a film is successful.<br /> <br /> As a pledge to its commitment to the industry, the TMS team has solidified a powerful, well-coordinated media platform through NewsUSA and FilmFestival.com. This platform will boast a strong social media program intended to reach new independent producers and savvy film watchers alike.<br /> <br /> With the indie industry begging for more options to grow, TMS could be in the right position at the right time to swiftly become a leader in the entertainment industry at large.<br /> <br /> To learn more, please visit www.TheMovieStudio.com.<br /> <br /> Ref: Entertainment - in Blogs

<br /> <br /> <span style='display:none' class='DO NOT REMOVE - THIS CATEGORY CODE WILL BE HIDDEN - IT IS NEEDED TO BE FOUND BY CATEGORY AND ONE-CLICK SEARCH'>Category: Photography - in Art</span><br /> <br /> <span style='display:none' class='DO NOT REMOVE - THIS CATEGORY CODE WILL BE HIDDEN - IT IS NEEDED TO BE FOUND BY CATEGORY AND ONE-CLICK SEARCH'>Category: Photography - in Art</span>

<br /> <br /> <span style='display:none' class='DO NOT REMOVE - THIS CATEGORY CODE WILL BE HIDDEN - IT IS NEEDED TO BE FOUND BY CATEGORY AND ONE-CLICK SEARCH'>Category: Photography - in Blogs</span>

(NewsUSA) - The Bible is one of the most studied texts in existence, but a new book reveals a previously unrecognized encrypted message in the Old Testament that foresees the birth, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus.<br /> <br /> In the book, The Chamberlain Key: Unlocking the God Code to Reveal Divine Messages Hidden in the Bible, author Timothy Smith describes how he discovered the message by cracking a code in Genesis 30:20-24 in the oldest form of the Hebrew Old Testament.<br /> <br /> Smith, an appraiser and restorer of fine art and antiquities, was researching his family history and became intrigued by the Torah after learning that his matriarchal ancestors were in fact Sephardic Jews, and early Christians of Jewish decent. He said in a statement that he was drawn to the specific passages in Genesis because of parallels between descriptions of the family of Jacob, known as the father of the House of Israel, and his own family.<br /> <br /> Smith assessed the passages using an equidistant letter skip decryption method inspired by the Hebrew spelling of his name (the nine-letter Timotheus). He discovered not only his own name, but also biographical information that reflected other members of his family<br /> <br /> As he reviewed the passage in Genesis using the code, Smith found details about the birth, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus. He also identified references to religious images, including the Rocio Madonna, clues to the location of the contents of the Ark of the Covenant, and warnings of the spread of anti-Semitism, hate, and violence.<br /> <br /> Smith's research methods and conclusions have been reviewed by experts, including Dr. Robert Jahn, dean emeritus of engineering at Princeton University, and Dr. Eugene Ulrich, chief editor of the Biblical Dead Sea Scrolls and professor of Hebrew Scripture and Theology at University of Notre Dame.<br /> <br /> "Never before have so many high-level language and scientific experts agreed that the encrypted structures we have detected in this section of the Hebrew text, and the other structures logically predicted from this key code, are a very deliberate attempt by the Author of the pre-Christian text to make 'contact.' No other published 'Bible code' discoveries impress us in this way," Smith says.<br /> <br /> The Chamberlain Key takes readers through Smith's journey of discovery, including his personal account of the spiritual experiences that inspired him to pursue his research into the Torah.<br /> <br /> In addition, a history documentary series about the book and Smith's story are in production and scheduled to air within the year.<br /> <br /> For more information, visit <a target='_blank' href="http://chamberlainkey.com.">http://chamberlainkey.com.</a> <br /> <br /> Ref: God - in Blogs

(NewsUSA) - Sponsored News - It seems as if there is nothing a smartphone can't do these days. It can get you where you want to go (most of the time), you can make reservations at your favorite restaurant, and now you can use it to detect whether your home is leaking energy or water.<br /> <br /> Thermal imaging, a once-costly technology, available only to the military and police or firefighters, is now just a finger-swipe away with the right attachment to your smartphone, thanks to Seek Thermal, a California-based technology company.<br /> <br /> The way it works is this: the Seek Compact Camera (which is smaller than a credit card swiper for your phone) attaches to your smartphone, turning it into a thermal imager that can then identify hot and cold spots in your house. After downloading a free app, the camera begins working in seconds and homeowners can then easily spot energy loss in the home caused by air leaks, missing or damaged insulation, insufficient HVAC or poor construction. In addition, the thermal imaging camera can also find water in roofs, walls, doors, and window frames.<br /> <br /> According to one user who tested the Seek camera at the end of winter in his own home, the results were "stunning."<br /> <br /> "Within minutes, I was able to detect sources of heat leaking out of my house," he says. "Some of these places are easy to fix, while others would be quite difficult."<br /> <br /> For professional contractors, the Seek CompactPRO is a must-have because the camera has enough sensitivity to locate radiant heating pipes under concrete slabs, identify unsealed insulation gaps in roofs, walls, and door and window frames, and find out how far water has spread in the case of a leak.<br /> <br /> Thinking of buying a home? This little jewel could save you all kinds of unexpected surprises in the form of water leaks in the basement and behind finished walls, and roof leaks that may have been painted over by a homeowner trying to disguise a problem.<br /> <br /> To protect your investment (both the camera and your phone), the Seek Compact has a compatible module for the OtterBox uniVERSE Case System.<br /> <br /> The smartphone attachment is designed to work with both iPhone and Android top models.<br /> <br /> For more information, please visit www.thermal.com. <br /> <br /> Ref: Awesome - in Blogs

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With a nation surrounded by bodies of water and made up of over 700 individual islands, the Bahamas make up the vast majority of the Caribbean. Plus, with a vast array of attractive beaches and crystal clear shorelines, you will surely be able to soak in the sun. Besides the splendor of the beaches, there are many other sights that are only available in the Bahamas. You will also love that the locals have some level of English so asking for directions will be no problem.<br /><br />What's more is that you will find an array of activities available to enjoy. The activities available make the Bahamas a perfect vacation spot for couples, families, or individuals looking to get away for a while. For the adventurer, seeking an adventure in the Bahamas will provide more than what you expect. Plus, with reasonable prices, a Bahamian vacation won't break the bank. As far as prices are concerned, let's take a look at how much it would cost to go on a family vacation to the Bahamas.<br /><br />Price for a Family Vacation to the Bahamas<br /><br />Just like any other vacation, a trip to the Bahamas involves many things that affect the overall price such as the amount of time being spent in the Bahamas, hotel accommodations, where you are flying from, number of family members, and entertainment expenses. It is also important that you have a bit more spending money for unexpected expenses.<br /><br />As you search around online, you may come across several travel sites offering different prices for a Bahama vacation. On average, the price could range from $900 to $950 for a single person. This is not bad when you are staying for at least 3 nights. The price may include your plane tickets, complimentary breakfasts, and hotel charges. You need to keep in mind that a low price such as this may require the departing flight to be from Florida since the route will be shorter than any other state.<br /><br />Essentially, all of the costs you experience will be determined by where you fly out from and your length of stay. <br /><br />If you plan to be traveling as a family or a group of friends, you may experience an even lower price, which could be based on a group rate. All you have to do is choose which group rate will provide the most benefits. You may also want to keep an eye on the prices as they may often change.<br /><br />Cost for a Flight<br /><br />Booking a flight to the Bahamas is not necessarily expensive. Of course, the price may depend on the month you plan to go. For fall flights, you may pay hundreds less than a flight in the summer, which is normal when many are traveling. <br /><br />Bahama Activities To Enjoy<br /><br />The good part about having activities to do is that they all may not cost much or may even be free, such as being on the beach sunbathing. Besides the beach, other fun activities include tours and even snorkeling or parasailing. <br /><br />You need to be aware that the price for activities may increase, which may be caused by their ability to provide some great excitement. Below are a few of the activities you can expect to enjoy while vacationing in the Bahamas.<br /><br />Taking a Dive in the Lucayan National Park Caves<br /><br />With more than 40 acres of caves, the Lucayan National Park provides cave swimming for those who enjoy underwater exploration. Located on Grand Bahama Island, the Lucayan National Park is a prized location for those who love ecology. Prior to your dive, you can enjoy a nice horseback ride or hike among the hardwood forest, the coppice landscaping, and even the mangroves.<br /><br />Visit the Straw Market for Souvenir Shopping<br /><br />If you are good at bartering, then the Straw Market is a good place to get some souvenirs at a low price. The Straw Market can be found on Bay Street. While there you will come across different vendors selling various items to take back home and enjoy.<br /><br />Not only is it acceptable to barter and haggle, but the locals encourage it. No matter what day you feel like going to Straw Market, it will always be open until 8pm. <br /><br />Tackle the Atlantis Paradise Island Waterpark<br /><br />As you enter the waterpark, you will be amazed at what Aquaventure has to offer. As part of the fun, there are over 140 acres of slides, pools, and rivers that are set among a landscape of Atlantis ruins. If you are a resort guest, then you will have free access to the park. If you want to enjoy a day at Aquaventure, then a day pass is easily obtainable.<br /><br />Enjoy Cabbage Beach<br /><br />As you continue to explore Paradise Island, you should make your way to the east side to enjoy the clear waters of Cabbage Beach. With two miles worth of beach Cabbage Beach is able to provide nice swimming in clear water. <br /><br />While you're walking the beach, check out the huts along the beach. You will see a masseuse waiting to provide a relaxing massage as the waves crash nearby.<br /><br />Explore the Pink Sand of Pink Sands Beach<br /><br />That's right, the sand of Pink Sand Beach is truly pink in color. This pink is due to the insects containing the pink color in their shells.<br /><br />The sand remains pink because of the crushing waves that hit the shells. The waves then mix the sand with the remains, which creates the pink sand. Your feet will also love the sand, which is nice and cool and is perfect for beach walks or soaking up the sun.<br /><br />Order a Chilly Daq Shack Beverage<br /><br />While taking in the sun and beach, nothing else is better than enjoying a nice chilly beverage while doing it. At the Daq Shack, you will enjoy a wooden hut with open-air that will provide you with the best rum and freshest fruits to create your favorite drinks. <br /><br />With many trying to be as authentic as the original Daq Shack, you will be at the original when you goto Cable Beach. The original Daq Shack can be pinpointed by the huge amount of business cards strung throughout the establishment.<br /><br />Enjoy a Bite to Eat at Graycliff Hotel<br /><br />Who knew you would be among pirates as you dine at Graycliff Hotel. With its rich history, Graycliff has managed to cater many for more than 250 years in the Bahamas.<br /><br />Although Graycliff is popular for the cigars, the hotel mansion also boasts a tremendous cellar for various wines and of course, a restaurant worthy of five stars. The food is beyond rich but with a traditional Bahamian flair. With that, you will need to make reservations early, sometimes months in advance, so if you plan a future vacation to the Bahamas, it is best to reserve now.<br /><br />Enjoy a Fish Fry Conch<br /><br />Once you have enjoyed a nice frozen beverage at the Daq Shack, head over to Fish Fry for a nice conch. Although this dish is the unofficial island favorite, its popularity is beyond proportion. A multitude of vendors are lined up to provide their take on conch as well as rice and plantains.<br /><br />Although you can enjoy the Fish Fry any day of the week, Friday and Saturday boast the most fun with an atmosphere filled with rum and music lasting throughout the night.<br /><br />Enjoy Spectating Cricket Matches<br /><br />Head over to the Cricket Club to enjoy some tasty food and beverages while watching some cricket matches. For the best views, you are best to sit above in the balcony and enjoy the pitch from above. The seating above is great for enjoying a cold beverage as the cool breeze helps you to relax and enjoy the tropical surroundings.<br /><br />Head Over to John Watling for some Rum Sampling<br /><br />By adding some rum, you´ll enjoy a true Bahama experience that John Watling can provide. With over 20 years of rum production, the distillery filters the rum with coconut and does a good job at it. John Watling sits comfortably on the Buena Vista Estate and boasts two acres of lushness. Access to John Watling distillery is 7 days a week and tastings and tours are also available. Before you leave, make sure to grab their estate cocktails, which are available in half gallon size.<br /><br />Test the Stacks at Baha Mar Casino<br /><br />With a lot of naturalness surrounding your family vacation, it is nice to escape the family to enjoy some gambling with other adults. With some extra glitz available in Nassau, you can try a hand of cards at the Baha Mar Casino. With a few resorts to spend the night, the Baha Mar Casino connects each property to the others and is highly known as the Caribbean's biggest casino. Make sure to have a drink ready to calm the nerves before hitting the casino floor to face the 110+ tables and more than enough slots that will keep you occupied for the entire night. <br /><br />Go Diving in Thunderball Grotto<br /><br />Going for a dive just got better as you explore Thunderball Grotto. While in the cave, you will recognize it from a James Bond movie. You will find it near Staniel Cay, and enjoying the pool is a great way to relax and explore while also transporting yurself back to the days of espionage.<br /><br />Head to Sandy Toes for some Snorkeling <br /><br />Located 30 minutes by boat, you can head to Rose Island to relax at Sandy Toes and enjoy a fresh beverage at its beach bar. At the shoreline of the island, it provides great seclusion that only a tropical island can offer. While you are there yu can head out for some snorkreling or go out running with the pigs that inhabit the island. <br /><br />When you are finished with that, enjoy a nice beverage in a hammock to relax the rest of the day.<br /><br />Head to Andros for some Barrier Reef Snorkeling<br /><br />If you have fins and mask, then you will love getting to use them at Andros along the barrier reef. As one of the largest islands in the world, you will enjoy seeing what marine life await you in the Caribbean. Often referred to as the Big Yard, you will find it mostly uninhabited. This allows the island to remain quiet and tranquil. <br /><br />Besides the reef, you will enjoy the vast amount of shipwrecks, blue tangs, scorpionfish, and parrotfish.<br /><br />Bahama Seasons<br /><br />The seasons in the Bahamas have a high season that starts in December and ends in April and the “winter” is a tropical warm climate. Regardless, many continue to visit regardless of the season and hurricane season does not seem to deter the visitors. To get the most out of your vacation, it is best to avoid the season of Spring Break, which begins in March and ends in April. By avoiding the Spring Break, your family can enjoy what the island has to offer without worrying about drunk college kids.<br /><br />Extra Expenses You Can Expect<br /><br />Besides the prices for all of the activities you enjoy, you will need to account for the expenses that will be added on top. We are sure that you do not want to just stay in your hotel for the entire time your family is vacationing. <br /><br />Knowing that, you also need to know about some other expenses that you may see every day that you remain in the Bahamas. While some may be on top of what you will be paying, some may be added to the overall price you pay. Keep in mind that the prices for each are considered average.<br /><br />Your Accommodations<br /><br />Many of your accommodations will be covered after you book your family vacation. But you may want to stay in other hotels as you explore the Bahamas. On average, you can expect to pay a daily rate of $65 for a night. Of course, if you need more space, then you will be paying more so do some research prior to booking. <br /><br />Dining Expenses<br /><br />Having a hotel that serves a free breakfast will save you some money each day you stay there. Luckily, most of the sites that will book your stay include hotels that provide a free continental breakfast. This will provide you with some extras spending money to enjoy other food outside of the hotel. <br /><br />When you have a daily budget of around $40, you will easily enjoy the variety of food options available to you. This is great when the majority of the cuisine will be seafood-based. You should be ready for any dish, but in case you need some pointers on what to try, we've listed a few of the most popular that you will enjoy for less than your budget amount.<br /><br />Conch - This dish is nationally known and favored by many in the Bahamas. As a mollusk, the seafood is breaded and fried and served along with lemons. No matter where you adventure off to, you will likely see it in every restaurant you visit. A lot of times it is listed as an appetizer, however you may combine it as a main dish.<br /><br />Boiled Fish with Grits - This Bahamian dish is served frequently during breakfast. The fish is cooked in a spice broth made up of peppers and onions along with lime juice. A nice serving of grits is then served alongside it. <br /><br />Fish Stew - This healthy stew will be found throughout every restaurant regardless of where you are in the country. It combines celery, tomatoes, onions, spices, and of course fish.<br /><br />Getting Around<br /><br />Getting around by taxi or bus may cost around $20 each day. With water taxis, you could be paying as much as $35 per day.<br /><br />Separate Entertainment<br /><br />Enjoying a nightlife without the kids can offer nice alone time with your spouse. If you are a night person then going to various bars can put you back $25 for a night of fun. You may also be tipping so throw in a few more dollars for that. <br /><br />Ocean Excitement<br /><br />Being surrounded by the ocean means you have many opportunities to enjoy the activities that go along with it. You can enjoy kayaking for 4 hours for $65, pay $70 for snorkeling trips, or pay $45 to enjoy a jet ski. For a parasailing adventure, you can expect to pay close to $245 for a group of three.<br /><br />Don´t Forget your Souvenirs<br /><br />With photos and videos making up the majority of your souvenirs, it is also good to have an item that you purchase from within the Bahamas. With a souvenir being displayed in the house, others can easily ask about it and you can recall the moment you purchased it. On average, the amount you spend may be less than $3.<br /><br />So What is the Total Cost<br /><br />Taking everything into consideration and including the extras after your ticket and accommodations, you may be easily spending between $1,500 and $2,000 for your families entire vacation. This is not bad considering all that the Bahamas has to offer its visitors.<br />