The Verify-In: Dive into the Bahamas, highway journey snack necessities, and extra

Welcome to The Verify-In, our weekend characteristic specializing in all issues journey.

The Bahamas is a paradise for all sorts of divers

For divers, no place compares to the Bahamas. There’s shark diving, scuba diving, reef diving, wall diving, cave diving, and shipwreck diving. The water is obvious, with visibility of as much as 200 toes, and heat 12 months spherical.

Reef diving affords introduction to what the Bahamas has to supply underneath the ocean. The Andros Barrier Reef is the third-largest fringing reef on Earth and residential to greater than 160 species of fish and coral, whereas the beautiful Victory Reef in Bimini is thought to draw grouper, snapper, barracudas, and sharks.

A gray angelfish swims in the Bahamas

In search of a deeper journey? Think about cave diving, the place you possibly can maneuver by way of caverns and tunnels at websites like Ben’s Collapse Freeport. Remember to put aside time for exploring a blue gap — Dean’s Blue Gap by Lengthy Island is the second-deepest on this planet — and one of many many pure and synthetic shipwrecks scattered across the islands. There are some in shallow areas and fairly just a few deeper down — film buffs will respect the James Bond Wrecks in Nassau.

Essentially the most thrilling choice of all is shark diving. The Bahamas has been a shark sanctuary since 2011 — the capturing and killing of sharks is prohibited — and can also be “arguably the shark diving capital of the world,” Candace Fields, a contributor to Nationwide Geographic’s SharkFest, advised The Week. It is an enormous income generator, bringing in about $114 million a 12 months.

Candace Fields

Cage diving is an choice, however many adventurers select to swim with sharks in open waters. At Tiger Seaside off of Grand Bahama, it is a close to assure that divers (and those that select to look at from the protection of a ship) will spot tiger sharks. Many tour operators will feed the sharks, so they’re drawn to the place the group is and everybody can get an up-close view.

Fields encourages anybody who needs to see sharks of their pure atmosphere to come back go to the Bahamas. “The crystal clear water is fairly onerous to beat,” she mentioned. “That is a giant promote. The water is 9 occasions out of 10 crystal clear, and you are not in murky water worrying about what’s arising behind you. I at all times have a way of calm realizing I can see.”

A scuba diver in a shark cage

Mushroom chips, vitality balls, and plant-based jerky: Pack your baggage with these highway journey snacks

Moreover a full tank of gasoline, an important factor to have on a highway journey is a cooler full of snacks — a lot of snacks. On these lengthy stretches of freeway the place exits with drive-thrus and comfort shops are few and much between, you may be glad you thought forward. Listed here are just a few ideas for snacks that may hold you happy till you attain your remaining vacation spot.

Frooze Balls are plant-based vitality balls that show you possibly can pack a variety of taste in a small package deal. The elements are simple, with dates and actual fruit juice including sweetness and cashew butter including creaminess. There are a number of flavors, with two standouts: the peanut butter and jelly, which tastes like an elevated model of the true factor, and the lemon cheesecake, a deliciously citrusy tackle a dessert basic.

Dot’s Pretzels are a snack revelation. These pretzels are coated with a secret, buttery seasoning mix that’s so tasty you do not ask questions — so long as Dot is aware of the elements, that is all that issues. Two ideas: Purchase the largest bag on the retailer and ensure to get the unique model (there’s additionally honey mustard and southwestern).

Popadelics are crunchy mushroom chips that may go away you asking “Potato who?” These vegan snacks pack an umami punch, and are available three flavors — Trippin’ Truffle Parm, Twisted Thai Chili, and Rad Rosemary + Salt — that may completely delight mushroom lovers and should even flip the haters into followers.

Jack & Buddies plant-based jerky can trick even the largest carnivores. The jackfruit and pea protein combo provides it practically the identical style, texture, and look of meat jerky, and the excessive protein content material will hold you full on the highway. Get the variability pack to strive all three flavors: ginger teriyaki, candy barbecue, and tomato and poblano pepper.

With snacks coated, remember two different requirements: drinks and gum. Additional’s sugar-free Pink Lemonade flavored gum is tart, candy, and ideal for summer time, whereas Spindrift’s Nojito glowing water is a bubbly mixture of lime and mint.

The author acquired samples of a few of these merchandise.

A road through a desert landscape

In case you missed it…

The Pantheon is now charging a 5 euro entrance charge, with the Italian authorities saying it is to make sure the nation has cash to keep up the traditional web site. Thus far, it isn’t going over nicely with guests.

A Delta flight attendant obtained an A+++++ for customer support this week, when he flew down with a passenger’s forgotten passport to make sure she made it on her honeymoon cruise.

Passport delays are probably right here to remain, no less than by way of the top of 2023.

A stack of U.S. passports