The Domestic Tourist

BTC goes on island adventure with Domestic Tourist

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Iconic Long Island attractions take centre stage in a new television commercial thanks to a partnership between the leading island hopping travel blog, The Domestic Tourist, and the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC).

BTC signed Noelle Khalila, the Domestic Tourist as the newest brand talent for promoting its internet service last week. Noelle Khalila will be featured in ads for the company’s ongoing BTC Everyday brand campaign.

The new commercial features some of Long Island’s most distinctive treasures, highlighting the simple and free fun that makes island life so appealing. Children at play by the Salt Pond dock, where hundreds usually congregate for the annual Long Island Regatta, finding amusement by daring each other to jump off the dock and goading strange travellers to join the fun.

“On the Domestic Tourist Facebook page we plan to run a fun giveaway around naming these iconic locations, so we hope our fans stay tuned,” said Noelle Khalila.

The world renowned Dean’s Blue Hole makes the cut, with Noelle Khalila plunging from its 30 foot cliffs. Sandy Cay Beach is also featured, along with its native residents, protected Bahamian rock iguanas.

“BTC’s message – every island, every connection, everyday – was something I could align myself to, because the Domestic Tourist is about discovering, exploring and sharing island experiences across the Islands of The Bahamas all the time. I am promoting a lifestyle of self- discovery through travel, of life enjoyment through trying new things. I sum it up best by saying, live better, travel more. The Bahamas happens to be a playground for all of that to take place and I am blessed to showcase the faces of the islands many people do not know,” said Noelle Khalila.

“As an online brand we rely on BTC’s Internet services everyday, so it is only natural they would see value in an endorsement by The Domestic Tourist. We use their products in a way that is fresh, fun, exciting and innovative, plus it serves a broader national development interest. I believe the relationship has a lot of potential, so hopefully it will be maximised,” she said.

Full time island-hopping is quite an undertaking, and producing digital content to go along with those travels is no easy feat. It is an important job made possible through technology.

“We can’t live in a country selling travel to tourists and not enjoy the pleasure ourselves. We hope to continue inspiring our readers, motivating them to go on their own island adventures. We are always open to mutual collaborations to help us achieve that objective,” said Noelle Khalila.

Readers can follow the Domestic Tourist on Twitter @explorebahamas, on Instagram and Facebook and at the website http://www.domestictourist.com.

Read BTC goes on island adventure with Domestic Tourist on The Domestic Tourist.

This article was originally published on The Domestic Tourist

The Domestic Tourist

All you need to know about Sapphire Hole: Belly flops sting

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In case you wondered, belly flops sting, and they bruise. I know this because I over rotated on a front somersault and belly flopped in Sapphire Hole, my favourite blue hole in North Eleuthera.

Tucked inside the bushes of Northern Eleuthera, a few feet off an unnamed track road, is a blue hole with unmatched water visibility. You will not find Sapphire Hole on tourist maps, even though less than five minutes down the road sits the most historically significant natural attraction in Eleuthera, Preacher’s Cave.

The significance of its depth is not below the water. Light penetrates the salty pool illuminating the bottom. The perimeter walls, however, stand about 20 feet around the entire circumference. In other words, cannot be afraid of heights and fully enjoy this natural attraction.

I attempted the daring flip because more than 10 years ago I used to be a gymnast. Every now and then, when I’m on the beach showing off in front of fast-talking boys or being a dare devil diving off cliffs, I draw on my skills. Every now and then (actually this was the first time) my aging body and fading memory fails me. I usually keep within my limits.

Of course the lesson I’m taking away is not, do not somersault off 20 foot cliffs. It is, do not over rotate when you somersault off 20 foot cliffs. Fortunately the only evidence of my failing judgment is this blog, and my bruised leg.

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Sapphire Hole is one of those spots you never tire of visiting, because each visit adds a new dimension. Fellow Domestic Tourist Mark Daniels, a Bahamas National Trust park ranger and manager of the Leon Levy Nature Preserve introduced me to the spot and it keeps calling me back. On my virgin encounter I jumped. The second time I visited I dove in (not so gracefully). The third time I belly flopped. So naturally, I have to go a forth time to redeem my honour with a graceful dive and a somersault worthy of my former gymnastics fame.

As far as I know, the blue hole has no official name, so I named it. Most people refer to it as “the blue hole in the bush close to Preacher’s Cave”. Its new name, according to The Domestic Tourist, is Sapphire Hole.

What is most intimidating about the blue hole is the thought of getting stuck down below. Two sturdy ropes hang from a tree truck to assist in climbing out. But you hardly need to use the ropes. The rocks on behind the ropes are assembled perfectly for free climbing. It takes a bit of confidence, but not a lot of skill to scale the wall.

The bottom-line is do not leave Sapphire Hole off your itinerary when visiting Eleuthera, especially if you’re looking for things to do that will get your blood pumping.

Read All you need to know about Sapphire Hole: Belly flops sting on The Domestic Tourist.

This article was originally published on The Domestic Tourist

Book Riot

30 Diverse YA Titles To Get On Your Radar

I Read YAThis post is sponsored by I Read YA.

Throughout the month of May, Scholastic’s This is Teen community is sharing a simple statement: I read YA. If you read young adult books, too, they’d love to hear from you! Tweet your YA book recommendations to @this_is_teen using #IreadYA to join the conversation with authors and readers, AND be entered to win some great YA prizes!

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Since we’ve been talking about getting more diversity into your reading, I thought it would be worthwhile to highlight a number of books that are coming out through the end of the year that feature diversity. Each of these books contains a main character who is either non-white, non-straight, of a non-Christian background, or is disabled. As importantly, these are books where those elements aren’t the entire plot of the book.

I pulled together 30 books to get you started in your own quest to read more diversely. I’ve included not only fiction, but also a number of nonfiction titles to get on your radar as well. A small number of these books are available now.

As a bonus, I’ve pooled some great further resources for diversifying your YA reading. It should be noted this list is not exhaustive.

Fiction

Diversity in YA 1

A Matter of Soulsby Denise Lewis Patrick (available now): A collection of short stories about the souls of black men and women from historical to contemporary time frames.

A Time to Danceby Padma Venkatraman (available now): Veda is a dance prodigy in India, but an accident turns her into an amputee. She won’t let that loss take away her dreams, though.

Dirty Wingsby Sarah McCarry (St. Martins Griffin, July 15): Maia is trapped in the good girl role in her strict, adoptive household. Cass is a street girl. But when their paths cross, their lives are forever changed. This is a loose retelling of the Persephone myth.

I Love I Hate I Miss My Sisterby Amelie Sarn (Delacorte, August 15): A story of two Muslim sisters, one who is becoming more devout and one who is becoming more secular.

On a Clear Dayby Walter Dean Myers (Crown Books for Young Readers, September 23): A futuristic novel, set in 2035, where a diverse cast of teens comes together to fight the powerful corporate elite.

One Man Guyby Michael Barakiva (Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, May 27): A gay love story featuring an Armenian main character, some Rufus Wainwright, and a load of humor.

Diversity in YA 2

Blindby Rachel DeWoskin (Viking, August 7): Emma lost her sight after a wayward 4th of July rocket landed in her eye. Now that she’s back at school, she’s learning how to adjust to her new way of life and hoping she doesn’t become the Poor Blind Kid to her peers.

Bombay Bluesby Tanuja Desai Hidier (Push, August 26): In this sequel to Born Confused, Dimple does a little globe trotting and discovers that going home — and defining “home” — might not be as easy as she thinks.

Lies We Tell Ourselvesby Robin Talley (Harlequin Teen, September 30): Set in 1959, Sarah is one of the first black students to attend the previously all-white high school in her Virginia town. Linda, who grew up in a house where “separate but equal” was instilled in her as the right way of life, is now paired up with Sarah for a school project. Can they overcome their differences and maybe find there’s much more to their relationship than just project partners?

Like No Otherby Una LaMarche (Razorbill, July 24): Devorah grew up in a strict Hassidic household and has always been a “good girl.” Jaxon is nerdy, fun boy who has never been that great with girls. When they become stranded together in an elevator, their paths cross in a way that challenges both their perceptions of each other — and themselves.

Otherboundby Corinne Duyvis (Amulet, June 17): A fantasy novel about body possession, featuring two points of view and characters that are queer, disabled, and of more than one color.

Tabula Rasaby Kristen Lippert-Martin (EgmontUSA, September 23): Pitched as The Bourne Identity meets Divergent, with a main character who is half Latina.

Diversity in YA 3

Hold Tight, Don’t Let Goby Laura Rose Wagner (Amulet, January 6, 2015): This story follows two cousins who were raised as sisters in the wake of the devastating Haitian earthquake in 2010.

How It Went Downby Kekla Magoon (Henry Holt, October 21): Tariq was killed by two gunshot wounds, and his community is in an uproar as details about the event keep changing. Tariq was black and his shooter, white. How do you make sense of a tragedy?

The Fire Wishby Amber Lough (Random House, July 22): A high fantasy novel about royalty, magic, jinni, and set in the Middle East.

Like Water on Stoneby Dana Walrath (Delacorte, November 11): Set during the Armenian genocide of 1915, this verse novel is a story about sisters and survival.

Call Me By My Nameby John Ed Bradley (available now): It’s not easy being a black quarterback in 1960s Louisiana, as prejudice continues to run high and you’re starting to fall for a girl who people don’t want you to pursue.

Girl in Reverseby Barbara Stuber (available now): Lily was adopted when she was young, and her Asian heritage makes her life challenging during the height of the Korean War. But a discovery her brother makes of artifacts in the family attic sends Lily down a road to not only discovering — but embracing — the skin she’s in.

Diversity 6

Of Metal and Wishesby Sarah Fine (Margaret K. McElderry, August 5): How about a retelling of The Phantom of the Opera set in a slaughterhouse in a reimagined Asia? Here you go.

The Girl From the Wellby Rin Chupeco (Sourcebooks Fire, August 5): Because the pitch for this is too great not share, this is your average Dexter meets The Grudge horror novel, based on a Japanese ghost story.

Knockout Gamesby G. Neri (Carolrhoda Lab, August 1): A 15-year-old white girl is convinced to join a violent club by a convincing 18-year-old black boy. What could possibly happen?

Ashes to Ashesby Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, September 16): This is the third and final installment in the series about three girls set out for revenge upon those who have wronged them.

Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feelby Sara Farizan (Algonquin Books, October 7): It’s hard enough for Leila at school being Persian, but if people knew she was also a lesbian, it’d become even harder. But then a new girl shows up and perhaps Leila’s ready to be open and confident about who she is.

Everything Leads to Youby Nina LaCour (available now): An unabashed and sweet lesbian love story.

Non-Fiction

Diversity in YA 5

I Am Malala: Young Reader’s Editionby Malala Yousafzai and Patricia McCormick (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, August 19): This edition of Malala’s story is told for teen readers, and Patricia McCormick — known for her books like Sold – helps shape the narrative.

La Vida Robotby Joshua Davis (FSG, September 2): A book about four undocumented Mexican American teenagers, a pair of teachers, and a robot-building contest.

Taking Flightby Michaela DePrince and Elaine DePrince (Knopf, October 14): Michaela’s memoir of having escaped Sierra Leone and becoming a well-known star in the American ballet world.

Transgender Livesby Kirstin Cronn-Mills (Twenty-first Century Books, September 1): Cronn-Mills, who wrote the award-winning novel Beautiful Music for Ugly Children, explores what it means to be trans* in America through seven narratives. The book also delves into trans* history and the spectrum of identity.

Some Assembly Requiredby Arin Andrews (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, September 30): A memoir by a teenager about undergoing gender reassignment while in high school.

Rethinking Normalby Katie Rain Hill (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, September 30): Nineteen-year-old Katie Hill writes about what it was like to undergo gender reassignment.

Further Resources

Want more places to find great diverse stories? Here’s a small handful of places to stop for solid recommendations:

Book Riot

Bust Into New Genres with Oyster’s Ebook Subscription Service

This post is sponsored by Oyster.

Oyster offers readers the opportunity to browse thousands of titles whenever and wherever the urge strikes them. They offer immediate and unlimited access to more than 500,000 titles, ranging from familiar favorites to books from across the genre spectrum. Readers will find award-winners and bestsellers and the titles that have been staring at them from bookstore displays, begging to be read. Their time has finally come.

Oyster is designed specifically for reading on-the-go, with apps available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.

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I’ve been using Oyster since it launched last fall, way back before it was a Book Riot sponsor, and one of my favorite things–and, I think, one of the best things–about the service is how easy Oyster makes it to try new books and genres. It’s an all-you-can-read model for $9.95 a month, so if you start reading a book and just aren’t digging it, you can move on to something else without feeling like you wasted your hard-won book dollars. Experimentation becomes a low-risk possibility, and you can expand your readerly horizons in all kinds of new directions.

If, like me, you’re looking to bust into new genres, here are some recommendations from Oyster’s digital library.

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Since we’re talking about trying out books you haven’t wanted to commit to before, it’s probably appropriate to begin with a Big, Long Classic. Oyster has its own specially designed edition of Moby-Dick, so you can chase the white whale and be free to bail if you wanna.

interpeter of maladiesShort stories often get short shrift in the book world. They require us to flex a different set of muscles than novels do, and I’ve heard more readers than I can count say they just don’t “get” short fiction. To understand how fewer words can pack a more powerful punch, read The Collected Stories of Eudora Welty. Then level up with Jhumpa Lahiri’s award-winning debut collection Interpreter of Maladies. If you’re not hooked from the opening piece, “A Temporary Matter,” about a couple who begin telling each other their secrets as they sit in the dark during daily power outages, I don’t know what to do for you.

Speaking of books that get short shrift, we need to have a serious talk about how SO MANY readers (and so many authors of so many click-bait editorials) still labor under the misperception that books about young adults are only for young adults. Silver Sparrow by Tayari Jones is one beautiful example of the books–and they are myriad–that tell coming-of-age stories and tackle big, important issues. Readers of all ages will find value and insight within these pages.

Readers of all ages will also love A Series of Unfortunate Events. I held out on reading these for SO LONG because sometimes I forget how great kids’ books can be. Don’t be like me. Read these!

nine rules to break when romancing a rakeOf all the genres I was curious about, romance is the one where I most felt like I didn’t know where to start. A friend recommended Sarah MacLean, and I’m happy to report that her combination of steamy sex scenes, smart heroines, and avoidance of silly euphemisms for body parts is exactly what blows my skirt up. Kick off your adventures in romance with her regency tales, beginning with Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake.

For a look at sex and relationships through the lens of science rather than imagination, dig into Sex at Dawn by Christopher Ryan and Cacilda Jetha. This book is so packed with interesting tidbits about sex and culture, you’ll be stocked with dinner party anecdotes for several years.

Did a bad experience in school ruin you for the notion that educational reading can be fun? You might love The Canon: A Whirligig Tour of the Beautiful Basics of Science by Natalie Angier. Angier is a veteran science reporter with a charming voice and a knack for explaining big concepts in language that is straight-forward but not dumbed down. She trusts her readers to be smart, and she rewards them for their attention with funny asides and stories from her career.

For readers who love science and research and examining human behavior, Dan Ariely’s Predictably Irrationalis a must. We humans like to think our decisions are rational, but, well, there’s a whole lot of evidence (many of it from Ariely’s fascinating studies) to the contrary. You’ll see your brain and behavior in a whole new light.

blindnessBust all your preconceived notions about speculative fiction with Blindness by Jose Saramago. This is a book about loss and survival and the limits of humanity, and it begins when people in an unnamed city are struck with an epidemic of “white blindness.” Rather than darkness, all they see is white. It’s a striking premise and a riveting story, just one piece of the considerable body of work that earned Saramago the Nobel Prize for Literature.

Just when I thought the vampire story had been totally played out, I fell for The Strain by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan. These aren’t traditional vampires in the blood-sucking, cloak-wearing sense, but they are every bit as mean and terrifying, and they are blessedly devoid of sparkling sense and romantic sensibilities.

If you just read that vampire recommendation and were all, “Keep the vampires, but I’ll take the suspense,” then I want to point you in the direction of Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane. Go ahead and forget the movie with Leonardo DiCaprio. This is weird, page-turning stuff with surprises you won’t see coming.

best american nonrequired reading 2013And now, for a little bit of everything all in one, I give you The Best American Nonrequired Reading.Every year, the teens from Dave Eggers’ awesome 826 National program read a lot of everything–news stories, short stories, comics, essays, transcripts from Occupy Wall Street meetings, you name it–and cull the very best pieces into a collection. The only criterion for inclusion is that the piece is interesting and entertaining. Big names, fame, and previous publishing credits don’t matter to these editors, and the result every year is an anthology of great work that will no doubt introduce you to new favorites.

Have you been using Oyster to try out new books? Tell us about your adventures!

The Domestic Tourist

The most epic conch burger: Lunch is served

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Four ingredients make my Chat ‘N’ Chill® conch burger simply epic:

  1. The meat is actually ground up and made into a conch patty (not my doing, but still)
  2. I layer on their signature coleslaw that is seasoned with black pepper;
  3. French Fries, of course. A burger is incomplete without them; and
  4. KB’s Hot Sauce, a scotch bonnet mixture that is homemade by one of the owners.

Oh, what sweet delight. I constructed my very own epic conch burger at Chat ‘N’ Chill®, one of the top beach front restaurants in Great Exuma, and it was sublime. Follow these simple steps for your very own epic experience.

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Read The most epic conch burger: Lunch is served on The Domestic Tourist.

This article was originally published on The Domestic Tourist