NASSAU, BAHAMAS

We took a quick trip down to the Bahamas with my Dad and family to celebrate the holidays. It was a large family affair…Grace and myself, my Dad, Anitra, Momma Penny, brother Skye and his boyfriend Jacob, sister Sierra and her boyfriend Forrest, and sister Talli with her 20-yr old college personality. We stayed at the beautiful Baha Mar. It felt good to disconnect for a long weekend in the sun.

The Baha Mar Resort is located in Nassau, Bahamas. It is a massive place, almost like a theme park for adults on an island. It was my first time in the Bahamas and it did not disappoint. Anytime to get away from Chicago winter is something we can get on board with. We had a beautiful ocean view room where we could keep the doors open each night and hear the waves crash onto the shore.

Before Grace and I arrived (aka the fun), the rest of the fam went to Graycliff. Graycliff is a beautiful hotel and restaurant experience with their own chocolate kitchen and in-house cigar company where they roll fresh cigars on demand. My dad picked up a couple of extra cigars to share with me…they were the best cigars I have ever tasted hands down.

Finally Grace and I arrived and the fun could actually begin. Grace hit up the spa for a much needed massage and relaxation while I hung at the pool. Grace met us at the pool afterwards in a state of complete zen.

Our first night there found us going to the best Mediterranean we’ve had since Shuka in New York. Cleo was located in the SLS side of the Baha Mar. Every dish we had was fantastic and we tried almost every dish. The hands down best was the skirt steak kabobs, perfectly crispy brussel sprouts, fresh salmon and top-notch espresso martinis (as you can see, we like our espresso martinis).

After dinner we were ready to indulge in the rest of the Baha Mar offerings — multiple bars and the casino. Monkey see, monkey do right?

We found Morgan and Jeff, Grace’s co-worker and her awesome husband, who also happened to be vacationing at the Baha Mar. We hung out at the casino then enjoyed our hand-rolled Graycliff cigars at the hotel cigar bar before going to the SLS Skybar.

Is that a Miami Vice? Yes, yes it is. Those drinks are straight candy.

Lucky for us, Morgan and Jeff are a couple of Baha Mar frequent travelers. They knew the lay of the land and found a new pool, untouched by kids and visitors. It was the quite the find! The ahi tuna salad was impeccable.

We could not have had a more perfect Saturday. Sun all day. Great company.

Grace and I went for a walk down the pier to take a moment for ourselves. I love my wife. We had such a great trip together. I only wish we could’ve stayed longer. She is my Bahama Mama.

Somehow, someway we found ourselves at the day club. Plenty of Champagne guns, dry ice fog machines and music to take you back to early 2000’s. Grace and I indulged for a little bit then went to go take a nap while the kids played.

Saturday night we went to a famous sushi restaurant, Katsuya, where we had some of the freshest salmon we have ever tasted. After dinner we went to the jazz bar and a love train broke out. Anitra, Forrest & myself could not turn down joining in on the love train until people started going through other peoples legs, then we politely opted out.

A bourbon and a hand-rolled cigar to cap off the evening, or so I thought…until the black jack table called my name just one more time. At least this time, we ended up winning!

A great trip all around. It may have been short, but when you have a large family that currently lives all over the map, you cherish any moments you can get. Traveling to the Caribbean often is definitely on our bucket list. So far, St. Lucia & Bahamas. Where does our next adventure take us? Stay tuned.