I need a vacation--all about me

I need help people.  I need a vacation.  When I say 'I', I mean my family has to come along too (they insist on it really).  Our great plan was to leave for 6 months to Europe at the end of August.  Well, one of our clients just dumped a huge job on us, so we're stuck here at least until the end of the year.  

We need a vacation.  After all the work we've done last year and the work we'll be doing this year, we need to make it count.  Here's where you come in...we don't know where to go.  We do know that it must be someplace tropical.  We've been to Jamaica, so we don't necessarily want to go back. Though we did have fun

That's me and Mr. Fab before we spawned...we were so skinny...sigh

Anyway, I've been looking into Puerto Rico and Aruba (thanks karateexplosions), but am also interested in Costa Rica and Belize. I really can't narrow it down.  

The problem, you see, is me.  I'm high maintenance.  I want too much and it'll be near impossible for me to get it.  For example, I want my vacation to be cheap and stress-free.  I want to rent a flat or house that's withing walking distance of cool places to hang out, public transportation and things to see.  I want to not have to fly in a puddlejumper and I want to be on the beach.  Did I mention it should be cheap?  I also need wifi access and want to impact the earth as minimum as possible.  In other words, I want my crapass apt. in the same neighborhood, but on the beach and a lot cheaper.  Does that place even exist?

There there the sightseeing issue.  DH and I have a somewhat different takes on what is interesting.  Puerto Rico would be cool for both of us because we both are eager to go to Arecibo.  Meanwhile, going to Costa Rica, he'd be more interested in the ruins (he was an archaeology major of sorts), while I'd be more interested in the environmentalist part.  Belize would be great because of the music we love and they have a Big Blue Hole, but then we have those pesky kids tagging along...how do you find a babysitter in a foreign country?  As you can see there's so many things that we need to consider, but we're running out of time for cheap tix.  

Which brings me to hurricane season.  I checked the hurricane records for the different areas, but then realized that since we're most likely in that 30 year cycle all the previous records won't be that helpful to this non-meterologist.  We went to Jamaica during hurricane season and this vacation will most likely be the end of Aug./Sept.  

Then there's the fear factor.  I hate flying in small planes and I'm somewhat afraid of boats.  Not so much afraid, but more concerned about being a so-so swimmer and having to save 2 babies who can't swim when the boat sinks.  At any rate, I'd like to keep that sort of nonsense to a minimum.  Like never.

So...I turn it over to you.  The well-informed Kossack.  If you're not informed, I'm sure you'll have an opinion anyway.  Help a sista out, 'kay?

•  Mexico (n/t)

  by LarryInNYC on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 08:25:10 PM PDT

  •  Care to elaborate?

    That's like telling a German they should visit the US.  Where???  I nixed Mexico because of the proximity to me.  I figured if I wanted to go, I'd have driven down there by now.  BUT...tell me where to go?

    by fabooj on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 08:28:02 PM PDT

    •  Among other things. . .

      . . . I don't know where you are!

      The family and I spent a week in the Yucatan in the spring.  Lots of stuff to do and good beaches -- not just the famous ones on the Carribean, but very nice Gulf beaches as well north and west of Merida.

      Some very cool kid activities too, which I can fill you in on if you are interested.

      The Pacific coast is long and has all kinds of opportunities.  The only place I've been myself is Puerto Angel / Zipolete -- don't know what it's like now but it was nice then.

      Finally, there's Baja, which rates high on my list of places to get too.

      by LarryInNYC on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 08:31:12 PM PDT

      •  I've been most everywhere in Mexico

        so if someone wants some tips, I'm here..also Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, Costa Rica, Panama, Nic and El Salvador.

        by mariachi mama on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 08:42:33 PM PDT

      •  Oops my bad

        I'm in Ca...I guess that knowledge would make it easier know what is cheap for me.

        by fabooj on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 10:44:59 PM PDT

        •  tropical Fab

          I think you would love the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island.  it meets all but a couple of your requirements (small plane but from Miami, a pretty short trip) and a little on the expensive side, but . . . .

          one of the most kid-friendly places I've ever been.  my daughter was 7 and had the time of her life.  water tricycles, aquariums built into the walls, hiking, five pools, wave pool, Adventure Island-like water parks.

          everything in one place.  you won't need a car.  there are about 10 restaurants and boutique shopping (Versace, art gallery, locally made jewelry).  the hotel takes care of you on the beach with mani-pedis and hair-braiding included.

          casino, several clubs, dancing.  

          absolutely breathtakingly beautiful scenery.  

          lots of one-price everything-included deals.  we had a beautiful vacation there.  (I liked it better than Jamaica, and more for kids than in Belize.)

          by Avila on Thu Jul 20, 2006 at 02:10:18 AM PDT

          •  We considered that

            But it is a resort and with the exception of Vegas, we don't do resorts anymore...especially if there other people's children involve.  We really want a flat or condo so we can experience the country we're in...our Jamaican trip was at an all-inclusive and while it was nice, it was definitely not our scene.  

            by fabooj on Thu Jul 20, 2006 at 08:17:43 AM PDT

    •  As far south

      as possible. And don't drive there. It's close to us but an entirely different country- really wonderful. But the closer you get to the U.S. border the crappier(and more expensive) things get. And it's good to get to know your neighbors.

      by palachia on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 08:41:23 PM PDT

      •  I've driven in Mexico before

        Ain't not thang but a chicken wang...Though, I most certainly do not want to spend these precious moments driving.

        by fabooj on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 11:14:44 PM PDT

        •  ok

          by palachia on Thu Jul 20, 2006 at 06:21:36 AM PDT

    •  see my comment downthread...and

      I can't see your picture.  Just my browser, or is there an image problem?  Hmmm. I meant picture image, not fabooj image <grin>.

      by exmearden on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 08:47:28 PM PDT

      •  Can you see it now? n/t

        by fabooj on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 10:51:12 PM PDT

        •  Yes! Lovely!

          thank you!  Great photo...

          by exmearden on Thu Jul 20, 2006 at 03:28:55 AM PDT

          •  Thanks

            It was our first and most likely last time ever staying at an all-inclusive.  Though it was nice having everything right there, we're more of the off-the-beaten-track types and the resort was stifling.  That's why we want to rent a house or flat this time around.  We seem to have a better time, when we do that, than going to hotels or resorts.  

            by fabooj on Thu Jul 20, 2006 at 08:15:24 AM PDT

    •  Cabo San Lucas, Baja

      Side trip to San Ignacio.

      by Land of Enchantment on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 09:09:07 PM PDT

      •  Wow, that's a long way

        from CSL. And Cabo is gringo central, terribly overbuilt and expensive. IMO, not reccommended. (sorry LOE)

        by mariachi mama on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 09:32:19 PM PDT

        •  Wouldn't have mentioned Cabo...

          ...except fabooj wants amenities.  I'm a big Baja fan, but go for beaches and boojums and hot springs myself.

          by Land of Enchantment on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 10:22:48 PM PDT

          •  The only amenity

            I really need is wifi.  I know that CR is building out their infrastructure, but I'm not sure about the other places.  

            by fabooj on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 11:05:17 PM PDT

            •  San Jose Del Cabo

              It's less drunken teenagers, more resort-like, and more relaxed.  The hotels between CSL and SJDC are nice, too.  But, I've heard more swooning, dreamy sighs about Belize than anywhere else...have yet to go.

              by Blissing on Thu Jul 20, 2006 at 12:32:38 AM PDT

      •  BTDT

        I think it's a rite of passage for kids who grow up in SoCal to hang down there.  I'm Cabo'd out.

        by fabooj on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 10:45:58 PM PDT

    •  Tulum, QA, Mexico

      Tulum is about 100 kms south of Cancun. Rent a car or take the bus there.

      Cheap, lowkey, and fun.

      I've stayed more than once at a place called Blue Sky Casitas that is quite nice. I understand they now have a restaurant there but you can walk along the beach to other places that also have good food.  They have wireless but not sure if it goes into the rooms. I've never taken my laptop with me because I am vacation...thus no cellphone and no laptop is it for me.

      Ruins are nearby, diving in the cenotes is phenomenal if you do that.  There's alot of expats in the area and many people who simply wish to disappear which makes for fun nightlife especially in town away from the other tourists.

      by tvb on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 11:40:35 PM PDT

      •  Cheap?

        No longer.  We stopped there in the spring and the beach area is minimum $80 to $100!!!!

        by LarryInNYC on Thu Jul 20, 2006 at 07:08:11 AM PDT

        •  It's all relative

          That's pretty dang cheap for us.  I don't know what we're doing wrong or what, but our last trips, with the exception of YK since that was only me, cost us about $189 - $285 per night.  Since I had the baby, we've been getting suites so there's room for all 4 of us.  The past weekend in San Diego, we just got 2 adjoining rooms and that was even better (bigger and cheaper).  We even stay at places like Holiday Inn or Best Western.  We stayed at a Best Western in Santa Barbara back in April and it ws $228!  That was one of the cheapest rooms we could find near our job site.  

          by fabooj on Thu Jul 20, 2006 at 08:28:31 AM PDT

      •  Just checked them out

        Thanks, I just found some info on them.  I'm a little concerned about the cancellation policy and other policies listed, but I'll check out the surrounding area and see what's up.  I just wished there was more of a kitchen...we always wind up meeting fascinating people and cooking for and/or with them.

        by fabooj on Thu Jul 20, 2006 at 08:31:14 AM PDT

  •  Laguna Chapala, Jalisco

    Close to Guadalajara, cheap to get there; not far from Puerto Vallarta or other coastal destinations.  Jalisco is where tequila comes from.  You can rent a car and drive to some great places within a few hours of Chapala--gas is cheaper in Mexico than in most of the US.  There are a lot of gringoes around Chapala--that's neither good nor bad but it does mean you can get by speaking solamente un poquito Español.  I don't know what it's like in August-September--probably hot, but it's moderately high elevation so it might be OK.  There are lots of good reasons to go to Mexico--don't write it off because it seems too close.

    by Duncan Idaho on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 11:05:18 PM PDT

•  Costa Rica

  by Barbara on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 08:26:00 PM PDT

•  What Is This

  "Vacation" that you speak of? Are you from the future?

  by Ky DEM on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 08:26:51 PM PDT

  •  No.

    From the past.

    Get back to work!  How do you expect to retire at age 85 if you're just lollygagging around!

    by LarryInNYC on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 08:27:50 PM PDT

  •  LOL

    I know...this will be my first chance at a vacation in 5 years.  I'm totally taking it because who knows when my next chance will come up?

    by fabooj on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 08:28:49 PM PDT

    •  Only five years

      I have not gotten out of town, except for family emergency situations, since 1994!  We were suppose to go to mexico for two weeks this spring, but my work screwed me on my bonus, so no trip. I couldn't even swing ykos - which I am still whining about...

      I agree with Ky DEM, what is this "vacation" you speak of?

      by dansk47 on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 09:41:44 PM PDT

      •  I feel for you

        I'm always whining about how we never do anything, but I have total wanderlust, so staying within the confines of SoCal really chafes me, but no leaving town ever???  Now, I just feel bad.  I know that I'm lucky to have this opportunity, but I have left town a few times...it's the only way to calm my itchy feet.

        by fabooj on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 10:50:05 PM PDT

•  Does it have to be a tropical Island????

  I vote Ireland because the people are just so freaking nice and you can drink yourself into oblivian.

  by pmob5977 on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 08:30:11 PM PDT

  •  Yes

    It MUST be a tropical island.  If we ever get to Europe, we'll be in Ireland for 2 weeks already, so I don't want to repeat myself.  

    by fabooj on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 11:04:05 PM PDT

•  Costa Rica doesn't get hurricanes

  It's also pretty safe, inexpensive and beautiful.

  My relatives live in Panama, and they tell me it's never seen a hurricane.  I suppose there's always a first, but...

  You might also consider Dominica  .  It's a Carribean island that also gets missed by hurricanes.  It's cheap, and they've dedicated themselves to ecotourism - it's one of the last substantially-preserved rainforests in the whole carribean.

  by b2witte on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 08:31:11 PM PDT

  •  I like the way you think

    No hurricanes is a big plus in my book.  Ecotourism is even better.  Rainforests...I'm moist!

    by fabooj on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 10:52:07 PM PDT

•  funny

  one coworker and I were having a discussion today about our supremely dysfunctional other co-worker, who seems to have lived the life of exotic vacations. and we pondered how little actual "vacations" we ever had. we kind of rely on visiting friends or relatives, if we go anywhere.

  but that suggested to me....isn't this community large enough to offer fellow members some bargain shelters in great places?

  ok, granted, my offering is pathetic--san jose, ca.....though there is an international digital media conference going on here in august.

  btw, fabooj, I have a friend in Bulgaria (the one who introduced me to Goren Bregovic, who is getting married in Bulgaria in August....I told him I'd try to send a rep for me.

  by Miss Devore on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 08:35:09 PM PDT

  •  Ok, on a side note...

    does the dsyfunctional co-worker have kids?  Cause in my work place all the dsyfunctional people who do nothing but plan their next vacation to europe, mexico, etc..do not have kids and they tend to be very conservative.  Is there a connection here?  I often wonder about this...in my non planning vacation time.

    by pmob5977 on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 08:40:49 PM PDT

    •  co-worker does have 3 kids

      but ex has custody of younger two.

      I don't have kids, I'm almost 52, and have never had what could be considered a legitimate vacation.

      yes, it has crossed my mind I have been doing something very wrong.

      thank goddess there is a fucking amusement park inside my head.

      by Miss Devore on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 08:59:33 PM PDT

      •  You need a vacation!

        Seriously, you do. I'd take hemlock if I didn't get to travel for fun.

        by mariachi mama on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 09:36:35 PM PDT

      •  lol!

        I hear ya on the head festival!

        all my travel has been political, since 2003. I blame it on that thick-necked wrestler from Vermont:-)

        good luck on good options, fabooj: sorry we didn't meet up at demfest...

        by Terri on Thu Jul 20, 2006 at 03:26:23 AM PDT

•  Uh..no ruins

  in Costa Rica, try Mexico.

  by mariachi mama on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 08:35:56 PM PDT

  •  There was something

    Historical in CR that my husband was talking about...I was really paying attention, so I typed ruins hoping I was almost right.  Guess not.

    by fabooj on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 10:54:24 PM PDT

•  And Aruba is boooooring as hell

  what time of year are you travelling?

  If not Hurricaine season, Belize is nice, or just do the Yucatan, nice beaches, diving, good infrastructure, ruins, culture, great food..avoid Cancun!

  Hondurus rocks too.

  by mariachi mama on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 08:39:49 PM PDT

  •  And you might run into Rita Cosby there

    Reason enough to give the island a miss.

    by Dump Terry McAuliffe on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 08:41:38 PM PDT

    •  Didn't you get the memo????

      Abrams has Rita hard at work reporting real news now.  

      by pmob5977 on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 08:43:42 PM PDT

•  You're wrong.

  It's not all about you--IT'S ALL ABOUT MEEEEE!!!

  Everyone knows this! It was in a highly recommended diary by THE Kos himself (in my imagination).

  I need a vacation more than you do.  You just don't understand. I have incontrivertable data from the Cato Institute and the Heritage Foundation and James Dobson and JACK ABRAMOFF'S HOOKERS!!! I have more evidence than Bush has that Global Warming Doesn't Exist(tm)! How much fucking proof do you need? Elvis said I need a vacation more than you and your liberal spawn (in my alternate universe).

  Didn't you get the memo (from the invisible people sending microwaves into my head)? It's all about ME, ME, ME, ME, ME....

  by homogenius on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 08:43:03 PM PDT

•  Dah! Baja! What Larry said!

  Not that I didn't just write a diary about it yesterday, or anything...;>) - with pictures!

  My friend Juan from Santa Rosalia

  Gee, where's Mango when we need her...?!

  by exmearden on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 08:44:43 PM PDT

  •  That was a great diary

    I've spent a lot of time in Baja myself and really enjoyed it. I 'm sorry I didn't comment, because I found it moving.

    Another good Baja book besides the Steinbeck you mentioned is Ann Zwinger's A Desert Country Near the Sea.  

    by mariachi mama on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 08:51:25 PM PDT

    •  thank you! I've seen that book, but have

      never read it...I'll track it down now.

      I have an affinity for Steinbeck, though he was a bit of schmuck. I lived in Monterey for a year and soaked up enough Steinbeck lore to last awhile, on Cannery Row.

      Someday, someday, I'll get a vacation;>)

      by exmearden on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 08:55:36 PM PDT

  •  Over Baja

    I've spent so much time in Baja, that I could probably become it's leader.  I'm ready to move on and to a country I'd never been before to boot.  I'm checking out your diary though.  I've had some good times with friends in Santa Rosalia.

    by fabooj on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 10:56:41 PM PDT

•  Okay, just read your post again

  Oaxaca. Beach time in Puerto Escondido or Huatulco, a few days in Oaxaca de Juarez, Monte Alban, indigenous people, and all the mod cons.

  by mariachi mama on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 08:47:42 PM PDT

  •  Mod Cons...

    Oh yeah. That's mega freaky. Haven't been to one of those in years! Dunno if it's cool for the kiddo(s) though. Actually, I should be more worried about the parental units!

    by homogenius on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 08:52:15 PM PDT

•  Now, I have never been,

  but I hear Vancouver is a great vacation. My brother and his family have been and loved it. One of my oldest friends lives there and loves it. And one of my librarians is from there and loves it.
  I don't think it's super expensive and I hear it's a lovely place to visit.

  by shayera on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 08:49:33 PM PDT

  •  Vancouver is wonderful...

    but not too warm (unless you go this weekend when it's supposed to be in the upper 80's) and not many ruins...

    Vancouver Island and Victoria are fabulous getaways and great for cycling and kayaking and plenty for the kids to do.

    But again, not a very warm clime.

    by exmearden on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 08:59:02 PM PDT

    •  You're right,

      I missed the "some place tropical" part.
      Sorry.

      by shayera on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 09:02:40 PM PDT

  •  I've never been either

    My best friend and her husband just got back and suggested we go.  The only problem is that the last time we checked, Vancouver was not in the Carribean and  we are extremely focused on getting tropical for this getaway.  ;)

    by fabooj on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 10:58:09 PM PDT

    •  Yeah, I missed the 'tropical' part

      of the requirements. ;-)
      I could always recommend the home country (India) but that's not so much cheap. Neither are Singapore or Thailand, which are the other two countries I can speak pretty knowledgably about.
      The only Carribean country I've ever been to is the Dominican Republic and that was back in 1990, when I was in college and we went for a class. Seriously, we were in a classroom studying DR politics for a week.

      by shayera on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 11:18:22 PM PDT

      •  DR

        My mother used to go down there and to Costa Rica for business all the time.  I wish she would have taken us.  She was so boring and cheap, she didn't even take pics or leave her hotel!  Could you imagine?  

        I'd love to go to India and getting a place to stay wouldn't even be an issue, it's the plane tix that will kill us.  I got into this total Bollywood fix when I was pregnant with my first and I promised myself I was going to take a tour of India based on all my favorite movies.  Then I really started watching travelogues on India and I scratched that idea and now we both want to just spend 6 months in India.  We're trying to find out if our telecom services will be needed there and if not, then make it happen.  That should get us there, at least on someone else's dime.

        by fabooj on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 11:22:40 PM PDT

        •  I know what

          you mean about parents and pictures. My Dad's been down to Brazil for work twice this year and both times I told him to take pictures. He's all "I'm there to work, not take pictures!" Such a grown up, my Dad.

          My Mom's pushing for the home country for next year. My best friend wants to go to London. I'm terrified by the prices of the plane tickets these days!

          Were you by any chance at the Hollywood Bowl Sunday night? It was Bollywood night. I swear, every Indian in the greater L.A. area was there.

          by shayera on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 11:28:48 PM PDT

          •  I missed out

            Damn the Hollywood Bowl and damn the DemFest organizers for planning these things for the same weekend.  Why didn't they call me?  Rude, I tell ya!  Yeah, I was in San Diego and came very close to driving back up Sunday night just so we could go, but my husband would pay that much for tix, especially since we have tons of records and remixes featuring just about everyone who played.  

            You need to tell your dad to take a sense of fun to his job travels.  We always do that...we had a sites in Goleta, Camarillo and Santa Barbara to shout a couple of weeks ago, so we made a weekend trip out of it.  Grab the fun while you can, that sort of thing.  If he needs lessons on loosening up while on the job, I have all kinds of unwanted advice!

            by fabooj on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 11:38:42 PM PDT

            •  I couldn't get time off to get to

              DemocracyFest. But the Hollywood Bowl was easy.
              What is it with people scheduling things at inconvenient times?! I mean really! The nerve!

              My Dad's all business about his trips. When we were living in Singapore, Mom and I used to meet all the people he'd been meeting with for years and they'd have all these stories about things they had done with my Dad. And Mom and I would be in complete shock, since he'd never shared any of these with us before.

              by shayera on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 11:53:02 PM PDT

          •  That was a good show

            and just the smell of Indian food had my sinus' nice and clear.

            Hot as Hell though.

            by Mike S on Thu Jul 20, 2006 at 12:05:09 AM PDT

            •  It was a really good show.

              I told my Mom the place smelled like a giant samosa.

              Of course it had to be hot, it was Bollywood night! ;-) It was a lot of people to be around in that temperature, that for sure.

              by shayera on Thu Jul 20, 2006 at 07:09:12 AM PDT

              •  You're making me jealous

                Now I really wish we had gone.

                by fabooj on Thu Jul 20, 2006 at 11:26:09 AM PDT

                •  I was hoping that

                  they'd put it on itunes. The L.A. Philharmonic has been putting some of their concerts there and I thought it would have been a perfect fit.
                  Rahman really is one of my favorites and the show was fun.
                  Trust me, I'm just as jealous of you getting to go to DemocracyFest!

                  by shayera on Thu Jul 20, 2006 at 01:43:27 PM PDT

•  explore puerto rico

  but i hope you like heat if your going to the tropics in summer! I would definitely look at temps before you decide.

  When I was in belize and the yucatan (AVOID CANCUN unless you like miami) the average was probably 90/90 if not higher.

  But puerto rico is most likely the cheapest

  by buhdydharma on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 08:50:26 PM PDT

  •  The heat....

    We canhandle the heat/humdity thing...I just want to avoid a ton of tourists who'll annoy me.  I want to kearn new stuff and experiemce cool things, just like being in LA, without the chickenheads and a lot more rum.

    by fabooj on Thu Jul 20, 2006 at 08:46:03 AM PDT

•  never been to belize

  but really want to go.

  by OrangeClouds115 on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 08:56:14 PM PDT

•  Hurricanes rarely go near the equator...

  ...so the southern Caribbean is a better choice.  Something about the Coriolis force being weaker.

  I've spent a lot of time in Bonaire, but it might not suit you.  Both Bonaire & Aruba have been hit by hurricanes like twice in 1400 or so recorded storms since 1851.

  I'd also look at Trinidad & Tobago.  They have really cool exotic rainforest birds from South American that don't occur anywhere else in the Caribbean.

  by Land of Enchantment on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 09:08:12 PM PDT

  •  Never been to Bonaire

    But T&T is very nice. The have a great Carneval there.

    by mariachi mama on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 09:34:07 PM PDT

  •  I met a guy at YK

    from Trinidad.  One of the catering staff of the hotel...man he talked on and on about his home, that I was ready to by him a ticket and go with.  Funny, he'll be in LA next week and we're going clubbing with him.  Maybe I'll find out more from him.

    by fabooj on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 11:00:11 PM PDT

•  Ecuador...

  ...with a visit to the Galapagos Islands.

  Well, that's what I would do if I had the time, money and time and money.

  by rserven on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 09:38:31 PM PDT

  •  Thanks for the suggestion

    Now I've got one more thing to add to my list.  My husband suggested we island hop, but I'd like to stay in one place for a week or two.  Now, you're giving me a whole other place I had completely left off my list.

    by fabooj on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 11:01:58 PM PDT

•  Come visit me on Cape Cod!

  I know it's not a tropical island, it's a tropical cape that you can drive onto though.  With all the rain we've gotten this past spring and all through this summer we are very GREEN.  The water is very warm and inviting. Yesterday it was 90 degrees and humid, just like the carribean.....

  I live in the woods just off of an awesome bike trail.
  The bay side beaches are perfect for the little ones, not many waves and at low tide provide hours of frolicking fun.

  You don't need a passport, Logan airport is a two hour drive, I have two kids (2 & 4) that love to make new friends, there are many little cottages all over the beaches to rent for a decent price.

  

  I used to live in Key West, FL.  That's an excellent place to travel to, great drive from Miami International Airport, lots of little islands to explore all connected by one road and hundreds of bridges.  Beautiful bright blue waters, you can see your feet while you swim, which is a pretty big deal if you're like me and don't like critters nipping at your toes. Heh!

  Good luck and whatever you do, have fun!

  by ikrisarus on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 10:37:39 PM PDT

  •  Thanks...

    When we were in Jamaica (Negril), I was astounded at how clear the water was.  It was rather freaky though because we could see all kinds of fishies swimming about and they would brush up against your leg.  I spazz when kelp wraps around my toe, so this was something to get used to.

    by fabooj on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 11:08:36 PM PDT

•  Puget Sound

  It's about to begin running tropical. Well, high 80's and 90's.

  

  

  

  

  And there's plenty of connectivity.

  by Gooserock on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 10:40:58 PM PDT

•  jamaica = beer ???

  i know people who love jamaica, mon, but it's for the ganja...

  by esquimaux on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 11:05:10 PM PDT

  •  Red Stripe ad campaign

    For the past year or two, the Red Stripe ad campaign...it's just a thing.

    by fabooj on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 11:06:52 PM PDT

  •  Ad campaign

    Here's a better link to the TV commercials.  

    by fabooj on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 11:10:00 PM PDT

•  Two bits of advice:

  • Skip Belize. Unless the only things you want to do are sit on the beach, dive and see some Mayan ruins. I have nothing against any of this - I love Mayan ruins - but after that, Belize has little to offer. And Belize City, well, it's ugly AND boring.
  • Try Bali. It's a long flight (14 hours to Denpasar), but worth it. Don't stay in Kuta or Denpasar for more than one night. Bali has volcanoes, great beaches, lovely architecture, lovelier people. You can stay in a coconut grove bungalow in, say, Candi Dasa on the south-central coast for $10 a day (which includes breakfast), rent a bungalow in Ubud for $15 a day (includes one meal and all the tea you can drink). I recommend Kebun Indah, which is set in a rice padi, and has a small pool on a cliff near the Monkey Forest.

  by Meteor Blades on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 11:50:00 PM PDT

  •  Good suggestions

    If we go to Belize, we have tons of friends to stay with.  The only thing is they're more focused on music and keep asking me why I want to see the Blue Hole, but are eager to take to clubs they DJ at.  

    Bali or anywhere over there. I'd love to go, but there are several things I'd need to do mentally to prepare and I don't have a ton of time to do that:  1) I can't handle a flight that long and then turn around 4 months later and fly to Europe for 9+ hours.  I can barely stand the 3 hour flight to Kansas City.  w) Isn't it monsoon season?  3)  I told my husband the only way I'd go to South Asia is if Meteor Blades is my tour guide (that's the quasi-emotional blackmail part).  

    I really do want to go there and I had a friend who just back from visiting Thailand, Bali, Indonesia, the Phillipines and Malaysia.  He had a ball and he said in the whole 3 months he was gone, he spent the same amount of moneyh we used to spend on a long weekend in Vegas.  So that is a plus.  But tell me...I have to get about on tiny planes, don't I?

    by fabooj on Thu Jul 20, 2006 at 08:55:19 AM PDT

•  I could tell ya a million

  places to go without kids but since my wife and I avoid anywhere that has a lot of kids like the plague I've got nothing. It looks like you're well equiped for Cancun's best know past time, wet T-shirt contests, but I doubt it's what you see as a "family vacation."

  by Mike S on Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 11:55:38 PM PDT

  •  Vacations sans kids

    This is the problem for us.  We hate vacationing around children, but since we now have 2 of our own, we're kinda pigeonholed.  I don't like the idea of going to a kid resort, but I know how annoying it is to have kids in a more adult place.  That's part of the reason we want to rent a house or flat.  There is also no way we're going to Cancun.  Too resorty.  I crave an educational experience with no flash.  We leave the flash to Vegas.

    by fabooj on Thu Jul 20, 2006 at 11:28:39 AM PDT

    •  Something about how my mind works.

      I crave an educational experience with no flash.

      Immediately my mind turned to wet T-shirt contests. No wonder my wife calls me a pig.

      by Mike S on Thu Jul 20, 2006 at 11:40:35 AM PDT

      •  You are a pig

        You'd probably get along great with my husband whose first and last thought of the day is "boobies".

        by fabooj on Thu Jul 20, 2006 at 04:12:43 PM PDT