"Kel" wrote in message
news:546616d7.0404072000.334ec35@posting.google.com...
> I just returned from a trip with my aunt in Jamaica. The people were
> fabulous and so very friendly. They definitely made the trip
> everything it was! My only disappointment in Jamaica was the inability
> to just walk down the street and venture out on the island as two
> females alone without taking organized tours. I would like to take a
> trip with my mom and while I'm not prone to feeling unsafe and never
> felt so in Jamaica, I know she might. Which islands are the easiest
> and safest for this kind of travel?
Tobago has a nice mixture of sightseeing and shopping and cultural
possibilities. Skip Trinidad. On Tobago, the further you get away from the
town and the airport the more friendly it gets. This is a stunningly
beautiful island, with surprises at every overlook. You're going to want a
camera and a wide angle lens. The roads are a B+, but they are mountainous
and demanding. The country folk are a delight and quite friendly.
I would suggest a rental car and you look at one of the bungalows at Blue
Waters Inn. It is in a stunning bay with a view of Ian Flemmings home,
located on a rocky island in the bay that is filled with the sunrise. There
are numerous less exopensive options, but the BWI wasn't overpriced and was
just lovely. The food service was passable but pricey- but the town of
Speyside was a quick car ride away with a few local places to eat.
Many birders go to this paradise and enjoy the waterfalls and other natural
life. There are no shallow wrecks that are easily accessed, but the reefs
are a paradise for snorkelers.
I'm not into plush accomodations
> or spending my entire vacation on a resort. I love getting out and
> meeting the people, so any advice would be appreciated.
>
> Also, I went diving in Australia quite a few years ago but mostly
> enjoy snorkeling. Does anyone know of islands with fairly shallow
> shipwrecks that can be viewed while snorkeling?
The best place for easy snorkeling, with its own 140' intact upright
shipwreck that tops out in 20fsw, bottoming out in 40-60fsw is a resort in
Roatan called CoCoView at www.cocoviewresort.com , located on it's own
private 10 acre key.- so it may be a bit isolated for your needs. The wreck
is just 300' offshore of the small cluster of the very private over the
water cabanas. Mom will have no issues. Altho principally a dive resort it
is taken over by snorkelers when www.seaforyourself.com comes to visit- so
it sure works for snorkelers.
There's not a whole lot to do on Roatan other than hire a driver and go see:
The Iguana Farm, Treetop Jungle Canopy Slide Tour, Botanical Gardens,
Mangrove Water Taxi Tours, Garifuna Village trips, and to snorkel with the
Dolphins at a penned environment at Anthony's Key Resort. Do not drive your
own rental car on the D+ Grade roads- insane liability issues.There is some
minor shopping.- nothing to write home about. A very safe environment as
well.
Hope that helps. I have a SCUBA group trip going to CCV on May 15th-22nd for
$1110 with air from Houston, includes 7 nights in over the reef cabanas on
stilts, all meals, transfers, and all 24/7 SCUBA. This is quite a decent
value, well below the $1350 price that is standard. Call CoCoView and ask
for my "May trip". Maybe that will work for you?
Doc.
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