On May 27, 11:17 pm, -hh wrote:
> Ann Phelan "n...@..." wrote:
>
> > Matt Beckwith wrote:
>
> > > Never been to the Caribbean. Would like to take my whole family there
> > > during Christmas. We will be departing from the Baltimore, Maryland
> > > area. We will be 7 people, ages 68, 50, 50, 27, 21, 16 and 15.
>
> A group of 7 travelling over a major holiday? You're wise to start
> your research this early.
>
> > > We'll
> > > need 3 rooms. My wife and I will want a full-service hotel that is
> > > somewhat luxurious. The children will want activities to amuse them
> > > (that is, we won't want to go some place to get away from things,
> > > we'll want a place that has lots of attractions). My wife and I will
> > > want to learn to scuba dive.
>
> What do you consider the "activities" to be for the kids (the
> teenagers)? Are we talking about simply beach time, or amusement park
> -types? Similarly, are you the oldest couple, or the 20-somethings in
> the middle? (See my scuba statement below).
>
> FWIW, when it comes to island picking, getting one of the large travel
> agency books that cover virtually every island can be a useful tool:
> you can go through and cross off things that you want to avoid
> (casinos, topless beaches, etc) ... or do the oppostite ... and start
> to narrow down your list.
>
> > > It would be nice if there were good
> > > Internet access, and a few nice cafes. And of course restaurants.
> > > Nobody in our party drinks alcoholic beverages.
>
> Many places have reasonable Web access these days. I suspect that
> your comment about wanting a "full service" hotel infers an all-
> inclusive, which makes 'on the economy' statements about being
> interested in nice cafes a bit of a contradiction.
>
> > > I'd prefer to be some
> > > place where there's not a lot of poverty, because I think that would
> > > depress me. Any suggestions appreciated!
>
> Poverty also frequently leads to issues regarding crime, and in some
> areas the all-inclusive resorts become figurative fortresses. I can
> still recall my first caribbean trip where there were guard towers on
> the resort's compound.
>
> > Bonaire!
>
> Gosh, amazing coincidence that Ann just happens to have a commercial
> website that's selling that destination. Maybe Ann can fill us in on
> the current status of Bonaire's recurring petty crime problems, as
> I've not been following it recently: are the rental car agencies
> still recommending leaving your car unlocked, windows down and with
> *absolutely* nothing in it? Are there still the spare tires and car
> battery scams still happening?
>
> > Learn to dive/best Caribbean spot to learn perhaps...
>
> Perhaps.
>
> While I do think that Bonaire is one of the better places for novice
> divers to gain some proficiency, as the shallow shore dive sites and
> relatively gentle drop-off topology are forgiving. However, I would
> not necessarily look favorably upon Bonaire's main sales feature of
> "unlimited shore diving", since this incurs higher levels of physical
> exertion (lugging gear) and the temptation to dive without as much
> professional supervision early on.
>
> If someone took me to "1000 Steps" (a shore dive; it only feels like
> its 1000 steps down to the water) for one of my OW checkout dives, I
> don't think that I'd still be a diver :-) In general, it is much
> easier to catch a boat ride and "fall off the boat", particularly if
> one isn't a young, fit 20-something anymore. If Matt's in the "over
> 40" crowd, I'd not be particularly inclined to recommend that he first
> go to an island whose selling point is shore diving.
>
> BTW, consider taking the scuba diving training at home and ...here's
> the interesting part... do what is known as a "Referral" to finish the
> certification, which requires a bit more effort & coordination between
> the local diveshop and the remote diveshop...the payoff is that the
> consumer is able to avoid days sitting in a classroom while on his
> vacation.
>
> > ...easy flights on Air Jamaica or AA from BWI.
>
> BWI-BON on American Airlines is not a non-stop: it is via San Juan.
>
> YMMV, but during the winter holiday season, I would be hard to
> convince to fly anywhere out of the Northeast where a change of
> flights is required.
>
> > We are Dutch so not Third World. Tons for kids to do.
>
> Yet there's still rebar-welded bars on the windows of businesses in
> downtown Kralendijk. Most rooms come with a safe; use it 24/7.
>
> > Ann Phelanwww.bonairecaribbean.com
>
> And which of the properties that you have listed would you suggest for
> Matt, based on what he has said? They could go cheap by making their
> own meals at Sand Dollar, but that's well outside of town for going
> for a meal out. Harbor Village is closer, but $$$. The Flamingo's
> within walking distance of downtown, but Ann (IMO wisely) doesn't have
> it listed.
>
> -hh
Can you tell me what island has no crime? I have lived in Antigua and
Bonaire and find crime in both islands in way of petty break ins. Out
of the thousands of clients I have sent to both islands in 20 year, 3
had break ins and ALL left a door or window open. Anguilla presently
has a task force to address the rising crime issue. In all my trips to
Aruba and Sint Maarten I myself had break in attempts and many offers
to buy drugs. The Caribbean is like the rest of the world. We have
crime.
Ann Phelan
www.antiguacaribbean.com
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