On Aug 5, 1:31?am, Brian K wrote:
> On 8/3/2007 6:47 PM Anka exclaimed:
>
>
>
> > On Aug 3, 5:11?pm, Brian K wrote:
>
> >> On 8/2/2007 9:27 PM Jean O'Boyle exclaimed:
>
> >>> "Peggysue" wrote in message
> >>>news:04q3b39f617glgem4rl3s61uvm75bo4lik@4ax.com...
>
> >>>> We will be sailing on the Conquest 8/26. I read on another board of a
> >>>> group on a Carnival tour in Montego Bay being robbed. Any safe tours
> >>>> you could recommend. We usually go on our own but now am wondering
> >>>> if any tours are safe are just stay on ship.
>
> >>> If you take a cab, take one right at the pier...they are the recommended
> >>> ones and I believe have a red tag on their plates.
> >>> We have taken one to Doctor's Beach twice and had no problem... The people
> >>> at the admission's booth at Doctor's Beach (which is not too far from the
> >>> pier) called a cab that they said was reliable and safe for us to take when
> >>> we were ready to leave... They want tourists to return and if you are
> >>> conscious of what is going around you, don't wear a lot of expensive jewelry
> >>> and are firm about saying, "No," if anyone approaches you to try and sell
> >>> something and just keep walking, you will be fine. .Try and go with a group
> >>> whenever you can. There is always safety in numbers...But that applies to
> >>> any place at home or away...The second time we went, we walked back as a
> >>> group of six or more as we wanted to stop in at Margaritaville on the way
> >>> back and encountered no problems at all. Margaritaville is close to the
> >>> pier...you will be able to see it from the Conquest.
>
> >>> Happy cruising!
> >>> --Jean
>
> >> We hired a cab from the pier. We got the driver's card with cell phone
> >> number. We wanted to go to a safe local beach - there are such. We
> >> hung out with some locals that were part of a church group having an
> >> outing there. When we wanted to travel elsewhere, we called John to
> >> come pick us up. Karen had to do a tour of Sandals - Mo' Bay and meet
> >> with the manager. So we went there for lunch and swimming. When we
> >> called John to get us, I asked if there was anything like Dunn's Falls
> >> but not so over touristafied.
>
> >> John took us to some falls that weren't as overrun as Dunn's. (There
> >> were 4 cruise ships in Mo'Bay that day.). It was nice and safe. John
> >> came at the appointed time and took us back to the ship with a half hour
> >> to spare. At each stop we tipped John very nicely which helped insure
> >> his return. All told it was cheaper than a group tour.
>
> >> --
> >> ________
> >> To email me, Edit "blog" from my email address.
> >> Brian M. Kochera
> >> "Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once!"
> >> View My Web Page:http://home.earthlink.net/~brian1951-Hide quoted text -
>
> >> - Show quoted text -
>
> > Thanks for the information. I still haven't gotten to the point of
> > being totally comfortable on my own (that is, with a companion or a
> > small group) in the Caribbean or Mexico. In Europe, I have no
> > problem. I guess you could call me a Caribbean newbie. ;-)
>
> > ~Anka
>
> Anka,
>
> Not to burst your bubble, but Europe has its crime and risks too and not
> just for the US tourist. These simple rules work everywhere:
>
> 1) Safety in numbers. If it's a mixed group of male & female so much
> the better.
> 2) Do not attract unnecessary attention.
> 3) Leave flashy jewelry back at the ship. Do not flash money.
> 4) Credit cards work almost anywhere, if you have to use cash don't make
> a big deal about it.
> 5) If you see a group of men, teenagers on your side of the street and
> they make you uncomfortable, step inside a shop until they pass by.
> Don't be obvious about it. If there are no shops around or other
> places you can duck into, without making eye contact with the group,
> cross the street.
>
> 6) If the ship is giving out beach bags, carry alls, anything with their
> logo...you may decide to leave it in your cabin.
>
> 7) Caribbean islands depend in part on tourist money. The wise business
> group will see to it that their area is safe for tourists. These are
> areas referred to as Tourist Zones. If you stick to the Tourist Zone
> avoiding back alleys, back streets you will have a good time. You will
> be safe.
>
> If you decide that you'd like to do a photo essay of the third world
> sections of Jamaica, don't even consider it without arranging for a
> government guide licensed to carry. This is something I may do next
> trip to Jamaica. But then I am a photographer. While the average
> tourist wouldn't want to do something like this, I thought I'd mention
> it as an extreme example of "what is not the Tourist Zone".
>
> --
> ________
> To email me, Edit "blog" from my email address.
> Brian M. Kochera
> "Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once!"
> View My Web Page:http://home.earthlink.net/~brian1951- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
Thanks for the words of wisdom, Brian. The only reason I mention
being more comfortable on my own in Europe is that I was born there
and have gone back many more times (and for longer periods of time)
than my few stops in Caribbean ports. That being said, I've had my
share of scary experiences in Europe and wholeheartedly agree with
your tips! Ask my about my jaunt *alone* around Palermo!
As for your comment on photography...wow! I suppose (as in the good
ol' USSR) there are some things you just can't photograph, right? I
can recall only one instance of a European "official" reprimanding me
for taking a picture. I was taking a shot of the catamaran Prince of
Venice docked in the San Basilio terminal because I had taken that
same ship, Croatia to Venice, a few years before. The gendarme wagged
his finger at me and said that my film would have to be confiscated.
I played dumb and spit out a few "non capitos" and he dropped the
whole thing. I do believe he was just exercising what little
authority he had.
Anyway... I plan on taking a digital along for the scenic, outdoor
photos and my trusty Canon Sure Shot loaded with 400 ASA film for
interiors of cathedrals, etc.
~Anka
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