Jamaica?

[Go Blue]

Originally Posted by jkwest

LOL!!! I've always wanted to smoke pot in Jamaica, too....

I was never a big fan of straying from trusted sources.

[mikejet]

Originally Posted by Schultzy

I was never a big fan of straying from trusted sources.

Getting a medical card puts you on a registry though doesn't it?

[jsteinhauer]

Why limited to the all-inclusives (other than price)? You can have a much better vacation experience at one of the nicer islands going on your own, renting a car, etc. US and British Virgin Islands, Caymans, Aruba, Puerto Rico are all relatively safe (compared to Jamaica, Mexico, Dom. Rep.). In PR and the USVI, your rights as a citizen still exist. I've been to Aruba, Grand Cayman, USVI and drove all over the place and never once was afraid and was not bothered by the locals (I still wouldn't go out alone at night). That said, I would not get too friendly with the locals, either; that's a recipe for disaster. It's great to choose where to eat, drink and shop. You can go to different beaches every day. You can go to the grocery and stock your own beverages, which can save a bunch of money. I drank the water in those places and did not get sick. If you can afford it, give it some thought.

[Go Blue]

Originally Posted by mikejet

Getting a medical card puts you on a registry though doesn't it?

I don't know anything about the medical cards. I meant my own personal trusted sources.

[ludawg23]

Another vote for the Domican Republic for all-inclusive vacations.

Iberostar, which is a huge 4-5 star resort chain with numerous locations around the world is fantastic.

Went to La Romana, DR a few weeks back and it was perfect. Food was excellent, all you can drink, great beaches and the resorts are top notch.

Punta Cana is a lot more touristy and crowded but La Romana is very small, intimate. The locals are some of the nicest people i've ever met.

Jamaica is alright, nothing special at all. If you're a big smoker, then it's for you but too many guys trying to hustle tourists every day.

Next trip for me and the gf, Turks and Caicos during Christmas...very excited for that trip.

[Jellybeans]

I would go to Turks and Caicos .

[jkwest]

Originally Posted by Schultzy

I don't know anything about the medical cards. I meant my own personal trusted sources.

I'm with you there....

[Go Blue]

Originally Posted by Dark Elf

I would go to Turks and Caicos .

I thought about going there instead of The Bahamas. I think I settled on the Bahamas because it was cheaper and they had a couples only all-inclusive vs the family all-inclusive at Turks & Caicos.

[mikejet]

Originally Posted by Schultzy

I thought about going there instead of The Bahamas. I think I settled on the Bahamas because it was cheaper and they had a couples only all-inclusive vs the family all-inclusive at Turks & Caicos.

Would you ever do the Hedonism resorts? Those intruige me.

[jkwest]

Originally Posted by mikejet

Would you ever do the Hedonism resorts? Those intruige me.

are those the ones you go to and sleep with everyone?!

that word kinda scares me....I keep imagining greasy European guys trying a threeway w/ me and my wife...

[Go Blue]

Originally Posted by mikejet

Would you ever do the Hedonism resorts? Those intruige me.

To be honest, I don't know if I would be into that. I know my wife wouldn't. Maybe by the time our kids are out of the house we may be ready for that action.

[Another_Dude]

Originally Posted by jkwest

are those the ones you go to and sleep with everyone?!

that word kinda scares me....I keep imagining greasy European guys trying a threeway w/ me and my wife...

There's that. But think of the hot Eastern European women trying the same thing.

[jkwest]

Originally Posted by Another_Dude

There's that. But think of the hot Eastern European women trying the same thing.

meh...I'm old fashioned...I don't think I have the stamina for two at a time...after 15 years of marriage...you kinda get a knack for who you are with.

[ludawg23]

Check out Iberostar resorts

[Stephie_is_a_dork]

I've been to Cancun twice and it's amaaaaazingly awesome. We've taken excursions to Chichen Itza(Mayan pyramids) and Xcaret(eco-archaeological water park) and I can honestly say that Xcaret is the most beautiful place I've ever seen in my life. It's about 40(?) minutes south of Cancun, near Playa del Carmen(quieter resort town, caters to a more European crowd). They have these unerground rivers that you can swim through, Mayan ruins, a calm, shallow bay where you can swim with the fishies, scuba excursions, animal habitats(including some VERY big kitties), a peaceful little area with hammocks hanging on palm trees, swimming with dolphins, etc. If/when I go to Cancun again, I'd spend a night or 2 in Playa del Carmen just so I could visit the Xcaret park 2 or 3 days instead of 1.

I've never been to Cozumel, but my dad goes there pretty much every year with groups of his scuba students. Wherever you decide to go, let me know if you want to take dive lessons and get PADI certified before going on vacation. He's based in Long Beach, but also does pool instruction in Huntington Beach, beach dives in Redondo, day trips to Catalina, boat dives in open water, etc.

[mikejet]

Originally Posted by Stephie_is_a_dork

I've never been to Cozumel, but my dad goes there pretty much every year with groups of his scuba students. Wherever you decide to go, let me know if you want to take dive lessons and get PADI certified before going on vacation. He's based in Long Beach, but also does pool instruction in Huntington Beach, beach dives in Redondo, day trips to Catalina, boat dives in open water, etc.

My wife and I actually want to take swim lessons. We are probably going to goto the Y for those. I can kind of swim but I need to take higher courses. My wife can't swim at all. She needs a floatie belt when we snorkel. I told her all she has to do is relax. The lessons should help.

After those lessons them maybe I can convince her to SCUBA. My dad used to take me diving when I was younger in Maui only though because it's so cold here off the coast.

[jkwest]

Originally Posted by Stephie_is_a_dork

I've been to Cancun twice and it's amaaaaazingly awesome. We've taken excursions to Chichen Itza(Mayan pyramids) and Xcaret(eco-archaeological water park) and I can honestly say that Xcaret is the most beautiful place I've ever seen in my life. It's about 40(?) minutes south of Cancun, near Playa del Carmen(quieter resort town, caters to a more European crowd). They have these underground rivers that you can swim through, Mayan ruins, a calm, shallow bay where you can swim with the fishies, scuba excursions, animal habitats(including some VERY big kitties), a peaceful little area with hammocks hanging on palm trees, swimming with dolphins, etc. If/when I go to Cancun again, I'd spend a night or 2 in Playa del Carmen just so I could visit the Xcaret park 2 or 3 days instead of 1.

Xcaret is really nice...I've been there with and without kids and without was much more enjoyable.

my son almost lost his finger to a grouper there...it was kind of scary..the river float was fun..

also, I enjoy Playa much more than Cancun..their main tourist strip is really nice and the restaurants are good.

[Stephie_is_a_dork]

Originally Posted by mikejet

My wife and I actually want to take swim lessons. We are probably going to goto the Y for those. I can kind of swim but I need to take higher courses. My wife can't swim at all. She needs a floatie belt when we snorkel. I told her all she has to do is relax. The lessons should help.

After those lessons them maybe I can convince her to SCUBA. My dad used to take me diving when I was younger in Maui only though because it's so cold here off the coast.

Yeah, definitely learn to swim better first!

Originally Posted by jkwest

Xcaret is really nice...I've been there with and without kids and without was much more enjoyable.

my son almost lost his finger to a grouper there...it was kind of scary..the river float was fun..

also, I enjoy Playa much more than Cancun..their main tourist strip is really nice and the restaurants are good.

River float...LMAO! That reminds me...I was 16 when I went to Xcaret, so of course I went with family. My dad is a scuba instructor and my mom can't swim. She says it's an equilibrium issue. Since life jackets are required while swimming through the underground rivers, my dad somehow convinced her to come with us. At first, he was just pulling her along, but halfway through, he asked if she could try to swim or even doggie paddle on her own. He let go and she tried, resulting in her flailing around for a few moments, then rolling over and over uncontrollably in her life jacket. You know those hot dog spinning machines...like the ones you see at 7-11? That's what she looked like. My brother and 2 cousins and I couldn't make ourselves stop laughing for the loooooongest time! To this day, it makes me laugh so hard that tears roll down my cheeks. At least I have a good story to pull out when she starts telling embarrassing childhood stories about me, as most parents do!

Anyhoo...yeah...Playa del Carmen is nice if you want a more relaxing vacation. Cancun has a lot more clubs. I guess it comes down to personal preference.

[mikejet]

LOL...

After much discussion and much debate, and some snooping around, we have decided to go back to Maui.

Found roundtrip tix for $420 each and if we get a condo we save big.

LOL

Thanks for all the recommendations though. I guess we will never get over the fact that Maui is our second home.

I proposed there and we got married there a year later. Can't escape it.

[Go Blue]

Originally Posted by mikejet

LOL...

After much discussion and much debate, and some snooping around, we have decided to go back to Maui.

Found roundtrip tix for $420 each and if we get a condo we save big.

LOL

Thanks for all the recommendations though. I guess we will never get over the fact that Maui is our second home.

I proposed there and we got married there a year later. Can't escape it.

You are missing out my friend.