So we are going 1/27 to 1/31!

It came down to The Sands vs Royal West Indies, and we decided on RWI. Not exactly sure why, just something we got from the websites. Something tells me there will be less kids there too.

A friend recently stayed at RWI and was happy as well.

Thanks everyone for input. Shall I make dinner reservations ahead of time?

Any other activities/businesses you can recommend - we'd be interested in bikes/scooters
dc

Oh god, please talk me out of killing myself...

I just looked at the weather - it says scattered showers every day. But only 30%

that's not bad right - we'll get some sun right?

dc

Of course you will. Last year while there we had rainstorms which lasted about 3o minutes on several days and then all was bright and sunny again. Put the razor blades away. You will have a wonderful time and plenty of sun.

we actually went 2 years ago, and the had the same thing. prior to leaving we checked the weather and everyday had clouds/rain. when we got there we only had one shower.

actually, just about every trip we go on seems to have the same forecast, and the same thing...once we are there it is not bad.

you will love tci. we visted rwi which looked nice, but stayed at the sands, and had no kid problems. my gut says that in the last 2 years though tci has become incresingly busy.

ususally there are only a few places that need reservations. anacona, coyaba and the one with the twinkly lights in the trees but i think if you call as soon as you get on island that should suffice. there are ALOT of places to eat on provo.

We had showers probably almost every day in the late afternoon. They don't last long and the sun comes out in no time. I got a great tan when I was there.

RWI provides bicycles to guests at no cost.

We made dinner reservations at the last minute, and sometimes not at all, and had no problem. You should be able to wait until you get there. Coyaba, Anacaona, and Magnolia are all a must.

How is the shopping? My daughter and neice (ages 11 & 12) are HUGE shopaholics.

Shopping isn't as good as you will find in some other islands, ie Aruba, St. Martin, Barbados... Shopping isn't something I look for when I go on vacation so Provo was perfect for me. Beautiful beaches, turquoise water, snorkeling (how can you spend time shopping). You can always shop at home.

Good point. I'm not looking for mall type shopping - that's not how I want to spend my vaction - I can do that at home. I was more curious about local artisan type shopping. Something unique to the island.

Oh god ...oh god.....rain every day

http://weather.yahoo.com/forecast/TKXX0001.html

Rain in the forecast in the Caribbean is not the same as rain here where you can get an entire gray, rainy day (or 2 or 3). It probably means you will get a brief shower. Every Caribbean trip I have taken over the last six years has had rain in the forecast and then we get there and laugh when we see what the "rain" (if any) is. It's the same with "cloudy". Here cloudy really means gray and overcast. There, it means there are lots of white fluffy clouds in the sky!

Message for Lola: There are some nice small shops where you can pickup souveniers. We read that pottery/crafts are imported. Once you see the beautiful beaches and water, you won't be thinking about shopping.

lola: i'm pretty sketchy here but somewhere off the main road to the south (sibonne is north) - with a small sign at the top of the road there is supposed to be a local artisans crafts place. also if you drive around there are 2 or 3 places that are basically roadside stands but permanent. they sell whatever the owners have made. and in one of the mini malls on the main road there was a shop selling locals paintings - i bought one for i think $65. and there is caicos creations with metal work. ports o call the mall near you has all the postcards, tank tops, swimsuits, snorkel gear and shot glasses you can carry.
perhaps the girls could have their hair braided or henna tattoos done (no black). not knowing your girls i hesitate in suggesting a "field" trip to the conch farm. i liked it but i am a smidge past 12.

Carol and Virginia - thanks for the input and suggestions. The girls would be totally into henna tattoos (is there a problem with black?)and hair braiding - although my niece can practically sit on her hair so it might get pricey. The conch farm looks cool too, and they both say they're open to whatever. The pool and beach will satisfy as well as long as the ipods are loaded up. Thanks again - Lola

I'm here! Ready to leave, sadly. Onlly a few minutes left.

There were a few blah, gray days but yesterday and today - gorgeous!

Major thumbs up on Royal West Indies. This place is downright BORING. Perfect for us!
Quiet, lush grounds, helpful staff, huge, spacious suites with balconies.

Maybe I'll say more in another post.

Thanks for all the help

dc