Last trip before baby!
Jan 12th, 2000, 12:53 PM
#1
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Last trip before baby!
Hi,
My husband and I are trying to plan one last trip before our first baby arrives but we are having a very difficult time deciding on an island. I am looking for an island with beautiful, quiet beaches and my husband would like some great hiking, snorkeling and any other outdoor activities. We both dislike casinos, shopping and other busy tourist magnets. Also, since I'll be 6 1/2 months pregnant, we'd prefer a destination that won't require too many planes and ferries (we'll be flying from Chicago).
We really are stumped, so any suggestions will be appreciated!
Thanks,Sara
PS: This will be our first trip to the Caribbean and my husband is really dreading hours sitting on the beach, so we definitely need an island where we can be physically active!
My husband and I are trying to plan one last trip before our first baby arrives but we are having a very difficult time deciding on an island. I am looking for an island with beautiful, quiet beaches and my husband would like some great hiking, snorkeling and any other outdoor activities. We both dislike casinos, shopping and other busy tourist magnets. Also, since I'll be 6 1/2 months pregnant, we'd prefer a destination that won't require too many planes and ferries (we'll be flying from Chicago).
We really are stumped, so any suggestions will be appreciated!
Thanks,Sara
PS: This will be our first trip to the Caribbean and my husband is really dreading hours sitting on the beach, so we definitely need an island where we can be physically active!
Jan 12th, 2000, 02:56 PM
#3
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We did the same thing 22 years ago! We went to Guadeloupe after much research because 1) It was a province of France and I could try out my French 2) The geography of the island was intriguing -- you can visit a volcano 3) The island had/has a fairly strong economy not totally dependent on tourism 4) We found a good deal through American Express. We had a fabulous time. We toured the island extensively (rented a car for 2 days) and met some fantastic people, including a young man who was moving to the US to attend college and play basketball. We met him and his friends on a black sand beach. He REALLY wanted to practice his English in front of his pals. We rode bikes and played tennis (OK, I was only 5 1/2 months pregnant). This was before I took up snorkeling, but I remember one beach we visited where you could see the fish from yards away. While I haven't been there myself, friends have enjoyed St Johns USVI. Good activities and restful romantic beaches.
Jan 12th, 2000, 03:00 PM
#4
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Actually, Puerto Rico might be a better choice because there are non-stop flights from Chicago.
There is a great deal of hiking and other outdoors activities in PR besides beaches.
However, I don't know if it is a good idea to travel when 6.5 months pregnant. Be sure to ask your doctor before making any plans.
You may want to consider Hawaii, as I think the medical facilities and
sanitary conditions there should be superior to anywhere in the Caribbean. It is a pretty long trip from Chicago but there are non-stop flights available to Honolulu and it shouldn't take more than one change to get to one of the other islands.
Be aware that there are quiet parts of Oahu.
There is a great deal of hiking and other outdoors activities in PR besides beaches.
However, I don't know if it is a good idea to travel when 6.5 months pregnant. Be sure to ask your doctor before making any plans.
You may want to consider Hawaii, as I think the medical facilities and
sanitary conditions there should be superior to anywhere in the Caribbean. It is a pretty long trip from Chicago but there are non-stop flights available to Honolulu and it shouldn't take more than one change to get to one of the other islands.
Be aware that there are quiet parts of Oahu.
Jan 12th, 2000, 03:03 PM
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Oh -- just re-read that and it sounds kind of strange, but we have since been to many Caribbean locations... Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Vieques, Cancun, St Martin/St Maarten, Anguilla and the Bahamas. I still think you might like Guadeloupe! Maybe it was special to me because it was before "my first!"
Jan 13th, 2000, 11:51 AM
#6
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Sara: I think Noah came up with 2 good choices, and I agree with his reasoning that Puerto Rico might be a better choice because of the medical facilities. I traveled to the Bahamas when I was 7 1/2 mos. pregnant with no problem. I have never been to St. John, but have been twice to Puerto Rico. There is a lot to do in Puerto Rico besides the beach. We stayed at the El Conquistador, which is a beautiful resort, but too "resorty" for my taste. I love spending hours at the beach, but we did tour the rain forest in PR, El Yunque, & did a lot of snorkeling. Another island where there is a lot to do is St. Martin, but that's harder to get to. There should be direct flights to PR from Chicago. Good luck!
Jan 13th, 2000, 12:48 PM
#7
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Sara-
How ironic to find your message! I am pregnant with my first, living in Chicago and looking on these boards for a last trip location for my husband and I too!
This past May we went to St. John and we really loved it. It's a beautiful island that is mostly national park. A lot of people camp there and I've heard that there is some great hiking. We stayed at the Westin which picks you up from the St. Thomas airport and takes you to the hotel. The beach at the hotel is average, but we rented a jeep (through the hotel) and drove around the island and found some other beautiful beaches for snorkeling and swimming. St. John isn't touristy (St. Thomas is). Cute little downtown area, easy to get around by the public taxi and some good restaurants (try Asolare).
Good Luck and feel free to email me if you have any other questions.
How ironic to find your message! I am pregnant with my first, living in Chicago and looking on these boards for a last trip location for my husband and I too!
This past May we went to St. John and we really loved it. It's a beautiful island that is mostly national park. A lot of people camp there and I've heard that there is some great hiking. We stayed at the Westin which picks you up from the St. Thomas airport and takes you to the hotel. The beach at the hotel is average, but we rented a jeep (through the hotel) and drove around the island and found some other beautiful beaches for snorkeling and swimming. St. John isn't touristy (St. Thomas is). Cute little downtown area, easy to get around by the public taxi and some good restaurants (try Asolare).
Good Luck and feel free to email me if you have any other questions.
Jan 13th, 2000, 02:25 PM
#8
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It appears that Debbi has misunderstood me or perhaps it was just a typo.
Let me make it clear that in my earlier post, I did not recommend Puerto Rico because of the medical facilities there but rather because of the non-stop, not-too long flights there from Chicago.
I do not really know about the medical facilities in Puerto Rico. What I said was that I believe that the medical facilities in Hawaii are superior to those anywhere in the Caribbean.
Let me make it clear that in my earlier post, I did not recommend Puerto Rico because of the medical facilities there but rather because of the non-stop, not-too long flights there from Chicago.
I do not really know about the medical facilities in Puerto Rico. What I said was that I believe that the medical facilities in Hawaii are superior to those anywhere in the Caribbean.
Jan 13th, 2000, 08:26 PM
#9
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Sara, I would recommend looking at the Bahamas for your trip. You could have the best of both by staying on Nassau for a few days (there is a direct flight from Chicago, probably about 3hours) and then to one of the out islands for the rest of your trip. You can take a ferry from Paradise Island over to Harbour Island it takes about 2 hours and is a beautiful trip. The cost also includes food and beverage and I think the ferry is $90rt.
Nassau has good medical facilities at both Hospitals, and there is a brand new clinic on Harbour Island fully staffed, if you have any problems there.
On Nassau, I would suggest taking the snorkle trip to Rose Island, you can lay on the beach and he can snorkle to his heart's content.
Harbour Island has several nice places to stay and some wonderful restaurants and one of the most beautiful beaches in the world (for you) and a wonderful coral reef, 100 ft off shore (for him)
Hope this helps some, let me know if you need any more info.
tweedy
Nassau has good medical facilities at both Hospitals, and there is a brand new clinic on Harbour Island fully staffed, if you have any problems there.
On Nassau, I would suggest taking the snorkle trip to Rose Island, you can lay on the beach and he can snorkle to his heart's content.
Harbour Island has several nice places to stay and some wonderful restaurants and one of the most beautiful beaches in the world (for you) and a wonderful coral reef, 100 ft off shore (for him)
Hope this helps some, let me know if you need any more info.
tweedy
Jan 18th, 2000, 11:06 AM
#11
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Noah: I stand corrected about your reply to Sara about the medical facilities in PR. Sorry about that!
Sara: I, too, think the Bahamas would be a good choice because of the relatively short flight. I really liked Paradise Island. From what I understand, if money is not a concern, the Atlantis is awesome.
Sara: I, too, think the Bahamas would be a good choice because of the relatively short flight. I really liked Paradise Island. From what I understand, if money is not a concern, the Atlantis is awesome.
Jan 18th, 2000, 05:31 PM
#12
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No problem Debbi, glad you liked my suggestions.
Re: Atlantis, Paradise Island: Sara said that she dislikes "busy tourist magnets", so I don't know if that's for her.
Re: Bahamas in general:
Be aware that because it's not as southward as the Caribbean islands, it can sometimes get cooler than most people find comfortable for swimming in winter.
Re: Atlantis, Paradise Island: Sara said that she dislikes "busy tourist magnets", so I don't know if that's for her.
Re: Bahamas in general:
Be aware that because it's not as southward as the Caribbean islands, it can sometimes get cooler than most people find comfortable for swimming in winter.
