Yes, dahling, it's a pahty. So glad you can join us.

Diana, your shameful secret is certainly safe with me. ;)

And since we've not downshifted into politics (I learned my lesson!) or Aruba-bashing, this post may yet live on, getting revived through the years whenever some poor sap doesn't realize the original post date and replies to it. Or can that only happen to Jamaica threads, I wonder?

ahh, Faithie, so glad you could make it. definitely bring the shine--it would make my dear southern chap of a husband feel right at home.

Christie? Larry? Trish? Saharabee? CaribbeanSoul? Howard? Robert? MIM? Brenandg? Won't y'all please join us? (And anybody else whose name currently eludes me. I've been recreating those darn Killer Bees again!)

Very, Very Sad to all of you and especially the MM person.

The forum is absolutely worthless with all of your personal attacks. Whether you know it or not, an innocent poster can really get their feelings hurt.

MM & the others, go to Sudan and help solve the worlds problems and stay off this useful forum!!!

Ah yes, politics :-) Some of us will never be forgiven.

Jamaica threads do seem to have a longer life.

And to keep this travel related :-), the pounds of information that Sasha sent to me will keep me reading until my departure day.

He even included a photo of the Pelican Bar, so that I could judge for myself how to haul (!) myself up !

What I enjoyed the most was his patois primer. I laughed hysterically. My dog probably needs therapy. At the beginning of the week I was trying to keep my temper with AJ, and today I'm laughing at what I couldn't understand when listening, however intently, during my trips to Jamaica :-)

Marion

Yikes !!! How's that to crash our Friday night party .....

advsrbill:

I'm sure that "the MM person" will speak for himself.

I may not always agree with him, but he does take the time to post with good information, and is certainly entitled to *speak* his mind.

I'm sure I don't need to define "forum" for you. But I will say, again, that the OP has not responded to any of these posts.

I don't think the lack of response has anything to do with hurt feelings.

Marion

No need to reply to my comment. I guess I will just delete fodors from my favorite list and not return.

I obviously do not understand insensitivity and if fodors puts up with it then it is a chat room not a useful travel site.

Have fun and try to be nicer to the posters.

Hey ejcrowe! I try one of those Killer Bees that Sunshine is famous for! There is a great photo of Sunshine's on Nevis in Conde Nast's recent edition. It may have been a couple of issues back. The two guys in the photo look to be about the age I was when I lived on STX. We used to head to a place, every Sunday, for Painkillers at sunset. The name escapes me, but it was simple in structure and was right on the beach.

I have found this thread to be pretty interesting. Many different views and a variety of thickness of the skin, that is for certain. Gotta run....the blender is ready! Sweltering in 90 degree heat lately in Seattle!

I think I have been as fair-minded and as mindful of focusing on the point of the post as anyone else, but I have to wonder out loud regarding "advsrbill". It's fine that he puts out a negative review of Caneel Bay but he (and I'm only assuming it's a he) has to pepper it with what is or at least borders on ethnically insensitive and insulting remarks. Then he chides us for comments on this post? He threatens to leave Fodor's never to return. Is that a threat or a promise? I hope it's a promise. As if insensitive summations are helpful to a travel site...

joaniejd sure stirred the pot yet has not replied to any of the posts on this subject. I don't think it is 2ndary to hurt feelings. Truthfully to post the way she did seems like this person would have a great deal of confidence. It is great she has that amt of money to indulge, maybe she has been lucky enough in life to not have to worry about watching her pennies.
IMHO to want to stay in a "gilded cage " for a stay in the Caribbean seems to be a waste not even so much as for the money but the experience.
Variety is the "spice of life" so it is said, I'll just take mine a little less expensive and be able to visit more frequently.
advsrbill, anytime a group of people engage in conversation and yes this is conversation,personal preferences and at times beliefs will surface, just human nature. I don't think any of the posts were mean spirited. Most persons I know that travel to the Caribbean do so for the experience of the Caribbean not what plush accomodations they can find. I could do that at home if I wanted. Neat and clean, and a short walk to the beach is enough for me.
NOW WHEN AND WHERE DOES THAT "PAHTY"
START?

ej:
Sorry I missed the pahty and the Killer Bees last night.;)

And yeah..this post will probably live on even if the Jamaica bashing starts..but if the Aruba bashing starts..well we can consider this post gone! ;)

Us women need to meet somewhere in the Caribbean and have some Killer Bee's together!

Well, Christie and VinceyGirl, a good pahty is never really over, is it? I'm sending you both a pitcher of Killer Bees to enjoy over the weekend. It's up to you to add the nutmeg or other herbal accompaniment (with nod to Diana here).

I don't have children or a high-stress job, but it would nonetheless be my pleasure to join the other women on this board for a Caribbean getaway. Who's in? :D

I am but no can do until early Dec or after the holidays. Planning a Windjammer Cruise on the Yankee Clipper(just love those Grenadines) and then some time on St.Vincent. Keep me posted.

Almost forgot, ej thanks for the KB's.

vinceygirl, i've never cruised before, but there's something about the windjammer fleet, particularly the grenadines itinerary, that appeals to me. it's a part of the caribbean i'd love to explore properly, were time and money to permit, and the windjammer feels like it might be a nice cost-effective introduction. have you done it before?

which charming inns on or near the beach do you recommend, on any of the Grenadines or St. VIncent? And is the best airfare price from the US usually found by flying first to Barbados and then on to the Grenadines on a local airline?

But theres booze in the blender, and soon it will render, that frozen concoction that helps me hang on... That said, I'm going to make my own "pahty", hang by the pool, grill some steaks,and listen to my new Kenny Chesney CD :)

Joanie-Don't think you are sifting through all of this, but if you are:We love Ocean Club and feel the service has really improved to live up to its price range. Very serene feeling , but still part of the "real world" with services and busy things nearby if you desired them. We also really liked Pink Sands on Harbour Island-less $$, more of a laid back funky feeling, but beautiful. Lastly we rented the villa Vida De Mar on St. John last spring and loved everything about it-pool, location, decoration and drop dead view-plus St. John. Good luck!

ej:
Thanks for the Killer Bee's ;) and for the Caribbean getaway..if I had a sitter...I would definately be in.:)

advrsbill, anyone who would post something like "What is the deal with the locals (not the friendly US transplants, but the ones that find it amusing to take our language and jive it up so that they can talk to each other without us knowing what they say)?" has no BUSINESS berating others for their posts. X-(

I say GOOD BYE and don't let the door hit you in the butt. You're quite right - you don't understand insensitivity.

Now, what was I going to say? :>

Oh yes...

Marion, I have read some of those patois primers as well. They can be so funny and very clever too.

My favorite Jamaican word is trampoosing. You will be doing a LOT of that on your upcoming trip.

Caribbean Soul, Sunshine's is about in its third or fourth reincarnation. It has been blown away several times. The first time I ever went there, they were cooking on a small gas stove on an oil drum. We had been liming for a few hours and had had a few of the "special" KB's. I got up and asked where the restroom was, and Lovett (used to work for Sunshine) pointed around back. I wobbled around the back down a little path and there was nothing back there. I turned around to ask again and everyone was sitting there laughing at me. There are now facilities. :)

vinceygirl, when is your cruise? We will be on Carriacou in late October/early November. Planning on lots of day trips to the Grenadines.

Happy travels to all! >:D<

Diana,

I'm so glad you understood my meaning about laughing at what Sasha sent to me. I worried that some might misunderstand.

There is a two page print out, that lists common questions/comments from English speaking visitors and how a Jamaican would respond :- ).

"Trampoosing" is a grand word, as is the phrase "nah vex yuhself" (which has become my mantra the last few days)

Marion