What's so great about Hawaii?
Apr 12th, 2002, 12:51 PM
#42
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Iza friend I spoke of lived in Hawaii for eight years not a native. No stranger to crime ridden communities he hails from Newark NJ. He is well traveled and these were his thoughts not mind.
Could not tell you about lodging in Costa Rica think those were someone elses comments.
PS I also lived in Hawaii and it is not stealing for food environment. So I would not compare breakins here with a third world country.
Could not tell you about lodging in Costa Rica think those were someone elses comments.
PS I also lived in Hawaii and it is not stealing for food environment. So I would not compare breakins here with a third world country.
Apr 12th, 2002, 01:37 PM
#43
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Sorry, John, I didn't mean to offend. And you are right about the lodging comments, they were not yours.
Of course everybody is entitled to their own views and free to choose where they go for vacation. We just happen to like Costa Rica (not San Jose). Although, this year we're going to Hawaii (Kauai) for 2 weeks and I am really looking forward to it. We'll see if a comparison can be made. I have to say though that I am with fran (the original poster) on the chain hotel/charmless places. I have done tons of research on places to stay in Hawaii and unfortunately I mostly saw huge hotels and resorts. On the other hand, I had no trouble finding charming, one-of-a-kind small inns and hotels in Costa Rica.
By the way, say what you want about Costa Rica, but their literacy rate is higher than literacy rate in US.
Of course everybody is entitled to their own views and free to choose where they go for vacation. We just happen to like Costa Rica (not San Jose). Although, this year we're going to Hawaii (Kauai) for 2 weeks and I am really looking forward to it. We'll see if a comparison can be made. I have to say though that I am with fran (the original poster) on the chain hotel/charmless places. I have done tons of research on places to stay in Hawaii and unfortunately I mostly saw huge hotels and resorts. On the other hand, I had no trouble finding charming, one-of-a-kind small inns and hotels in Costa Rica.
By the way, say what you want about Costa Rica, but their literacy rate is higher than literacy rate in US.
Apr 12th, 2002, 05:46 PM
#44
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To Tanya:
My husband and I have been to Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Cancun, Playa Del Carmen, Cozumel,The US Virgin Islands,Maui,and Kona.(The Big Island) For water sports, the best places we have snorkeled were at Sting Ray City at Grand Cayman, the underwater trail at St. John, and Buck Island at St. Croix. Even after the hurricane, there were still incredible stag and brain coral at Buck Island. There is also fabulous snorkeling at Xcaret and Xel-ha near Cancun and Playa. These last two places have enclosed lagoons and underground rivers that you can float down. Even the kids (5 and 8) were perfectly safe there. Hawaii was great too, we loved snorkeling on Maui, the fish are different than in the Carribean,and there are about 150 that are found only in Hawaii. The water is a little rougher, and on the big island it was easy to get pushed into a sharp reef by waves. I would definitely take some water shoes if you go there. That said, We are leaving for Hawaii in three days, we are going to try the snorkel trip to Molokini this time with the kids, I have heard that it is great and calmer water. We are also going to Oahu this time, and will be trying Hanauma bay, it is also supposed to be calm and good for kids. Hawaii and the Carribean are so different, it is impossible to compare. Hawaii is easier to get to, great culture and friendly people. The Carribean is more beautiful (as far as the water and sand goes, not the landscape)and has more wildlife (monkeys, iguanas, butterflies), but not quite as clean. I can't imagine going anywhere in the Carribean or Hawaii and having a bad time!!!
My husband and I have been to Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Cancun, Playa Del Carmen, Cozumel,The US Virgin Islands,Maui,and Kona.(The Big Island) For water sports, the best places we have snorkeled were at Sting Ray City at Grand Cayman, the underwater trail at St. John, and Buck Island at St. Croix. Even after the hurricane, there were still incredible stag and brain coral at Buck Island. There is also fabulous snorkeling at Xcaret and Xel-ha near Cancun and Playa. These last two places have enclosed lagoons and underground rivers that you can float down. Even the kids (5 and 8) were perfectly safe there. Hawaii was great too, we loved snorkeling on Maui, the fish are different than in the Carribean,and there are about 150 that are found only in Hawaii. The water is a little rougher, and on the big island it was easy to get pushed into a sharp reef by waves. I would definitely take some water shoes if you go there. That said, We are leaving for Hawaii in three days, we are going to try the snorkel trip to Molokini this time with the kids, I have heard that it is great and calmer water. We are also going to Oahu this time, and will be trying Hanauma bay, it is also supposed to be calm and good for kids. Hawaii and the Carribean are so different, it is impossible to compare. Hawaii is easier to get to, great culture and friendly people. The Carribean is more beautiful (as far as the water and sand goes, not the landscape)and has more wildlife (monkeys, iguanas, butterflies), but not quite as clean. I can't imagine going anywhere in the Carribean or Hawaii and having a bad time!!!
Apr 12th, 2002, 07:19 PM
#45
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"I can't imagine going anywhere in the Caribbean....and having a bad time".
Hmmmm....try most of Jamaica, Haiti, Dominican Republic, much of Martinique, Trinidad, St. Croix, and in my opinion St. Thomas and St. John.
When I first started travelling I had it in my head that the Caribbean was close to paradise. The more islands I visited the more disenchanted I became.
Then we started going to Hawaii and the South Pacific.
Haven't been back to the Caribbean since and I doubt I will ever go.
I will say that for snorkelling and most water sports, for water color and temps, many places in the Caribbean are much better than the better places in Hawaii. But we seldom get in the water, we like luxury hotels, we like shopping and we want security.
Hmmmm....try most of Jamaica, Haiti, Dominican Republic, much of Martinique, Trinidad, St. Croix, and in my opinion St. Thomas and St. John.
When I first started travelling I had it in my head that the Caribbean was close to paradise. The more islands I visited the more disenchanted I became.
Then we started going to Hawaii and the South Pacific.
Haven't been back to the Caribbean since and I doubt I will ever go.
I will say that for snorkelling and most water sports, for water color and temps, many places in the Caribbean are much better than the better places in Hawaii. But we seldom get in the water, we like luxury hotels, we like shopping and we want security.
Apr 12th, 2002, 08:07 PM
#46
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An incident in Costa Rica just came to mind - I had forgotten about it. We had rented a car (and let me just say driving inland is a real challenge - especially during the rainy season) and had stopped along a small bridge over a stream in the middle of nowhere to take a few pictures. One carload of guys drove by, staring at us. Then another car drove up, stopped and a nicely dressed man walked up to me and in sign language (I don't speak Spanish) indicated we shouldn't stop there - it probably wasn't wise. He went so far as to follow us 3/4 of an hour to the next town to make sure we were safe. He got out of the car again to indicate we were OK from there on.
Apr 13th, 2002, 03:56 AM
#49
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In response to Tanya's question - we have been to several islands in the Caribbean and went to Kauai and Hawaii last May. Hands down the snorkeling is better in the Caribbean. The water in Hawaii was way to rough for me to enjoy as well as cold. I'm from Florida so I enjoy the warm waters of the Caribbean in the summer. We did do a spectacular night dive while in Hawaii (we went with a dive boat and snorkeled) with the manta rays. If you get the oppportunity to do this it's worth every penny (had to wear a wet suit to keep warm though and still shivered)! If it's scenery that you're after though, Kauai can't be beat.
Apr 13th, 2002, 09:02 PM
#50
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1. Allen: What about Cayman Brac and Little Cayman and Anguilla for islands where one can "feel perfectly safe"? In fact, I recall a post from someone who wrote, "While Grand Cayman may have very little crime, here on the Brac we have none"
2. <Sigh> I'm sick of the "which is the best island" and "which is better: Hawaii or Caribbean?" type of questions. There is no general objective, definitive answer to these type of questions. There is no 'best' island or place, rather there are islands and places that are best for dif. people based on dif. criteria and factors.
In fairness I must point out that that the original poster here was specific and not guilty of the aformentioned crime, so this is not directed at her.
To All for Whom It May Be Relevant: If you are trying to determine which island or place is best _for you_, then you need to specify your tastes, budget, any special needs, etc., etc..
2. <Sigh> I'm sick of the "which is the best island" and "which is better: Hawaii or Caribbean?" type of questions. There is no general objective, definitive answer to these type of questions. There is no 'best' island or place, rather there are islands and places that are best for dif. people based on dif. criteria and factors.
In fairness I must point out that that the original poster here was specific and not guilty of the aformentioned crime, so this is not directed at her.
To All for Whom It May Be Relevant: If you are trying to determine which island or place is best _for you_, then you need to specify your tastes, budget, any special needs, etc., etc..
