Ptsd Forum Goes Caribbean - 2012/2013?

[catjudo]

I think continuing to discuss it and look into various options is a great idea. Like you said, we are talking about a vacation that is approx two years away. We have plenty of time to research best accommodation/location details (keeping within the already decided Caribbean, of course) but continue to save in the meantime.

Personally, I would really like to attend and plan to as long as the ultimate date is something that works with my schedule. I mostly likely, however, will not be able to stay for a full one to two weeks. Living in Florida, though, does make it less expensive and more realistic to take a long weekend to meet up with everyone.

 

[Shoka]

Just want to confuse matters further by saying that I found Turks and Caicos to be PRISTINE in beauty. I walked on the beach where the Club Med was and it was very pretty. There is a very long stretch of beach which is breathtaking.

 

[anthony]

I hope Shoka shares more with us from herself, but from a conversation we had, she did outline that Nassau / Paradise Island, Grand Bahamas, etc... is very built-up and feels more like being in Florida locations than a resort for a holiday. Often very busy and the issue of the US spring break which occurs from around Feb - Apr I believe... colleges vary the times from reading.

The more we find, the better information we keep coming up with. Whilst we are happy with most locations in the Caribbean, we are still both happy to move a bit on places if it means more can attend for things like CatJudo stated... a long weekend. Club Med in the Bahamas doesn't cater that, ie. 8 or 15 nights, which I think is going to suit a lot of people, especially if budgets are already tight or work restricts vacation timings. We need a place that caters all, being a night or long weekend...

At the moment, I believe Turkoise is the better solution of all found thus far in the Caribbean, as it is closer to the equator than the Bahamas, thus the water temperature in March / May is much higher than that of the Bahamas and less prone to weather issues than the Bahamas, so more enjoyable from reviewing its weather history and patterns from the last few years. There is a another place close to Club Med that is cheaper, ie. if you shared 2, 3 or 4 adults, you can drastically cut your costs as they book by room and not by adult, so the accommodation becomes reduced per person, ie. you can get a room for 4 adults for $500 per night, bring each persons total cost to $125 per night, which is pretty damn good considering a lot of accommodation their is $500 minimum per person, per night, and I do mean minimum. The best thing is that you can do a couple of nights, or obviously a week or more, which gets cheaper the more you book. It was close to Club Med, so if some stay in one place and others want to stay at Club Med, then its easy to meet up for a get together.

Looking forward to reading any further insights to locations in the Caribbean.

 

[anthony]

AMS just informed me of recent news about islands to avoid in the Caribbean due to the increase in crime, stating:

But there are some things you should know about traveling in this diverse region, as the Caribbean is home to some danger zones. And while most tourists will never face a threat during their vacations, dangers still exist in the prettiest of places. Read on for our list of Caribbean islands where tourists should take extra care and where nervous visitors might do well to avoid altogether:

Bahamas

Just 50 miles off the coast of Florida, the Bahamas are a string of diverse islands home to everything from placid villages that are likely as safe as your own neighborhood to red zones best off avoiding entirely. A recent surge in violent crime in Nassau, the Bahamian capital and its largest city, means tourists are best off avoiding New Providence Island altogether (if your cruise ship stops here, inquire with the concierge for the most up-to-date safety information). Petty crime is a problem throughout the country. As a general rule, the Out Islands tend to be the safest havens for both resort tourists and intrepid travelers looking to venture off the beaten path by staying in small guest houses and dive resorts.

The islands with crime increasing and issues are:

• Jamaica
• Antigua
• Nassau Bahamas
• Haiti
• Trinidad & Tobago
• Dominican Republic

Now... this is brand new news, just released... we are obviously travelling in two years time for this event. I suspect some of what has occurred in Haiti is flowing onto other Caribbean islands... maybe it is simply crime increasing. The news story is a little vague with details and simply highlights places of increased crime, though doesn't add any other real information to ascertain as to why.

http://www.google.com/search?q=%22Caribbean+Islands+to+Avoid%22

The good thing about this thus far, is Turkoise is kept out of it and still a quality destination, and it being an outer island from the main Bahamas, yet short of Peurto Rico, it seems to be a good choice thus far or Abacos if cost isn't an issue for anyone.

 

[Deleted member 541]

Crime has always been a problem in the Caribbean...Even the last time I was in St Thomas and that was a long time ago. One always needs to use common sense when there. Do not wear jewelery, do not flash money around, wear fanny packs and try to keep them hidden, stay out of areas that have higher crime, travel with a buddy, ect ect.....

 

[Shoka]

Hi Everyone

I have been to Turks and Caicos and it is lovely. I walked by the Club Med while there and it seems like a good place to have this gathering from what I've read and where I've travelled to.

Shoka

 

[anthony]

Well, the date is set to around the mid to end of May 2012 (15 - 26 May 2012) as per that poll. Now for the actual location.

 

[Sasha]

I agree about the Bahamas, I'm heading there next month, but I do think of it as an extension of Florida. I found Aruba very beautiful and quite safe, but it is expensive. I
have heard St. John (part of the Virgin Islands) is really amazing and private. Turks & Caicos is a place I've been wanting to visit.

 

[anthony]

The location poll is at: [DLMURL]http://www.ptsdforum.org/threads/14190-PTSD-Forum-Goes-Caribbean-2012-Destination[/DLMURL] and the Turks Caicos are winning currently...

 

[Sasha]

Just a heads up that it appears that Club Med in Turks & Caicos is Adult only. (Just in case that made a difference).

I love these type of vacations, It's the one 'thing' in life I truly love. The blue water is so freeing. It's ashame that we all can't afford to head to the Austrailia or even somewhere in the pacific like Hawaii where there are wonderful places as well. Thank you for trying to make this central for everyone involved. It's really generous of you N & A.

 

[anthony]

Yes... this isn't a holiday for kids, though if others have kids and want to bring them, there are other accommodations around the Club Med at Turks & Caicos that can be used...

 

[Sasha]

Thanks Anthony, makes sense. Let me know if you'd like any pics or info on Freeport, Bahamas since I'll be there next month. But, it seems like you are leaning in good direction with T & C. It seems like a wonderful place.