Exotic, Affordable destinations

[Jimbodawg]

Hi all,

I'm getting married next year! I just wanted some honeymoon ideas.. interesting places that I can afford. So far I hear Bali rocks in terms of the value of the US $.

Anyone have some good ideas for me?

much appreciated!

jimbodawg

 

[BD King]

Take a look at the Turks and Caicos, especially Providenciales. If that is out of your budget, Hazzard, Kentucky, may work.

 

[OhDannyBoy]

Take a look at the Turks and Caicos, especially Providenciales. If that is out of your budget, Hazzard, Kentucky, may work.

I can't believe someone actually beat me to the punch on Turks and Caicos. (if it's secluded 'honeymoon' time you're after check out Ocean Beach Hotel on North Caicos. TCI uses US$. For stretching your $ also check out the Dominican Republic. Puerta Plata has some nice resorts that would cost a fortune in the U.S. but because of the exchange you get big bang for your buck.

Congratulations.

 

[BD King]

Now that it was mentioned. Both North and Middle Caicos offer great beaches and are quiet. For example, the wife and I walked the beach on North one day for about six hours and saw absolutely no one else. ...............check out Blue Horizon's on Middle. Fantastic cottage above the beach and here again, you can have your own private beach......................Then again, don't forget Hazzard, Kentucky.

 

[Jeff Helgeson]

Mexico, packages

Cancun: Playa Del Carmen

Cozumel

 

[surplus1]

The places mentioned are all nice but I wouldn't call the exotic. I depends too on whether you want to be quiet and alone or prefer some excitement to go with the togetherness.

Take a look at Club Med on the island of Martinique.

Consider a cruise on a nice ship. Lot's of bang for the buck especially if you're not going in the peak season. Stay clear of Carnival ships; they're a little on the tacky side.

Best wishes

 

[414Flyer]

Goa India, is definitely cheap and exotic. Airfare will be pretty steep, but once you get there, it will not cost you much at all. Its on the ocean, and there are many beaches, cheap beach shacks you can rent or hotel rooms, cheap food, etc.

 

[rumpletumbler]

Treasure Cay is pretty nice.

 

[Jimbodawg]

HAZZARD, KY. Sounds really nice!

Thanks for all the suggestions. I will definately look into Turks & Caicos. I will be staying away from the Bahamas though, as that is where I work and can't go on honeymoon where I work.

India sounds great too.

2 questions. Has anyone been to the Seychelles? I always wanted to go when I was little, but I was living in the UK so it was probably just the lack of sun that was fueling the urge.

Also, I was reading about Dubai in ELITE mag. It looks very fancy there, but the articles/ads kept saying it's cheap there. Then again, the articles aren't written for pilots. Has anyone been out there?

Thanks,
jimbodawg

 

[rumpletumbler]

mmmmmmmm India...people defecating in the road etc....how romantic!

 

[typhoonpilot]

I like the Bali idea. It can be very affordable. It can also be very expensive. That depends on where you stay and what you want to do. If you want to go to Nusa Dua and stay in a five star hotel then you would be better off staying closer to the States and save on air fare. If you want to stay at the less glamorous places then you can get great deals. They are still recovering from the tourist exodus after the bombing and deals can be found. The beautiful thing about Bali is the culture. The population is 95% Balinese Hindu and the culture is fascinating.

If you do go and want a quiet place to hang out and explore from then I would suggest Ubud up in the center of the island. Hiking up the volcano, mountain biking through the rice patties, scuba diving off the northeast coast, and all the cultural shows are within easy striking distance. If you want a nice beach area then Sanur is good. I would stay away from Kuta unless you like hanging out with drunk Australians.

Some of my other favorite places in the Pacific include Palau and the Cook Islands. When I went to the Cooks in 1995 the Japanese had yet to start going there, hopefully they still haven't. They use the Kiwi dollar so the exchange is very favorable. I had a bungalow on the water for 60 Kiwi dollars per night. The trip over to Aitutaki was a bit pricey but well worth it. They have better beach access and the lagoon is awesome.

If you like underwater exploring then Palau can't be beat. They have the best diving in the world. It makes everywhere else I have dived pale in comparison. The Palau Pacific Resort used to give a good airline rate and is the best place to stay in the islands. I paid about $150 per night in 1998. They use the U.S. Dollar so that makes it convenient. If you go you must definitely find the other jellyfish lake, not the main tourist one. I did a sea kayak tour and the guide took us to an excellent out of the way lake deep in the jungle. It was the most amazing thing to dive into that lake and be surrounded by little jellyfish ( that had lost their ability to sting ). It was almost like floating in space with little stars all around you. Simply awesome. If you don't scuba the snorkeling is almost as good.

If you don't want to do sun and sand then you might want to think about Eastern Europe. It is still affordable and a heck of a lot of fun. Prague is great. The beer is cheap and the women stunning ( oh wait, you'll be married ), well anyway, the beer is cheap and good.

Croatia is another good one worth looking into.

Of course you could come to Dubai as well, but that wouldn't be cheap and you might as well just go to Vegas as it's about the same sans gambling. Although Oman is really cool and much more affordable. Wadi bashing, exploring the Musandam peninsula, Muscat, Turtle nests, it's the true Arabia of old.

How about mainland China ? Hiking on the Great Wall, exploring the Forbidden City, cruising on the Yangtze, mountain biking through the countryside around Yangshou and Guilin, exploring the markets of Guangzho and Shanghai. It's a fascinating culture and the people are very friendly.

Congatulations and have fun wherever you go.


Typhoonpilot

 

[Vector4fun]

India,

My son was just there. Near Goa. What was it he said??? Oh yeah;

"India was a sh*t hole. Malaria everywhere, poverty, and protesters. I did play some golf though. Was invited to play with the Captain and a bunch of Commanders from India...
There were monkeys on the course that would steal your ball or markers. They were very funny to watch, but a pain in the ass to play around. "

Direct quote, last week.

 

[OhDannyBoy]

nevermind

Jimbo,

If you work in the Bahamas then don't go to TCI, just more of the same. Maybe the leewards if you want to stay in the sun and aren't sick of dodging hurricanes (has Freeport revovered yet?). Go North, young man.

 

[414Flyer]

India,

My son was just there. Near Goa. What was it he said??? Oh yeah;

"India was a sh*t hole. Malaria everywhere, poverty, and protesters. I did play some golf though. Was invited to play with the Captain and a bunch of Commanders from India...
There were monkeys on the course that would steal your ball or markers. They were very funny to watch, but a pain in the ass to play around. "

Direct quote, last week.

yes most of India is a crowded **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED**hole. Some nice places at times, but way too many people.

I would still like to visit Goa while I am here, I have about one more month to finish out in Hyderabad

 

[Heathen]

Does any one else envy TyphoonPilot. If/when you write a book let us know. I thought my flying career would lead me to exotic places, but TEB, HOU, SDF, just don't cut it.

Fly safe.

 

[Vavso]

No Brainer !Couples Negril Jamaica -All inclusive

This info depends on any Hurricane damage to Jamaica but ....Been there 2x's and will do it again all inclusive Air Fare, room , activites ,food , drink and all top shelf Safe too!! Very affordable Any ?'s PM me
http://www.couplesnegril.com/

 

[Bus Driver]

I have to agree with Typhoon on diving in Palau.
Two of my favorites are Phonpei www.visit-fsm.org/pohnpei/
The Village hotel is great, but order dinner early they sometimes
run out of lobster.
And, it’s been a few years, but for romantic try Cuernavaca,
save money on air fare and stay at Los Mananitas It’s a little pricy for
Mexico, but worth it. It is a little cool in the winter though.