The Travel Thread

[count2infinity]

whats the deal with jamiaca

Jamaica is an island country situated in the Caribbean Sea, comprising the third-largest island of the Greater Antilles. The island, 10,990 square kilometres (4,240 sq mi) in area, lies about 145 kilometres (90 mi) south of Cuba, and 191 kilometres (119 mi) west of Hispaniola, the island containing the nation-states of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Jamaica is the fifth-largest island country in the Caribbean.

Once a Spanish possession known as Santiago, in 1655 it came under the rule of England (later Great Britain), and was called Jamaica. It achieved full independence from the United Kingdom on 6 August 1962. With 2.8 million people, it is the third most populous Anglophone country in the Americas, after the United States and Canada. Kingston is the country's largest city and its capital, with a population of 937,700. Jamaica has a large diaspora around the world, due to emigration from the country.

Jamaica is a Commonwealth realm, with Queen Elizabeth II as its monarch and head of state. Her appointed representative in the country is the Governor-General of Jamaica, currently Patrick Allen. The head of government and Prime Minister of Jamaica is Portia Simpson-Miller. Jamaica is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy with legislative power vested in the bicameral Parliament of Jamaica, consisting of an appointed Senate and a directly elected House of Representatives.

[blackjack68]

whats the deal with jamiaca

Primarily English speaking, water is safe to drink, mostly nice beaches.

Kingston is the capital and has some terrible sections, but most tourists don't go there.

Montego Bay is basically like a small city and port city. Your plane will land there.

Ocho Rios is another larger area and port city. It takes 60-90 minutes to get there from the airport.

Negril has the nicest beaches and more of a laid back feel. Most hotels are 2-4 stories, not the megacomplexes of some other areas.

[count2infinity]

to follow up on Blackjack's post, if you go, all inclusive is the way to go. Also, be prepared to be absolutely bum rushed by people trying to sell you stuff when you're not on the resort. They are aggressive and don't take "no thank you" for an answer.

[blackjack68]

Yeah, I usually do all-inclusive, but make time to get off the resort.

I've been to Treasure Beach in the south, not pushy at all because it's not horribly touristy. We were invited to have some rum and cake at a local's birthday party.

Been up in the hills to a primary school and an orphanage (heartbreaking) and stopping at a few local restaurants.

If you are in touristy areas and off the resort, (even at the airport) there is always someone looking to sell you something...art, crafts, local "herbs". A firm "no thank you" usually works for me. If they persist, I tell them that I respect they are trying to earn a living but they need to respect me and my "no thank you."

[Letang Is The Truth]

have you ever had any concerns about safety there?

[blackjack68]

I have not. My wife and I have been 6 times and have taken the kids on the most recent trip.

The first time there it was overwhelming at the airport, but just carry your own bags and don't let the redcaps take them unless you are willing to give them $2 per bag and then the same to the guy that loads your airport transfer van.

For the most part, I stay on the resort after dark. But then again, I'm too old to head out to the local nightclubs.

I know people who take these "salespeople" for criminals and are intimidated, but I don't let them overwhelm me. They are really only bad in touristy areas like the top of Dunn's River Falls or at shopping villages. Don't ever say "let me think about it" or "I don't have money right now." That leads them on and they will continue to follow you. Just say no thanks and move on.

Oh, and if you do want to buy anything...everything is negotiable including cab rides. Always negotiate a price before getting into the cab.

[dodint]

Oddly specific travel questions:

If I have a 6pm Sunday night flight to catch in O'Hare, what is the latest I should be turning in my car at the Hertz counter? I'm not checking any luggage. Never been to O'Hare so I don't know how long it'll take to get from the rental car return to whatever concourse US Airways uses. My travel sense says 4:30pm is a drop dead time for that but I'd be huffing and puffing through an airport I don't know to get to that gate.
Bears play at 1pm but I suspect that traffic will not have much impact on my plans.

Any insight?

[slappybrown]

I'd say 4. Personally, my experiences with O'Hare on Sundays (and always late afternoon/evening like your flight) have not pleasant, whether going in or out.

[dodint]

Good, thanks. After I submitted my post I changed my time to 4pm as well. I'm meeting some friends for brunch in Madison and wanted to maximize my time with them, but hate travel anxiety when trying to fit too much in.

I'll just drive like a maniac down from Madison to buy extra time. Seems legit.

[ulf]

Don't go to Liberia

[dodint]

ORD is adding additional screening for Ebola. I presume it'll be in the internation terminal and not affect my flight to Charlotte. Hopefully.

[Letang Is The Truth]

Those that have been to Jamaica - how would you compare to cancun? Which do you prefer

[blackjack68]

Cancun you have to be careful about drinking water, eating salads and drinking things with ice if you go off resort and while you don't have to speak English, it really helps. Beaches are nicer in Jamaica too.

That said you can usually find better deals for Cancun.

I had a good time in Cancun, but prefer Jamaica.

[PensFanInDC]

Never been to Cancun. Jamaica was amazing. We stayed in Negril which is the most beautiful beach I've ever been to. Friendly locals too.

Allinclusiveoutlet.com...or org...or net or something.

[PghSkins]

So, took the family to NYC for the long (for them, I had to take vacation) weekend. Had a fabulous time. It is incredible to watch someone go there for the first time.

The only thing I don't like about NYC- other than half their sports teams- is Times Square. I get that it's been cleaned up from a neighborhood of peepshows to a huge Toys R Us, but man- way too crowded and obnoxious.

[Sam's Drunk Dog]

The only thing I don't like about NYC- way too crowded and obnoxious.

Just as true. :slug:

[yubb]

I went to Brussels and came back without Ebola.
Ebola is fake. No need to worry. Book your West African travel now!

[Letang Is The Truth]

anyone been to oktoberfest before in munich? we may go this year

[Gaucho]

It's over. There's a reason it's called Oktoberfest, you know.

Ok, I assume you meant next year. Munich is pretty awesome. The only time of year I'd never go there is during the Oktoberfest. But that's just me.

[columbia]

My guess is that Gaucho would tell you to not go.

EDIT: Yes, see above.

[Gaucho]

HA!

[Letang Is The Truth]

It's over. There's a reason it's called Oktoberfest, you know.

Ok, I assume you meant next year. Munich is pretty awesome. The only time of year I'd never go there is during the Oktoberfest. But that's just me.

ya thats what i meant. this year being the next 365 days in my brain box

[cheesesteakwithegg]

United Airlines is seriously the worst. Came back to Pittsburgh from San Francisco last night (left 7PM EST), and they didn't bother passing out any snack to anyone. No peanuts, pretzels, etc. I asked the flight attendant if she had anything, and they said only for purchase. When I flew out to California on Monday, I took Southwest where I had to connect through Midway, and I got snacks on both legs of the trip. I don't travel much, so I dont know if its a new thing or not, but I always got something to munch on during every other flight I can remember.

[blackjack68]

Most of the airlines are switching to snack sales vs. distribution.

I just took United to and from California from Jersey and somehow ended up in a middle seat.

So miserable.

[cheesesteakwithegg]

Yeah that sucks. My coming home last night was wonderful. I upgraded to economy plus, and had the whole row to myself. Probably should have just stayed in coach because most of those people had their own row too, but work paid for the upgrade so whatever.