8/17/08 Captain Jack's Repossession Repo Cruise to PC thru TPC #2

[arlenesp]

Andrew, my friends honeymooned in Italy many years ago and weer befriended by a native Italian when they told him they were going to Capri. He wouldn't let them go by themselves as he said it was too dangerous for them. They were hesitant but he proved to be invaluable to them. I for one would question the gesture from a stranger. Just too untrusting. Must be the New YOrker in me.

 

[Grandma x3]

I don't particularly liked being hounded by the vendors, but it happens in a lot of ports. I don't mind to say No once or even twice, but continually it gets very old. It especially gets on my nerves when it is done at the shops--if I want something I'll go in. But I tell you Julie, I felt the same way walking around China Town in NYC. Although, I did get some shopping done.

Chinatown!

I love shopping there, honestly. I got all kinds of little things for people's fish extenders there for my Med and repo cruises last summer.

Julie & Paula,
Do you think we should check into organizing a private tour for some of us who like to tour independently - but prefer to be cautious while in Columbia?

I love history (was a History major) - and want to see the sites.

Hmmmm?

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Andrew, my friends honeymooned in Italy many years ago and weer befriended by a native Italian when they told him they were going to Capri. He wouldn't let them go by themselves as he said it was too dangerous for them. They were hesitant but he proved to be invaluable to them. I for one would question the gesture from a stranger. Just too untrusting. Must be the New Yorker in me.

Capri, isn't dangerous as such, is an OK small island, Gracie Fields lived there, theres a small train up the hill, you can walk from one bit to another in mins.

It takes however a terrible hydrofoil to get to and they are nice and theres overcrowding and the boat isn't up to high standards, IE restrooms poor.

IMHO, its a lot of work to go across to,

Basically I think its a safe as other bits of Italy, wherever there are tourists theres pickpockets.

 

[arlenesp]

Capri, isn't dangerous as such, is an OK small island, Gracie Fields lived there, theres a small train up the hill, you can walk from one bit to another in mins.

It takes however a terrible hydrofoil to get to and they are nice and theres overcrowding and the boat isn't up to high standards, IE restrooms poor.

IMHO, its a lot of work to go across to,

Basically I think its a safe as other bits of Italy, wherever there are tourists theres pickpockets.

True, we get so many calls from Italy about stolen wallets. They don't take the warnings from their TAs seriously.

 

[Grandma x3]

Happy Birthday Gabrielle!

Too cute --- Happy Happy B'Day Gabby!!!!

 

[bellelinus]

Julie & Paula,
Do you think we should check into organizing a private tour for some of us who like to tour independently - but prefer to be cautious while in Columbia?

I love history (was a History major) - and want to see the sites.

Hmmmm?

That's a possibility, Chris -- I have to look into what the sights are and what my girls would be interested in -- maybe a beach or maybe the other things . . . but it could work out.

 

[bellelinus]

Andrew, my friends honeymooned in Italy many years ago and weer befriended by a native Italian when they told him they were going to Capri. He wouldn't let them go by themselves as he said it was too dangerous for them. They were hesitant but he proved to be invaluable to them. I for one would question the gesture from a stranger. Just too untrusting. Must be the New YOrker in me.

Capri, isn't dangerous as such, is an OK small island, Gracie Fields lived there, theres a small train up the hill, you can walk from one bit to another in mins.

It takes however a terrible hydrofoil to get to and they are nice and theres overcrowding and the boat isn't up to high standards, IE restrooms poor.

IMHO, its a lot of work to go across to,

Basically I think its a safe as other bits of Italy, wherever there are tourists theres pickpockets.

True, we get so many calls from Italy about stolen wallets. They don't take the warnings from their TAs seriously.

I would be concerned about sudden "befriending" as well

That being said, we went all over Italy on our own and had no problems . . . of course I'm not stupid about where I keep my money, etc., but there were certainly sections of Palermo, Naples, and even Rome that some might have thought on the semi-shady side and we were fine.

See -- definitely not a wuss!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

True, we get so many calls from Italy about stolen wallets. They don't take the warnings from their TAs seriously.

Agree! The Italians pinch your wallets and if you are a lady, they pinch your bum as well!

 

[cruisin'Mike]

The best part (NOT) about having the kids reach driving age, is having them tell me what I'm doing wrong when I'm driving.
"Mom...you're not supposed to pass in an intersection"
"Mom...you're 10 miles over the speed limit"
"Mom....you're supposed to stop when you run over a jogger"

That sounds like my son, and he's only 8!

And you should have heard him watching the meter when we took a cab from the airport last month.

"Hey! It started out at $2.75 already and we didn't even drive anywhere yet! I think he's ripping us off!!!"

Julie, everything I have read says that is very safe there. But there are also some listings on the cruise critic board about a couple of guides that could be hired. Everything I have read too seems that you are approached more traveling in a larger group with people trying to sell you things. So I don't think it would bother me to go off on our own. Honestly, I don't think DCL would really stop here if they didn't feel that it was safe for it's guests. Of course I hope there would be some others that would like to come along, I'm not talking about going by myself.

We're still trying to figure out what we want to do in Cartegena. We want to see some of the sights, and we also want to do some shopping. If we don't do a CL excursion, I'm hoping that DCL will have good recommendations as far as where it is safest to sightsee and to shop.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I would be concerned about sudden "befriending" as well

That being said, we went all over Italy on our own and had no problems . . . of course I'm not stupid about where I keep my money, etc., but there were certainly sections of Palermo, Naples, and even Rome that some might have thought on the semi-shady side and we were fine.

See -- definitely not a wuss!

Not-a-wuss! But did they pinch your bum?

 

[bellelinus]

Agree! The Italians pinch your wallets and if you are a lady, they pinch your bum as well!

Well, the wallet we need, but what's wrong with the other???

I'm sure your friend Fabrizio had pinched a few in his time . . .

And I was pinched more in Mardi Gras crowds in New Orleans than I ever was in Italy (even when I went there when I was younger!).

 

[bellelinus]

Not-a-wuss! But did they pinch your bum?

I'm not telling!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Well, the wallet we need, but what's wrong with the other???

I'm sure your friend Fabrizio had pinched a few in his time . . .

And I was pinched more in Mardi Gras crowds in New Orleans than I ever was in Italy (even when I went there when I was younger!).

Ah Fabrizo, did you ever call him on the number provided????

I'm not telling!

?

 

[PBader]

That was awful, wasn't it Paula? I've never had so many people try to sell me a handbag in life!

Yes, I got so tired of saying No. And then getting soaked.
But it was still a great day

 

[PBader]

Chinatown!

I love shopping there, honestly. I got all kinds of little things for people's fish extenders there for my Med and repo cruises last summer.

It is an experience. I have gone both times we have been to NYC.

 

[Grandma x3]

That's a possibility, Chris -- I have to look into what the sights are and what my girls would be interested in -- maybe a beach or maybe the other things . . . but it could work out.

I don't know about beachs from what Andrew has posted. There was an interesting article in NY Times travel mag (I think you posted about it also) about Cartagena - it has a colorful history and apparently some interesting places to see.
I'm not sure if Matt would find that fun - maybe he'll want to stay on the ship.

 

[PBader]

Julie & Paula,
Do you think we should check into organizing a private tour for some of us who like to tour independently - but prefer to be cautious while in Columbia?

I love history (was a History major) - and want to see the sites.

Hmmmm?

I have sent an email off to Leland Miles--the emerald man and am waiting to here back from him.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I don't know about beachs from what Andrew has posted. There was an interesting article in NY Times travel mag (I think you posted about it also) about Cartagena - it has a colorful history and apparently some interesting places to see.
I'm not sure if Matt would find that fun - maybe he'll want to stay on the ship.

The town is nice and full of lots of historical places to see, worth a look.

(These pictures are not mine)

 

[bellelinus]

Ah Fabrizo, did you ever call him on the number provided????



?

Yes, thanks again for the number -- but as for whether I used it, once again, I won't tell!

He wasn't as cute as the waiter I met in Florence, anyway . . . wow, he was absolutely adorable . . .

 

[renknt]

Wow go away for a few days. Well can hardly wait untill "old" threads over x number of days are deleted. Seems that things over 2 years might be taking up band with as well.