Right now the Cayman Islands have a 7 day quarantine for vaccinated people. Hard to say when they will open the island back up. At least there was a month ago, had a relative who was thinking of going
It has other businesses than tourism so I guess they can continue to keep tourists out. It is expensive but safe.
My daughter and her boyfriend went to the BVI this summer. Had a great time but the day before they left, there was a curfew invoked, they had to be in there hotel room by 7 pm. She said they didn’t mind, the islands weren’t busy and they were offered room service.
Actually, Grand Cayman is going to be opening up very soon, for vaccinated people. We have a timeshare there, and I’ve been watching. I think the “re-open” date is in November. BUT, the airlines aren’t showing flights there until the spring. I suspect that will change soon. It’s a fun place. My favorites are Grand Cayman, Turks and Caicos, and St. John in the USVI.
I called Lufthansa and the rep agreed that the QR code should not be required on the negative PCR test but said no idea what the counter agent would say at the airport. So yesterday, I travelled to the airport (I leave on Wed) and showed them all I had and indicated my PCR test would not have a QR code. They were ok with it so hopefully I will get the same folks working.
They did want the QR code for my vaccines and not the CDC card. I have an app called vaxyes in my apple wallet that has a QR code plus my vaccine data and they said it was ok. I am not sure how much faith one can/should put into the app but in any case, I have my PCR test tomorrow and hopefully it is negative and I fly out on Wednesday…
The leaves are really nice here in NC, so I think we’re going to take part of the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive as we head home later this week - assuming the leaves continue to look nice.
Tomorrow we’ll be old fogies prowling around our Alma mater looking at all the young kids colleges let in nowadays.
I love wandering and being able to decide our path on a whim.
Easy to get in and most things seem open. My French colleagues are back in the office as normal and I’m heading there later this month. But plan to spend some time queuing to get your COVID pass sorted out on the first day because you won’t be able to do anything without it.
Depending on how things settle out, if you aren’t staying more than a few days, taking a test to get the 72 hour QR code may be quicker than converting your US vaccination card (which can only be done in a few pharmacies at the moment).
My daughter got married a few weeks ago in the NC mountains (Blowing Rock). The leaves were amazing! Her photos almost look like the background can’t possibly be real. Love the Blue Ridge Parkway. I’ve been in NC for 25 years but only rode on the BRP for the first time about a year ago - don’t know why I waited for so long!
France may be different…When I was in Italy recently they were willing to take my NY Covid card. I was able to get into restaurants & museums.
I also took a rapid test while I was there and they issued me a Green pass with a code.
There is one large beach – Flamenco – that is typically busy, but there are several other lovely beaches that aren’t. Snorkeling is great there – turtles, rays, etc. – and you’ll have some beaches to yourself, or nearly so. It’s very low-key.
Round trip from Chicago ORD to San Juan SJU is around $400-$500. Then you either fly directly from SJU to Culebra, or make it a bit more of an adventure by taking a taxi or Uber to Ceiba, and then taking the $2 ferry to Culebra.
It is a small island, so most people rent golf carts to get (putt-putt…) around the island. If those aren’t available, a Wrangler works.
If you decide to go, a day trip to Culebrita is a must. That little gem has baths/cliffs, one of the most beautiful and calm beaches you’ll ever see (Tortuga), and a trail up to the lighthouse on which you will encounter goats. Nobody really knows how they got there.
Price-wise, Culebra is on par with much of the mainland US. It’s quite a bit less expensive than St. John, another awesome, laid back, uncrowded Caribbean paradise.
D20 has decided very last minute to try to go on a Birthright Israel trip at the end of December. She interviews today. If she is accepted, we then have to scramble to expedite getting her a new passport (her existing one is set to expire in June and as I understand it, she can’t travel on it with less than six months left). She made an appointment at the Post Office for first thing tomorrow morning, which is still cutting it very close (7 weeks plus a couple of days). I hate feeling the pressure of last minute things!
I know. Expedited says 5-7 weeks and then there’s some other emergency service where you can only make an appointment within 72 hours of your departure. There doesn’t seem to be any good option for people in the middle.
