Help me plan sabbatical in Caribbean?

I originally posted the message below in Hawaii
newsgroup but after some thought decided I should not
rule out the Caribbean either

Advice?

========================================

Forty eight year old man and 21 year old nephew.

Want to LIVE at LEAST one month on Big island.... maybe
up to 3 months.

Want to plan and take a sabbatical abt a year from now.

Nephew will finish up 3rd year of college this time
next year.....so cant go till after mid May 2007
(college out by then).

Never done anything like this in my life. We both live
in Missouri

Having said that can you guys be so kind as to help me
plan this and make it a reality?

Things I need to plan:

Healthcare: Need to locate good healthcare facility in
case needed. We are both in good health but "things"
happen as you know

Transportation: Rent a car there? Or maybe buy two
mopeds and sell upon return? Maybe take bicycles?

Cell phone coverage: What is bets method for this? Take
TWO Sprint/Nextel cell phone walkie talkies? is
service and coverage decent on Big island?

Living arrangements: Rent apartment for 2 months?
Condo? bed and breakfast? Don't want a lot of
amenities but do want shower and restroom and laundry
facilities. But I do like the Bohemian experience as
well...close to nature.

Clothing" Shoes and rain gear and clothing? What is
needed and NOT needed?

Furniture: Any need to take camping chairs and tables
for rented condos?

Food: Want to cook as much as possible to save money.
Only eat out when the experience is wanted such as
great food. Or is it just cheaper and easier to eat out
daily?

Inter-island travel: Might want to fly to other
islands especially Oahu to see historic stuff.

Well.... that's abt all I can think of for the moment

Can you advise?

THANKS!

Brian K <brianblog1951@**************> wrote:

>One thing you should know. Once you leave the United States there is no
>guarantee that your cell phone will work.

Understood

Well I want to do 1-3 months in Hawaii

But I thought maybe Caribbean would be a lot cheaper
since I live in Missouri

not sure

Rosalie B. <gmbeasley@***************> wrote:

>Personally I would visit the places I would be considering before I
>went. The Caribbean is a very big and widely varying place.

I've been to Tulum area

Rosalie B. <gmbeasley@***************> wrote:

>Renting an apartment would probably be the least expensive if you
>could do it for the short term. It would depend on what season you
>went. You don't say - if you go in the off season it will of course
>be cheaper, but you may have hurricanes

It would have to be when college is out and before it
starts again in fall

Rosalie B. <gmbeasley@***************> wrote:

>We usually do our own breakfast and lunch and then eat dinner out
>occasionally. Sometimes we have 'dinner' in the middle of the day as
>lunch is cheaper and has plenty of food.

Excellent idea!!

Rosalie B. <gmbeasley@***************> wrote:

>Given what you have said, I might recommend

Thanks!!

Good recommendations!

Rosalie B. <gmbeasley@***************> wrote:

>Some colleges have alternate schedules or even summer sessions. Your
>nephew might consider skipping the spring semester and traveling with
>you in March, April and May and returning to school in the summer
>(June, July Aug) instead. This would have two benefits. It would be
>before the hurricane season started, and it wouldn't be as hot in the
>Caribbean, and if you could manage to work around Spring Break it
>would be a little cheaper than Jan-Feb-March.

Hmm.... good idea!!

Thanks!