Past few days an interesting turn of events happened. I learned about a freediving course organized by Performance Freediving on Grand Cayman island.
Not only it was something interesting that I wanted to do, but also it was taking place on a far and exotic island. I knew it was going to be expensive traveling from Europe to Grand Cayman but I was so excited about the whole idea, I started planning it.
First was to check the air tickets. There are several ways to fly to Carribean islands including direct flights. One such flight from London to Cayman islands comes up to 1,050 euro. Ouch!
There are cheaper solutions, like flying to New York first (only 300 euro) and catching up the flight from there to Grand Cayman (around 200 euro). But the problem with this solution is I would have to go through painful bureaucracy of getting U.S. Visa, with additional costs of about 100 euro.
The flight from Belgrade to London is about 140 euro.
Second thing to check was accommodation. It turns out that Grand Cayman is one of the most expensive Carribean islands and that hotel room for a night will set you back at least $200 (around 150 euro). Per night! Little internet search showed that there are no hostels on Grand Cayman (there is the idea for you islanders!) so I tried private accommodation. Best I could find on the whole island was $75 per night (about 50 euro).
Eating and drinking would set me back 25 euro more per day if I am saving.
Then there is the price for the course and it is about 500 euro plus extra costs (boat) and equipment (I need new wetsuit)that would cost me around 300 euro more.
Now I was thinking I can do a come-and-go variant, stay there only five days which is the length of the course. But it would be a real shame to travel half way around the world and stay only five days. So I thought to stay about two weeks. Then I put everything on paper
- Air ticket 1200 euro
- Accommodation+Eating two weeks 1050 euro
- Course 800 euro
The little two-week Carribean adventure would set me back 3050 euro (or around $4500). And this is without jumping to any other Carribean islands to check them out (which would be clever thing to do)! Great Goodness.
I guess I am not ready for this yet.
Suggested reading:
- Free-Diving Training for Beginners
- Pretty Blue Planet
- Pilot Training: Day 03 – Big thunderstorm and some cool photos
Posted in: Leisure
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5 Comments
yes it is really getting very expensive there in America especially in New York
Well exotic islands are somehow reserved to either Carribean sea or French polinesia. And going to an exotic island has it's merits. Of course there are cheaper destinations in Europe, Africa and Asia but when you want to escape from everything, not many thing beat drinking a cocktail under a palm tree on an island somewhere in the ocean.
You mean there's nothing similar in Europe or Asia?
I do agree that the American tourist destinations are getting a lot more expensive these days. Personally, I don't have the need to go to Central or South America, so I'm saving a bundle by avoiding those vacation spots.
Thank you very much, the same applies to you. You are welcome to stay and hang around!
What a lovely interesting blog you have. Full of useful and interesting information. This is my first visit. :o)