jayarrG7

Another thumbs up for Native Choice. Last year we booked Dzibanche, a two hour ride each way, but so worth it. My wife and I were the only ones who actually showed up for the tour, but they did not cancel, so we had our tour guide all to ourselves. I have booked other tours in places where the tour was cancelled due to no shows, but not here. Grade A service. 

I’ve done the guided tour by Renee, which is right from shore, and the water taxi to Klein Bonaire. Last month I went with Woodwinds on their large catamaran.

By far the best experience was with Woodwinds. That being said, a bad snorkel in Bonaire usually beats a good site at most other islands.

Advance car rental. We rented there a week ago and were fully satisfied.

Celestino was professional in every way. For $5 you can add a gps which he preprograms with many of the beaches and tourist spots.

Shete Boka park was our main destination. About $10 US per person.

Unique sights there, and beautiful beaches nearby.

I don’t recall the price per litre, but we drove to Shete Boka and back for about six dollars US in a Nissan Versa.

Our cost for two with a map was $21 US. Parking is free.

Dzibanche well worth the long ride.

Very few people the day we toured with Native Choice, in fact my wife and I were the only people going with them, so had the tour guide all to ourselves.

A quiet experience where you felt the weight of the ages around you.

The highlight of our last cruise!

I understand your frustration. For my upcoming cruise I’ve decided to only take my old Canon G12 point and shoot and a small external flash.

Too many times I’ve found myself wrapped up in getting the best possible shot instead of enjoying the moment. 

I would make an exception if traveling to a place not visited before, if it was rich with photo opportunities.

I’m actually looking forward to leaving the pro gear home and challenging myself to getting the most from lesser gear.

Sample try.

I find the Sony a6000 series just a bit small for my hands, so that may be a consideration.

I own the Canon 80d, purchased as a kit with the 18-55 and 55-250 lens for about $600 refurbished from Canon around black Friday last year.

More recently I purchased the 10-18 as a smaller, lighter lens for travel than my 10-22.

Canon Price Watch site can alert you to additional sales.

jayarrG7 - do you have to pre-pay an annual card fee on the new card? Some of these credit card offers give you a statement credit of $200 and auto charge you $75 or more. You are still ahead but not as much as you thought. Check the fine print.

As we examined the promo, no annual fee the first year.

Just remember to cancel later.

Here is another option. The Renaissance on 17th street is booking for 318 with taxes for our Jan. 2019 stay. There is a $200 statement credit if you take out the credit card promo listed on their website. Our total will be $118 if we use the new card.

Hard to beat that.

Thinking about renting a golf cart, but have concerns about parking, which seems to be an issue.

Anyone with experience on a Sunday who can weigh in on this. We want to hit the popular museums and tourist spots.

May I suggest visiting the website for Native Choice.

They have some photos and descriptions of tours offered.

Another tip if you would like to see extensive photos of any specific mayan ruins- visit the Flickr website, and type in the specific site your interested in.

We are choosing Dzibanche, a long ride, but with far fewer people, and the opportunity to climb to the top.

Thanks for the tip. How much time is needed to get a couple photos at kinichna?

I am not sure how to help you choose, but i have been to Dzibanche and it was amazing. I have Kohunlich booked for my next cruise in Feb.

 

At Dzibanche they are still excavating, there is pottery and obsidian everywhere. It was so impressive.

 

I have a photo album from there online if you want me to send you a link just let me know.

 

The drive to both sites is long but to me totally worth it. Also, Native Choice is who i have used for all the ruins in Costa Maya and they have been hands down the best tour company ever, the guides and drivers have always been so knowledgeable and so excited to show you their country.

Thanks for the post. Scheduled to go in Feb. 2018.

Would love to see your photos.

Four ships in the harbor

 

A busy day for Phillipsburg, St. Maarten. Aboard the Independence of the Seas (Second from left).

 

4 ships by Brad Leonard, on Flickr

Nice shot! I'm trying to post from my Flickr account, but just get this:

How do you get the pic to imported instead of the link?

Grand Cayman, no doubt. Check posts for Eden Rock, perhaps a total of a half mile walk from the ship. Dive shop will rent gear and lockers. No fee for using their access ladder.

Canon G12

Canon 60d

A bag full of lenses, but will usually only take two or three on a cruise.

A number of speedlites and strobes, used in my real estate photography business.

Agree with previous post that the equipment is far less important than the technique and vision.

Just got back and we lunched at the shipwreck bar on Feb. 9, 2017. Our guide suggested it as good food for reasonable prices. He was right. This is not a five star restaurant, it is a beach bar with character and good food. The beach is almost nonexistant, but the monkeys and mongoose made for a fun diversion. Painkillers go for five bucks, and as compared to the drinks on the Regal Princess, you could actually taste the alcohol. A full chicken meal went for eleven bucks. I would go again in a heartbeat.

Just an update on St John tour guide Pam Gaffin. Although her website indicates she will take up to six people on custom tours, this is no longer true.

We tried to book Our group of five and Pam's vehicle will no longer accomodate a group this large. Too bad, as she was our first choice.

I did purchase her e-book through Amazon, which was very informative.

Where do you get them?

https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/search/refurbished-eos-digital-slr-cameras

Canon puts the refurbished cameras on sale from time to time.

Keep an eye on the website or follow Canonpricewatch.com

I buy nothing but refurbished equipment. Canon refurbs come with one year warranties. Always arrive looking like new.

I use Adobe lightroom and highly recommend it. Version six is available as a stand alone product for about $145, check Amazon.

You can also get both Lightroom cc and photoshop cc, a more complete package, for $10 a month, maybe more than you need at this point.

Many free videos are available on you tube to learn how to use lightroom.

As a professional real estate photographer, I get by with my existing copy of lightroom 5. Hope this helps.

The brand of camera you prefer is of little importance. The technique you use will apply to any camera. Great photos are captured every day with a wide variety of equipment.

Many internet sites can begin to add to your technique. Try searching for basics of good exposure, or photo tips to get started. Practice before leaving on your cruise at home to become familiar with your equipment.

First tip that I might offer - manually set your ISO to its lowest setting, and avoid the auto mode. Aperture priority may work best if your subject is not moving.

Best wishes on your cruise!😊

You might use ebay as a guideline for the current value. Many of the listings have no bids on them, so ignore their asking prices. Perhaps $75 may spark some interest on your local craigslist.