I’m going to Cuba in November so it’s going to be pretty hot. I want a cream that’s quite versatile for the water but really protective. I want to get a bit of tan so people know I’ve been away! The most important thing though is that my skin is safe. Can you recommend and good creams or advice?
Thank you all.
I can’t tell you anything about sunscreen, but if you are going to Cuba, you better buy it before you leave because you won’t be able to get it there. In fact, you better bring everything that you need, because you can buy just about NOTHING there. I mean you can buy sodas, beer & rum but don’t count on being able to buy things that you take for granted at home.
On that note, it is advisable to bring a bunch of those small everyday items to give to the locals, because they get by with very little due to the US trade embargo. For example, tooth paste, soap, toothbrushes, dental floss, chewing gum, etc.
especially little individually wrapped chocolate candies for the kids. That stuff is unavailable and it is worth the trip just to see the kid’s face when you give him/her a candy.
P.S. Better bring your own toilet paper because if you are away from your hotel and have to use the toilets, you will be cleaning up with the pages of yesterday’s newspaper.
Just realize that things are DIFFERENT there than other destinations and you will have a great time. The local people are very friendly and curious about life outside of Cuba. Everyone is well educated and lots of folks speak English.
My walls are currently light blue and I was wondering how to do my room beach theme with a little bit of audrey hepburn theme to it. I was thinking maybe painting my bed and dresser white? Any other suggestions, where would you find audrey hepburn pictures?
Ms. Hepburn lived and died in my town, Old Saybrook, CT. She had a view of the inner and outer lighthouses the mouth of the river and the breakwater. Pictures of that stuff would look great and add to your theme.
some friends and i were origionally thinking about gonig camping weekend after the fourth but now thinking about trying to find a cheap cottage or maybe a cheap house near the indiana dunes. any advice?
The cheapest houses are the foreclosed houses , check out this site
http://foreclosure-listings-national.com/
Here you’ll find the foreclosed property in your area.
Hope this help,
I’m looking for a beach rental to stay at around 8/22. I only want to stay 2-3 nights. I just need a one bedroom. I want to stay on the beach and don’t want to have to spend more than $125 a night. Any good ideas?
Orange Beach, Gulf Shores … somewhere nice.
These web sites may help;
"gulfshores.com" , "gulfshoreshotels.onetime.com",
"gulf-shores-alabama.com" ,
These sites have some very good information about the area and accomidations.
My husband and I are going to Hawaii later this month (for 10 days), and his one request is that we stay at least one place where he can "walk directly out of our room onto the beach, sit on the beach all day, and be served tropical drinks!" 
Any suggestions? He really wants a place where our ROOM (not just the hotel) opens right onto the beach.
We’re starting out on Oahu, but then we’re not sure which other islands we’ll be going to – probably either Maui or the big island, but we’re open to suggestions. We’re not the country-club type, but we just want to be pampered for one day!
My mana’o (message, point of view) comes from someone who attended U. Hawaii Manoa for four years, but spent a mere two nights at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. These are the hotels where I always wanted to stay:
My favorite beach in Waikiki is what we call "Kaimana" or "San Souci" beach, in front of the New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel. This is more between Waikiki and Diamond Head, between Kapiolani Park and the Ocean. I’ve never actually stayed there, but I greatly enjoyed the fundraiser I attended there as a poor but well-connected graduate student. And I can’t count the hours I’ve spent on the beach in front of the Hau Tree Lanai.
On the other side of Diamond Head, away from Waikiki in a swanky neighborhood, is the Mandarin Oriental Hotel (locals still call it the Kahala Mandarin). Jack Lord, the star of Hawaii 5-0 lived in the penthouse here for years.
If you want to be in the middle of it all in Waikiki, The Moana Surfrider, is now 105 years old and just as elegant.
Much farther away, on essentially the northern tip of Oahu, is the Turtle Bay Resort mentioned above.
I hear amazing things about the Hilton Waikaloa, but I haven’t been to that side of the Big Island…yet.
In south Maui, one stays in condos, many of which are apparently on the beach. But when I spend the night in Lahaina, I like to stay at the kitchy, relatively inexpensive Makai Inn. It’s on the sea wall, not the beach, but you can fall asleep to the sound of the waves–instead of awakening to the sound of the machine cleaning out the sand traps on the golf course at the Ritz.
And that’s all I hafta say about that.
I’m spending my honeymoon in Ocean Isle Beach, NC. Tell me some things to see and do besides go to the beach (we’ll be doing that far too much, I’m sure)! We’ll be about an hour away from Myrtle Beach, SC, so if you’re familiar with that area, please include things to do there, as well!
The Location & Climate
Ocean Isle Beach is a barrier island located along North Carolina’s southern coast in the northernmost subtropical region of the East Coast of The United States. Although it is technically in NC, Ocean Isle Beach is actually located to the south of every major city in South Carolina with the exception of Charleston!
In this mild subtropical climate you can enjoy playing golf and tennis year-round.
Ocean Isle Area Activities
shortcuts: select and go Turtle Watching Day Tripping Art & Antique Galleries Free to You Things to do with Kids Let’s Go Shopping Museum of Coastal Carolina Resources Rental Cars Golf Courses Fishing Information Sailing
Ocean Isle Beach is perfectly suited for families and children with a water slide, miniature golf course, fishing pier, and convenient shops. However, we offer a relaxed atmosphere without noise, traffic and crowds.
TURTLE WATCHING top
Up and down the Brunswick County coast from Sunset Beach to Caswell Beach there is a nonprofit program called "Turtle Watch." Volunteers help monitor turtle nestings along the beaches from May to October. It is a truly fantastic experience for young and old. Appreciate and protect these small creatures by adhering to the following guidelines:
Always watch from a distance.
Never shine headlights or flashlights around nesting areas.
Do not remove any eggs from the nest.
Watch for flags and avoid walking in these areas.
Please enjoy and respect these tiny hatchlings.
DAY TRIPPING top
Day tripping can be FUN tripping in Brunswick and the surrounding counties. There is much to offer in this beautiful area. There are historical sites, museums, the battleship North Carolina, the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, antique shops, amusement parks, go-cart tracks, Solfmusic theaters, deep sea fishing, health spas, restaurants galore, and endless places where you can SHOP TIL YOU DROP. Calabash world famous "SEA FOOD CAPITAL OF THE WORLD" boast over a dozen restaurants in this scenic coastal village 6 miles from Ocean Isle Beach.
ART & ANTIQUE GALLERIES top
Visit our local art galleries and antique shops to better understand and appreciate the flavor of Ocean Isle Beach. Located on highway 17, north of Shallotte, is the Doe Creek Art Gallery well known for its fine, original art. Drive 30 minutes and you will find the quaint Victorian port town of Southport. There you can explore a variety of art galleries and antique shops A true North Carolina experience.
FREE TO YOU top
Coming to Ocean Isle Beach need not be constant outlay of money. There are a variety of free activities for young and old alike. Walk our wide, sandy beaches, build sand castles, collect beautiful shells, window shop at our local boutiques. Gentlemen can surf fish or just stretch back and enjoy our lovely beach scenery. Our public tennis courts are available for matches, especially after enjoying a great meal at one of our fine restaurants. Come enjoy our "SOUTHERN hospitality."
THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS top
There are many other activities to indulge in besides our fantastic beaches. Some are: a miniature golf course, the Museum of Coastal Carolina, go-cart racing and endless fishing and shell collecting. All of these activities will make treasured childhood memories. A short drive south will take you to Myrtle Beach where everyone can have hours of fun at the Pavilion Amusement Park or the Alligator Adventure. To our north you will find historic Wilmington and the Battleship North Carolina, a must see! No matter what entices you the most, a great time will be had by all.
LET’S GO SHOPPING top
Ocean Isle Beach offers a diverse selection of shops to satisfy your every need. For clothing there’s Victoria’s Ragpatch, Pelican Bay and Island Wear House. You may want to check our Cheney’s Gifts, Just Lovely Gifts, or Callahans. If browsing gift shops is more for you, the Cotton Exchange in Wilrnington and many antique shops will keep you busy all day! Myrtle Beach has an endless selection of beach shops and department stores galore, as well as Outlet Malls such as Waccamaw Pottery and Outlet Park, The Myrtle Beach Outlet Shopping Mall and Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach.
Our island with a gently sloping beach, natural sounds, and intra-coastal waterway provide the perfect respite for those seeking to connect with nature.
MUSEUM OF COASTAL CAROLINA top
…Family Fun Out Of The Sun!!
This wonderful museum, located right here on Ocean Isle Beach, offers a wide array of interesting exhibits and collections for all to see. You won’t want to miss the many seashells, Indian artifacts, antique fishing equipment, and so much more. The Reef Room is one of the largest and most fascinating in the southeast. Underwater adventure and aquatics sites await you!
The prestigious Museum of Coastal Carolina is in partnership with the world famous Discovery Place Museum and is a must see during your stay. The location is on 2nd Street just next to the water slide and across from Cooke Realtors. Admission is $3 for adults and $1 for children under 12. You can visit year round Saturday 9-5 and Sunday 1-5, weekdays 9-5 from Memorial Day thru Labor Day. For more information, please call 910-579-1016.
RESOURCES top
AREA INFORMATION
Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce
800-426-6644
KENNELS AND BOARDING
Diamond A Kennels
910-575-3141
MEDICAL SUPPLY NEEDS
Thomas Drugs – (wheel chair rentals, oxygen, RX)
910-754-4720
RENTAL EQUIPMENT
Beaches Rental
800-272-6955
Necessities Rentals
866-637-5667
Julie’s Rentals
888-579-1211
RENTAL CARS top
Thrifty Car Rental
Wilmington Airport
Myrtle Beach
OCEAN ISLE AREA GOLF COURSES top
There are over 20 golf courses located within 8 miles of Ocean Isle Beach, NC and over 100 golf courses within 45 minutes of Ocean Isle Beach.
Recreation and Outdoor Activities
Canoeing, Kayaking and Whitewater Rafting
Directory of Whitewater Rafting, Canoeing and Kayaking Outfitters and Guides of the beautiful rivers of North Carolina
Country Clubs and Golf Courses
Directory of Golf Courses and vacation packages throughout North Carolina
Horseback Riding and more..
Where 2havefun with horses in North Carolina
Hunting and Wildlife
Information and resources for planning your hunting trip in North Carolina
Places to go Camping in North Carolina
Grab your tent or pack up the RV and go camping in North Carolina
State Parks & National Forests
Guide to state parks and services provided in North Carolina
Is it a good idea to use the home I live ins equity towards the down payment? Or is it better to keep the 2 separate? Thanks!
I do have 20% and can easily qualify for 20% more if I add a portion of the equity from my home.
Hi Debo,
It really depends on your financial situation.
You’ll need at least 30% down, so do you have enough equity in your current home? How much equity will you have left in your home, this will effect the interest rate you qualify for.