Just because you own a timeshare is a specific location, such as Maui, doesn't mean you are only able to visit that particular resort/destination. You can use an exchange company to trade in your deeded week and exchange it for another resort within the resorts community of resort properties. RCI has approx 3,000 resorts and II has approx 1,500 resorts to choose from. Check-out the web-sites for each exchange company:

http://www.rci.com/RCI/

http://www.intervalworld.com/web/cs?a=5

Wow, Bobbyboulders, you just totally answered the question I was about to ask. I am new to this too - my sister is looking for a timeshare in mexico right now, which got me thinking.

I love to travel to exotic places and love the idea of having a "home away from home", but I don't want to be stuck in one place either, in case I feel like going somewhere else that winter. That is good to know, that the times can be exchanged!

rambutan

This sounds great and all, but I am a little apprehensive about leaving my things at strangers places (someone mentioned a locked closet in a location so that they don't have to tot things around between traveling.) Also, how is my timeshare that I trade safe or covered from damage, theft, etc? (All the things that make you worry when you have someone house sit for you.)

Is there a general policy or strict guideline that those who trade have to adhere to in order to be given the priviledge to participate in this? Thanks!

Fashion - I've been thinking about Hawaii myself, but I wanted to go somewhere really "off the beaten path"! I had a friend from Maui who always sung its praises, but I've heard that Molokai is more like "the traditional Hawaii", more rural, etc. I am more interested in culture and nature than in amenities, personally - it's the concept of timeshares that appeals to me, not the ritzy nature of most of the properties. What do you think, have you been to Molokai?

rambutan

Oh yes, Molokai holds the essence of old Hawaii. This is what I love most about Maui--Molokai as well, is it's preservation. It's untouched (as possible) lands...very sacred and held in tradition.

Nothing is as beautiful! You can take the road up to Hana--a twisty turny road up to even more old Hawaii--treasure that is worth the crazy journey.

Although Maui is just an island..there is so much beauty--lots of it untouched by the industrialized hand--to discover and enjoy.

I really think you would like it--you should plan to visit--if not for a timeshare purchase but at least a vacation. I think everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. You really must be there to experience the magic of the island. Who knows, it may even convince you to look around for any available timeshare in the area!

Great information here. I'm hoping to visit Maui this year with my family and this forum has helped me quite a bit. Thanks to all!!!

Thanks Fashion, I will definitely check out both islands when I go this summer! I am really thinking about where I want to have my timeshare, and I've been tossing around Hawaii and some places in the Caribbean and South Pacific. I am really attracted to island life, but I want to be somewhere where I can mingle with the culture and nature, not something that feels overly resorty and crowded.

Speaking of which - does anyone here know what a rambutan is??

rambutan

Im afraid to ask!

Mocean, don't be!

It's a delicious tropical fruit, similar to a lychee in taste and texture (actually is of the same family), although the rambutan has a hairy/prickly sort of exterior, kind of like a sundew plant.

I used to steal them from a University Botanical Garden in Puerto Rico (i won't name the town for fear of getting busted now... 5 yrs later! ) by climbing the trees. Actually, I think I stole just about every kind of fruit there, from carambolas and mangosteens and garcinias to cacao beans to jackfruit - but if I didn't take them, they would have just ended up as fertilizer!

And anyways, that's how half the people in the town got fed - no one really cared at the college. Most of these fruits they are now selling for tons of money on the supplement market, because they found out they all have healing powers etc. Like garcinia is being made into these high priced weight loss supplements now! Ironic, isn't it? I used to climb trees in my overalls stealing these fruits... who knew.

hence my desire for an "off the beaten path" timeshare - I love tropical life and am getting to the point where I want my own place away from home, but I'm not at home in a trendy resort type place.

ram

Im sure you'll find many different fruits in Hawaii if you purchase a time share there. Ive been to Ohau and Maui. Maui wasn't so touristy and more lush and tropical. Im considering a time share with the Marriott Vacation Club and have found some great info in this forum and website. Good Luck and keep eating lots of fruit!