By Bruce Zavon (BonaireTalker - Post #96) on Sunday, December 27, 2009 - 8:50 am: |
On the schedule for January 5th, 11th, 19th, 25th, Feb 9th, 16th, and 23rd. We have two piers, where is the third going to tie off?
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By michael gaynor (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3939) on Sunday, December 27, 2009 - 11:21 am: |
They will be under power and tender the people in. With bow and stern thrusters in in use, it will have a toll on what marine life we have left in the harbor. I think it is insane for us to have so much pressure put on our infrastructure..
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By a retired Grunt (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #915) on Sunday, December 27, 2009 - 1:30 pm: |
Michael, I agree. If it seems bad now, wait until the piers are expanded/improved to better accommodate more and larger cruise ships. The health of the reefs and the marine life that depends on them is of no concern to ship lines.
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By Josie (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1449) on Sunday, December 27, 2009 - 1:41 pm: |
I'm getting sadder and sadder....
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By Ann Phelan - www.bonairecaribbean.com (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4016) on Sunday, December 27, 2009 - 1:42 pm: |
and then my friend saw two septic trucks carrying away waste from Freewinds..mind you I did not see it but he is a reliable source..sigh....
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By Dave (BonaireTalker - Post #22) on Sunday, December 27, 2009 - 2:23 pm: |
You are almost Cozumel now. Wonder when the TGI Fridays opens.....
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By Susan - www.bsdme.info (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #681) on Sunday, December 27, 2009 - 5:17 pm: |
Bruce,
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By Pietri Hausmann (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #312) on Monday, December 28, 2009 - 8:12 am: |
as a rule the freewinds does not come in.. also 1 ship is here until early afternoon and the other is here for only a few hours arriving after noon. i like you would like to see fewer ships, this issue must be taken up with powers that be a TCB .... the continued dumping by the freewinds is by the permission of our island council .. contact them... it appears that all the pressure put on them as of this date has not been effective .....there are many many of us out there lobbying for change.. but so far .. no matter what is tried .. it goes disregarded by the very few in power.
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By Pauline Kayes (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #235) on Monday, December 28, 2009 - 10:48 am: |
Pietri, time for a demonstration! time to carry signs when the Freewinds docks to let everyone know that those few are allowing free dumping of sewage on Bonaire--so much for the supposed pristine marine environment that is bragged about everywhere. time to write into all the dive magazines and web-sites to let all divers know that Bonaire is choosing sewage and cruise ships over divers. time for divers to stop coming to Bonaire. perhaps that would be a pressure that TCB and the government could not ignore.
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By michael gaynor (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3942) on Monday, December 28, 2009 - 11:15 am: |
Last night Freewinds gave a free concert on board. It was well attended by locals. There are other issues such as free rides to Aruba and back, etc. Fishy or what!
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By Jerry NNNNNNNNNNNNNN (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #23842) on Monday, December 28, 2009 - 11:28 am: |
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By a retired Grunt (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #917) on Monday, December 28, 2009 - 12:25 pm: |
I bring a group of 12 every year, and stay for three weeks. The place where we stay runs $4K a week for the group. All told it is quite a bit of money into the local economy. Like Jerry, we are exploring other places to vacation. I doubt we are alone.
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By Bruce Zavon (BonaireTalker - Post #98) on Monday, December 28, 2009 - 12:37 pm: |
These kinds of comments need to be sent to the government, as I don't think they follow BT. This is the general email address for TCB:
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By Fredster (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #13443) on Monday, December 28, 2009 - 12:54 pm: |
Bonaire - Main Office
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By Ann Phelan - www.bonairecaribbean.com (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4021) on Monday, December 28, 2009 - 2:39 pm: |
Along with the tourist boards you need to contact the government officials..both parties all involved..not sure the tourist boards are the voice of the people..they are the PR firms for the islands really..if that makes sense?
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By Debbie B.~ Jersey Gal(*) (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #11463) on Monday, December 28, 2009 - 2:49 pm: |
Ah, pardon me for adding my two cents, but the boat people are just a fraction of the troubles on island. Far bigger issues are at hand. I am waiting to see what happens next month. I can only hope the people of Bonaire make the right choice. Won't get into talking politics here, but there is sure a lot at stake and decisions that will be made soon, will make or break the future of Bonaire. Let's hope our little piece of paradise which we all love to go to can survive it all.
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By Marcus L. Barnes (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1182) on Monday, December 28, 2009 - 4:15 pm: |
Me too. After sticking bonaire for the last 7 years (mostly 2 trips a year), decided to continue technical training in Key Largo Florida instead of Bonaire... too many cruise ships and the marketing of Bonaire as an environmentally friendly island is laughable at best.... its a long way to go just to expirience Cozumel light twice year. Not saying I'll never go back but definately cutting it back.
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By *Tink* (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1517) on Monday, December 28, 2009 - 5:04 pm: |
so sad...so sad indeed. my next trip will most likely be my last (never say never) and I am exploring other areas that are less crowded and have great diving to offer, and truly value their guests and marine life...
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By Debbie B.~ Jersey Gal(*) (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #11466) on Monday, December 28, 2009 - 5:28 pm: |
Tink, I do own property there, but do not include myself in your saying ~ "I know that folks that own property will defend Bonaire to their death because they have a larger financial stake in their thoughts." Far from it.
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By *Tink* (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1518) on Monday, December 28, 2009 - 5:42 pm: |
Debbie, points well taken. My reference to "less crowded" has to do with the cruise ships. We like St. Marteen, beautiful island, but too much traffic and five cruise ships in port daily just made it ugly...
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By Debbie B.~ Jersey Gal(*) (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #11467) on Monday, December 28, 2009 - 6:38 pm: |
Tink,
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By Jerry NNNNNNNNNNNNNN (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #23848) on Monday, December 28, 2009 - 7:17 pm: |
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By a retired Grunt (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #918) on Monday, December 28, 2009 - 7:54 pm: |
Re: The above picture
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By Fredster (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #13445) on Monday, December 28, 2009 - 8:07 pm: |
the photo is dec 10 2009 Ruby Princess 3100
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By Fredster (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #13446) on Monday, December 28, 2009 - 8:11 pm: |
January 5 and 11.. stay out of town.. 4500 pod people.. plus the freewind people,.,
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By Don Freeman (BonaireTalker - Post #94) on Monday, December 28, 2009 - 8:14 pm: |
WOW...this is sad to see many of the long time visitors feeling the same as I have been feeling.
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By Don Freeman (BonaireTalker - Post #95) on Monday, December 28, 2009 - 8:36 pm: |
Something else thats on my mind...........
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By Debbie B.~ Jersey Gal(*) (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #11469) on Monday, December 28, 2009 - 9:09 pm: |
Another point to ponder here~ It is a little known fact that Jamaica has the most diverse reefs in the world. Imagine that. Now, even though that is true, I would not go to Jamaica, no way.
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By Don Freeman (BonaireTalker - Post #96) on Monday, December 28, 2009 - 9:34 pm: |
Debbie, please give your daughter a pat on the back from me. If I were younger and about to embark on my collegiate career, marine bio is definately what I would want to major in.
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By *Tink* (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1519) on Monday, December 28, 2009 - 9:35 pm: |
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By Dave (BonaireTalker - Post #23) on Monday, December 28, 2009 - 11:13 pm: |
Where is there left that is remote as Bonaire use to be?
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By Glen Reem (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3147) on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 - 12:45 am: |
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By Pietri Hausmann (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #313) on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 - 9:06 am: |
nice dramatic picture...but hardly indicative of the true situation ..... if the freewinds is in port on a 2 cruise ship day .. which so far this season the freewinds has never been in port on those days .. the passengers NEVER get off the ship .. occasionally you might see a crew member or so...fact also is that not ALL the passengers get off the ship ....probably barely half if that many .. the picture was taken at noon at the siesta/lunch break for those working in town .. kaya grandi is the only road available for the majority of people working in town .. either north or south..to get home .. also the vehicles in the picture are not related to the cruise ship but to local traffic as much as i can see .. this occurs everyday at the rush hours..not just on cruise days .. i work in the center of town and see this every day ....it reflects more accurately the ballooning increase in population and ownership of cars and the dive trucks returning to the north hotels for the noon break ... i agree this is too much, but at least portray the true situation ...the cruise ship that day was the Ruby Princess which docks at 11 AM. this picture shows the surge of passengers just disembarking and checking out the town .. this activity of cars and people is of a very short duration .. all over in 15 minutes...
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By Pietri Hausmann (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #314) on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 - 9:12 am: |
to clarify .. i meant that generally half or so of the passengers on any of cruise ships disembark and the majority for scheduled tours.. it still can be a great number .. but not the hoards of 1000's
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By Rose Hall (BonaireTalker - Post #91) on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 - 9:38 am: |
I agree. Why do cruise ships stop at Bonaire?? I love Bonaire for diving but Bonaire is hardly a shoppers paradise! I can hardly beleive the passengers spend loads in restaurants etc as they are probably full to the brim with food from the boat. Perhaps Bonaire could charge each passenger to come ashore. Divers have to pay to use the sea, so why not charge them to come ashore!
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By Pietri Hausmann (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #315) on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 - 10:11 am: |
rose ... ask TCB .. they are the marketers ... yes .. i agree .. this is not a shopping destination .. not even duty free so bonaire compares in that area very poorly ... the tours offered are nature oriented .. there is some interest.. but not a lot .. after all .. most of the countries that the passengers come from are more beautiful and lush .. tour sales and shop sales are way down this season .if they buy anything at all .. the small ships on the other hand...bonaire was appealing to the passengers .. who loved nature and the related activities .. an appropriate sign for bathroom use would be a simple solution .. where i work it is a NO with a smile....
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By Ann Phelan - www.bonairecaribbean.com (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4023) on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 - 11:03 am: |
I just came in from massive errands in town. The Ocean something is in...Freewinds as Petri says really does not impact traffic, only the unloading of their poo to god knows where..
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By *Tink* (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1522) on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 - 12:12 pm: |
Glen, you and I must have been thinking the same thing...LOL!
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By Kelly(*) (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6229) on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 - 12:16 pm: |
I just got back a few weeks ago... cannot put it into words how I feel. All I could tell Steve was that it felt really different now. Just different. Not very eloquent, but it really sums it up for me. Steve isn't a diver, so probably next trip will be somewhere 'golf-y' for him, beachy for me.
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By Jeanine aka Jah-neen (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #9322) on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 - 12:29 pm: |
Kelly, I'm with you. I felt the same way. I'm headed back again this year, but I don't think I will make it to my Ambassador medal as I wanted to when I first went to Bonaire. I'm actually twisting Wes' arm to come with me this time and he didn't come last time. He got turned off when we were at Eden Beach and got run over by the pod people. We are thinking of doing something beachy as well in the near future or maybe inland to a jungle area. So sad...
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By Kelly(*) (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6230) on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 - 12:34 pm: |
I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels this way. I had to go to the Botika one day, and had to park clear down near the Cha Cha pier toward Divi. I drove around forever looking for a spot and finally just said F it ! lol ! I needed the exercise anyway...
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By Debbie B.~ Jersey Gal(*) (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #11471) on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 - 12:46 pm: |
I agree, Bonaire is not appealing when cruise ships are in port. Even without them, there are a lot more cars/trucks on island and I found it extremely hard to find a parking spot in town on paydays and lunch times and that was in low season.
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By Debbie B.~ Jersey Gal(*) (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #11473) on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 - 1:47 pm: |
Don, didn't mean to ignore your question, she is attending Texas A&M in Galveston, Texas.
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By Retired Innkeeper Linda (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1432) on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 - 5:02 pm: |
Don, My daughter attends University of Hawaii-Hilo and is heavily involved in the Marine Science department. Her special interest is Marine Mammal Rescue. It's very reasonably priced except for the distance and travel. (We use air-miles). Donna's daughter (like others on this board) is also active in the Marine Science field now located on Guam.
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By Debbie B.~ Jersey Gal(*) (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #11475) on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 - 5:45 pm: |
That is three BT children who went into marine sciences now!
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By Chris (BonaireTalker - Post #88) on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 - 9:43 pm: |
My daughter just graduated from UCSD in the same field and returned to Bonaire this week for some time off from school and work as a DM in a local shop. I think our love for Bonaire and the oceans of the world had definitely something to do with our kids career choices. I believe the future of Bonaire rests entirely in the hands of young Bonairians, their education seems multinational and definitely multilingual and the Organization of Yong Bonaire is trying hard to involve them in island projects. These young people will have to step up one day and show their elders that their island is losing its image of a perfect paradise. As guests on the island we can look for opportunities to help them and be role models.
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By Pauline Kayes (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #236) on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 - 8:00 am: |
Chris, "one day" will be too late. Their elders are allowing the island's natural heritage to be trashed on a daily basis. By the time "one day" comes, their will not be a shard of reef or a single fish left. And they will weep at what could have been.
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By karen zavon (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #6) on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 - 9:17 am: |
Don,
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By Denise K (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2589) on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 - 9:40 am: |
Since I don't think BT is the place to talk about where else to go dive ... anybody want to direct a discusion to another dive web site about where to go instead of Bonaire? I'd be interested in this as I look down the road for someplace as easy to dive but good diving and not so expensive.
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By *Tink* (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1529) on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 - 11:57 am: |
Kelly, it just isn't the same is it? Remember relaxing on the tailgait on the waterfront eating Whataburger during surface intervals?
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By Jerry (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #23875) on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 - 12:30 pm: |
Just wait till they build the water park on Klein.
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By Kelly(*) (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6232) on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 - 1:01 pm: |
Cynde... nothing will ever compare to that trip. I have the best and funniest memories of that trip! Remember that HOT corner in the house where the computer was, and my pringles and pepsi? Remember not hearing the cleaning lady when she came at 6 am??? Fiesta? Si... Fiesta...
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By Pegi Sue *...PegiPie...G's PS (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #11935) on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 - 1:02 pm: |
G and I want to go to St. Eustatious(SP?). But I don't want everyone to start going there!!!! It's so quiet and small and everything I thought Bon was back on our first trip. One day......
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By Pegi Sue *...PegiPie...G's PS (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #11936) on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 - 1:11 pm: |
I've read so many times under "Environmental Action" to BOYCOTT Bonaire. Well, that's not what we are doing, but I want somewhere quiet to spend time with G. THAT is how I found Bonaire in the first place, I'd never even heard of it. It's not so "quiet" now. We only started going there in 2007. And reading about the "waste" problems and to think I am diving in that??? And contributing to it.....obviously we aren't wanted there, from what I have read on Environmental Action....
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By Retired Innkeeper Linda (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1433) on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 - 3:29 pm: |
Kelly and Tink,
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By Debbie B.~ Jersey Gal(*) (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #11485) on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 - 3:31 pm: |
OMG! I remember the rat too!
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By Kelly(*) (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6237) on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 - 3:53 pm: |
LOL, the Party Rat.... he was such a nice companion.
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By Retired Innkeeper Linda (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1434) on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 - 4:06 pm: |
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By Retired Innkeeper Linda (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1435) on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 - 4:08 pm: |
Sorry, I hi-jacked the thread. I think that's Alison in the last photo. That rat got around!
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By Kelly(*) (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6238) on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 - 4:34 pm: |
OMG thanks for the little stroll down memory lane !!
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By *Tink* (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1531) on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 - 5:04 pm: |
That rat was such a ho...lol~!
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By RA**** staying ahead of the curve! (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #15218) on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 - 5:16 pm: |
Cynde has a thing for weird vegetables. That's all I'm saying!(it actually looks like a finger to me!)LOL
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By *Tink* (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1532) on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 - 5:18 pm: |
OMG, and Kelly...one word...MARTIN!!!
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By Kelly(*) (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6239) on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 - 5:26 pm: |
OMG MARTIN.... yes yes yes.... I saw him this time at Buddy's. He is still very very beautiful. VERY.
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By Gary Long (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #188) on Friday, February 26, 2010 - 12:07 pm: |
Have they released the 2010 second half cruise ships port calls yet?
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By Susan Davis, InfoBonaire, Bon. Insider (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #391) on Tuesday, March 2, 2010 - 5:25 pm: |
Gary, I just got it this afternoon. I'll have it posted on http://www.infobonaire.com/cruises.html by tomorrow afternoon the latest. (Tried to answer your mail, but it came back as undeliverable, for some reason.) Susan
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