By Robert Sixberry (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Friday, December 30, 2005 - 4:38 pm: |
We are considering 2 weeks in Bonaire but reading the comments here and on other sites we are beginning to get the opinion that while the diving is great, the hotels are deteriorating due to lack of maintenance. Is this true? Can anyone recommend a good (3-4*) hotel/resort that also has an excellent dive operator (boat diving) and an excellent house reef?
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By pat murphy (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #525) on Friday, December 30, 2005 - 7:59 pm: |
robert, welcome to bonairetalk. i can't comment much on the hotels as we stay in our own place now. when we did stay in a hotel it was the carib inn which i think is a great place but probably wouldn't qualify as 3 or 4*...maybe 3 but it doesn't have a bar/restaurant. it is a small, well-maintained, quiet hotel with a great dive shop and even greater staff. carib inn offers great boat diving and a really nice reef (calabas).
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By Cyn (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #16030) on Friday, December 30, 2005 - 8:44 pm: |
Robert, welcome to Bonaire Talk. I'm not sure what you are referring to when you say that "the hotels are deteriorating due to lack of maintenance." There had been a report of one resort, but it was a while ago. I think that making a blanket statement as such is not in due justice to the resorts. If you to go www.infobonaire.com and click on "accommodations" and then choose your price range, and then look at the options. Once you have narrowed it down to 2 or 3 then post questions about those resorts and you will get a lot of good information and reports on the places you are interested in.
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By Scott Phillips (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #279) on Friday, December 30, 2005 - 10:31 pm: |
Hi, Robert, and welcome.
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By Randy P (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #410) on Saturday, December 31, 2005 - 10:10 am: |
Hi Robert,
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By Marcus L. Barnes (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #442) on Saturday, December 31, 2005 - 11:45 am: |
Hey Robert, what's up? Most, if not all, of the hotels are not deteriorating due to the lack of maintenance. Of course, there are some effects of heat and wind, but most places work at off setting these effects (i.e. new paint) from my observations on 6 trips to Bonaire. I think it might help to make clear that Bonaire is a kind of eco destination where the emphasis is on the sea, wildlife etc. It is not a good destination for those who are looking for what most of us would term a "tourist destination" such as Aruba for example. This is good thing IMHO and I personally hope it never changes. One of the other things you should consider is that most accomodations don't have central air - the air conditioning is in the bedrooms only. Seems small but I have talked to friends who would never accept that in a hotel/resort. All of that said, we stay at the Belmar Apartments. The apartments are clean and well maintained. They continually update and the house reef rocks with 2 docks to dive from a short distance from the apartments. Assuming you are not looking for a full blown resort, this is what I would recommend to you. Don't hate me Belmar BT'rs for putting this out. Have a great dive.
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By pat murphy (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #529) on Saturday, December 31, 2005 - 11:45 am: |
like randy said, there are no big, all-inclusives...which is a good thing. my (limited) experience with all-inclusives left me with the impression that visitors get so isolated from the rest of the island that they never experience the true ambiance of the place. sometimes it's a safety issue but other times it's just a convenience issue. this is not true of bonaire. you can wander around bonaire and not fear for your safety nor be harrassed by beach vendors, etc. bonaire is a small island with a small resident population and is easy and safe to explore. once you've visited bonaire you can truly say that you have "seen" bonaire, unlike those who go to jamaica, stay at sandals, never leave the property, and still say they've "seen" jamaica.
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By Debbie Babcock (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2697) on Saturday, December 31, 2005 - 5:13 pm: |
Hi Robert! Bonaire is a truely beautiful island for diving and it's friendly people, however, when I see a post with a 3 or 4 star request, I get the impression of that you're looking for something Bonaire doesn't have. As said in earlier posts, Harbor Village is the best/highest resort on Bonaire, then you would have to look at all the others like Cyn said and then ask your question again. Look at their websites and see their amnetites and then decide. The website she gave you is a start, but there isn't any place like Sandals, Club Med on Bonaire for sure, I can tell you that. I love Bonaire and even bought my own place, but it is not for everyone. My parents will never set foot on Bonaire as neither of them dive/snorkel and my mom hasn't had her hair wet in years except at the salon! LOL Take a look at the other hotels and post again when you have looked at what they have. Almost everyone here on BT has their favorites and some try a new place yearly, so I am sure we could help you out better with a little more to go on. That 3or4 star thingie throws off a lot of us as to what you are looking for.
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By Marvin Lowman (BonaireTalker - Post #72) on Sunday, January 1, 2006 - 10:49 pm: |
Robert,
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By seb (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2508) on Monday, January 2, 2006 - 11:37 am: |
Robert Sixberry, there is nothing for you in Bonaire. Harbor Village is as close as you could get to your 4 star resort. I do not think you would enjoy the island at all. I would rather discourage you now than have to read your negative trip report later. Good luck in your travels.
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By Jim Taylor (BonaireTalker - Post #11) on Monday, January 2, 2006 - 7:30 pm: |
Robert;
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By BEVERLY A FILLIO (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #135) on Monday, January 2, 2006 - 9:01 pm: |
I have always felt the people who are looking for glitz and lots of amenities and the like would much rather go to Aruba or to St Lucia than Bonaire I find Bonaire is a true natural place for those who appreciate simplicity and basics. There are not the long sandy beaches or women with fancy hair dos there are a great bunch of people who like clean housing. Simple please of Diving and Snorkling and seeing the natural wonders of the Sea. We have gone to many mnay islands and none can hold a candle to Bonaire is our book. `
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By Linda Stoltzfus (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #753) on Tuesday, January 3, 2006 - 1:05 am: |
Robert,
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By Cynde (Moderator) (Moderator - Post #53) on Tuesday, January 3, 2006 - 11:57 am: |
Linda...lol on the coal...hopefully Robert will post back with some places he has narrowed his search down to and we can give him suggestions on the places he has questions about as I suggested. It's so hard to recommend a place when specifics as to what a person is looking for (on the water, kitchen, etc.) aren't provided.
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By Jerry Gauron (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #286) on Tuesday, January 3, 2006 - 3:40 pm: |
United we stand, divided we fall.
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By David Frank (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #245) on Tuesday, January 3, 2006 - 8:27 pm: |
Cynde,
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By Cynde (Moderator) (Moderator - Post #55) on Tuesday, January 3, 2006 - 9:21 pm: |
Ah...David, I did miss the "GREAT." And you are correct, we seem to be talking to ourselves...troll maybe?
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By Patrick T. (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #646) on Tuesday, January 3, 2006 - 11:37 pm: |
Cynde,
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By Andrew Gillam (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Wednesday, January 4, 2006 - 5:38 am: |
I can understand Robert's concerns. We are in a similar position. Much of the available information in "impartial views" focuses on the negative aspects and many of the traditional sources of information for travellers no longer appear to provide comment on the quality of the accomodation, service or for that matter the diving. I appreciate that Bonaire is about the diving but who wants to get to "paradise" and find the experience tainted by some of the experiences which many people have posted on this information board.
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By seb (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2511) on Wednesday, January 4, 2006 - 11:35 am: |
I don't think anyone actually attacked the absent Robert Sixberry. I gave him my considered opinion, that if he is looking for four star amenities, another island might be more suited to his desires. If he decided to go ahead and go to Bonaire, he has been warned it may not have what he is looking for. I cannot comment on Harbour Village as it is one of the few places I've never stayed on the island, but I do not think of Bonaire as being a four star destination, It is a very laid back and casual place, virtually no soft sandy beaches, shore diving often presents challenging entry and exit, and petty theft is sometimes a problem. But almost no crimes of violence, and women walk around at night unescorted and unafraid.
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By Mary Mueller (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4340) on Wednesday, January 4, 2006 - 12:34 pm: |
Seb - I agree that Bonaire is not a 4 star destination - I describe it as a middle class vacation spot - which is exactly what I am looking for. I can only comment on the one resort that I stayed in and it was clean and well maintained. Other than that I have stayed in houses and condos - all of which were equally clean and well maintained - but by no means luxurious. But again that is was I like.
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By Cyn (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #16095) on Wednesday, January 4, 2006 - 1:34 pm: |
"crush your own grove" good one Seb...I need to remember that one
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By Back to Jeanine, or is it Tribs? (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1693) on Wednesday, January 4, 2006 - 1:43 pm: |
Thanks Cyn! I have to wipe off my computer screen. "crush your own grove" What is that? Are we crushing apple groves now?
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By Gail Thomas (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #811) on Wednesday, January 4, 2006 - 7:34 pm: |
Seb, perhaps Robert Sixberry is absent because he found your first post to be rude, abrupt, and offensive. I know I did. I don't think you should be a moderator on this board and basically tell people you personally think there's nothing for them on Bonaire, and to go travel elsewhere. I don't find anything offensive about Robert's question, and can not imagine how one can assume that he would not enjoy the island at all, from the 3 1/2 lines posted. (As I am entitled to give my considered opinion.....)
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By Ron LaCourse (BonaireTalker - Post #51) on Thursday, January 5, 2006 - 3:10 am: |
Seb seems to be a basically unhappy guy, this leads to the crude sarcasm Seb spews at every oppurtunity. He wants Bonaire to be successful but wants only his friends to visit. At one time this was an inviting site to discuss all things Bonaire, but now any hint of a negative idea brings the wrath of God, Seb or some other moderator upon you. The moderators need to lighten up, look back on the way Jake initially set this site up, the upbeat nature of his posts; never do I remember him denigrating a new visitor to the site. Bonaire is a great place and I have been there many times but it is not for everyone, surely there is a way to discuss what Bonaire is and is not without insulting the questioner.
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By Freddie Hughes {Moderator} (Moderator - Post #98) on Thursday, January 5, 2006 - 10:47 am: |
Folks lets all lighten up here!!! Back on track...
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By David Frank (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #251) on Thursday, January 5, 2006 - 11:34 am: |
Freddie (and Seb),
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By Jerry Gauron (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #295) on Thursday, January 5, 2006 - 12:07 pm: |
If all of us had the same opinion, and agreed with each other all the time, this site would just be another fluff site.
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By Back to Jeanine, or is it Tribs? (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1703) on Thursday, January 5, 2006 - 12:18 pm: |
Hi Jerry (and everyone else)! I want to comment on other boards. I followed a restaurant review link offered here on BT that led me to Frommers. They had a chat section on Bonaire and it was dark. I was quite surprised and it made me appreciate BT that much more! Plus, they had some seriously outdated information...did you know that the Plaza has the ultimate in Casinos on Bonaire according to Frommers? They really play it up. Been to the Plaza twice, it wasn't open either time. I appreciate BT, even the more negative posts. At least we know everything here is current and the people are truly passionate about Bonaire.
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By Jerry Gauron (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #299) on Thursday, January 5, 2006 - 4:22 pm: |
You are correct about outdated reviews. One I read last summer was on Peter Hues (spelling) at the Divi. Talked about the nest, God, that was years old!
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By Jerry Gauron (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #301) on Thursday, January 5, 2006 - 4:29 pm: |
What ever happened to Robert?
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By Stephanie Godfrey (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Thursday, January 5, 2006 - 4:55 pm: |
What a place to jump in for a first time post. I have been lurking on the BT site for almost a year and have found it an invaluable source of information.I read it everyday. We have visited Bonaire Aug. Oct. and Dec.of 2005(yes I'm writing a trip report). Someone said it well,"Bonaire touched our soul." In fact, we were on our way to Gibi's for our first BT dinner(following Renee L.from her house)when she called us from the hospital to say she was sorry she couldn't go.We had just been with her Sunday on a wonderful trip and were too upset to make the dinner that night.My point is that I was slowly wanting to become a part of this community of people who love Bonaire. I already am seriously in love with Bonaire. I read the man's post asking about the 3 or 4 star accommodations and noted that he the now absent Robert) made a statement and asked "is this true?" I think the reply from one of the posters, seb," there is nothing here for you in Bonaire " is way harsh and turns me, and it looks from some of the posts, others off as well. Just a comment about rating hotels in "stars". It is very subjective, but many of the travel books and sites like "trip advisor" still use them. Sam, my husband, has a water conservation business and we have made a trip to St. Maarten, 2 to St. Croix and 3 (mostly pleasure) to Bonaire in 2005. Our accommodations run the" star" gamut. To us clean, a kitchen and a view of the ocean (definitely no concierge neeeded)are our requirements. Also, Sam grew up on the Gulf Coast of Texas and wind and salt are hard on the exterior of buildings.We expect to see this. We have found our accommodations in Bonaire "5" star in our book. Everyone has a right to there opinion, but when it is unduly critical it can run someone off that was only asking a question the best way that he knew how.(or he could be a troll) no matter be an ambassador for "your" beautiful Bonaire. There's "everything for us" there.
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By Marcus L. Barnes (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #445) on Thursday, January 5, 2006 - 6:35 pm: |
I don't agree. To simply state that Bonaire has something for everyone is inaccurate in my opinion. Bonaire is suited for a certain type of individual and I personally know of many people who would not be happy vacationing there. How do I know? Once I explain Bonaire to them, they usually say they would not spend vacation dollars on a destination that does not have large beaches and hyper active night life for example. It behooves those of us with extensive expirience on Bonaire to be honest about the island and to not withhold or misrepresent information just so we can be seen as politically correct.
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By Jerry Gauron (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #308) on Friday, January 6, 2006 - 11:14 am: |
Well put Marcus. Most of my friends would go nuts on Bonaire. If one does not take part in water sports, it's a dud for some.
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By Back to Jeanine, or is it Tribs? (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1709) on Friday, January 6, 2006 - 11:24 am: |
I think truth in advertising is best. We have friends who crave hiking, desert type environments, and love seeking out wildlife. They do not dive (yet) but still want to see Bonaire because of the park, the people, and the relaxed atmosphere. They went absolutely nuts when I showed them the picture I got of a caracara. This couple can spend days exploring a relatively small area of indigenous flora/fauna. They can't wait to get to Bonaire.
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By Jerry Gauron (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #310) on Friday, January 6, 2006 - 12:24 pm: |
That was well put as well. As one can see here, Bonaire might have a lot to offer. So what else is there to do on Bonaire.
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By Becky Hauser (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #147) on Friday, January 6, 2006 - 12:54 pm: |
Maybe it would be better to say what you CAN'T do on Bonaire, like:
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By Stephanie Godfrey (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Friday, January 6, 2006 - 1:11 pm: |
Sorry, looks like I've been misunderstood. Of course, Bonaire isn't for everybody,and that goes for many of the Caribbean islands as well. I laughed when I read Debbie B.'s comment about her mother not getting her hair wet except for the salon.That's my mother. The majority of my family is Ritz Carlton all the way. It must have been those years at summer camp that clued me into a different kind of luxury-unspoiled natural beauty.When I said Bonaire had "everything for us" there, I was speaking of my husband and myself.There's nothing wrong in being honest-it might save someone from a costly trip they did not like.But how about just the facts as the poster sees it. This guy asked for a (3 or 4 star) hotel-yes( depending on his subjective "star" criteria) with excellent boat diving and and house reef-yes. That's all, except wanting to know if the hotels are neglected--answer they're not.It was" there is nothing for you here" comment that I felt was just dismissive for no reason I could find after re-reading the original post. I find this site so informative and I was new to it last year.If I had got the reception given the poster by basically one person would I have quit coming back ,well no, but I might have been wary of posting. When I read reviews for places to book for our business trips to the caribbean- I immediately throw out"there is nothing for you heres" and also comments like the iguanas were intrusive,bugs were in the sink, and there was mold..as my niece says, "that's just nature".And "nature" isn't for everybody.
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By Jerry Gauron (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #311) on Friday, January 6, 2006 - 1:22 pm: |
Ok, as I understand it, it's Zen thing, one with nature. If you like a nature type vacation, Bonaire is it.
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By Cyn (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #16153) on Friday, January 6, 2006 - 1:50 pm: |
Jerry, 1. Reading all the Littmans adds
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By Jerry Gauron (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #314) on Friday, January 6, 2006 - 1:55 pm: |
LMAO?
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By Gail Thomas (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #820) on Friday, January 6, 2006 - 2:44 pm: |
Groan - not the O-Ring thing again.....
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By Marcus L. Barnes (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #448) on Friday, January 6, 2006 - 2:46 pm: |
Thanks for the clarification Stephanie.
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By Jerry Gauron (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #318) on Friday, January 6, 2006 - 3:14 pm: |
LMAO? I must be slow?
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By Cyn (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #16158) on Friday, January 6, 2006 - 3:27 pm: |
laughing my arse off Jerry...geez! LOL!
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By Marcus L. Barnes (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #449) on Friday, January 6, 2006 - 3:44 pm: |
Actually, o rings could be added to the not suited for Bonaire List: You are not suited for Bonaire if you are unwilling to install your own o rings.
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By Jerry Gauron (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #319) on Friday, January 6, 2006 - 3:47 pm: |
Will someone please tell me what LMAO means.
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By Freddie (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6990) on Friday, January 6, 2006 - 3:52 pm: |
Cynde already told you!! ROTFLMAO!!!!!
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By Jerry Gauron (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #320) on Friday, January 6, 2006 - 4:03 pm: |
Ok, if you guys want to play that game, I'll have to open the cage to my wild O-RING and let him out.
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By Freddie (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6991) on Friday, January 6, 2006 - 4:06 pm: |
Jerry YGM ROTFLMAO!!!
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By Freddie (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6992) on Friday, January 6, 2006 - 4:07 pm: |
errr that would be "You Got Mail!!!"
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By Cyn (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #16159) on Friday, January 6, 2006 - 4:09 pm: |
Jerry - LMAO -
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By Jerry Gauron (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #321) on Friday, January 6, 2006 - 4:13 pm: |
Thanks for the email.
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By Freddie (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6993) on Friday, January 6, 2006 - 4:14 pm: |
DYFSN?
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By Jerry Gauron (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #322) on Friday, January 6, 2006 - 4:18 pm: |
Did you finish supper Nancy?
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By Jerry Gauron (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #323) on Friday, January 6, 2006 - 4:55 pm: |
More codes, that's it, I'm opening the cage!
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By Andrew Gillam (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 3:09 pm: |
Many thanks to you all for your considered and knowledgeable advice. For our part we are coming to Bonaire - sorry Seb or anybody else whom we may offend by this action. We have the opportunity to step off our plane on the return leg from Peru for no additional cost and to sample Bonaire - a place we might not otherwise get to visit given it's location and routes from Europe. Although like Robert, we have noticed negative comments on just about all of the accommodation options on the island we think this just proves that you cannot please all of the people all of the time and we are coming down on the Divi as our choice.
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By Marcus L. Barnes (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #456) on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 3:18 pm: |
Your welcome. Have a nice time.
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By Debbie Babcock (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2787) on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 4:00 pm: |
Hi Andrew,
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By Brian (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1347) on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 4:00 pm: |
Andrew
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