OK, flight to BON was fine. All 3 seats both legs from BOS to BON. Air JA staff are suberb. Seats are cramped and aircraft dirty. Montego Bay is boring and hot but fine..

I arrived at BON on time and was greeted by Geo and Laura Desalvo (Bonaire Reporter) and Byron Tromp. They drove me to Divi where Stevo gave me a BEACHFRONT room with views and a lovely wine goodie basket. I changed as the wind was blowing and after a quick hello to the Bonaire Sailing Team, Ro Mayer at Jibe City had a rig for me and off I went. I sailed til 6 PM and went home to my room at Divi. Had a burger at Chichibi(sp) which was fine then drove back to Jibe City for a party. Sun. sailed ALL day and went to Sera Largu with a friend at night for to die for views and a quiet night chat. Ate again at Chichibi and had a lovely goat cheese salad. Hmm..

Mon. sailed all day and explored the area near Sorbon where the flamingos live. My friend Tati and I chased them in the mud slipping and sliding in an attempt to catch a nice photo. We watched the sun set near the slave huts and drove on. I had Chinese in my room as I was pooped.

Tue. I had a biz meeting in the AM then sailed all day. Had lunch at Maikey Snack on the Sorobon road. GREAT TIP Dara, but call ahead. I waited 1 hour for my wahoo and fungi but it was well worth it. The boys and I ordered pizza somewhere near Karels (not too great) and ate it in my room playing UNO til the wee hours.

Should I remind you all about the boys? I met the Bonaire Sailing Team at Midwinters (FL) when I went to scout them and see if they would attend my windsurf event (www.kingofthecape.com). They came (11 of them with chaperones and coaches) and then I hooked up with the older 3 at The Gorge, a premier OR/WA windsurf spot on the Columbia River. We adopted each other here in BON. Usually I pick up 3-6 of them in the AM, drive to Lac Bay, and then we all return home together. I adore them ALL. They are teaching me Papiementu and I am laughing all day long.

Where was ? Oh lunch Wed. at Maikey again and sailed ALL day. Worked a bit. Tried to find Michael Gaynor to no avail. Also, found the mango /fruit stand in town and LOVE it..3 guilders for 2 BIG ones each AM. Also, thanks to Dara I have had a lovely sandwich at Exito for AM snack. MMMmmm...Love Cultimara for cool snacks from Holland. Fun place to poke around.

Last night I checked into Habitat, my second host on my marketing trip to BON. Have a suite on the water. All the boys died when they came over and saw it. We had pizza from Rum Runners (FABULOUS) and watched TV and laughed all night. Cool kitties and LOVELY grounds. Met cutie Junie, Dara's friend who is a dive instructor. Very kind and hospitable.

Today I was working all AMith TCB and Bonhata and then sailed til 5:30. I was on a 5.0 sail loving it. It is not too hot, very dry to me and windy. I wear a rash guard and 15 SPF lathered all day long. I also have been drinking LOTS of water.

Now, I am De tuin and will dine somewhere with Elvis Martinus (BON windsurf place) and Byron Tromp (BON Sailing Team organizer) while we work on the Oct. Regatta (Oct. 7-14). I hope to come race and work the event..yahooo...

OK, what do I think of BON? I do NOT like it..I LOVE IT..quiet, serene, friendly, laid back, civilized..I feel very safe and calm here. I love the fact that there are no hi rises. I miss the lush palm trees and feel some of the landscape is bleak in a magical and beautiful way. Town is clean and charming. I have not shopped yet but have walked the waterfront and LOVE it..Everyone is very kind and welcoming. I cannot wait to come back. I DREAD Sat. (weep)..
Oh, I was supposed to meet Paul Dorsette my first night at Karels but the wind was sooo good and we missed each other. I found his villa in Belhem but he is never home so sorry Paul, I give up. Thanks for trying to meet up with me and hope u r having FUN!!

More when I get back. One for day and a half and 2 nights..
Oh, Air JA cancelled their Sun. service til Oct. 24th...FYI..

Hugs

Annie
Cape Cod

Annie I am so glad we share the same love for Bonaire and it's people. I will be heading back in Oct and can't wait.
Did we meet on an icy lake last winter?... Bridgewater..I sail a DN and spoke of windsufing on BON with you.

Tom Wilson
Boston Harbor

Annie...I am easy to find...call 717-4781 or 790-4781,

Annie, you crack me up.....

Your trip isn't even over and you're already writing a report, LOL!!!

Safe travels, girlfriend....I'll catch up with you in Yahoo-land!

Ahhh....I dream of a WEB CAM at Sorobon....time for us to start a collection, Annie!

I am homeeeeeeeeeeeee...sniff sniff..

But am HOPING to go back for Regatta..pray the boss is in a good mood Tue.

A full report tonight..SO much to tell..Annie

Annie,

Glad to hear you are having fun. I am also from Cape Cod and we have been traveling to Bonaire for the past eight years. Smart move Bonaire traveling to Bonaire durng Labor Day Weekend. You missed all the traffic and the crowds.

Beth, where are you?? I am in S. Dennis and work in Orleans.

I loved BON..ahhhhhhh

Annie,

We live in North Falmouth about 1/4 mile from New Silver Beach. We dive for lobsters almost every weekend. Usually at Center Point in Plymouth. This past Friday the water temp. on the surface was 55F. BRRRR! It warmed up to a balmy 62F by Sunday. We love Bonaire as well.

Beth,

Any relation to Boston's (in)famous Jerry Comeau?

Oh, not too far away..my friend Eddie owns the windsurf concession over there...

I sail West Dennis and the northshore.

Maybe in the dead of the winter we can have a Bonaire night where we share stories and drink Ponche Kuba..I have a bottle ...

Annie,

That would be great!!! We have seen a few kite surfers in Buzzards Bay this summer. Keep in touch. (beth.comeau@verizon.net)

Glen,

I get asked that all the time. No relation that I know of.....but you are right he is well known in this area

One of those kiters is Nevin Sayre, a big sponsor to the Bonaire Sailing Team. And alas, kiting will be banned in Lac Bay or so I have been told.

Will keep in touch..Annie

Beth and Annie-
May I invite myself to the Ponche Kuba party? I live on Nantucket (grew up in the Corporation Beach area of Dennis). But I'll be on Bonaire Dec 4-12, and then again for the month of March...we can meet anywhere!
Kate

YES, Ponche Kuba party in Jan. when we are all blue and missing BON. I live 4 miles from Corporation!! I windsurf there on NW winds. Today is SW so I am off to West Dennis at 4 PM.


ALL are invited: Annie's Cape Cod house
January sometime for BONAIRE chat and Ponche KUBA

Annie
Cape Cod

Kate and Annie,

January is perfect. We leave for Bonaire on Feb 20th. We usually begin our count down after New Year's Eve. Plus Kate can fill us in on all the latest news from Bonaire. What a small world.

Happy Bubbles!!!!