BonaireTalk Discussion Group
Trip Reports: Trip Report 13 Sept- 26 Sept '03 w/ Buddy Dive Resort
Bonaire Talk: Trip Reports: Archives: Archives 2000 to 2005: Archives - 2003-04-01 to 2004-02-05: Trip Report 13 Sept- 26 Sept '03 w/ Buddy Dive Resort
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Michael Scully (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Sunday, October 5, 2003 - 11:14 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hello to all, Sherry and I are new to the BT Discussion Group. Our first trip to paradise was back in 1994 when we stayed at the Sorobon for two glorious weeks. We recently returned to paradise for two weeks of magical underwater exploration, staying at Buddy Dive Resort, long enough to exchange our empty tanks and achieve a decent surface interval.

The resort and the staff were wonderful. Though we are low demand types and don't require much to satisfy our needs, it was was evident the staff at Buddy's was ready and willing to meet whatever those needs were.

The room was clean and efficient and was kept that way daily by Jolanda, a recent arrival from the Dominican Republic. It was wonderful to return each night after a 2-3 tank day to find the fridge stocked with ice cold (read jammed in the freezer) Heinekens!

We constantly thanked Fredlyn (the drive-through tank station attendant) for topping off our pony bottles (yes, we're trained to dive the deep dark frigid waters of the Pacific NorthWest i.e. drysuits w/ thermal underwear, huge RBS's, and Light Cannons off junked 747's!) and insight to the great local music scene. Thanks again Fred, I'll be sending music your way soon.

The folks in the dive shop were great, each with their own idea of what was the best dive site on the island. Special thanks to Augusto who really did know the secret to the place (Chocolates!), we'll see you next year for that fish barbecue, I'll bring the Jamesons!

After diving in the black waters of the Puget Sound WA, We weren't ready for the amazing clarity and warmth of the waters surrounding Bonaire. Within no time at all Sherry and I became accustomed to being able to see well beyond the length of our outstretched computer hoses.

The reefs surrounding the island are amazing, teeming with both flora and fauna. How many different species of fish did we see in the two weeks we were there? Hold on, I don't think this board has enough bandwidth for me to list them all. I thank the gods for Sherry and having my back while I photographed the macro life of the walls. Without her total awareness I would have missed that Manta Ray (the size of a school bus)soaring above our heads in about 40 fsw at Ol' Blue. Or how about that 5' Green Moray eel she spotted free swimming beneath the Salt Pier, while I was trying to photograph that spotted Drum tucked under that discarded truck tire. Man, what an amazing two weeks we had. I could go on and on and probably will with time about the wonderful time we had.
I've got digital stills of many of the things we saw (oh, there was a beautiful Flamingo Tongue on a fan coral I found while hovering in 15 fsw doing the deco stop thing)and actually was able to grab a few minutes of video of that Green Moray. Once I figure it out I'll post some of them.

All in all Sherry and I were there for two weeks this September and the time was as fleeting as trying to get that monster Queen Angel to stay bracketed in my viewfinder. We've already made our plans to return next year and look forward to seeing the friends we just made and hope to make many new ones.

Ayo', Mike and Sherry

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Eileen Kimmett (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3216) on Monday, October 6, 2003 - 5:18 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Sounds like an awesome time! Would love to see pictures of all the fish you saw:-)!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2682) on Monday, October 6, 2003 - 8:52 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi, Mike and Sherry! Welcome to the Bonaire Addicts Support Group Forum....you are on your way to being cured....you have booked your return trip. This is the only cure/antidote to PBD..Post Bonaire Depression. So glad to see your long journey was more than well worth it. Sounds like you had the time of your life those two weeks. The time does fly by too quickly, doesn't it? Carole

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Igor van Riel (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2070) on Tuesday, October 7, 2003 - 3:34 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks 4 sharing your adventures with us.
Yep the only cure is going back!
I'm with Eileen: any pictures? :-)

BASGF... LOL Carole :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By DARLENE ELLIS (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #874) on Tuesday, October 7, 2003 - 7:14 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Glad to hear you had such a wonderful trip and thanks for sharing!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Michael Scully (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Thursday, October 9, 2003 - 7:51 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Alright then, I'm going to give posting some pictures a shot. I've tried repeatedly but every time I preview the post, it doesn't seem to work, oh well just let me try. Remember don't laugh too loud!
DSC00662.jpeg
DSC00389.jpeg
DSC00382.jpeg
DSC00561.jpeg

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Michael Scully (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #4) on Thursday, October 9, 2003 - 10:38 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

and again,
DSC00662.jpeg
DSC00389.jpeg

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Michael Scully (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #5) on Thursday, October 9, 2003 - 11:37 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Okay, so that hollow thumping sound you all hear is me banging my head against the monitor! That's okay though I'll figure this out yet.
Flamingo Tongue II copy.jpeg
Self-portrait 9-19-03 Bonaire copy.jpeg
DSC00561 copy.jpeg
DSC00662 copy.jpeg

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2690) on Friday, October 10, 2003 - 11:59 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Beautiful shots, Michael! Have any more to share with us?? Thanks! Carole

PS The thumping sounds woke me up...thanks for the alarm! LOL.

 


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