Trip Report – October 6-13, 2001


Travel/Air: We flew from Columbus, Ohio to Atlanta, GA, Miami, FL, and Bonaire. Delta and ALM. No problems to speak of. Took a little longer for security, but I made it through every security check, coming and going, without anyone opening any of my carryons or purse. One of my carryons was my underwater camera system, and it wasn’t unzipped or looked at even one time. Unbelievable! All flights were on time. Coming back, at the ALM counter in Bonaire, they never even checked our bags -- carryons or checked luggage. Dive knife made it safely home.

Divi Flamingo: Would definitely stay here again. We had oceanfront rooms, and they were great. The Chibi-Chibi restaurant was very good, the mushroom soup was outstanding! The breakfast buffet was good too, except for what I called the “omelet nazi”. She’s the woman making the omelets, pancakes, etc. Didn’t see her smile one time the entire week. And don’t leave your plate on the table if you’re not finished with it, the chibi-chibi’s will eat your food!! The casino is being remodeled, and they made great progress the week we were there.

Diving: The Divi Dive operation is great. Both of our divemasters, Rofino and Geertje, were awesome. Rofino found two seahorses for us, which made for an extremely happy Kelly-Diver! Remarkably, we did the majority of our shore dives at the Kalabas Reef in front of our hotel. Very easy giant-stride entry right from the dock. The shed where you keep your gear was handy, just put your gear on and jump in! We did one boat dive every day, which I highly recommend for reaching the sites around Klein Bonaire. Really liked MiDushi, got pics of a pretty good sized (6 in.?) seahorse. This was a drift dive though, and in the “what I learned today” category, it was that a drift dive and macro lens --- never the twain shall meet. The seahorse pics were good though. Best shore dive, in my opinion was Angel City. Great coral and abundant fish life all around you, like being in a huge coral tank! It was very very good. Least favorite shore dive was Red Slave. Too tough of an exit for a little thing like me. Fell coming out, and landed on my knee. Ouch! Nice bruise from Bonaire to show my friends.

Food: We ate great! My favorite was Captain Don’s filet mignon with a butter sauce of some sort. In fact the plate was so pretty someone took a picture of it! “Almost” too pretty to eat. Second favorite was Richards, which is walking distance from the Divi. The wahoo was exceptional. For those of you who drink, besides the rum punch, you should try the new Amstel Bright (with a lime). It’s great, and 5% alcohol…… J

We were on the island for Regatta, which made the nightlife WAAAAY too much fun. The music was lots of fun, and of course the favorite place was Karel’s. Lots of locals come out to play.

We chartered the pirate sailboat and did a sunset sail with all the rum punch you can drink as well as very very good pizza and chicken kabobs with peanut sauce. Captain Mike and Mistress Jules picked us up at the dock at Karel’s. It was the night of the boat parade for Regatta, so it was fun to watch all the sailboats, several of which were decorated with Christmas lights.


My Advice for future Bonaire travelers: Bug Spray!! At the very least, cover your legs with it when dining out at night. And get a table by the water if possible to watch the sunset and the tarpon. I was so intrigued by the tarpon, that I earned an honorary “Tarponologist” degree from my fellow travelers. Ahhh, friends.

Also, explore the island. There is so much to see, the flamingos, the slave huts, the donkeys. Just a fun and relaxing drive around the island. And last but not least, my favorite non-diving thing to do was on the north side of the island, where the waves are “crashing” into the shore. It was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen in my life. Definitely worth the drive.


If I think of anything else, I’ll add to my report.

Kelly, Wow!!! So much to do! We're going to Bonaire in November, for the first time. I've received so much good advice on what to do, & where to go, I don't think we could fit it into 8 nights. Originally, we planned a longer trip there, but I didn't want to be away from my children much longer than a week. Now, I'm not so sure! Linda

Linda, We are looking into going again in March/April. Next October's trip will probably be about 10 days. Way too much to see and do. Definitely the most relaxing trip I've ever taken. The diving is just spectacular, you will have fun. Where are you staying?

Kelly, great trip report. My husband and I were talking about starting to plan our next trip, and he gave me the "go ahead dear!"

You had bugs??? We were there the first week in September and never saw a one, even at night! We did a drift dive at mi dushi too and saw a huge seahorse. Was it yellow/orangeish??? Wonder if it was the same guy hanging out!

The seahorse we saw at MiDushi was kind of an orangish-brown. I have pics, but my scanner is on the fritz right now. I didn't get bit, but a few people in our group didn't have bug spray on and the bugs/mosquitos left some pretty big teeth marks! When are you going?

Kelly, it sounds like the same seahorse. Hard to describe the color. But it was really big. I want to go in April, but my husband doesn't like crowds, so it probably won't be till summer again (sigh)...

Kelly, your report brought back great memories! Bonaire is not just "diver's paradise." For us, it was paradise personified. Cynde, I say go for April. We were there in March, which is considered "high season," and we did not feel the least bit crowded. Can you take me along in your carry-on???

Kelly,

Did you happen to run across Max, the waiter/bartender at Rum Runners (Don's Habitat)? We had a ball with him!

Steve

Steve, we didn't meet anyone specifically, we were there having dinner and drinks but were outside by the water. That meal was just awesome! One of our waiters was very amusing, but I don't recall his name. I do know that I am ready to go back!

Cynde - I don't know what you would consider crowded. I've never been there before, but I would assume Regatta week is pretty "crowded", and I didn't find it the least bit constricting.

Funny, I guess since we were there in the "off season" and each had a locker to ourselves, only one other couple diving daily off Bari that we saw, and no other divers where we made our shore dives...that would be our "prime directive." I guess running into other people often he would consider crowded. We aren't hermits, but living on the coast of Southern California, we have enough folks to deal with on a daily basis, so running into noone is absolutely fabulous! He is still pushing for summer (even though I would love to go in April :-))

Kelly,,,,we bring bug spray....or bug creme...(deep woods off ) with us.....it is only at night...and there is alot of outdoor dining...so apply before you go out and you should be fine...I never receive a bite....it is not a swarm of them...just pesky little leg biters....When did you say your trip was planned for? We arrive around the 15th of Nov....whatever that Sat. is....not up on the dates.....would be wonderful to bump into any Bonaire talkers...just to at least have a cold one..and discuss an new line of Andy Ware.....The "ultimate" in leisure wear!

Meryl, I just returned on Oct. 13th, so I'm not going back for a little while. I used the Deep Woods Off, and only on my legs at dinner, and didn't get bit once. On my next trip, I hope to meet up with some "talkers" for beers or dinner or both. Have an absolutely wonderful time and know that we all on the talk board are infinitely envious!