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Trip Reports: Trip Report:10/21-11/4
Bonaire Talk: Trip Reports: Archives: Archives 2000 to 2005: Archives - 2000-07-13 to 2001-05-18: Trip Report:10/21-11/4
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dean Palm on Thursday, November 16, 2000 - 9:52 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Well, here is my attempt at a trip report that I promised Jake while visiting him in front of the webcam, which by the way is my wife's and my "hobby" while we eagerly await our next visit next year.We flew American from Cleveland,OH to Miami and ALM(yeah,I know) direct from Miami to Bonaire. Happy to say the flight was great,food excellant and received all our baggage upon arrival. This was our 6th trip to Bonaire and have stayed for two weeks each time. This year we stayed at BelAir Apartments which we arranged last year through Marina at the Donkey Sanctuary. Marina is a hard working and one must admire her work with the donkeys and is a "must" visit while you are in Bonaire. The apartments are really nice with a kitchen with all the necesary appliances. We would generally fix breakfast and some lunch either to eat there or take with us when snorkeling. We are only snorkelers as I have a lung condition that will not allow me to dive, but I do envy those that do. Last year we left Bonaire two days before Lenny and really did not know what to expect in the shallows. There is great damage where there were once great stands of coral. Even though, from our observations, the fish life was more abundant and there were still some excellant sites. Invisibles was still nice, with a better entry than last year, Ol'Blue was probably our favorite site this year. Windsock still has some nice areas and we saw the greatest amount of fish there. We saw the biggest Parrot fish I have ever seen, the usual Tarpon and Baracuda also.The juvenile fish are what really surprised us. I guess they do not have the hiding places they had in the past and are so much more visible. What a site!
Eating: We ate out every night. We know what Richard's,KonTiki, and other regular restaurants are and this year tried all new places. I can highly recommend The Swiss Chalet,BonAwa, and the snack shop in Whilhemina Park that is run by Eric. Eric opens up at 8PM and serves the best sandwiches,fries(with PindaSaus)and the best cole slaw this side of the Equator. Suzie at the Swiss Chalet was a real treat to talk to. We ended up eating there 3 times. She kept enticing us with something each time. She makes a delicious Apple pie. At BonAwa, which is around the corner from MiPoron, go around the back to the Bar/Grill. They do an excelent job of grilling your dinner. The rice is wonderful. We tried several things on the menu and never had a bad meal.
Friends: Over the years we had met some people on the island that have become special to us. Sixto and his family from Rincon invited us to Washington Park for a BBQ. At Slagbai we have grilled chicken and ribs for lunch. What a treat,eating under the trees and watching birds,iguana,and flamingo's. It doesn't get much better than that. Several years ago we had met Moogie while he was singing at one of the resorts and talk to him for about 2 hours after he was finished singing. From then on we have become best of friends and our evenings were usually going to hear him sing at the resorts. We went to his house for a wonderful dinner one night. Again,what a treat. Lily is really a great cook. The hospitality of the Bonairian people cannot be surpassed. Thanks Lily.
My Observations: Bonaire was the cleanest I have ever seen it. As we drove around the island we did not see the litter we have seen on other islands. Yes there was alot of damage from Lenny, but there are still plenty of sights to go for some excellant snorkeling. The fish population is more visible than ever. There were more of the Lora this year than in past years, I will be interested in seeing the count that they will be doing on the Lora soon. We saw 5-10 Lora in groups in the wooded areas. As for crime, I saw or heard of none. We rented a van from Netty's again this year and she said that everything had been pretty good for some time. While at the Northern dive sights, we saw several patrol vehicles about every 15 minutes or so. They are definately trying harder.
Well, I have rambled on long enough. It's easy to do when talking about Bonaire though. The island,its people,and beauty will ever be with me. Take some time to meet some of the people and you will not be disappointed.
Oh yeah, how could I not close without mentioning that I brought M.Gaynor his NY Times and some Folgers coffee and had a good visit with him.
To all on this newsgroup: Keep up the good work. I read it everyday for ideas and if I can help I will. Till next October(unless I win the Lotto).goodbye

Dean

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jerry Gauron on Friday, November 17, 2000 - 11:15 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Nice report, thank you Dean from all uf us that are about to go nuts untill we "MAKE THE TRIP".
It was nice of you to talk about the people of Bonaire, 1st timers are in for a trat.
Good luck on the loto!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lorraine Meadows on Friday, November 17, 2000 - 1:33 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Loved your report Dean. We are also fans of Moogie from the old Kanauku Band . Heard him play at Capt' Don's Thursday nights , glad to see him back.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By lonnie hoover on Saturday, November 18, 2000 - 11:49 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Dean, great report. I too am a fan of the newly opened Swiss Chalet and owner, Suzie. And, her apple pie is out of this world.

 


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