Hello all,
Lisa and I spent 10 great days on Bonaire and we would like to share our highlights and a few missteps in an effort to help all who wish to travel there. Instead of posting all over the board I’m going to break it out into categories under Trip Report.
Air Travel –
Flew AJ from Logan to MB to Flamingo. This was the first time traveling via AJ after hearing a lot of great comments. Both flights were on time and all luggage arrived safely, although I found the flights attendants to be a little grouchy, (just our opinion). In reference to an earlier thread about E-tix vs Paper, there was an infomercial during the flight about the ease and savings of E-tix. In this add they mention that if you purchase an E-Tix and want to be issued a paper copy it will cost an additional fee. We had no problems with the E-tix.
Airport Security-
This was the most aggravating part of the travel. My wife Lisa travels extensively for work, and has her carry on down to a science. She has never had a problem with her stuff, but in Bonaire they made her take everything out and confiscated her toenail clippers and a tiny pair of tweezers, less than two inches long. Not only did they take this stuff, but they were also laughing and joking about how much stuff she had in her bag…..oooh oooh. Let me also add that if they had asked her to chose between me and the tweezers she would have thought for about thirty seconds and then chosen the tweezers. Now I tried to be the voice of reason, but what happened after got me pretty steamed. In the departure area, after clearing security there is a convenience store where they sell both tweezers and nail clippers. I very nicely pointed this out to security and they told me they have no control over the store…..I told them that you told us this was an illegal item on a plane, but I can now go buy them and get on the plane, and they looked at me and said. “Yes you can”, but your not getting yours back. Then once on the plane the woman next to us pulls out four, metal, pointed knitting needles 10 inches long. These things could take down a rhino and she gets them on the plane. Oh Well. We then got into Logan at 10:30 pm with two other planes and they have 2 immigration officers on. One hour to clear.
Hotel –
Stayed at Eden Beach. Very happy. Nice clean studio with a fully equipped kitchen, full cable TV, pull out couch, and a great view. The beach is sand with some crushed coral. Lisa liked the beach because the sand wasn’t so fine that it clings to everything. They have just built a new dock that is large and very stable. Great for grabbing a cocktail at Bongos and sitting on while checking out the stars at night. Made service was thorough and quick. All linen was changed daily and never lacked for towels, which we had problem with at the Plaza last stay. My wife and I like B&B’s and small intimate hotels. We are not “Resort” people, so if you’re looking for a resort this might not be it, but if you want a clean place, with a beach, where after a day or two everyone knows your name then Eden Beach is for you!
Food & Beverage –
My top ten in descending order…..
10. WattaBurger – Not sure what it was. Scary meat, fries were soggy.
9. Lighthouse – By far our least favorite meal. Conch fritters were oily and tough. Tuna Seviche was the best of the meal, although a little sweet. Grilled tuna was tough and grilled Wahoo was burnt on one side. Both entrees were served with a stir-fry medley that appeared to be frozen. Aiming for gourmet and did not score.
8. Chibi Chibi – Stopped here for lunch. Great view and colors. Fun if you can get a rail seat and watch the fish below. Food was ok. Started with the Gazpacho, which was a little heavy on the onions. Lisa had the grilled fish sandwich with mango salsa. The fish was good, but the roll was on the limp side and the mango salsa was diced mushy mango with chopped onion (not bad, just nothing exciting either). I had the grilled Wahoo and it was good as well.
7. Chez Lucille – Was a very nice meal. Great atmosphere, in open courtyard. Tomato soup was a little salty, spring rolls were good. The Wahoo in white wine and leek sauce was outstanding and coconut chicken soup was excellent. The only disappointment was that service was slow and non attentive. Had to struggle to get water glasses filled.
6. Rendez Vous – Tuna Capparchio was good. Grilled barracuda with Dijon sauce was good. Portions a little on the small side.
5. Di Tuin – All restaurants from 1 to 5 are interchangeable and I can recommend all with absolute confidence. Great service, and very good food. Only disappointment was the Mohito, which was lacking in mint flavor and could have been strained. The Dijon soup really is outstanding. I had the Wahoo in a champagne sauce and Lisa had the curried chix. Both came with a beautiful fresh stir fry of broccoli and zucchini, and also a cold salad of cucumbers, tomatoes and olives.
4. Bongos Beach Bar - The bar at Bongos is right on Eden Beach and Hans the bartender is one of the sweetest kids you’ll ever meet. He was there for every need and always upbeat and joking. Margaret filled in on Hans off day and waited tables in the restaurant right on the beach under the stars. Must have the Keshi, fried dutch cheese filled with shredded chicken, raisins and capers. WOW! Crab cakes are just ok. Entrees sampled were the pan seared red snapper with coconut curry sauce, and grilled Wahoo, both were fresh and excellent. Bongos also has a beach bbq on Fridays, For $10 you get a whole chix leg, two chix breast skewers with peanut sauce, green salad, pasta salad and bread. Could not be beat, plus the "people watching" only adds to the experience.
3. The Lost Penguin – Nothing fancy just real good food! Burgers are great, with a myriad of toppings. Must have the Penguin Burger with Blue Cheese and Bacon. Their house salad is great and comes with creamy sweet vinaigrette that was awesome. We also had the Fish and Chips. Must have been about 12 oz of Wahoo fried perfectly. The topper here is the quick, attentive and happy service.
2. It Rains Fishes – Great atmosphere and great food. Assorted tapas were all excellent. Grilled Wahoo with mustard sauce rocked and the stir fry tuna with Asian veg was perfect.
1. Mona Lisa – Our favorite last trip and again was tops. I had the three-course special. Marinated scallop salad, grilled grouper with jumbo shrimp and foie gras and assorted sorbets for dessert. Lisa had the tuna capparchio and the grilled Wahoo with champagne sauce, and without a doubt the greatest dessert on earth…….Rosemary Ice Cream with fresh berries!!!!!!!!!
The snorkeling and diving were excellent all over as usual. By far our favorite sites were Karpata and Andrea II.
Lisa and I also like to collect art on our travels and were lucky enough to stumble upon JanArt, Janice Huckaby. She has a nice studio set up in her house and we picked up several prints. A great souvenir of our trip!!!!!
If anyone has any questions that will help make their trip better, please don’t hesitate to email me!!!!!!
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By Ed Brylczyk (BonaireTalker - Post #46) on Tuesday, February 3, 2004 - 7:30 pm: 
! Do you have any pics?
