Todays offering is sure to lose me a few friends as it takes a tilt towards more serious issues.
What is it that has continued to draw me back to Bonaire over the years?
Is it the diving?
Despite the constant hype about it generated by most of you, I find it just typically Caribbean. Sure the operation is the slickest I've ever come across & whilst time underwater there is both enjoyable & thoroughly relaxing, I can find much better closer to home in the Red Sea. Alternatively, for the sake of another hour or twos agony aloft I can find myself in the diving Mecca of Indonesian waters. At either of these places (& many more besides) if you were to drop a reef cam a few feet below the surface, the "sightings" over a 24 hour period would fill a fish spotters guide book. Fish are such a rarity past the Bonaire cam that they've even been given personal names!! So No. It's not the diving.
Is it the people?
I've made plenty of friends on Bonaire (many of them on this last trip) & have found virtually everone I've spoken to there both friendly & helpful, with the possible exception of the police station. But that's the same the world over. Most places are brimming over with interesting folk who are good to know (excluding the French of course) if you take the trouble to seek them out & get beyond your hotels guarded perimeter. So, it's not the people either.
How about the climate?
Weeeeell, it's ok but a tad too hot & humid for my liking. Plus it brings with it those unpleasant little "No See Ums". At least mozzies elswhere have the decency to be of a fair size, giving you a sporting chance of swatting them. No. It's definitely not the weather.
So, let me tell you because I don't think that you're going to guess.......
It's the ice-cream!! Not just any old ice-cream, but the confectionary masterpieces served up by Bonawa on the outskirts of town. I hope that I've got it's name right, because despite visiting the shop more than 100 times, my eyes were always rivetted to the delights contained within the display cabinet rather than the name above the shop front.
Well, when I arrived on island a few weeks ago, my first port of call as usual was to be Bonawa. I had passed away two or three boring hours on the flight deliberating over which flavours I would begin with. It was all decided. I was going to start off with a double scoop tub. One scoop of rum & raisin & one of pecan butter. As I rounded the corner bringing the shop into view, my jaw fell open. I stopped the car & stared at what lay ahead with abject horror. The building was boarded up & there were heavy padlocks on every conceivable opening. It was no more!!
Now I know what's coming next.....you're going to ask me if I've tried the home made ice-cream at Rincon? Or how about Lovers in the row of shops by Sand Dollar? Maybe even the outlet by the Kentucky in town? Well I've tried 'em all & none of them should be allowed to call their products ice-cream when compared to the afore mentioned Bonawa. It was quite simply exceptional.
I understand that there was a little domestic squabbling there one day & the owner was unfortunately shot dead. The inheriting family member (or members) had little business sense & the concern soon collapsed. Now, they also supplied the vast majority of the islands ice, so it was indeed a double trajedy.
Suffice to say, that until I hear that the place has risen phoenix like from the ashes I'll be vacationing elsewhere.
Actually there's another (although lesser) reason which will influence my returning. It's a common one...I've been the victim of "petty" crime, like literally thousands of others, whilst staying on the island. What the hell does petty mean? Surely any theft is a theft no matter how large or small. Perhaps the Island could learn from the Arabs & apply their rules governing theft? Steal something in their country & your right hand (the only one you eat with, the other being used to clean the less pleasant end of your body) is chopped off. The punishment doesn't need to be applied too often & theft there is virtually non-existent. I could bang on about this all day but everything worth saying has already been covered by Dave & Peggys input under the heading of Tims Birthday Trip, a week or two ago in this section. Even if you've previously read what they have to say, I suggest looking at it again. I share their sentiments to the letter!
Hopefully Monday will find me in a more humorous frame of mind.

Definitely not Chapter 7 (or 8?) and hopefully not the epilogue....but I would venture to guess that you feel better now after getting all of this off your chest. I do have a feeling you will return, however. All valid points, but I think they are all worth "living" with...with the exception of the "petty" theft/crime, as that should not be tolerated anywhere. Please come back to us, Andy...we need a good pick-me-up over the weekend...it gets very quiet on this board after the end of the work week on Friday! I never did have the opportunity of experiencing Bonawa's ice cream...missed out on that one, but I do enjoy Prisca's even tho it is made with lots of powdered milk from Holland. Beats the US stuff. I have been lucky as far as the "no see ums" go, too....I guess my New Jersey blood only attracts the "real" mosquitoes and the like...that is New Jersey's State Bird, ya know! I am not a diver, I love to snorkel and swim and have enjoyed the multitude of fish life at the shallow water levels in Bonaire. See....it is a great place and I am sure you will return to her someday...maybe not right away, but I have a feeling you will be back....Will the epic/saga now continue???? LOL. PLEASE??!!! (oh my goodness..I've resorted to begging Andy to continue with his stories....Carole

Andy, good morning.. what can I say? Well, hear this... on our first trip to BON I was bitten-up so badly, I had to visit the local Doc in town! It was my fault, I went out one evening with no protection (and we all know what happens then).. The doc gave me some wonderful lotions and potions, and by morning, I was fine.. now, every time we visit BON we cover ourselves in Autan and we never get bitten! As for the marine life, just last year we were feeding at least 20-30 fish under the pier to the back of the Belmar. It was amazing! and I have aways enjoyed snorkelling at 1000 steps and at the Plaza.. I still believe that the diversity of marine life on BON is truly wonderful and the fact that they are protected, just adds to the joy.. Hugh loves the diving, and often sees something different each year.. but, like so many others, there's something else about BON that brings us back.. for me, it's the intimacy of the island, no traffic lights, have always found the people to be friendly.. When we first arrived on BON, our luggage did not! Steve at TD kindly helped us out with T-Shirts etc; until our luggage arrived.. it was nice to meet a fellow Brit, and a nice one at that!.. and through his operation, we have met so many nice people, from staff to divers that visit BON at the same time as we do every December.. it's good to catch-up and enjoy the cold beers and beautiful sunsets.. I certainly do hope you return to BON.. I'm not saying that there aren't other places I want to see.. though, we have both travelled extensively before BON, BON has a special magic that I hope will remain with us..Looking forward to a more uplifting Chapter 8... S

Andy.....Being a native New Yorker and now a full time New Joisey resident...the "petty crime" on Bonaire almost seems like grammer school pranks..I know that it is a violation to have things taken from cars and hotels..but in this world we should know to either lock things up and to not carry valuables in cars that we are leaving unattended for 50 or so minutes...The diving on Bonaire is the easiest anywhere..I have never been to the Red Sea or East of Puerto Rico for that matter, the flight for us in the US is much longer than for you Brits...I'm sure none of these places have the easy access that Bonaire does. For myself..not being a "boat person" Bonaire is my cup of tea (lipton witches brew).The sunsets, people (I think they are wonderful!) the donkeys, iguanas, goats, little lizards and high flying parrots make Bonaire special. It is an island "out of time". The climate which always has a breeze has never seemed humid to me..(NY and NJ..now that is humid!) The mosquitos are pretty bad..have to give you that one...but I always bring spray and douse myself early on and never are bothered...I have never been bitten by a "no see um"..again in NY and NJ but not Bon....The fish, to me seem pretty abundant,(maybe cause I have never again been to the Red Sea) but I'm impressed....Jakes web cam may not be in the best location for large amounts of fish action, if the cam was at Angel City I'm sure we would be more entertained. But it is nice to have the local fish and dogs and birds..it makes it even more like a home away from home...we know these critters..we see them everyday! I have never had the ice cream at the above mentioned store...I was upset when The Green Parrot closed because we would die for their coconut ice cream that was served in a hollowed out coconut shell..it was tremendous..maybe it was made by the store you mentioned. Any other icecream has been quite average that we have had on the island...But that to me is not a reason to stop going to Bonaire..as our stores at home have enough ice cream of good quality to fatten us up until our trips to paradise. Very sorry to hear this little saga...Still I am quite fond of you even though I do not agree with 97% of the above Chapter...but to each their own...thats what makes everyone special....Have a good day....I'm going back to the cams....

Andy, never been to Bonawa, but I can attest to the miracle powers of Lovers icecream. Last August I had felt like death for two days, didn't want to eat, just wanted to sleep. My wife and daughter got me two scoops of Mango sorbet (where are you Kerri Mango?) from Lovers, within the hour I felt good enough to go out for a snorkle!

Of course the next day I was near death, but hey, without that Mango sorbet, it might have been earlier.

Signed, your devoted reader, (ever read Twain's 'Innocents Abroad'?)-Dean

Oh, No, Bon Awa gone???!!! Always a highlight of my visit, although my faves were the sorbets. Bummer. Has the restaurant/take out place alongside it also gone?

Andy, I have yet to visit the Red Sea or more exotic parts of the world, but they are on my "list". I've travelled a lot, but until I got certified as a diver, had no real inclination toward many of those destinations. In the meantime, I enjoy Bonaire a lot, especially the peace and quiet, lack of crazy traffic -- and the people. No place, certainly, is perfect. I grew up in London (Bermondsey - docklands (real ones back then!) and would walk around at night as a teenage girl with impunity. Not so now. My father and several aunts still live in the old neighborhood and when I visit, I'm much more careful about where I go. I don't like that at all, but I have to accept the world isn't what it was. My old neighborhood had a reputation as being pretty unlawful (rightfully so!), but there was no drug problem, and that seems to be such a difference now.

I'll be back in England for the holidays, and I know I won't be walking around with as much security as I feel on Bonaire. Very much looking forward to a month there come February. I do hope you return and have the chance to get to know the island and its people better.

andy, one of the things i like about this board, is that we are free to express our thoughts and opinions about bonaire, and other places. it is all a matter of perspective...of where you have been and where you are going. my husband thougth bonaire would be a "tropical" island and was at first i think a little disapointed, but once we got into "relaxation-vacation" mode it really didn't matter. neither of us like the heat much (in fact i spent most of my time in the air conditioned bedroom when we weren't diving)...i have to agree with carole and meryl that no traffic lights, a laid back atmosphere...lots of good stuff to see underwater...easy entries...(my hubby ain't too fond of the boats without a LOT of drugs too Meryl)...natural wildife like donkeys, iguanas, flamingos, taking a drive to lac bay and up and over to rincon without nairy seeing another car or person (again, donkeys and goats abound)...and for the most part feeling quite safe...not like driving down to some areas of OC and LA, or even any other big city and having to make sure your car doors are locked and wondering if a stray or intended bullet is coming your way at any moment...or that you will be carjacked...shot on the freeway for cutting someone off...need i go on...it was very nice...Mexico has some pretty good diving, but it ain't no safer than the states as far as crime. you worry about purse snatchers and all else...you know that you need to take care when you see the trucks full of the federales with guns loaded drivin' down the road. i felt that bonaire in general (yes we used our room safe, took all the other necessary precautions and were still a bit worried as we have been victims of crime as well)...bonaire felt safer than areas 15 miles from us and Mexico, even st. croix...i agree on the fact that if you steal, cut off the right hand cause noone is gonna want to shake the left...i don't know much about the police system on the island and would have to agree with those who posted on tim's thread about the need for a better system as it will probably only get worse if all they are getting is a "hand slap" for their crime...but all in all...bonaire is our annual dive destination for at least the next couple of years unless we find another place that offers what bon does. i have read about the red sea and indonesia and it sounds great, but at this point we don't want to stray too far from the states...with all that said, i have to go shovel the cat and dog doo...

Lord, how I wish Dave was here to help me out with this one? Not sure that I can fend you all off on my own.
Firstly, the last thing I want to do is offend any of you because as you've already pointed out, we're all different & entitled to our own points of view-----which within reason we should feel free to air on this board. But........
I think that there's a vast difference in what the average American expects from a vacation compared to a Brit. (I don't like saying "we" & "you" as it risks causing divisions in our ranks & I hope to still be able to call you all friends long after after my final chapter is written, but it's easiest.)
We generally have a lower standard of living than you, therefore our expectations are less. You expect full service with everything you receive, & will tolerate nothing less. Hell, I've even seen diveguides filling in their American customers log books for them after a dive! --- A slight diversion, but I've found myself thinking of a wonderful episode of Fawlty Towers. The one where the American guests arrived at Basils hotel one evening after the chef had gone home. Did you see it? Wonderful stuff! --- Whereas here for example, it's virtually unheard of for a petrol (gas) station to have someone standing by to put the fuel in the tank for us.
We live on a small (although fascinating) island, hence our long history of wanderlust. I mean, we even "found" your patch didn't we? By comparison only 25% of Americans even own a passport. Living in a colossal country as you do, it's all to easy just to visit another State & if you're honest with yourseves, that's how most of you see Bonaire-----it's just another comfortable American State. The parts you'll frequent are English speaking, you'll get the full service that you crave & because most of you haven't travelled enough to know any better....think that the diving is world class. It's not!!
When Dave (who's not your typical American by any stretch of the imagination), returns from Fiji, I'm sure he'll be only too eager to agree with my somewhat biased opinions......At least he'd better, unless he wants me to withdraw my hospitality offer for his forthcoming European trip.
Right, I reckon that should have stirred you all up sufficiently! I'm off....I've got Mondays Chapter 9 deadline to meet.

PS. I think that once upon a time there used to be traffic lights on the island. After they were stolen for the third time the "powers that be" decided to make do without them & spend the money painting quaint names on yellow rocks by the roadside, instead.

Why didn't I read all your posts before wading in? --- Yes Josie, I'm afraid that the "Greasy Spoon" eatery next to Bonawa has gone too. Good fries weren't they? The burgers tasted like they might have been filled with that days road kill though! More importantly in my eyes, my favourite, "The Beefeater" is no more. These are indeed troubled times on the island & for those of you hankering to spend your last, slowly decaying days there, I'd suggest that now is a good time to show your support & buy into Bonaires depressed property maket.

Andy, good morning.. I just have to say that, I totally agree with you in as far as our (us Brits) expectations go.. having lived with an American for some 5 years now, and travelled to the US frequently.. certainly their expectations are, somewhat higher! and to be honest, I wish that us Brits would take the same attitude.. we put up with too much "C**P" in this Country.. I did see the "Fawlty Towers" episode you mentioned.. in fact, I watched it with Hugh.. he thought it was hilarious!! I don't feel offended in any way Andy.. you are most certainly entitled to your opinion.. as are we all!..S

Andy...my friend....yes you are right about our expectations...after putting in grueling hours at work...fighting crowds getting there, and all the hustle and bustle this Large country throws at yus, it is wonderful to look forward to a mear 10 day vacation where you are "catered to"...the reason we chose Bonaire is because there is not alot of people at the place we stay...we don't stay at "the plaza" with all the glitz and glamour..their are enough places like that in America..we like to be away from all that...and relax..that is what vacations are for...I myself find joy in filling in my own dive book...hauling my own tanks up and down 1000 steps and I even clean the room before the maid gets there on our departure...so I don't think I am living in the high standard majority that you speak of...I do fall amoung the 25% that owns a passport. Yes Bonaire feels comfortable,,,like home...that is again one of the draws to the island for me..We have dove other places..not so exotic as you. Caymens, Puerto Rico, Bahamas,Saba, Florida and Bonaire..We try to get to our vacation place within a days travel, because our jobs do not give us the privledge to take so many days off at one time. So Quick, convenient,guarenteed good weather and diving mean alot when you are "craming" the vacation.So we dont get to see clown fish and ubangi tribes, I know they are there and maybe someday when I am able to have that much time to waste in the air getting to those places I will see what I have been missing..But right now it doesnt feel like I am missing anything...I live in a simple world and could sit and stare at the fish Bonaire has to offer forever..It seems like I always see something new when I go. But that may just be me.. After having to tend to sick people in fetal positions that smell and are sometimes filled with bodily excretions..a vacation with a little fluff and puff is not asking too much. I am also awaiting Dave's response...we will see....have a good one...and looking forward to the next installment in "Brit trashes Bonaire"..only kidding :}

I was straightening out Christmas lights,,and thinking of your prior statement and had to run up and add another "bit"..You are not coming to Bonaire anymore because your ice cream store isn't there anymore....I believe you may hold a few "higher standards" yourself...but again...that is not a bad thing...is it?

1) are the bugs seasonal or what? I have been to Bonaire four times, each time was mid to late April. And we NEVER any problems with bugs. I guess April is a good time regarding no bugs.
2) I can enjoy the icecream at the Divi, no matter how good it may have been somewhere else, after 4 day dives off shore and off the boats and then another at night off the dock. Looking at the pictures and video our group of divers took on that day and talking about all we saw... the ice cream is nice, but more like "frosting on the cake".
3) petty theft - hmmmm, I like to keep things in perspective, especially after 9/11
4) not enough fish go by the web cam - hmmmm, the occasional fish there are just little reminders of the many many fish in the numerous dive sites all around Bonaire, especially at my favorite, the Salt pier !!
5) I am sure we all enjoy numerous dive sites and we do like to go here there and everywhere. But for me, I will ALWAYS look forward to the next time I go back to Bonaire.
AND.... once again - thanks to Linda and Jake for the web cams and the chance to see the occasional named fish go by and to talk with so many divers on a day to day basis.

I do believe all of this started during the full moon cycle phase....Carole

lol carole...andy, think you were doing better before you posted again. i don't think anyone diagreed with your original statement...in fact we all agree about theft being a problem, and yes it may become worse at some point. i don't think i have EVER had someone fill my gas tank (my dad taught me to do things for myself as i was the only person i could ever count on)...diving in so california on "cattle call" boats, the only thing they do for you is fill your tank between dives, we load, unload, gear up, ungear for ourselves...have only stayed in a full service resort once in my life and that was in Mexico and i had won the trip...have spent a lot of time in mexico as it is close and i love the language, they all do not spead english. usually the front desk folks and waiters at the hotels...i think that americans haven't traveled aborad becuase of the location and expense. most folks i know (including myself) haven't gotten across the ocean cause we have never been able to afford it. so, we take trips within the states. so that is why most don't have passports. you don't need one to go to mexico or canada (only need your birth certificate). not all americans are spoiled brats, maybe the only ones you meet in your area are the rich ones and they are spoiled so that is what everyone thinks we are all like...VERY not true...now, i need to go get my liptons witches brew and wake up;-)...oh, i still love ya and am waiting the next chapter

Andy, How many trips have you made to Bonaire?

I agree with CyndeLee. We live in northern Nevada and just getting to the Caribbean takes a full day and sometimes an overnight in Florida. We're spending 8 nights in Bonaire starting 1/5/2002 yet we have to add on two days for travel and take the redeye flight from LAX to Jamaica. Then coming back we have to spend a night in LA because no flights to Reno as late as we arrive. I, too, would love to go to Europe, but would have to allow extra days to get to New York of some other equally distant place. From Nevada, we usually have to head west to California just to go east. Mexico (Cabo, etc.) is really nice, but the water is not nearly as warm or as blue. I also pump my own gas and have for many years. Let's lighten up a big here.

Vivian,

We'll be there as well. Let's try to meet and maybe even dive together....

It sure sounds strange, We live in Europe, and for us it's just a 9 hour flight, and for you guys in the States, it is one or 2 day's.... I'm realy grateful for our non stop flights from here to a lot of places in the Caraibbean.

Martin,

Sounds good. I'll email you some details on our trip.

Viv

Another question for Andy: How much time have you spent in the US, to really meet the people and form your own opinions?

I've made 4 visits to both Bonaire & the US mainland, spending roughly a total of eight weeks in each. But Glen, I'd like to think that my comments are based solely upon my observations of the behavior of Americans on vacation. What they do in the privacy of their own country is none of my business. Of course, I have to accept that my views may have been influenced slightly by the way some of your countrymen behave when they find themselves infront of a TV camera.
re 3) Denise. Big oak trees grow from little acorns. Argueably, the origins of todays terrorists bombs can be traced back to the meddling of the Chinese with gun powder & the resulting fire crackers, centuries ago. I would no more dream of stealing a dime from you than hopefully you would from me (if I had one) so why should we tolerate it. Today it might be a dime----tomorrow maybe your car----the next day your life. Who knows?

Who knows?? Poof....and away we go! Time to sit back and relax a bit guys...let's lighten it up. Not to sweep any of this under the mat, but I think we have all made our points to each other and we all understand what each of us has to say and mean, etc. Put a smile on your face and let's get down to it!.....we still would love to read Chapter 8, if our dear Andy would so choose to endulge us! Peace. Carole

Carole, well said.. Andy, come on, let's have it!!
Give me something amusing to read over coffee in the morning..

Gosh, is that the time.. see you tomorrow folks..S

Back to the original topic......Why do I go to Bonaire? Isn't it..."to each their own"...freedom..to go anywhere "we" like. I like Bonaire...I would also probably like the Red Sea...if I was on vacation I would probably like the inside of a closet.. if they kept giving me margaritas and left me alone! My tee shirt would read..."Nothing could compare...to diving in Bonaire" On the petty crime issue...I wouldnt steal a dime(or penny or anything)either. But reality is reality...can't get rid of the bad guys...they are everywhere..and have always been everywhere...but we can out number them by how we treat each other. Waiting on the edge of my seat for the final saga....

Hey, Andy, I can probably say this because I'm British (although now an American citizen also). Please don't judge Americans by how they let loose on vacation. We do generally only have two weeks, so it's such a release. One of my most excruciating moments on vacation was in Italy when a group of English tourists descended on a tiny shop. I wanted to speak Spanish so no one would know I was English. Even Alan,who normally doesn't say much, said "and I thought American's had a bad reputation abroad -- didn't think the English did too, but if they don't, they ought to." Another similar experience happened when we were in Turkey in the Grand Bazaar.

No one country has a lock on bad manners and lack of consideration. It's all down to individuals.

Actually, I think one reason so few Americans travel is there's a HUGE number of extraordinarily beautiful places and very varied places in this country. Except for returning to visit my family, for the first ten years I was here, I spent every vacation exploring this country. It's vast, diverse and has wonderful weather somewhere at almost any time of the year. There's still a lot I haven't seen, but I don't think anyone should live life without seeing the Grand Canyon (the North Rim to avoid the crowds), Yellowstone, Bryce, Zion, Rockies (and I could go on for days listing places).

I love England, and I love the US also. Americans are on the whole warm, generous and live "large".

Thanks Josie....I am proud to be an American!! The more money the individual has, the more they likely are going to get catered to. There is a price for everything whether it is the US dollar or the Yen. Money talks! Have a wonderful day and let's all be thankful we're alive and able to express our own opinions.

Judging a people by those on vacation??? That must mean all Brits are soccer houligans.

Rather be in Indonesia than with petty crime on Bonaire?? Indonesia where, in the west, Barry G. is happy because he is 700 miles from Jakarta and it's roving gangs of religious zealots who attack Westerners and because he lives in a guarded razor-wire compound where the servants watch out for each others houses, and where, in the east, the gangs of religious zealots kidnap and ransom Westerners. Not my cuppa tea! I will leave it all for Andy and suffer with Bonaire, without apology.

Glen,,,if you have talked to Barry please tell him hello...and I miss him..

Well, Andy....Looks like we stirred the pot up a bit. I do agree with you on most of your points, but the only reason I had the divemaster fill out my log book is because I can't read or write. Keep your head up buddy, it only gets better from here!!!!

Glenn, that's a one strike knock-out.

Hello Tim, How're you? Did your ear work out fine during the flight?

Sounds more like a description of my experiences in your homeland than the admittedly limited area of Indonesia (Sulawesi) that I know & love, Glenn.

I gather Sulawesi is wonderful diving and worth loving but that is one of the areas with kidnappings last year!!!

Yes, you can find dangerous areas in the US, as you can in England, if you kook for them, but hardly as Barry and the newspapers describe Indonesia, at least here. I do believe that you use a bit of hyperbole in all your writing.

Meryl,

I have only 'talked' with Barry here, so I have no new news since he stopped posting.

I have dove the Red Sea, Fiji, the Great Barrier Reef, the Indian Ocean off of Kenya, and various Caribe locations, but for relaxed diving and friendly people give me Bonaire. I admit that there are more colorful critters at some of those other places, but for a left-coaster the hassle and cost of getting there is not fun. I do Bonaire every other year and spend the other years going somewhere new. So far there are few places that I want to repeat in the near future. I used to live where, if I didn't hear gunshots before I went to sleep, it was an unusual event. And my place was burglarized several times, so a little petty theft doesn't frighten me. I just take the recommended precautions when on Bonaire.

Petty crime in Bonaire? We had a pack of cigarettes and lighter stolen from our car parked in front of Cultimara at 3pm. We attribute that to kids, as they left 2 expensive pairs of sunglasses on the dashboard. Still, the broken glass at several divesites discouraged us from snorkeling there.

Andy notes on December 2nd that the Beefeater is closed. I thought Michael G said it was reopening. Does anyone know the scoop? We arrive on Saturday night and it's my favorite, too! Hope we'll be able to eat there.
Judy

I think it's just a matter of what you become accustomed to Glen.
Sure, kidnapping is a terrible thing & mercifully relatively uncommon (I think?) in the States so for "you" it's a major concern when your beloved CNN (unbiasedly as ever) assures you that travels to Indonesia & similar locations are likely to result in your abduction. However, you've become so accustomed to your own countrymen spraying school classrooms with machine gun fire that it only gets coverage in the local news these days & you've learned to live with it.
We can only speak as we find. My only bad experience (so far) in Indonesia was when my Taxi driver gleefully pocketed the change from the equivalent to a US$50 note I'd just given him...mistaking it for a US$5 !! That said, I must have enjoyed the States too or I wouldn't have returned there 3 more times after my initial visit, would I?
You'll probably be sad to hear (well maybe not) that I'm going to have to love & leave you all for a few days. This coming Sunday I've promised the group I bought to Bon, a curry\filmshow evening & as yet I haven't even looked at the 7 hours of film I shot, nevermind edited it. So I'm afraid my limited leisure time is going to be channeled in that direction until then. I'll be back with some pics next week.
Not too certain what "hyperbole" is Glen, but sure, I'd use it if I thought it might help :-)
Last passing thought...I miss Barrys input too. We exchanged a few e-mails with each other but sadly that's dried up now. If you are still at least reading this stuff Barry...would now be an appropriate time for me to "release" the song you sent me?
No squabbling whilst I'm gone please!

The Beef Eater will open under new Management. For the exact date, I suggest folks stop in at Exito Bakery and ask...since they are the new owners. I still have not had an answer too date.

Andy,

You do have a strong bias, and really not a sizable clue as to life in the United States. You are quite happy that way; so be it.

Andy, I'll miss your pics next week as I'll be on BON.. oh well, guess I'll get to look at them upon my return

ps: if you read this, what about that"hat"???

andy my love, we have not "learned to live" with machine gun fire killing the children in our schools...

Don't you "my love" me Cynde!
I waited so long for you at Jake's gate last month that the flowers I'd bought for you wilted!

Andy, that was a bottle of wisky you brought, maybe after drinking it you thought you had flowers for Cynde

I wish all the kids on Bonaire a very good Sinterklaas!

rotflmao Martin...Andy...I sadly missed our rondevue (sp, as us "mericans" can't spell:-) as I decided to have a single malt the English way without the rocks, and sadly passed out before the clock struck noon...aren't you supposed to be putting together a slide presentation or something Sir Andrew (or maybe I should go back to fancypants

Oh, and Martin...i thought you said: I wish all the kids on Bonaire a very good stinkerklass...

Did you seriously think I was going to risk seeing "her" run off with you Martin? No, of course not. It was the following day that I returned to "our spot" (as I'd hoped to be able to call it) clutching the largest ever bunch of red roses. Alas, it was all in vain. Either Cynde had simply not bothered to come, or worse still was elsewhere with you....breathlessly discussing the merits of suppositories over contact lens fluid, between spells of frantic tongue wrestling no doubt? Please excuse the bitter rantings of a heartbroken old man, but how could you spurn me for one who would wish to share Sinterklaas with you?
Martin, you absolutely certain that you don't have any Volcan blood in you?
Sinterklaas? Hmmmm....could be Santa Claus methinks?
Anyway, which ever one of you two is hogging the bottle...pass it over, it must be my turn!
Oh Jeeez, the slideshow! You're right, I'd forgotten. These damned pages are like a disease aren't they? I thought I'll just have thirty seconds lurking (as you do) & the next thing I know I've been sitting here for thirty minutes writing about roses & suppositories.
Ah well, maybe I can get away with just serving up the curries?