Nov. 22nd 3am alarm goes off. Due to Osama(bastard), we have to be at the Cinti airport @ 5am for a 8:15am flt. Security was a joke. I have 2 artificial hips that just would not go through the metal detectors, you know a human bomb. So we leave @ 8:15am arrive @ Bonaire @ 8:30pm, long day. Arrive at the Divi Flamingo @ 9:15pm. Due to Bonaire Talk, I ask for a room upgrade to Oceanview, great advice. Meerna at the front desk immediately took care of us. If you have trouble at the Divi ask for Mirrita(Rita). These two ladies run the front desk at the Divi and are a great asset to your Divi stay. Meerna is great restaurant guide also. I also recomend that you rent small refrig. for your room for $6/day, a must for a cold beer when you need one.
I woke up the next morning with jet lag to Judy screeming my name, I thought I was dreaming, you know doing a great job, but it was a scorpion doing the job, not me. I dont know what kind of a trip I am on with scorpions, Jesus. I impressed her with the extraction, since she knows I am a big __ssy with spiders in Ohio. That means sissy, I mean really.
After this I was skeptical to where my wife brought me on our 30th Anniversaary. After breakfast at the Divi, which somehow Mirrita got included, we went snorkeling at the Divi and instantly fell in love, not with each other, but with Bonaire.
Snorkeling: For the people who dont dive, this is snorkeling heaven! We have snnorkeled all over the Caribbean, and this was some of the best we've done. We went on a snorkel sail trip on the Woodwind, which is anchored right at the Divi. It took us to Klein, where we did Ebos and No Name reefs. They were spectacular. Rene, from the Woodwind, was the guide and an excellent one at that. We saw 2 turtles, some squid, an octopus, snake eel, and countless fish and beautiful coral. Then she sailed over to Andrea I & II. Here we saw many huge Blue Parrot fish and some with green teeth, huge. Next snorkel was at the 1000 steps and Webers Joy. 1000 was fabulous, another turtle and for the first time a Spotted Eagle Ray, what a freaky looking thing, but it was cool. By noon we got to Webers Joy and it was starting to get murkey, but it was still great. Next trip was to Karpata and Ole Blue. Many big fish and lotsa a colorful coral, jsut beautiful. Every day we snorkeled at the Divi, Judy had to get over her Barracudaphobia and this was a good place to get over it. We just saw the tip of the iceburg of snorkeling sites, we did not get enough done.
Restaurants: The Chibi Chibi at the Divi was great. Meerna sent us to following: Richard's, as BTer's have said, it was great,(Shrimp Primavera & Surf & Turf). Cappriccio's(Italian) air conditioned or outside dining, they make you feel special there. Great pasta dishes. Rendevous', just reopened, the best Rum punch, Coconut Shrimp was great and Judy had fish in a puff pastry, great meal. Croccantino's very good food, order the salad with bacon, you wont regret it, and take bug spray, the flying teeth seem to be very active there. Mona Lisa's was very upscale. Judy had the special, Lobster and Filet Mignon, loved it except for the raw tuna. City cafe is great @ happy hour and good lunches(hamburgers) also.
Car rental: Hertz at the Divi. $193 for a heep(just the way they say jeep)for 3 days. $41 dollars a day grows to $193(unreal), but you have to have transportation to the reefs. Also went to the Washigton Park, what a trip. Judy needed to relieve herself in the park. My god, the lizards thought she was food or something, they were charging from all directions, very confusing for her, but I came to her rescue again and beat them back so she could finish.
Staples: The Cultimara (THE grocery) and the Excita bakery, about a 10 minute stroll from the Divi. Once you get over the Guilderphobia exchange nitemare, you can get fresh baked bread and Goulda cheese and meats to cut down on some of the costs of eating out all the time, very reasonable way to eat lunches, and also have beer in your room.
Update on THIEVERY: The News said they caught the 3 teens on bikes that were stealing from the cars at the dive sites the week before we got there. Bullsh_t! The day we rented the car, our Hertz man said 2 cars got their windows were broken and stuff stolen by kids on bikes, so be smart. Take what you brought with you (can leave stuff at beach-no problem) and leave your vehicle open and windows down. We had no problem following this rule.
Synopsis: The Divi was great, Bonaire was great, Snorkeling was great, I survived the 30th, coming back to reality sucked.

JUDY's TURN: Message from his wife of 30 years (I've loved and wanted him for 34 years-dreams do come true): It was an anniversary of a lifetime-I was truly blessed and it was truly magnificent! Thank-you, Bonaire Life! I truly loved the time there at Bonaire and was a dream come true. Ladies (and men if you're interested) there is much information I can give you on jewelery. Doesn't seem to be any reports on shopping for one in a lifetime jewelery creations. Pat, the guy who composed this report (too long-so what-suck it up and read), bought me the most magnificent (and I really mean magnificent) jewelery I have ever seen in the Caribbean and anywhere else in the USA. What a 30th, from my point of view!

Hope you (all) enjoyed the tour. Any questions (?'s) - just ask either of us - Pat (the author-WHALE or Judy (his wife who read this report and laughed and relived a miracle and let you know about the jewelery) and we will answer.

By the way, BT'ers, did the lurkers pass the test by doing the report? Any questions, please ask!

Happy Anniversary! Glad both of you had a wonderful trip.

Happy Aniversary...couldnt have spent it in a better place...now refresh my memory...there was a scorpion in your room? I was unaware of scorpions on Bonaire...(as I trapse through the brush hither an yonder,,I thought I was immune from all but a few big lizards...) tell me it's not true....

Judy & hubby,
Happy 30th -- wish you at least 30 more-- I will be celebrating 32 in Feb while we are there.
Judy- do tlk about the shopping-- that is one area no one ever gets around to discussing.
And scorpions-- that is one area I am getting a little concerned with-- especially where I do swell up from bees etc (remind me someday to tell about one of my most emabarasing moments --Bee sting and thong).-- There has been many more sightings lately from Bonaire talkers-- Do the resorts not spray for the little ugly no-good creatures?

Congratulations and great trip report. We leave on Tuesday for our first trip to Bonaire -- also at 5:00 am from Columbus and don't arrive until night. WE will be staying at the Divi and snorkeling so your information was helpful and I am quite excited now -- I love parrotfish and I have never seen an octopus yet!

Thanks for the fridge advice. Did you guys rent your car ahead or once you got there? Were any of those restaurants dressy or all casual?
Michele

Thanks for the great report! I can't beleive you had a scorpion in your room. We stay at the Divi, too and I am happy to say we have never had that experience!!...And hope we never do!!!

Hi! A few years ago we attended Dee Scarr's slide presentation at Habitat (definitely worth a visit...she's awesome!) and when the lights came on there was a SCORPION on the floor! Dee calmly used someone's empty softdrink cup and a piece of paper slid under it, and tossed it outside. No problem...apparently! I have read on here elsewhere that the Caribbean variety aren't as "deadly?" as the southwest U.S. kind. Let's hope so! Still not enough to scare US off.

We do have Scorpions on the island - little ones, pinkich color- size of small key. The bite hurts like a bee sting does - put a little fresh garlic on it and it goes very fast away - I know, I had at least 7 stings in my 14 years on the island. They like to hide in dark wet places (under old wood p.ex) but they walk around too....never leave a wet swimm suit or wet towel on the ground. If you are alergic to bee stings - go to the hospital and get an injection, there are well equipped at the San Francisco Hospital for that.

Thanks for all the good wishes. We had a wonderful 30th anniversary!

Scorpions: Yes, we did have a scorpion in our room (the bathroom) the first morning there. Whale took care of the scorpion immediately when I told him. We should have told the hotel staff and they would have immediately sent an exterminator to our room to handle the problem. We found this out when we spotted another scorpion in the hallway to our room and others told the bartender. He notified the front desk and an exterminator was sent to the site immediately and handled the situation. The locals told us that the Bonaire scorpions hurt but are not deadly - the bite makes "your lips droopy" whatever that means. To us they are tan/beige in color and that was exactly the color of the tile floor we found him on. It was an experience - that's all (we've never seen a scorpion). At that point it just made my husband a little more leary as to where I had brought him. Don't let that have any effect on your vacation. We were the only ones who ever saw one. We had to show the others the one in the hallway. No one else had them in their rooms and we only had one.

At the Divi there is a Hertz Rental Car agency right on site. We did not rent the car ahead of time. It waw no cheaper to rent by the week and we didn't use a car most of the time. It is very easy to walk to town and Richards from the Divi. If you want to go to different dive sites you will need to use a car - so you'll need one for the days you dive and take a tour of the island.

We forgot to tell you about Harbor Village Resort. It went bankrupt but locals bought the restaruant there and now own and run it. The Divi dive staff told us to go there - great food and reasonable prices. They were right - the food and service and prices are great - restaurant name: Compadres.

Dress for restaurants: no bathing suits - but very casual - shorts and shirts and sometimes shoes.

Shopping: On the island check out Littman's and Atlantis. The most beautiful jewelry I've seen. The big thing there is jewelry with opals, tanzanite and diamonds (cheapest I saw around $500.00). Name brand Kabana. Also at Atlantis they carry Steven Douglas jewelry. Every piece original, great detail work, and he uses opals and diamonds. He also makes gold rings of two lovers which alot of people use for wedding rings. Whale bought me 2 pieces of Steven Douglas (opal turtle earrings and opal/diamond Mermaid/Dolphin charm for a necklace) and also a necklace to wear the charm and an antique coin charm. I really made out big. All pieces came from Atlantis. Both stores really have a lot of dive jewelry. They cater to the divers and pieces are incredible. They have fins, dive masks & snorkel, and divers pieces. Also a lot of antique coins found in wrecks. Now for the info I learned but didn't get to do. Look at those stores for what you like and prices. Then go to Curacao to buy if you have the time. There is a ferry that goes there once a day from Bonaire but you must spend the whole day there. Jewelry prices there are around 60 percent less over there. The Curacao airport has a duty free jewelry store with great prices and our friends we met at the Divi bought a beautiful opal/diamond ring at Nobel Jewelers in town - they sized the ring for her in an hour. Next time I go I will make the Curacao trip. Meerna at the Divi even tried to fly us over since we missed the ferry so I could buy jewelry but flights were already full - you have to book the day before to go by ferry and it is full a lot of the time. Whale and I could not give up a day at Bonaire to go to Curacao because there was so much water to snorkel so Whale paid the big price and bought me jewelry on Bonaire the last day we were there. Atlantis in on the internet at www.atlantisbonaire.com and our salesman's name was Deepak Daryanani. He let me try on any piece of jewelry I wanted to. Nobel Jewelers address: nbjewelers@bgate.net. I haven't checked Nobel's out yet.

Hope this wasn't too lengthy. Whale said it was. Anymore questions and we'll be glad to answer.

Oh, nice post. Typically I am not a big shopper for jewelry but did buy a Tag Heur watch in Aruba 5 years ago (it was cheaper at San Juan Airport I later found out..) and I did buy a batik bracelet at Atlantis. I wear silver on one side with my Dennis Ladies Bracelet (if you are from MA or visit Cape Cod you know this piece). I doubt I could go to CUR to buy jewelry..I'd rather get a new windsurf sail..LOL but GOOD to know..Your Whale sounds divine..he is a keeper..

Annie
Cape Cod

I think I have just read the best and most detailed/in-depth First Timer's trip report in the history of BT! Wow. You truly are a part of Bonaire after one visit...I am impressed with all that you did and enjoyed. Just wonderful! I have seen the jewelry at Littman's and drooled for quite a while...have not been to Atlantis as yet, but you know darn well I WILL this time around in May. They got to know me quite well at Littman's earlier this year....I will "spread the wealth" around a bit next time! I can only imagine you will be returning to Bonaire again in the future. We became addicted the moment we saw her from the sky prior to landing at the airport. (actually, it happened long before that via this board!)

We love the Divi, too. Did you notice the "new" water sports operation at the Divi? I am curious as to how it is working out with Renee and the Woodwind having been there operating for ages (love Renee and the Woodwind). They were going to add a motorized "yacht" of some sort...did they do it yet? Don't know if I want to hear any additional "motors" running out in front of the Divi...we love to snorkel there in the peace and quiet and tranquility. The only time we have to "move" from the area is when the dive boats come in and go out.

The Park is another favorite place of mine. I love to spend hours up there driving and walking around and soaking in the natural beauty of it all. Yes, the lizards and iquana up there are very inquisitive, indeed! Funny story.

Happy Anniversary to you both and I wish you many more years of health and happiness together...with many more trips to Bonaire! Carole

Carole,
No new motorized yacth that we know of, but some of the dive masters said the Divi bought some dive boats from Harbour Village hotel dive business. They (Harbour Village) went out of business because of 9/11 WTC. A new dive boat magically appeared one morning outside our balcony. We did not inquire much about water sports, too much snorkeling about. Just saw kayaks for rent at the Divi. Renee and Barry have an outboard that they take you out to the Woodwind from the dive pier. That's about it.

Another side note on the scorpions.
I found one this morning in the house around 4am. I was up with a stuffy nose and a hot cup of tea. The little guys seem to be around more during rainy season. I'm not sure why although my theory is that their homes get flooded out. Haven't been stung yet but we had 3 in the house this fall, although none last year at all.

Bug spray does not kill scorpions. We use long handled pliers to pick them up and deposit them in the toilet for flushing. They don't float.

Just read this thread today...what a great trip report! I can identify with the Littman's love affair---they have some beautiful things, very original and unusual. Welcome to the "Hooked on Bonaire" club!

I know that I'm unlikely to be offered the opportunity to use your toilet Linda, but suddenly it doesn't sound very inviting! Scorpions are resilient little critters...you can freeze 'em & even put them in boiling water (no, I haven't done it) for a short time & they'll emerge unscathed. Apparently they're one of the few life forms which are expected to survive the aftermath of a nuclear explosion (God forbid). Must be one powerfull toilet you've got there if it does the trick! :-)

Resilient means tough. It took more than 1 crushing blow from a Teva sandal to take the little bugger out. 1st hit just put him in the attack mode, 2nd and 3rd hit finally got him.