Our 16th trip to Bonaire in 20 years has left us happy,comfortable and feeling like it's old home week with the Divi Flamingo Hotel and dive staff. Unhappily utilizing AA/AE to get to Bonaire, that was all wiped out when we stepped off the plane into that fabulous wind.
Our diving was great and the weather was cloudier than normal. This changed for the worse the second week. Wednesday, it poured down rain so hard you couldn't see Klein. Thursday brought a wind inversion from Curacao and the lee side was a little rougher than usual.
The only other time we saw this, it brought portugese-man-of-war onto the island and night diving was halted. Not the case this time though.
We tried some new places - Gibi's and met some new faces. Liked Casablanca, but ate leftovers for 2 days after. Not a bad thing since we were in the timeshare side and went early in the week. Great food and value for the money. Also, enjoyed Richard's, Chibi Chibi, It Rains Fishes and fell in love with Pasa Bon Pizza. There's reason enough right there to rent a car. Didn't care for Mona Lisa at all. Service was poor and food was disappointing. This year Capriccio's let us down a bit; portions were good, service wasn't. Lots of good fresh fish which we're starved for in Ohio.
The only bad part of the trip came about on the Wednesday of the rain. My husband Ron, followed me off the boat with a giant-stride entry off the side at the Hooker site. Unbeknownst to me,he heard something "pop". His leg hurt a bit but thought he'd pulled a muscle and continued with the dive. When we got topside, the calf swelled to twice its size and we were done for the trip. Ron has always observed that the cemetary is across the street from the hospital and refused to have it looked at on the island. He stayed off it until our flights (12 hour day) and I dropped him off at the emergency room on the way to the house from the airport. Six hours later, it's in a soft cast and he's on an extended vacation of 4-6 weeks with a torn calf muscle.
The "up-side" of it is, the dog's sooooo happy to have his Dad at home with him. Ron got to watch all the D-Day coverage and Ohio is warm enough to enjoy sitting outside. I'd like to hear anyone's real experiences with the hospital and staff in Bonaire. Maybe (HA) Ron will consider them if we're ever in need again.

I broke my kneecap in Bonaire during Sept 11. I was taken by abulance right from the Divi to the hospital. The hospital was a bit primative compared to the US. An example was that I waited on a gurney and it was really outside in like a courtyard instead of sterile conditions. They did x-rays and a specialist came to see me. I opted to wait untill I got back to the US for surgery because it would have made my already delayed stay much longer if I had it done there. they put me in a pretty green temporary complete leg cast to travel in. Everything the specialist told me is exactly what I was told back here in the states. I feel confident had I had it done there it would have been the same results. They are not suppose to take charge cards, but they did because that is all I had! My insurance in the states did reimburse me for their very reasonable charges. Also, because of my delay I had to have my prescriptions filled. I had copies of the scripts and the pharmacy was able to provide me with enough to get home. I hope this helps and sorry to hear about your husband.

The doctors are usually trained in Holland. I've found all the doctors speak English and most of the nursing staff. Some staff is also from Surinam.

We've been lucky and only had minor issues like stitches (both kids), broken finger, ear infections, etc. For surgery, like Darlene's kneecap they would have taken her to Curacao, I bet.

There is also a hyperbaric chamber and well-trained staff if someone should have a dive accident.