Having gleaned so much helpful information from other Bonaire Talkers over the years, I try to put together a trip report to "give back" - especially because I rarely post otherwise. While I can't pretend to write with any skill approaching Andy's witty turn of phrase, I hope the following will be informative and somewhat entertaining. I’ll break it up into manageable sections; feel free to skip around or abandon completely, if it becomes too tedious. Fair warning: Unfortunately, I am a master at using 10 words when one will do!

This was our first "whole family" trip to Bonaire, although my husband Mike and I had been four times previously. Laura (age 20) joined us for a quick trip back in March during her spring break, but Matt (age 17) would finally experience Bonaire for the first time. Mike, Laura and Matt have been diving for a few years; I just got certified (in Bonaire!) back in August, after which Mike and I completed the AOW course there as well. This Bonaire vacation from December 26 to January 2 served as our family Christmas gift.

12/26/2001 - Wednesday (Boxing Day)

We got up at 4:00 am in order to check in with Air Jamaica at BWI two-and-a-half hours before flight time, as advised. Quite a few passengers were already in line. We had one carry-on with cameras and lenses, and three with all of our regulators, log books, toiletries, etc. I also carried on my mask, because it's made for a narrow face and I didn't want to risk not having it in Bonaire. Passports were inspected once while waiting in line and again at the check-in desk. Carry-on bags were tagged with plastic ties at check-in, but not opened.

We then moved on toward the normal security checkpoint with the metal detector and x-ray machine. Once again, passports and tickets were checked before getting into this line. If anyone was carrying a beverage (some folks had bottled water), they had to drink some of it in front of the security personnel. I guess that's one way to keep dangerous fluids (acid?) off the plane. About 30% of the passengers had to remove their shoes, which were hand-inspected, and then put on the conveyor belt to be x-rayed. When it was my turn, I didn't have to remove my shoes, but the security guy stopped the conveyor belt and called over his supervisor when my carry-on bag reached the x-ray. The guy told his supervisor that he had no idea what he was looking at on the screen, it didn't appear dangerous, but he wanted a second opinion. I didn't say anything at first, but when the supervisor looked just as puzzled, I explained that they were looking at scuba diving regulators with a compass, submersible pressure gauge and a dive computer. I then had to explain what this equipment was for... that the regulators convert the compressed air in a scuba tank to a breathable pressure, that the compass was a normal compass, used for underwater navigation, that the submersible pressure gauge told how much air was left in a scuba tank, and that the dive computer calculated the elapsed time, depth, no-decompression limit and a model of the nitrogen absorbed into the body during a dive. By now, the security guys were sorry they’d asked, as their eyes glazed over. I also said that they'd see three more of these "contraptions" in the next carry-on bags on the belt. After a muffled conference, the security personnel were satisfied, and didn't even ask us to open the bags to show them the equipment.

Laura's underwire bra set off the metal detector, so she was taken aside and thoroughly wanded. We figured the sensors would be set to detect just about anything, so I was nervous about the metal plates I have in my lower jaw. They’re titanium, and not supposed to trigger the metal detectors, but who knows…?!?!? I got through okay, just about the time they were satisfied that there truly wasn’t a concealed weapon on Laura’s chest.

People were randomly pulled aside for wanding and inspection of carry-on bag contents, even with nothing suspicious on the x-ray and no noise from the metal detector. Passports were again checked at the gate, prior to entering the jetway to board the plane. Also, people were randomly pulled aside for a full security check once they were inside the jetway itself. Mike was selected, and the kids and I were told to proceed to the plane, that we could not wait there for him. Mike was wanded, patted down, and everything in his carry-on bag was opened and inspected. The flight to Montego Bay left Baltimore about 40 minutes late, and was full. Christmas music played while we were sitting in the plane, waiting for everyone to board. Breakfast was a choice of pancakes or scrambled eggs. The pancakes were decent, and the eggs weren't runny. We've definitely had worse. The movie was "Cats & Dogs," which must rank among the worst films ever made. We couldn't even watch it just to help pass the time.

Arrived in Montego Bay to find the flight to Bonaire had been held for even later connections, which is often the case. No security whatsoever in Montego Bay airport. We deplaned at Gate 7 and immediately walked over to Gate 6 to board the plane to Bonaire. The flight to Bonaire left 45 minutes late, and was only 2/3 full. The usual small "choker" sandwich of mystery meat, juice and a cookie constituted the snack. Landed at Flamingo airport at 4:30pm, a little over an hour late. Ahhhh, heaven on earth! All of our luggage arrived intact. We didn't wait at all for our transfer by shuttle bus to Plaza Resort, since there were no other passengers. Check-in was fast. Alma was at front desk and recognized us from previous visits. Nice to see Christmas decorations, even if it was 85 degrees.

Our Grand Suite (laguna view) at Plaza Resort was # G-126. (Had G-125 in August, 2001.) We prefer second floor rooms because the ceilings are higher (Mike's 6'4" tall, and Matt's pushing 6'5".) When we booked this trip back in May, we requested a villa at the Plaza Resort, but none were available for Dec. 26 to Jan. 2. We got a rollaway bed in the Grand Suite, and really had plenty of room for the four of us. The two-room bathroom helped (sink, tub and shower on one side, with toilet, bidet and another sink on the other; large closet and refrigerator in between.) We unpacked and stashed everything, then changed into shorts and T-shirts. A maintenance employee stopped by to apologize that television wasn't working in our building, but should be fixed the next morning, which it was. We bought sodas, beer and snacks at the Plaza's Mini-Mart, returned to the room and stocked the small refrigerator. Then we went to Coconut Crash beach bar. Happy hour is 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm daily. They don't reduce the prices, but items included in happy hour fare are two-for-one. Order two beers, and you'll receive four, so be clear about what you want and order accordingly. (Note: Amstel is included in happy hour; Amstel Bright is not.) Glorious weather and a beautiful sunset! Not too many people on the beach, though… it really didn't look much like "high" season.

Just after sunset, we changed into long pants to minimize bug bites. The no-see-ums did a number on Laura and Mike, but didn't bite me or Matt once during the trip. We must not be sweet enough! We walked to Richard's for dinner, and didn't have to wait for a table. Escargot for Mike (yuck!), steak peppercorn all around, rice, vegs - all very good as usual. Dinner for four with beverages and appetizers (no desserts) was about $175 U.S. Some decent Christmas music was playing at Richard's… sounded like Ottmar Liebert, who must be one of Richard's favorites... mine, too!

Returned to room to get organized for the next morning. Went to bed early - Diving tomorrow!