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Trip Reports: First Timers and their Crazy Questions!!
Bonaire Talk: Trip Reports: Archives: Archives 2000 to 2005: Archives - 2001-11-30 to 2002-09-25: First Timers and their Crazy Questions!!
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kelli Helms on Monday, January 14, 2002 - 11:25 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hello Everyone!

I have so enjoyed reading all of your posts and gathering up all this wonderful info.

We do have a few loose-end questions to get us ready for our trip from the 24th-31st of January (YAHOO!! that's next week!)

I am sure that somewhere on this board the answers are already there, I just can't seem to find them...

ok ready??

1. What is the water temp at this time of year?

2. Is film processing readily available and what does it normally cost?

3. Just how does someone shore dive out of a car and take nothing with them?? (ok...I'm a packrat)

4. Is a dive boat to Kline Bonaire a "must-do"?

5. Should we go with the 4 wheel drive or the crazy looking truck?

6. What is the standard attire in the islands resturants?

7. How far is it from where you park your car to the dive lockers at the Divi resort?

8. Are tanks left in the car at a shore dive site safe?

9. Is there standard current available to run a laptop at Divi (digital underwater photos take ALOT of storage space!!)

10. Is anyone else going to be there the week we are?

Ok...I think I covered the last of our questions! I am so excited I can hardly stand it. I think more than answers I was looking for an excuse to talk about the trip and our friends are getting a little tired of hearing about it!

All info is welcome and very much appreciated!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Andy Keely on Tuesday, January 15, 2002 - 3:01 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

A couple of "answers" for you Kelli.

4. Yes.
Don't try & do it without a dive boat unless you're an exceptionally good swimmer.

7. It's about 4 miles to the Divis dive lockers from where I park my car at Lagoen Hill.

10. Some good news for you....I'm not!

Enjoy!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dean Botsford on Tuesday, January 15, 2002 - 7:41 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Bad Andy! Bad Boy!*

Kelli, if you are interested in water temp, scroll down this page and click on visit Boniare Webcams. Not only will you get current water and air temps, but you'll get to 'see' what all the talk is about.


* can't help myself, I enjoyed your answers

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jake Richter - NetTech on Tuesday, January 15, 2002 - 8:02 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

1. See http://www.BonaireWebCams.com/BonaireReefCam.html for the current UW temperature.

2. Yes - expensive relative to U.S. (go digital :-) ) - about $20 to develop and print a roll of print film. About $12 to develop a roll of slide film (unmounted).

3. "nothing" is open to interpretation. When we shore dive, we leave our t-shirts, towels, water bottles, and flip-flops (and maybe extra tanks if we have them) in the truck. We DO NOT leave anything of portable and of value (cameras, wallets, etc.) in the truck however - that would be stupid and asking for trouble (most anywhere I've been). Keys get clipped onto my BC or put in a pocket (joining the emergency NAFl 50 or 100 note I carry with me on dives, in case I have the munchies after the dive). We don't bother with our drivers licenses, credit cards, etc. Those stay at home - if we ever need the drivers license driving to/from a dive, it's a small enough island to either run back and get it, or ask the police officer's indulgence.

4. Yes. Andy's advice should be followed on this :-) (Seriously, Klein Bonaire does offer some very nice diving, but it's unlikely you'll be bored if you shore dive the whole time you're here.)

5. Depends on your personality. The pick-up trucks are really nice for dive gear in the back.

6. No swimsuits, bikini tops (especially on men), shoes preferred. You may want to cover up a bit more in the evening, especially around your ankles - the mosquitos tend to bite there first (they tend to stay in the dark places, like under the tables at restaurants).

7. Don't know.

8. Yes. The kids (for the most part) who steal things can't lug a tank on their bicycles.

9. I believe all the outlets are U.S. standard shape, 127V, 50Hz. Most notebook power supplies can handle 100-240V, 50-60Hz, check yours to confirm.

10. Chet Wood is maintaining a list. He'll pop up here shortly. In any event, we (me and Linda) will be here since we live here on Bonaire :-)

Jake

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chet Wood on Tuesday, January 15, 2002 - 8:25 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

And up he pops!
Except, my list is mainly for Feb. & March; but if you go to "Everything Else: Feb/March BT'ers, you can see a few on the list that are there next week.
Chet

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Robert Deal on Tuesday, January 15, 2002 - 11:52 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Kelli:
Jake already covered your questions, so nothing to add except that we will be at the Divi from January 18 through February 2...
We'll try to find you...probably post a "BonaireTalkers meet here" sign.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Glen Reem on Tuesday, January 15, 2002 - 12:28 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

One fine point on 6.: restaurants want some footwear--I always wear sandals and they are accepted everywhere. To me, shoes are just to much of a bloody nuisance in that humid warm weather. Just general prudence to wear footgear all places on Bonaire.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Denise Kacavas on Tuesday, January 15, 2002 - 1:47 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Why do I torture myself by reading all these posts about people going to Bonaire???!!!!!! I WANT to go toooooooooooooooooo :-( Have fun, enjoy every minute!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By fred desapio on Tuesday, January 15, 2002 - 2:14 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

heading for bonaire in Feb. and wondered if phone cards are avail to call the states. also, is my ATM card likely to work? anyone have comments on eden beach? is it quiet at night?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Martin de Weger on Tuesday, January 15, 2002 - 2:38 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Fred, Yout ATM card is likely to work. There are a lot of cash machines.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kate Hickson on Tuesday, January 15, 2002 - 2:41 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Yes, they sell phone cards in 3 "sizes"...5, 15, and 30 NAfls, I think. They are sold at the Telbo office downtown. Your ATM card will work on Bonaire, but figure out your PIN password in numbers before you go, because I remember they didn't have the "ABCs" under each number. By the way, ABC starts under #2. We stood there forever, trying to spell the dog's name, with no letters! Now you know my PIN.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By sharon k schoenthaler on Tuesday, January 15, 2002 - 4:10 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

When I shore dive, I only leave my cheap flipflobs in the truck, maybe an old towel. I wear only a sarong type cover over my suit, and that I can fold up into my BC pocket for safekeeping. You can dry it out quickly post dive. I use an underwater case for my glasses, keys, money and ID. We always freeze a 2 liter of water and leave it in the truck, it's nice to have a cold drink after the dive. Have fun.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Matt Evans on Tuesday, January 15, 2002 - 4:44 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Sharon - what is the underwater case like? I too have glasses amongst other things to take in the water with me but have never found anything suitable. Is it watertight?

Thanks,

Matt

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ken on Tuesday, January 15, 2002 - 5:12 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

7. If you're at the timeshare side of the divi, it's about 100 yds to the dive 'locker' (actually just a little building to hang your stuff in... they lock it at night..I think). If you're at the hotel side, its probably 175 yds to the dive locker.

9. I know that we got a transformer to run the refridgerator at the divi... forgot to look at the outlet to see what type they were.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Andy Keely on Tuesday, January 15, 2002 - 5:28 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Matt, you might like to check out www.aquapac.net
They're a UK based company which will suit you (I got mine through 7DAYSHOP.com) but they'll also ship to our pals in the States for a mere US$5. They sell cases\pouches in a wide variety of sizes. Whilst I've only used mine for about 40 dives so far & to a max depth of 45 metres, it's been 100% waterproof.
I've no hesitation in recommending it as a good piece of kit.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carlea Bauman on Tuesday, January 15, 2002 - 7:21 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Fred,

Double check with your bank on the ATM issue. Mine didn't work in any machine on the island. Fortunately, it is also a visa/check card so I was able to do cash advances from it. That is, when the bank was able to get through to Visa, which didn't always occur.

Carlea

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By sharon k schoenthaler on Tuesday, January 15, 2002 - 9:26 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Matt,
I purchased mine on Bonaire, I don't remember which shop, but I have seen them at many shops, both in the states and on the islands. Rob my husband says it is a Witz case, Lens Locker, it sells for about $11 in the leisure pro catalog. I have taken it on 75 dives and it has been down 110 feet without any leaking.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kate Hickson on Wednesday, January 16, 2002 - 12:09 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

A company named OtterBox makes good , water-tight cases in many different sizes. They have them in dive shops on-island, and State-side.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Matt Evans on Wednesday, January 16, 2002 - 1:46 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Kate, Sharon & Andy - thanks for the suggestions. Exactly what I have been looking for. Now if I could only decide on the colour...

Matt

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Todd McBride on Wednesday, January 16, 2002 - 4:37 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

1. Temp Low 80's(F).

2. Film processing available but very expensive.

3. Leave repair kit, back-up equipment, wallet, junk in the room. If you don't have it in water with you, why do you need to bring it? The island is not that big and you can always run back for something.

4. Kline Bonaire has some great dives, but not any better than the shore dives.

5. You will need a 4x4 if you want to explore the National Park (the washed out dirt road is very rough). If your diving 24/7, a truck or minivan will get you where you want to go.

6. Shirt, shorts, and sandals most everywhere.

7. Don't know.

8. You know tanks are safe because most shops don't know how many tanks you pick-up or drop off.

9. I would contact Divi with this question.

10.No, just got back.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Laurie Kennedy on Wednesday, January 16, 2002 - 4:44 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I will also be in Bonaire during this time (1/23 thru 2/1)with my 12 year old daughter. If either of the above people coming during this time have kids around the same age, let me know. I am sure she would like to see some other kids during her visit. Also, thanks to all of the people who have offered their suggestions and comments on this site. It really helps people like us who are coming there for the first time.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Yana Herold on Wednesday, January 16, 2002 - 6:42 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Kelli, Just some general info.
You can dive out of your car by using the "Pink Dive Bus." You can set up an account with them to buy anything you may need while out so you won't need to carry cash. The pink dive bus lives at Photo Tours/Caribbean Court right past the swanky Plaza. You will drive past Photo Tours/Caribbean Court if you are leaving the DIVI to go south for diving. They even kept my "Bag of goodies (stuff like suntan lotion, bug spray, comb, room key)" on the bus while I went on futher down the beach to dive. They were at the salt pier and I went on down to red slave huts.
You should plan to dive the salt pier on a Thursday because thats when the dive bus has recieved permission for divers to dive there.
I made a copy of my C card, laminated it and thats the only piece picture ID I carry while I'm on the island. I leave the copy of my "special made" C card in the truck for safety reasons.
I've made three 1 week trips in less than a year to Bonaire. I will be going back in Oct 2002. I miss Bonaire.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Andy Keely on Thursday, January 17, 2002 - 3:27 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I'm sure that you'll find one of 'em will be only be too pleased to supply you a pink one with a nice little carrying strap, Matt.
That way, you'll be able to use it to hold your cosmetics etc in while you're minceing about topside on the island & not just for diving.
Neat idea, eh?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mary Jane Phillips on Thursday, January 17, 2002 - 2:53 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

My husband and I will be taking our first trip to
bonaire next week. Found this sight about two weeks ago. Thanks to all for the great info. We are coming down to windsurf so pray for wind! Happy diving Kelli.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Matt Evans on Thursday, January 17, 2002 - 6:56 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Andy you are so right. My only concern is that the pink might clash with my fins.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kelli Helms on Thursday, January 17, 2002 - 8:14 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Wow!

If everyone on the island is as nice as all of of you here no wonder you all are so crazy for this place.

I thank you all for the wonderful responses, it really filled in alot of the blank spaces!

A Bonaire Talkers shindig would be fantastic, we would love to meet up with some folks and share the experiance.

Laurie, I'm sorry but Kevin and I have only one kid each....each other!

Jake...if you and Linda would care to do dinner one night, let's meet up!

Andy...thanks for making me laugh!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jake Richter - NetTech on Thursday, January 17, 2002 - 9:51 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Kelli,

When are you coming down?

Jake

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Andy Keely on Friday, January 18, 2002 - 3:56 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

You're going to have to let us all into the secret of how you manage to keep your weight down, Jake?
The number of dinner invitations you get makes your current shape (that of a well honed racing snake) an impossibility in my eyes!
Maybe you secretly shovel half your plates contents into a bag under the table, to supplement the daily cart load of canine fodder required by the ever growing Grendel, back home?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Martin de Weger on Friday, January 18, 2002 - 3:39 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Andy, IF you would have joined us at It rains fishes, you would not have asked.... :)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Andy Keely on Friday, January 18, 2002 - 5:22 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Well?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Martin de Weger on Friday, January 18, 2002 - 6:05 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I know Jake eats almost as much as I do, but he doesn't seem to have a nice "zwembandje" like myself. And Grendel eats a lot, but it sure ain't coming from Jake's plate....

(and if you wonder what a zwembandje is, just guess.....) ;)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Andy Keely on Saturday, January 19, 2002 - 2:20 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Sausage? Martin.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Scott on Saturday, January 19, 2002 - 7:28 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

dutch for "package"? nay?

tampa to schipol for $269!

going to have to book this one

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Andy Keely on Saturday, January 19, 2002 - 7:46 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Sounds a bargain Dave...of course though, I'm assuming that the above figure's what the Dutch folk are paying for the privilege of your company?
Any chance of making a guest appearance over here at the same time? It's just a 40 minute "hop" from Schiphol across to Norwich, my local airport.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Scott on Saturday, January 19, 2002 - 7:48 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Lord Keely, stop with the little smiley faces already. your stuff is so much better when it seems to be a bit more caustic :)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Andy Keely on Saturday, January 19, 2002 - 10:28 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

You're right of course...I was simply attempting to portray myself as everybodys best pal (which of course, I am).
After you were paranoid enough to believe that I was Mr Wahliq in the "Anyone know anything about Fiji" thread under the "Everything Else" heading, I figured that I was due for a character make over. Hence the new, nice guy image

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Scott on Thursday, January 24, 2002 - 12:44 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Gees mr wahliq, paranoid, heck I'm more of a Hexinoid. I still think you're best whilst taking flack. Schiphol, thanks for the correct spellin, that extra h in there makes it so much easier to pronounce. We (as in wife & I) may well make the trip in late May. Thinking about going up to Denmark and putz around, but the image of the great steaming dung piles of Norwich beckons, can we go that far and not see this wonder of our modern age?

maybe.

now go take the dog test.

 


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