Kelly’s Big Girl Adventure
July 19-28, 2004

I went to Bonaire alone this time, and loved it. This was the most relaxing trip I’ve been on yet. Highly recommend it. Sure made me feel like a big girl ;)

My scanner is not working so I can’t post pics. Sorrrrry….

Getting There

Columbus/Atlanta/Aruba/Bonaire. Delta to Aruba, then Bonaire Exel. Made it to Aruba just a few min. late, and missed my Bonaire Exel flight to Bonaire. Had to wait four hours for the next flight, and had to fly standby, so I didn’t know until I was actually ON the plane that I was going to get there. Then on the plane, the pilot comes on and says, “it will be a short 15 min. flight to Curacao.” I almost freaked out. Then he continued and said “with continued service to Bonaire”, but in that split second I truly thought I would never get there. Okay, I’m on the plane, relaxxxxx…. I was so sidetracked I forgot to put on my flamingo hat with the flapping wings during take-off. (Sorry, Jos.)

Apparently, I had quite the welcoming committee, only I wasn’t there to see it! When I finally arrived on the 9 pm flight, Jake was there by himself, but with two icy cold Brights, which I promptly consumed like it was my job. Headed to the new Richter household, and was welcomed by Linda and Bas and Yana, lots of hugs and doggie licks from Blijke and Grendel, I think they missed me. Bas and Yana had put the “party rat” on my bed with a big bow on it’s head. What a great welcome. The kids are growing up so fast. And the Rat lives on.

Only those who “get” Bonaire will understand… but it truly feels like coming home instead of beginning a vacation. I am reminded now of Liz Ginnochio who kisses the tarmac every time she arrives. I completely understand that.

Diving

I dove with Wannadive, of course, since they are a sponsor of the webcams. Eden Beach is a great location, great beach, great bar (Bongos), and very very nice people. Especially helpful were Bob and Paul from Wannadive. Great guys and Bob ALWAYS remembered me and called me by name every time he saw me. I did their unlimited shore dive package. Also, my dive computer was behaving like an adolescent teenage girl, so I had to rent one from them. They had none readily available, so Bob took one from the retail counter, and let me rent it. Checkout dive was great, in front of the webcam. We also saw two frogfish on the dive, one pink and one purple. Very easy to find with Bob’s directions. I also met Thijs (sp?) from Holland who was working there for the summer I think. I wanted to bring him home with me for Stephanie, but he has an equally adorable girlfriend. J

Dive sites – Front Porch, Calabas, Salt City, Angel City, Buddys, 1000 Steps, Oil Slick Leap, Hilma Hooker, and lots of dives at Punt Vierkant with Seb and Mary.

I saw all the usuals, as well as hawksbills, seahorses, and frogfish. Very impressive elkhorn and staghorn corals at Oil Slick Leap too.

I saw three pods of dolphins, one at Eden Beach, and twice at Seb and Mary’s. It was so cool ~ I am hoping some day to actually be IN the water when I see them!

I missed two days of diving due to my ribs being sore (from prior injury) so I just hung out at the house and did nothing. Loved it.

Food

All good, as usual. I had a sunset dinner at Chibi Chibi, Casablanca (twice!), It Rains Fishes, Gibis (twice) and Le Flamboyant. Bad mosquitos at Le Flamboyant, but great food and great atmosphere. I had several dinners by myself, and loved it. This was probably the most relaxing vacation I’ve ever been on. There is something about traveling alone that does wonders for me.

I also had my daily strawberry milkshake from Lovers… it was perfection.

People

I got to dive with Mary Mueller which was fun. She kept me on schedule too, had me out the door usually by 7:30 (which is UNHEARD OF), and doing three dives before noon. We would set out with good intentions, and then end up getting sidetracked, talking, etc.. I called us the “Dawdle Divers”, and said our slogan should be “We are Efficient when we WANT to be”. LOL I also got to spend time with her husband Dirk, and son Bryant. We all got along great and had lots of fun. The webcam antics with the mooning dolls was pretty funny, lots of mask flooding going on from laughing so much.

I met Seb Schuller and Mary Wills on this trip. What can I say about these people… they are amazing. As well as being great dive buddies, they are just extremely interesting to talk with. I kind of imposed on them a lot at their house (Punt Vierkant 38, which is beautiful !) so I owe them a huge THANK YOU. Seb took that great pic of us diving with our thongs on the outside of our wetsuits. J Mary does this impression of a pelican that literally had me in hysterics. The resident pelican at their place was her inspiration – after swooping up a fish, it would try to keep its wings out of the water, like it didn’t want to get its wings wet, and Mary would say “Not the wings! Not the wings!”…. you know ~ I’m realizing as I’m typing this that maybe you just had to be there.. lol

I picked up Barbara Leary and her daughter Alison at the airport. I had a nice sign with “Welcome to Bonaire Barbara and Alison”, and she had “GDLW”. Thank you for that Cynde… it totally cracked me up and we got started off on the right foot! I figured they had been traveling for about 24 hours at that point, so took them straight to Lions Dive (narrating all the way of course). However, once we got them into their room, we decided on a short mini-tour, as they got their second wind! First stop was Lovers for ice cream. Then took them to Jake and Linda’s to meet the animals and see the place.

The next morning, I got to go with Barbara on her first ever ocean dive. It’s so fun to see a new diver be excited about diving, I loved it. We went to Seb and Mary’s place, since the current was pretty strong at Eden Beach. Barbara got to see TWO seahorses on her first dive. Lucky woman! This was the last dive of my trip though… so it was bittersweet for me. Sure wish I would have gotten more dives with Barbara. I made a good friend though and we will definitely see each other again. Soon! Right, Barbara??

I passed the housesitting torch to Wally and Eva the day before I left, and didn’t get to spend enough time with them, either. Loved the time I got though, Wally and his “LIST”, just about cracked me up. This man has traveling down to a science. If you’ve seen his list, you know of what I speak. First stop was at Chat N Browse for cell phone, and then a stop for beer. And when Wally stops for beer, he stops for BEER. He is a man after my own heart. Wally also learned that just because a carton says “2%”, it’s not necessarily milk… I wish I had more time to visit with them. Next time I hope.

On the way to pick up Wally and Eva at the airport, I got a flat tire. First one ever for me in Bonaire. I had Barbara Leary with me, and her daughter Alison. I left Barbara at the airport with the “Wally and Eva” sign, and took Alison with me to Lisa Gas to get the tire fixed… but it soon became too flat to drive on, so we parked and walked to Lisa Gas. Jumped over a little ravine, or I should say I walked across it on the rocks, and Alison jumped over… or tried to… and I heard a loud “squish” noise… she had gotten her foot stuck about ankle deep in MUCK… (mud, slime, and possibly sewage) and had to dig her poor flip flop out of it because it was completely sucked down into there… so she had that filthy whatever-it-was up her legs, and on her arms. I started calling her poopy feet and took a pic for her mother to enjoy it also…. LOL… Alison was such a great sport about it!! While standing watching the guy fix the tire, we realized we were standing in a colony of red ants, too… biting the crap out of our feet! Yikes! But I told her to laugh at what life throws at you because THIS is the stuff trip reports are made of. HA Alison is a DOLL and is a credit to her mother.

I got to spend time with Ann Phelan and Maggie; we met at Jibe City for a visit and hooked up with Mary Mueller and her family, and Ed and Liz Ginnochio. Fun to sit and chat there, it’s a beautiful place. Also had dinner with Ann and Mags at Le Flamboyant, we really had a good time chatting and laughing. Love them both!

The Gibi’s dinners were both a huge success. I got to attend TWO of them this time! I hope I don’t forget anyone… Ed and Liz, Seb and Mary, Mary Mueller, Dirk and Bryant, Nancy and Ben Emerson (from Richmond, VA) and their boys, Benjamin and Taylor, Bud Gillan, Renee from Woodwind, Ellen Muller and Erwin, and Iris and I think her husband is Greg, they were doing their 1000th dive the next day ! I gave them directions to the frogfish at Front Porch… I hope they found them. Met Cindi and Trent Wirth from Columbus, Indiana, and their kids Lauren and Ryan. They were staying two houses down from Seb and Mary.


Summary: Great trip. Can’t wait to get back. J

PS. I will add things as I remember them. lol

OMG Kelly, your report is making my PBD worse!!! (TEP)!!! I am ROTFLMAO thinking of our mini-adventure...can't wait to get back and we must definitely have more dive days together!

Kelly,

Great trip report - I can't hardly wait to see the pictures (hint hint). I can't believe Alison let you forever immortalize "poopy feet" on film - what a great sport!

Belinda

Kelly - was wondering why you were so silent this afternoon!!! You were finishing the trip report!!!

Great job - I too would love to see some of your pics!!!! Hint Hint!!!

Now that you have posted your report - you are shaming me into getting mine done - maybe by the nd of the week!!!!

She is correct we started out on time - I am an morning person and pretty anal about starting on time - but would end up dawdling at each dive - until we put our mind to it and then we became very efficient!!!

Great report, Kelly! I'm also looking forward to seeing the photos!

I'll say one thing: I don't think I've ever seen anyone enjoy themself as much as you seem to be able to, no matter what life throws at you! Maybe some day we'll meet in person on Bonaire and have lots of fun, too!

Great trip report, Kelly. What a fun trip. There is something very liberating about traveling alone. I've only done it once and had a blast.

We need pictures.

We need pictures.

We need pictures.

We need pictures.

We need pictures.

Not only did Alison let me take her picture, but I made the poor girl POINT to the place where her foot got stuck... it's very funny. Barbara, if you have a scanner can you post it?? I sent it to Miss Poopy Shoes.

I just love you guys. BT always makes me smile.

Now I have to clarify something. This was the best alone trip I've ever had. Now, a best trip "with someone" was with Cynde. Love you cactus flower..

TEP TEP TEP

Susan - you really described Kelly to a tee!!! She always has that big smile on her face even when her back was hurting her after she did too much!!!

Cecil - I travel alone a lot for business and sometimes its to exciting places like Brazil or Victoria BC and yes it is liberating doing everything on your own schedule. When my family joins me on trips - I have to remind myself that I am not alone and cannot do just what I want to do!!! Or should I saw they remind me!!!LOL!!!

I will have to find a scanner,Kelly, maybe by tomorrow TEP-BKAM

Barbara, we have to add a "C" into that mix. KC BAM, the Sunshine Girls. Like a disco band. lol

TEP TEP TEP....PAN PAN PAN...Riblet...awe shucks...thanks

I love the poopie feet story, bless Alison, if she kept a smile on her face for crying out loud!

Susan, Kelly is the Queen of "one liners" I don't know where she get's them from but they will keep you in stitches...she even found granola in Puerto Rico....

Cynde Sunshine Signing Out....

Kelly, Great trip report! I know what you mean about being home when you arrive in Bonaire and it is a great feeling!! I am glad that you had such a wonderful big girl experience!!!

I'll add one picture of Mary's (that would be Mary w) pelican!!!

OMG, that's it!!! Not the wings! Not the wings!

Thanks for the great report, Kelly!

W A L L Y ' S L I S T ! ! !
I saved it on my computer. Some things are priceless. :-)

Niki, he had it on the fridge at Jake and Linda's and I was just completely speechless. I love that man! For those of you who aren't familiar with this, it's an excel spreadsheet, color coded and everything... lol

OK, I completely just stole these from Barbara's trip report. LOL But they are still some of my favorite pics.

At least my pics aren't sellable...I would put Wallys on the market...big bucks LOL

Kelly. I really enjoyed reading your report,especially after seeing all your antics on the cams with the girls. You always have me ROTFL. Can't wait to see more pictures. TEP. Annie B.

Wonderful Report! Such an awesome time you all had!!

Great report, Kelly! I can feel the fun just to read it.

I've got one to write, too, and I don't know WHY I keep putting it off! Wish you'd have been there when we were!

Great report, Kelly! The more you are able to return to Bonaire it seems the more one is able to "relax" and sit back a bit and really enjoy her and yourself....don't have that pressure of "have to do this...have to do that"....it's a wonderful place to relax and have great times with old friends you've met down there and new ones you will meet with each trip. It is a wonderful place. PBD is still hitting me and I'm home since June 26.....need to book 2005 soon! Carole

Great trip report Kelly! Thx 4 sharing tyhis with us and thx 4 the entertainment on the cams
Sounds like u girlzzz had a great time...

Pictures pleazzzzzzz

Kelly, great report. I need to try that vacation alone thing. That would be so relaxing. It is so nice that you met up with so many people but still had time for you. Everyone wants pictures! Go to "Meijer" Photo Lab (shameless plug for the store my husband runs) with your film and have them put it on a photo CD. I think it's around $5.00 to have one made. I love the picture of you and Alison, the background is just beautiful.

Two more "borrowed" pics...

I missed my sweetie! (and thanks to Freddie for the info on where to find these bathing caps! lol)




And this is my wallpaper on my computer, so I get to look at it all day.

Kelly..Great report & enjoyed reading it..
Obviously you truly live the saying...When life throws lemons at you, make lemonade" A couple of beers or 2 in between sure help also!

And who could forget..

Kelly,

Great report! Can you give me directions on how to find the frogfish on Front Porch? That was the one thing we did not get to see last year and we are returning in Sept. THANKS!

ok kelly - i promise to take you on a real bonaire dive someday

in the meantime portage may have to do...



oh, and by the way, congrats on your solo adventure - ain't it nice just doing it your way?

later,

Kelly

Great Trip Report, I love the new profile pic, just needs a few Bright's as well though!

Meredith, send me an email and I'll give you the directions.

Hey Kelly Girl....look

Wally

Thanks I feel at home now - 5 weeks to go.

Wally that's just not nice.

I know that beer - I know that spot - and I think I even recognize that knee... lol

Kelly... Nice to read the report! Wish I could have made it in july as well.... But for now, 15 days to wait!

Sistah Kelly, glad you had a great time even on your own. The pic above with the three chairs looks like a great Corona commercial. Your wetsuit still has the pizaz and color that I remember. It was not hard to spot you underwater. Your great smile is also contagious. It's a shame our trips were only one week apart. Would have liked to have done Casablanca with you again and summoned the donkeys with the song of Bonaire.

heeeee hawwwwww. They'll come.

Went to Casablancas by myself both times, and while it was fab-u-lous, it wasn't the same ! lol