I have been foolin' around with Photoshop trying to turn my snapshots into Picasso's and it just isn't working. So I will put that off for another day. Here are some other tidbits from our trip.
Truck Rental - After reading some of the problems associated with car & truck rentals in Bonaire I decided to get the max insurance on the vehicle and hope for the best. We checked prices on trucks and found a nice Chevy S10 four door truck with A/C and manual tranny for $287 from Hertz. This is before any additional insurance. The CDW was $11 per day and theft $3 per day. Extra driver $5 per day.
At the car rental shops I saw some pretty beat up vehicles for rent and was concerned we would get one of these. To my surprise we got a newer model truck with everything working. Only problem (minor) was that the cleaning guy was off sick and the truck was somewhat dirty. I didn't even complain about that and the Hertz rep gave us a 10% discount for taking the truck without it being cleaned. Saved another $26 or so. I asked what was their policy regarding locking the truck and was informed the insurance required the vehicle to be locked so we locked it up every time.
We didn't go on any remote diving/snorkeling ventures so we were not in a situation where the truck was left at a parking area out of view from others. Didn't have any problems with tampering with the truck. Never left anything in the cab though. Overall the truck was just fine with no problems and we did get the discount when it was returned. We did park in the public parking area in Kralendijk and at the DIVI while visiting the casino for several hours at a time and never experienced any problems.
Casino - At the present time the only casino open is at the DIVI. We went to the Plaza and the casino had a sign on the door saying closed for maintenance but the locals said mismanagement. As for the DIVI casino it is very small by US standards but very comfy. Probably about 60 slots and a few tables. We basically play the slots and hope for the best and did OK overall. My wife likes the penny/nickel games and won $83 on a penny game on her birthday which made her day. I was not so lucky. Tried all of the quarter machines and didn't do very well.
Drinks are free while you are playing but seems to take a long time waiting for someone to come by so I found if you go up to the bar window yourself and give the bartender a little tip he will gladly serve you as often as you wish - and he makes pretty good drinks.
On our anniversary (33rd) a few nights later we both donated and had very little luck (at the casino) but played for quite awhile.
The night before coming home my wife insisted we go back for another try and I just wanted st stay at the Sorobon and pack. Of course we went back to the DIVI. She didn't do very well but this was to be my night. I had my eye on the dollar machines (all three of them) and decided to give it a go. I saw someone walking away with a couple buckets of dollars and tried them. The middle machine paid off after about $30 invested to a tune of $160 and the Triple Diamond two-coin machine (to the right of the middle machine) paid off about $360 after about $40 invested. I decided this was about the best I could expect to do and said goodby to the bartender and left.
It is interesting to see the local folks at the casino. Since they all know each other they have a great time visiting with each other while playing. I find the people of Bonaire to be very special people.
FOOD! - We don't go to fancy French restaurants but we also try to stay away from fast food. We enjoy a good meal and pleasant atmosphere but are not super critical of everything around us. We were on vacation to relax and enjoy what Bonaire had to offer and not nitpick everything apart. Overall I was very impressed with the food and service we received while in Bonaire. Some of the meals were absolutely outstanding and a few just OK but I always cleaned my plate.
If I say more about one restaurant than another in no way reflects on the quality of the food - just my ability to remember details. If my wife was writing this report she would remember what we wore, who sat next to us, name of waiter, etc. but you are stuck with me.
Sugarbird at the Sorobon - This is their 20th anniversary and gave us a complimentary dinner for two at their Sugarbird restaurant. The anniversary meal is seafood soup, chicken breast and veggies (I think) and dessert. They forgot to mention that they also serve the best fresh rye bread with dinner I have ever had. Wonderful dinner! Being from the midwest I don't order fish soup but it was delicious. Chicken with a light white sauce very good and dessert hit the spot. I only wish we had gone back for another dinner.
DIVI - Dinner. I had blackened red snapper and Sheila has grilled red snapper. We had a very nice table overlooking the water. Service was very good and the food was excellent. We would like to have dinner here again.
I have read many comments about slow service in general on Bonaire, but we had no complaints with service anywhere. Whenever we needed something we simply signaled the waiter/waitress and were immediately taken care of.
DIVI - Lunch. Back to the DIVI for lunch one day. Good meal relaxing by the water. Sorry the details are escaping me.
Rib Factory - Lunch. We split a full rack of ribs and nachos. Didn't know if we were really hungry enough to pig out but let me tell you this food was great. Outstanding ribs. I'm getting hungry all over again just thinking about it. Nachos were also fine. Wish we had more time to go back for dinner. Look at the sign at the top of the steps to the restaurant - I want that sign! I would love to have that sign at our campground restaurant! Asked the waiter if it was for sale and he said they could sell dozens of them as so many people have asked about it.
Kon Tiki - Dinner. I had the mixed seafood dinner which was shrimp, red snapper, and wahoo. Sheila had wahoo. The shrimp and red snapper were terrific but the wahoo was overcooked or something. Sat outside and enjoyed the breeze.
Richards - Dinner. We heard good things about Richards and wanted to try it. I had swordfish grilled and Sheila had shrimp scampi. Both dinners were very good. Beautiful location on the water. I asked for rum & coke and the bartender suggested an Argentine rum instead of the usual and it was very good. Wish I remembered the brand. I wish we could get seafood like this in midwestern USA. I am getting tired of cod.
Lion's Dive Resort - Lunch. We were checking out this resort for future possibilities and had to have lunch here. Really wanted to go here for dinner but were running out of time. The special was a blackened salmon sandwich. I have acquired a taste for blackened fish but generally do not get too excited about salmon. I decided to have the blackened salmon anyhow and let me tell you it was great! Just enough seasoning, not too much, and the salmon was so fresh. Sheila had a BLT with shrimp which sounded strange to me but she loved it. Now I guess we will be having shrimp with our BLT's at home. Wait staff very personable. I wish we had more time to come back for dinner.
Coco's (I think) - Dinner. I think this place is generally a lunch spot but we were hungry and decided to give it a try for dinner. They had a T-Bone special for $13 at dinner time and the price swayed me. I had the T-Bone dinner and Sheila had tacos. Steak was delicious but a bit tough and her tacos were fine. They had a live three piece band that was strolling through the restaurant. Two guitars and a trumpet. You could only experience this in Bonaire. Fun to watch but don't get too close to the trumpet.
It Rains Fishes - Dinner. Since everybody on Bonaire serves Wahoo I decided I had to try it once more. First time it wasn't that great. Of course it was the 'Catch of the day' at It Rains Fishes. So I ordered Wahoo and Sheila had shrimp scampi (she wasn't as daring as I was). Well let me tell you it was sooo good! I can't believe it was the same fish we had earlier in the week. I decided to have it grilled, not blackened. I asked Sheila if she would like to try it but after I had my first bite I was not so willing to give any of it away. It was absolutely terrific! I hope they open a chain restaurant in our town. Her shrimp scampi was also very good. Very good dinner. Too bad it was our last night on Bonaire. Can't wait to get back to this place.
Captain Don's - Lunch. We stopped here hoping for lunch but were too late for lunch and too early for dinner - what to do? They were still serving pizza and we were hungry so decided to give it a try. The pizza was very good - another one of those things small town Wisconsin doesn't do very well. We really enjoyed this meal and once again the wait staff was fun and service very good.
Boy, am I hungry after writing this. I guess I will have to go have a snack and do the pictures another time.
All kidding aside, we had a wonderful trip to Bonaire and enjoyed the hospitality of the people and quiet relaxing atmosphere. Remember, we are guests in their home. No place is perfect but exercising a little common sense goes a long way.
I will try to get pictures posted tomorrow if I don't have to help with the laundry...
Later,
Tom |
By Tom Whitney (BonaireTalker - Post #29) on Monday, August 30, 2004 - 12:43 am: 
