In the beginning, we wanted to celebrate our anniversary and winter break in Belize. The cost of vacationing there seemed too expensive for what we wanted, so I started searching on the net and discovered http://infobonaire.com/. As I searched for a place to stay, I stumbled upon Lagoen Hill Bungalows, which had an ideal package for us from Atlanta. I think I started planning our trip in May or June and preparations were all made in the Internet. Cora Held from Lagoen Hill and I had lots of correspondence back and forth. I thank her for helping to make our decision to stay there for our first (not last) trip to Bonaire. Arrangements were made through Lagoen for accommodations, rental car (through AB Car Rentals), and airfare from Atlanta to Jamaica to Bonaire. Airfare from Denver to Atlanta was purchased through a great site http://www.bid4vacations.com/. I've found them to be the most cost-effective when booking reservations on line (if you have plenty of lead time!!). Even though we are non-divers, non-snorkelers (but not for long!!), we knew we wanted an island vacation and were really pumped up about Bonaire from an article "Is this really Bonaire?" from the June/July 2000 issue of Caribbean Travel and Life.

Flights from Denver to Bonaire went off without a hitch. The Air Jamaica flight was late leaving Montego Bay for Bonaire and late leaving for Atlanta, but so what?? We were on vacation with no time constraints!! When we arrived at Flamingo Airport we went directly to AB Car Rental where we were given the keys to a Daewoo Minivan and followed a driver to Lagoen Hill (nice amenity!). Even though Lagoen Hill is inland, we enjoyed our stay there immensely. The stargazing from our outdoor patio was absolutely fantastic and we viewed fireworks each night from the airport area, downtown, and from the traffic circle by larger resorts.

Somehow we were upgraded from a 1-bedroom bungalow to a 2-bedroom house! This house had everything-fully-equipped kitchen (full-size everthing-fridge, microwave, coffeepot, blender, etc.), tv, cd player, washing machine, AC/fans, chairs for the beach, and even one of those liquid plug-in mosquito repellants! (We had used those when we lived in Bogota, so fortunately, we knew we should use it if it was there!!) We awakened each morning to goats roaming and bleating beyond our fenced-in backyard and serenaded by the loras and parakeets flying by and landing on the abundant cacti.

Our first full day we drove on every marked paved highway to get a feel for the island with the exception of the highway from dive spot #7 (Karpata) south-we didn't know it was one way (not marked on the map!!) We both experienced de ja vu as we traveled through Rincon, which reminded us of many small villages in Colombia. Gotomeer was incredible-our first real look at flamingoes since 1985 (we had traveled to Kenya and saw 2 million flamingoes feasting at Lake Nakuru-we understand they are no longer there as the lake is dried up). Please note that our Daewoo minvan serviced us well-even through the bumpy roads of Washington Slagbaai National Park a few days later.

I should mention the phone issue. We opted not to purchase a cell phone for a week (not sure why, but should have). Instead, we went to TelBo to purchase a phone card for the week to use locally. The only problem with that was that we could not call from our house, but had to find a pay phone. We didn't need to make that many calls, but wanted to make reservations for sailing, kayaking, New Year's dinner, etc. Also, we had to call "home" once to respond to a please call your daughter, but it's not an emergency type of call. She became engaged on her 28th birthday, which was December 30-the day we stood in front of Jake and Linda's street cam! To make that call we traveled into town to Captain Don's Habitat where the night attendant placed an 800 call for our MCI calling card for a $3.00 fee. Earlier in the evening we had tried to make the 800 call ourselves but nothing would go through. We later found out through the Lagoen Hill office that in order to make an 800 call you have to change the 800 to 300!!!! No where in any information is that noted!!

Also, the first day, we stocked up at Cultimara-a great shopping experience. This trip reminded us of our trips to Carulla in Bogota. We found everything we needed. The only food-type stuff we brought from home was coffee beans (plus grinder) and oatmeal for breakfast. We ate breakfast in, lunch on the road (exceptionally delicious fresh-baked bread and Gouda from Holland + we found our favorite Chilean wine). Many of the restaurants we wanted to try were closed over the holiday + New Year's, so we made a couple of pasta meals at home. Restaurants we did enjoy during our stay were The Beefeater (we were attacked by mosquitoes or jen-jen or an insect of some sort, but the food was scrumptious), De Tuin (mostly for liquid refreshment-Amstel Bright and an internet connect or two), being served by Santa Claus at the Garden Café for a mouth-watering Lebanese meal ( I could and sometimes do eat hummus every day); and a delectable Italian dinner in a restaurant (can't remember the name but it looked like a pirate's cabin) overlooking Karel's Bar.

E and I visited Pink Beach every day for sun, surf, and relaxation. We also tried Bachelor's Beach, but found it had too much traffic noise. We spent four hours on the road and off the road at Washington Slagbaii National Park-what a delight. Cora Held (Lagoen) had given us a little travelogue prior to our leaving for the park and told us what not to miss. She was right on! We thoroughly enjoyed stopping at all of the beaches, the lighthouse (where we saw our first iguana who enjoyed the raisins!!), and especially Boka Slagbaii-I thoroughly enjoyed the surf but was immensely fascinated with the storks, egrets, flamingoes, pelicans, etc. Can you believe that some visitors drive through the park without ever stopping and say all they saw was cacti?????? We truly enjoyed all the bountiful nature the park has to offer-the bird watching was tremendous and I'm not even a bird lover!!

One day we made arrangements through Discover Bonaire to go on a half day kayaking trip at Lac Bay and along the coastal waters and through the mangroves. Our naturalist was Valaria--a lovely forever spirit-does anyone know Valaria's last name? She drives a burgundy pickup truck and has a black dog named Eclipse. We shared so much in common; I have a book I need to mail to her. The kayaking trip will be a throughout eternity special memory! First of all, I was so excited that we did it-I'm not at all a water person but hope to become one in my next life. I wonder how I will combine returning as a sherpa and a swimmer??? While kayaking we were able to hold sea cucumbers and jellyfish-WOW! Through the naked eye and with help from the viewer at times, we were able to see so many creatures-the water was very clear. We viewed oysters, mussels, needle fish (my favorite that day); snapper, numerous schools of unidentifiable silver fish; lots of turtle grass (I was dismayed not see a turtle, of course), and on and on. I recommend this trip to everyone! Had we known it was going to be so glorious, I would have taken an all day trip.

Of course, one of the most special events was the New Year's Day party at Jake and Linda's house. We appreciated meeting all of the very special people who love Bonaire. We thought it interesting that almost everyone we asked how long they had been on Bonaire the answer was three years. This makes me wonder what was so magical about three years ago. Also, on that day we had arranged for a sunset sail on the Samur-what a delight!! We enjoyed meeting Captain Richard and hearing his stories.

As with any place that we travel, the people and the culture becomes a part of our soul. We definitely want to return one day and investigate what we missed the first time. If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to write!!
Love and Namaste,
BJ

Superb trip report, BJ. Your perspective is wonderful. It isamazing how three years ago so many people fell in love with Bonaire. We were on that cosmic time-table ourselves, and will be there for the fourth time this spring.

BJ sounds like you had a delicious adventure! I remember well the chatter of the parrots at Lagoen Hills in the morning. And those goats! Sleeping in the road at night - enough to scare the daylights out of you until you get used to them! Did that nasty dog chase your car everytime you passed on the way to Lagoen - that took some getting used to also!?!

So glad you had a great vacation and that it whetted your appetite for the wonders under the waves!

BJ: What a superb trip report! Now that the island has you hooked, I am sure that we will see you there many times in the future.
I was intrigued by your mentions of Bogota and Colombia, the towns, and going to Carulla. I spent a good bit of time in Colombia and also in Venezuela, but haven't been back in way many years. It is not the best of times to be there now. When and how did you find yourself there?

Hearing your trip made me smile today :) masha danki, BJ!! You cann't really apprecate some of the things we say here until you've been there and then you know that special place that is Bonaire and want to return again. Glad you had a great time!!

Robert: Thanks for your message! Ernie and I were in Bogota 1994-1996 teaching school at Gimnasio Fontana, a private, bilingual Colombian school. I had never taught before and taught ESL (English as a Second Language) to 5th and 6th graders. Previously, I had worked for 24 years as a secretary for Marathon Oil Company in Ohio and Colorado. I had topped out of my salary schedule, earned my undergrad in international business, and decided to get out (took a downsizing package in '94) to try something different. Education is surely that!! I love it!! This is only my third year teaching second grade in North America. We absolutely loved Colombia while we were there--have lots of great stories, memories, and made everlasting friendships. You are right--we wouldn't want to be there now!! Next month Ernie (he teaches high school international baccalaureate European history) and I are going to Cambridge, MA to attend a job fair for international schools. Japan is looking good (Hokkaido International School in Sapporo). Also, there are openings in Caracas--just 50 miles from Bonaire! Wish us luck!! What were you doing in Colombia????

BJ: I'm born in Venezuela of oil company ex-pats who left Connecticut to spend 30+ years there starting in '46 (talk about taking a leap of faith.) Grew up in Puerto La Cruz...Somehow that all led to my current work with the InterAmerican Development Bank in DC, mixed with years of friendship with a Colombian family (godfather to their daughters)...spent vacations in Bogota (staying in Chia), Pereira, Villa de Leyva, etc. Back when you could just wander around in relative safety...
Japan sounds neat, but my love is Latin America---you could spend a career teaching in the American schools in all the different countries! Best of luck! Sounds exciting!