TUE OCT 12
We slept in a little longer than usual. All this fun was tiring us out, but we're not complaining! We planned to spend the morning shopping for souvenirs and such, a last day ritual for us. We went to the Olde Inn for breakfast. Don't do it. It was the only meal we had that we didn't care for. Spent a few hours in town, found some great stuff amongst the trinkets and t-shirts!
Having read so much about the Plaza Resort, we elected to spend our final Bonaire afternoon on the beach at 18 Palms. Day use fee for use of the beach and chairs for non-guests was $5.00 pp which we thought was a good deal. They even said we could use the pool if we wanted, but it was really dirty. Very nice resort, friendly staff, but they couldn't take our credit card (said machine was broke) at the Coconut Crash, limiting our consumption of those delicious "Acapulco"s they were concocting at the bar. Bummer, that first round was yummy!
Snorkeled 18 Palms 3 times that day. All the usual aquatic friends were there. Found a big sea cucumber out on the drop-off. Lots of action under the concrete pier in front of the Tipsy Seagull (thought of a snorkel-up bar, probably not a good idea) and over towards the inlet there.
On the beach and in the gardens were the largest iguanas we saw anywhere. Running around on hind legs, climbing trees. They were funny. Back by the dive shop and the fountain were the most, just sunning on the rocks and docks.
Discovering the Banana Tree as we wandered around (no credit card problems here) sat down for an early dinner. Another good meal, with prompt, friendly service from a pair of soft-spoken Dutch gentlemen. Food was very good: club sandwich (Wendy), fried chicken (Jourdan), hot chili chicken-wrap (Scott). A tiny bird and a beautiful grey and gold dove joined us for part of the meal.The timing fit nicely with our plans to top off the whole trip that evening. A night snorkel with Dee!
We finally got to meet her, and just after sunset she gave us her orientation, we suited up (hot in there) and walked down the water front (OK, so thats where the City Cafe is) to just past the Fish House. Where's the fort? I never did see that fort, and must have walked right by it. Dee was not happy when we saw a moray eel laying on the pavement near some fisherman and told them so.
Once in the water it was just amazing. We swam under the Town Pier and it was another world. Quite eerie and a little spooky to some, it was fascinating to me. All the coral was now soft and feathery. A beautiful orange color, its hard to describe. There was a turtle, snoozing among the pillars. Dee showed us lettuce coral, arrow crabs, and christmas tree worms. I can't remember all the creatures, but we loved the elegant way Dee pronounced the scientific and common names. Once in the rocks just yards from the shoreline we saw big lobsters, sea urchins in clumps, and little red-eyed shrimp peering from holes everywhere. Dee identified soapfish, black margate, box jellyfish (watch out for that stinger), and a free-swimming gold-spotted snake eel among many others. Jourdan counted 14 moray eels on the entire swim. After 2 hours in the water we reached the Divd pier. Jourdan declared it her favorite snorkel of the trip! Dee does a great job, go with her if you get the chance.
We stopped at Lovers for ice cream just before they closed. Jourdan and I played in the pool till late that night.
Memorable quote "Find your pace, find your space. Enjoy." - Dee just before leading us under the Town Pier
Trying to get it together for some final thoughts... |
By Scott Huffman (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #9) on Friday, October 22, 2004 - 11:14 pm: 
