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Trip Reports: 3rd Time Was Great!
Bonaire Talk: Trip Reports: Archives: Archives 2000 to 2005: Archives - 2004-08-02 to 2005-05-08: 3rd Time Was Great!
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Granger (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Thursday, February 3, 2005 - 5:23 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I have not posted before but I sure appreciate this board for all the valuable information. My family (wife and I plus 2 sons - ages 10 and 13) just returned from Bonaire (1-23 to 1-30). This is our 3rd visit to Bonaire and we again stayed at Belmar.

No pictures to post but I wanted to share some thoughts:

- Belmar is very nice indeed. Very relaxing, friendly iguanas, nice little pool, great office/dive staff and super condos.

- The mosquitoes were effectively handled by bug spray after 5pm. Not too big of a deal (but we used to live in Alaska so we are somewhat used to them).

- Snorkeling was great with 10 trips in 7 days. We saw the usual creatures like octopus (1000 Steps), turtles (Karpata), Baracuda (Salt City) and lots of eels (everywhere). The animal life seemed abundant with lots of juveniles.

- Went night snorkeling at Wind Sock. I still think this is a super snorkeling site - especially in the shallows.

- The boys went windsurfing most afternoons - had two great days of wind. After three years, they are getting the hang of it! Windsurfing is like snow skiing, you have to put in your time during the learning phase and then things are much more enjoyable.

- We ate out 1/2 the time for dinners. But, I am afraid to admit that Subway was frequented the most. Nothing better than a Subway and 2-3 Brights at Belmar watching the sun set. We are simple people!!

- No crime issues.

- We rented a Rav4 from AB Rentals and it was in good shape.

- Air Jamaica was as good as ever!

- I already reserved our Belmar condo for next January. As a family, we like to try new things but we can't pull ourselves away from Bonaire and Belmar. It is so convenient, the snorkeling is awesome and we love the "non-resort" feel of the island. So, we're coming back again!

Thanks again for all the wonderful information!

Bob

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Vince DePietro (BonaireTalker - Post #71) on Friday, February 4, 2005 - 6:26 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Glad to hear it Bob...We're staying at Belmar last 2 weeks in Feb & are greatly looking forward to our stay. Yes there's great food on the island & we eat out quite often, but some of the best is also the simplest a sub (or fried chicken) & an ice cold beer as the sun sets from your terrace!,

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dooger (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #9) on Friday, February 4, 2005 - 12:56 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hey Bob!

You forgot to add that you helped out a helpless group without transport or shelter the day you got in. Wanted to thank you again for that. We ended up having a great trip, too. It was nice meeting you and your family. I have to say we echo alot of the things you mentioned above. Fantastic place!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Granger (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Friday, February 4, 2005 - 1:50 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I am so glad you guys had a good time! Pretty rough start to a vacation but I am glad it all worked out. I still marvel at the fact you were just 2-3 hours late after all the cancellations! I hope to see you again in Bonaire. And, by the way, those beers from Aruba were great!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By DARLENE ELLIS (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1345) on Saturday, February 5, 2005 - 10:44 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Glad you had a great trip! The snorkeling sounded wonderful!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jason J (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #5) on Saturday, February 5, 2005 - 10:55 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Bob, Ditto what dooger said. You gave me a ride to the phone that night. Thanks so much and your wife too, even running down bug spray for the girls while they waited. You both really helped out without hesitation. We took your advice too and hit up windsock for a night dive and also took windsurfing lessons at Lac Bay, great fun. Thanks again.

 


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