We should have started our trip on 2-11 but like so many other BTers, we had airline problems too. Our flight left JFK at 12:30PM - right on time. After 45 minutes into the flight the pilot makes an announcement that he is having mechanical problems & we would be returning to JFK. So the pilot turns the AA Airbus around & heads back to the airport - hopefully being able to fix the "problem". Upon landing we were greeted by a fleet of emergency vehicles along with numerous fire trucks. The pilot had alerted the passengers that this was only "precautionary" as we had a full tank of fuel & it is more difficult landing with a full load then with not a full load! This really reassured us (hmmmmm) So, for a not so serious problem we all had to disembark & finally left 7 hours later - destination San Juan. Our connecting flight was at 6:30 PM to Bonaire so AA put all passengers up overnight. The next flight was not until 6:30 PM the next day so Les & I spent the day walking around Old San Juan. We did take off at the scheduled time & arrived in Bonaire at the scheduled time - how lucky is that?
Upon arriving & waiting for our bags, I went outside to try to find Debbie Babcock (Debbie had previously e-mailed me saying that she would meet us at the airport w/Amstel Brights). So I saw this very nice lady sitting at the terminal with a cooler next to her & (sort of) recognized her from her profile pic. I asked if her name was Debbie - she said "yes" so after hugs & saying how great it was for her to meet us she totally blew me away with:

After all this excitement I had forgotten that my husband was still in the terminal waiting for our bags - oops! Out he comes with as many bags as he could possibly handle & asked me what I was doing - answer: Drinking Amstel Brights with Debbie, of course! So after some more hugs, we got the rest of our luggage.
How cool was that to be greeted at Flamingo Airport by a fellow BTer with Amstel Brights?
We stayed at the Plaza & thoroughly enjoyed everything about it. Good location, good food & a very friendly staff.
Les is the diver & I snorkel & this location had a great house reef for snorkeling. Toucan Diving (at the Plaza) were a great bunch too - their boats were well kept as well as all their equipment. Les didn't actually get diving until the 13th (afternoon dive only) because all their dives were booked until then. He was avoiding the shore diving because he has back problems & thought that like most other islands you would have to trek quite a distance from the road to the water - he was so surprised to see how convenient the shore diving is on Bonaire - so nex year will be different.
I really wanted to get to Bongos so on the 14th we decided to take a walk. About 3 miles later we arrived at Bongos - hot & parched. It's amazing that their beach is so small - very deceiving from the web cam shots, but a nice place.
Relaxing after our trek

We did make up signs to post but I don't think we waited long enough to get "captured" by the cam's (this too we will fix next year). Freddie did pick up one shot from the cam of us walking - thanks Freddie - you don't miss a trick. So after a couple of OJ's we were on the road again, back to the Plaza. Another point for next year: rent a truck.
On Tuesday, 2-15 we did an island tour to the Donkey Sanctuary



Visited the salt flats:

More to come.....
Judy

So for the images:

So for the images:


Thank you Debbie

Hey Debbie - thanks

Donkey Sanctuary

Think I had to pic's too big -- eeks!

On Tuesday evening Debbie & Gregg picked us up at the Plaza & we were headed to Gibi's for dinner.
Pat Murphy presented everyone there with:

Some pic's of the group:
Beverly & Holly

Les, Debbie, Gregg
Renee & Liz
Mr. & Mrs. Gibi

Dinner was absolutely fantastic - goat stew, chicken stew, beef stew, various fish entrees & plenty of Amstel Brights! Gibi's homemade desserts were extraordinary. Gibi & his wife are such warm wonderful people - I just can't say enough about their hospitality, cooking and welcoming us into their home.
Judy
Fish pic's to come
I think I've got it now!

Cool report so far Judy...love the pics and glad to hear your little overnight in San Juan worked out so well! Looking forward to more!! Thanks!

Great report Judy

Ther plane thing would have scared the h**l out of me....I hate flying at the best of times...

Judy!

Great trip report so far, can't wait to see more pictures. I can't wait till we meet again next year in Bonaire! You and Les are fun to be with and I am glad that you remembered your camera! I just wish we had the underwater camera when Les, Gregg and I went diving on the south side and that turtle came out of nowhere and made a bee-line for Les! That would have been some pic! We enjoyed our time with you guys and for sure will do it again next year! We will see who gets to Bonaire first next year to meet the other with some Brights! Debbie

Judy,
Great report, Cant think of a better way to start a Bonaire adventure, Ah with a cold Bright right at the airport. Great pictures ..
Matthew

Judy - great trip report!!!

Now I need to remind my buddy to great me at the airport with a couple of cold Brights!! LaDonna if you read this - HINT!!HINT!!!

For other BT'ers who may be going to Gibi's yet this month, Pat Murphy may have few of the buttons left; I gave him the rest of what was remaining before we came home.

Chet, I believe we have you to thank for making those buttons. Thanks so much, a very nice momento of BT at Gibi's and we all felt special! Nice touch. Debbie

Chet - didn't realize you were responsible for the Buttons - what a great idea - thanks so much.
They certainly did make us all feel "special"
Judy

Thanks for the report, Judy, and thanks for persisting on posting the pics! I love living vicariously!

Here is the full set:

Thank-you for your report and pics!