This was my second trip to Bonaire. It was awesome diving and great dive sites that were easy to get to and access via the rental trucks provided.

We stayed at the Yacht Club Apartments that provided a very nice and clean facility with what appeared to be ample security. A guard came on all night to watch over us and there were many locks to access the facility. The rooms were clean and well appointed and spacious. All in all a fantastic little resort. Parking was available off street for our rental trucks and there was a pool and many exterior and interior patios and places to do some surface intervals.

The dive operator that we chose was WANNA DIVE out of Eden Beach Resort. These guys were very helpful and friendly and actually a joy to spend time with. They went out of thier way to make you feel comfortable and helped at any time when asked. The operation was smoothly run and the boat diving was safe and fun, even on some rather windy and "bumpy" days as they called the seas on those days. This dive operation comes highly recommended and (if we ever return) I would use them again and again. Thanks guys!!! We even were able to dive the Town Pier on Wednesday night. (only 4 people had that thrill from Wanna Dive!) - Highly recommended if you can do it!!! WOW, one of the best dives of my life!

Some great dive sites were 1000 steps, Invisibles, Cliff

ONE horrible spot on the trip was having our hotel broken into on the last night (March 11 between 8:30pm and 9:15pm) and loosing laptop computers and camera gear. They did not touch the dive gear but computers and cameras were what they were looking for. Lost all of our photos, my dive log, passport and everything else on my computer.... insurance covered it but the memories (including 6 years on my log!!!) and photos, etc. are gone forever. This is the second time in Bonaire and the second time with a theft. The suspect in this case (name removed by moderators).

So be careful and watch your gear but the diving and the island people are very nice and very helpful and actually wonderful to be with. One of the best vacations I have ever had.... minus the theft... but great nonetheless.

If anyone finds my LOG book (it is a zippered log book with my name and address inside (Michael King)) I would gladly pay a reward for its return as it also has my 13 year old daughters handwritten logs. ALSO if you do find a Toshiba M35-359 laptop with my photos on it... god, I would like those photos back too...not just Bonaire but the last few years with my daughter!

Hi Michael,

Sorry to hear this news. I don't quite get how you know the name of the suspect unless he was caught with your things or in the act? Or is just your gut feeling about this individual? Your post does not clarify the validity of your accusation of him. Leaves me thinking there is more to this story than meets the eye.

I hope your things turn up and you are reunited with them in the future.

Mike - from one San Diegan to another (though I'm living in Birmingham now), so sorry to hear about the theft of your irreplaceable photos of you and your daughter - I feel that personally (my daughter is still in SD). The other stuff represents a considerable loss too (even with insurance there's the deductibles and the time to take care of claims and replacements) - so regret all your loss. You have a mighty fine attitude though, and you saw through the thievery to the charms of Bonaire and Bonarians. Thanks for the report - you help all BT readers to keep their guards up when they are on island.

Mike, Please tell us how you know the name of the suspect? Was he arrested?

I was with Mike and here's my $.02 about it.

The theft: One of our single women met a guy at a bar and brought him to the Apts (error # 1). He was nice and all, but kept showing up every night after that supposedly "looking for her" - while he was almost barging into our rooms and scanning the rooms. This should have raised a flag in our brains (error # 2). On our last night, when we all left for the "last night on the town because we can't dive anymore" dinner - we were robbed within 1/2 hour. It appears they climbed the wall by the parking lot and gained entry through the patio. Several laptops, camera equipment, video housing (sans the back-plate, the idiot), and other small items were taken. It appears when one of the group returned, this stopped them/him in the middle of the theft, for there was PLENTY of other stuff sitting around waiting to be packed. We got a little "comfortable" and didn't lock up everything as usual (error #3). And just before we left for that dinner, he showed up stating to go to some bar to party. We told him we were going to dinner and maybe we'd meet up later (error #4 - he knew we'd be out). The reason we think it's this guy that dated our friend that night? The cops knew who we were talking about right away - he's suspected in several other robberies. (OK, this is speculation, but all things point to him, so here's who he is - but no name). text removed by moderator Anyways, just beware that theft occurs ANYWHERE there. Always be prepared, and GET INSURANCE!!! I luckily bought the DAN H2O insurance and they've already helped out!! No, insurance can't replace the pictures but it takes a little of the sting away. I lost over 500 pictures myself, including an untold number from when I bought my first house and all of the renovations as I did to it.

Oh yea, as of today - no notice from the police nor anyone about any arrest or progression of the investigation. I assured the investigator that I would fly back to witness if needed. And of course do some diving... ;-)

Just wanted to let everyone know that the suspected thief has not worked for the UnNamed resort for a bit over 8 months. This came from the manager of the said resort.

Hi Dave & Mike,

Just curious, as YC was on my personal short list of resort choices for the next visit, do the patio doors lock? Not that a lock is going to stop a ne're-do-well of course.

I'm still a BIG believer in horse-dragging the culprits following by a LONG ride out in the deep blue sea in a leaky canoe.

Randy,

The YC is a great place to stay... yes, the locks work and there are many layers of locks with gates, outside doors, inside doors and there is also a night guard on the site.

We just got a little lax in our vigilance and felt a little too complacent.

It is a great place and I highly recommend it.

Totally agree with the culprits fate as you describe.

Randy, Yes, everything was lockable. We locked the gate and other doors, but got complacent about the patio door... Who'd think "spider-man" would crawl up the wall right in the parking/courtyard area?

YC is well worth it. Nice quiet property and close to everything. FYI - the ladies there like candy! (Think bribery! - right Hilde and Elly?) ;-)

Love the "horse-dragging"!!! We had quite a similar dream about if/when the culprit is brought to justice...

Horse dragging is simply MY concession to "Political Correctness" these days.

My ACTUAL thoughts lend more to a short rope and a tall tree. And considering the previously stated comments about Bonarian Police Efficiency being a multi-oxymoron, I would think the local rope owning citizenry would have little to fear.

But that's just me. I guess a nice drag or two thru the Donkey Preserve is an acceptable alternate.

We stayed at the Yacht Club during 3/23-3/30/05. Had no problem, but we questioned the effectiveness of the night watchman.

But don't blame yourself too much about leaving your patio door unlocked. I had to break into our apartment from the patio and it was easy. Turns out they had a good lock on the bedroom door but had no key for it--so of course we got locked out. This was Easter weekend (Friday, I recall) and no management was around. So I went out on the patio, unscrewed the screen window frame (it had been cut previously), then pivoted the glass window and popped it out. Took 5 minutes with a bad screw driver and I was inside. Our place backed up to the street, so no one could see what was going on if a thief did this.

(I know I am giving a hint to possible thieves, but they really should fix security at this place AND get keys to all the rooms.)

I kinda wondered about the night watchman as well. When we left the next morning after the robbery, @ 5AM, he was nowhere to be found. I walked around the complex, looked for his little radio or TV (whatever it is he keeps at the table), and couldn't find him.

As for security, yes all locks need to be keyed and/or repaired. But it still comes down to, if a burglar wants what you have, they will break in some way and get it.

Just sad that it's so common on Bonaire that it's being accepted as the "norm" - from what I can tell.

Mike and Dave

Do you really expect us to believe that the person you are accusing of robbing you would actually tell you his name and employment information? It sounds to me like you are accusing the wrong person. You really should be certain before you write accusations about someone on this discussion board for all to see. I can assure you that my friend is NOT the person that robbed you. I would appreciate it if you would please retract your statements and refrain from any future accusations.

LoriP, I will not retract mine. He is my prime suspect for too many reasons - from the police, employment history, locals knowledge of him, his personal choices towards relationships (which I will not go into here) and his mannerisms around us before and after the theft. It all points to someone acting just like he did. He may be guilty or innocent, but if I was the investigator or had the power to push things - he would be my first stop.

BT is a forum where we can share our thoughts, and those are mine.

LoriP, I will also not retract mine either. When we named him the Police Detective already knew him and based on new information that I have from others on the island... Sorry, he is not the nice fella you want us to believe he is. He might have you convinced but based on what I know from first hand observations and have heard from reputable sources (Police, Previous Employers, etc ) he will NEVER convince me. He is the prime suspect in my mind.

I have posted this and other messages to get people to think and take precautions... and I have done what I set out to do. I am also sending emails to officials to maybe help them to understand. These are my thoughts and I will not stop letting them be known. I loved visiting the island and having a few bad eggs ruin it for others is just wrong.

To Michael I know it is too late this time, but always back up all data, photos etc even on a
trip. Places like Chat and Browse have inexpensive
computer time. Use a thumbdrive or card reader and
copy important data daily. Also I never travel with
anything I can't replace easily. I never stay in a
place that doesn't have a good safe. I get the info
on the type of safe and capacity before booking.

All good, solid advice Charlie, Welcome to BT.

Charlie, I know, I know... my bad... I should have backed up the photos during the trip. The computer was backed up at home and has been reinstated on my new laptop. The sad thing was that I was about to make CD's of the photos but we decided to go to dinner first and that is when the burglary occured.... BUT ... I know the lesson now and will be very vigilant at backing up daily.... I have a thumbnail drive on my keychain and a DVD Writer in my new laptop. Great advice tho Charlie... and that advice is taken! Thanks... Michael

Well, I got a call from a technician at a computer store on Curacao. It appears that my laptop showed up at the store with the person dropping it off trying to get the "password" taken off so they could use the laptop. The technician got the password off and then looked at the hard drive and found my information and called me at work a few days ago. My photos are still on there as no one could turn on the computer. He is making copies of the Bonaire photos that were on there from 4 different people and FedEx them to me on CD's.... OHG this is the greatest thing!!!!! It is soooooo nice to know that nice people are all over!!!!! Willo is a great guy! I am going to get my photos and so are the other 3 who used my laptop to store theirs as well!!! I hope there is a way I can get my laptop back as well. Not sure how it works in N.A. returning stolen merchandise but I hope I get it back... Thanks Willo for really looking.... HAPPY BOY HERE!!!!

Michael,

That is great news!! Keep us informed about the progress in getting your laptop back. Did you file a police report?

Belinda

Good news.

I hope that the computer store reported this to the police. And that the police will follow up actively. It would be nice to stop the transfers from Bonaire-- very little market on Bonaire.

Be sure to let us know any further events.