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Trip Reports: Trip report May 1-8 (long)
Bonaire Talk: Trip Reports: Archives: Archives 2000 to 2005: Archives - 2005-05-08 to 2005-08-03: Trip report May 1-8 (long)
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tom Brady (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 5:56 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

First a note:
This report is intended as an aid to someone who will be making their first or second trip to Bonaire. I myself appreciated the reports from first timers on this board. I suspect a board “supreme” or “deity” will find some problem in what I report.

If you have not been to Bonaire you owe it to yourself to pay a visit especially if you are a diver. It is more difficult to arrive at this destination – but that is one of the reasons that it is attractive and less spoiled. It is great value and there are few sacrifices that must be made to have a really enjoyable time.

It is my second trip to Bonaire. Last time I was with my diver son in ’99 – pre Lenny. This time I convinced my non-diver wife to join us. I have lived in Saipan, Tokyo, and the USA, and traveled most of the globe. I have over 100 dives, many in the Caribbean. (Just some background that may help you understand my "filters.")

I rented a house through Sunrentals. Josie was a great help in putting together a package for us that included a truck and shore diving. They have a website with photo’s of the properties.
The flight from San Juan (American Eagle) was delayed one half hour. When we arrived we had to wait another half hour to have our baggage unloaded. The weight limit for bags was 70 lbs. Didn’t matter since all our bags were less than 50 lbs. One of the great things about Bonaire is you don’t have to bring a lot of clothes. Since I’m in a swim suit and t-shirt most of the day I just slipped on a nice pair of shorts and polo shirt for dinner. Josie met the plane which was great – would have been better on my first visit when I had no idea how to rent a car or get to my hotel, anyway she was there to make sure that everything went well and escort us to the house. If I were the type to get easily upset I guess I would have been since the first thing that Josie told me was that the place I had reserved, Maggie’s Place, had a problem so I was being shifter to Beaurang Residence. Oh well, have to put my trust in Josie – and all was well.

Beaurang is next door to Richard’s restaurant. Very new, three bedrooms, ocean front, could easily accommodate six people. I highly recommend it. No it was not perfect – the night we got in there was a big party going on two doors down – it happens one a year. The shutters need a mechanism to hold them closed. On the other hand, how perfect to be next to one of the best restaurants in town with the nicest proprietor. Happy hour here we come. Walk to Chibi Chibi. Dive off your private beach. Private dive locker and rinse tank. Outdoor shower. Bedrooms air-conditioned, plenty of hot water in the showers, bathrooms are modern and neat, no bugs (well we did get a few mosquitoes), microwave, coffee maker, and all the other amenities of home.

The second night there we experienced some petty theft. We left 3 beach towels out to dry along with an old swim suit of mine and a pair of my son’s size 15 flip flops. All gone in the morning. Stupid me – I knew better. Certainly it went to someone that needed it (or vandals) because I can’t imagine this stuff has any street value. Reading the log in the house seems that all but one guest had experienced some theft. On one occasion the house was entered when a window was left unlocked. Be smart – don’t leave stuff out and lock up at night and when you go out. My wife was upset – you know the why should this happen to me but she got over it by weeks end.

The diving was great. Yes, there has been damage from Lenny – but not as it bothers the diving. I haven’t found a bad dive in Bonaire. We dove with Bert out of Sunrentals and affiliated with Buddy Dive. He did an excellent overview of the diving in Bonaire – he would be perfect for a first-timer. He came by every day an picked up used tanks and dropped off full ones. Even stopped in mid-week to see if everything was going okay. We tried to visit sites that we had not visited last time – but as I said before they’re all good. We even dove right in front of the house, saw two moray’s and what has to be the world’s biggest crankshaft (with chrome journals) that is anchoring Richard’s boat. I only shore dive in Bonaire as it one of the few places that it is so good and everywhere else I can boat dive. Hop in you truck, short drive to a yellow rock, flip down the gate, gear up, simple shore entry, short swim and you are there – it doesn’t get and easier or more enjoying than this. Dive in the south, middle and north to get the full perspective.

How did my wife pass the time? She sunned herself when we were in the water. She met the other divers as they arrived and then disappeared into the water – or appeared and then left. She loved the donkeys and lizards. Swimming at Lac Bay and Batchelor’s beach were her favorites. She really enjoyed herself in spite of being a little leery of being drug along on a “diver’s” trip.

If you read the restaurant reviews you can’t go wrong. Richard’s, Mona Lisa (good beer), Capriccio’s (fabulous wine list), La Guernica (tapas) were good for us. We had a sushi diner at the place downtown seaside that was not so good – then again my expectations may be a little high having lived in Tokyo. It is really interesting that there are so many good restaurant choices in a place as remote as Bonaire.

If you have a cloudless night, take a drive south to the lighthouse. Lay out in the hood of your truck and see how many constellations you can pick out. Find the Milky Way and then don’t leave until you see a shooting star. It’s fun being this far from civilization isn’t it.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By mary pequinot (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #485) on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 6:01 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Great report Tom, and I'm glad your wife enjoyed herself. Even though I am a diver, I have brought 5 books along to read, because I so enjoy sitting outside and reading-it's a great way to relax.

Sorry about the petty theft; it's too bad a few people can't leave property alone.

We leave for Bonaire on Sunday, and I can't wait.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron Gould (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #110) on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 7:12 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Good report Tom seems like you and yours had a good time. In 11 and awake up Diane and I will be on the Island and I for one will leave a pair of dirty underware outside all night and see if the criminals will steal them!
Mary we will be right behind you!! We are staying at Dive-Inn just north of the Divi in #3 seaside appartment. We will arrive the 25th and leave the 8th of June. Don't forget about Gibis tuesday for dinner.. Ron

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By mary pequinot (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #486) on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 7:16 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Too bad we will miss each other! Have a great trip...hope the thugs steal your underwear!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cynde (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #13676) on Saturday, May 14, 2005 - 1:22 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Tom, what a nice and refreshing report. Never thought about driving South and looking at the stars:-) Glad your wife enjoyed the donkey's, lizards, and Bonaire. It sounds like you had a very nice relaxing vacation (despite the towels and flip flops)...I imagine it isn't easy (or maybe impossible to find a size 15 in any Bon shops!)

Ron, I like the idea of the dirty underwear...hmm...maybe we should all try it! Let us know if you come home with it...LOL!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Babs (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #8573) on Saturday, May 14, 2005 - 1:28 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Tom, nice report! I missed out on swimming in Lac Bay on my first and only trip...have to make that a priority next time!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Greta Badstebner (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #963) on Monday, May 16, 2005 - 1:32 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Tom ~ Very nice report! I, too, love the idea of sitting out looking at the stars and watching for shooting stars. Great idea!

<sniffle-sniffle> I miss Bonaire. :-(

Cynde ~ For dirty underwear, maybe we could leave out purple thongs! LOL!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By DARLENE ELLIS (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1418) on Monday, May 16, 2005 - 10:15 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Really enjoyed the report. The stars are so bright in Bonaire!Joann and I always ended our day with a cocktail on the divi dock looking up at the beautiful moonlight sky while the waves lapped the shore!! Just writing this makes me want to be there right now! :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kelly Baum (GDLW) (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2642) on Monday, May 16, 2005 - 10:46 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Great trip report! I am now going to make it a point to drive south on a clear night, what a fabulous idea.

However, I can't get past the SIZE 15 flip flops. Good lord, that's huge! LOL

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By EDNA HERRMANN (BonaireTalker - Post #13) on Monday, May 16, 2005 - 11:09 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

MY HUSBAND JOHN AND I SPENT THE FIRST WEEK IN MAY IN BONAIRE. IT WAS OUR SECOND TRIP.

JUST SOME NEW INFO. THEY ARE DOING CONSTRUCTION AT ANDREA II, AND AS OF THAT WEEK THE ACCESS WAS BLOCKED. WE ENTERED AT ANDREA I AND SNORKELED OUR WAY TO ANDREA II AND BACK. THEN WE SNORKELED TO THE LEFT, FACING THE WATER, TO A POINT I BELIEVE IS CALLED " OIL SLICK"

THIS WAS BY FAR THE BEST SNORKELING WE HAD ON THE ISLAND.

I POSTED A QUESTION: HOW DO YOU GET TO DIFFERENT SNORKELING SITES ON KLIEN BONAIRE? ( BESIDE THE WOODWIND THAT TAKES YOU TO " NO NAME BEACH?

CONTINUE TO HAVE FUN

EDNA AND JOHN HERRMANN

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Monique Anckaert (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #10) on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 - 8:32 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Most dive boats will take you on board for snorkeling on Klein, provided that there is some space available. You can then snorkel while the rest is diving. If you are happy you can see things and fishes that the divers have missed.

 


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