From the Second, third, and soon to be forth most average divers in the world.

Trip #6 over the last ten years. Stayed at Buddy.

We took our 5 year old son for the first time this trip. Bit of a change of pace but well worth it.

Flights were from GRR to ORD to San Jaun to BON. All VIA American. All flights on time, or slightly early. Even so the trip home had us leaving our room at 6:00 am EST and arriving at our front door after 11:00 pm EST. Long day, but this is typical for us to get to Bonaire and back.

Airport secutiry did not seem to create big hassles like the press seems to dwell on. Nor was Flamingo Airport bad. We had the 9:00 am AA flight. I think the 7:00 am may be the problem. I asked the ticket counter when we should arrive for the 9:00 am flight, they said 8:00 am. I was stunned. So I went to airport one day and wathced from 7:30 to 8:30. Arriving at 8:00 would have worked. We still got there closer to 7:00 however, for our flight home.

We hired a babby sitter to watch Mac (the 5 year old) while we went shore diving. She did a wonderfull job. Local retired lady. Mac now has an Island Grandmother. We were able to get 15 dives this way. Not a lot but pretty good for having Mac along. We were always back in our room by 2:00 am or very close to it. This way we could spend the afternoons with Mac. Usually snorkling.

Dives were all shore but one. No theft problems to report, not did we run into anybody who had experienced a problem.

Favorite dives are Old Blue (For fish life) and BOPEC (2 turtles in one dive). Invisibles, red Slave, Angle City are right up there also.

Met Jake and Linda and the kids on March 9 at the BBQ. Lot of fun. Jake and Linda are very gracious hosts.

Buddy Dive was again, very good. Pleasant people, good accommodations, great place for Mac. I highly reccomend Buddy Dive for both diving and accommodations. Hats off to Mirjam, Kareen, Murph, Hagen, and all the rest.

Mac learned to snorkle and also to use the Sassy system. He did two night snorkles and chased Charlie all over the place. We were sure Mac would hydroplane out of the water when he first saw Charlie. However, it was just the opposite. He actually chased Charlie. Real hoot to hear him talking and yelling trough his snorkle, as he named the fish.

Missed touring the park for the first time. Just could not pack it all in. We did check out the pink birds both in the north and in the south.

The trip overall was beyond our expactations. We really did not know what Mac would do to our vacation. He travels so well, and is such a fish that he really did not slow us down much. Miranda (The island Grandmother) was a big help also.

If I can figure out how to get the digital pictures from my sony to here I will post some terra firma pictures here latter.

So glad you all had a great trip. Sounds like Mac is hooked, now, too! What a way to start out your life....experiencing Bonaire and her wonders...ah, what a childhood he will have with wonderful memories. Has Mac booked your follow up trip yet?? Carole

Carole:

If he could he would. We actually almost took travel cert. being offered in San Juan due to overbooking. They would have nearly paid our airfare back to Bonaire.

I do beleive we have created a diving monster. Now he just needs to get a job.

Great trip report!!! Mac is a very lucky young man to have already experienced the charms of Bonaire!

Thanks for the report. My wife and I are going to Buddy's in April. Is that Barbeque worth doing?

William:

I think the BBQ on Fridays at Buddys is worth it. It is very busy. One of the few times the beach bar area is actually busy.

You will enjoy Buddy's. Do a night dive for us, and give Puck a scratch for us.

In case anyone is wondering, Puck is our dog. Needless to say, the Friday night barbecue is her favorite night, with the Wednesday night Mexican buffet coming in a strong second - but keep her away from the refried beans please...

Dave
I agree with the depression, I came back from Bonaire on the 9th. Had a wonderful time there at Buddy's and Old Blue was a very good dive, did it twice. Now as I sit at the computer and see the snow falling again the depression is coming back. We Michigan divers can't seem to get away from this snow and cold.

Ray
GR Michigan

Ray.

Blowing, snowing, 10 degrees last night. Looks like Jan. out there.

Just think another month and we can put the boat in. Water should be atleast 50 - 55 by then.

Carol, are the one coming up for Our World Underwater in Chicago? I will be there doing some "island hopping" to get me back in the warmer weather.
Ray

Dave, I forgot to add that we flew Air Jamaica from Chicago. Was to leave at 6:15am but the pilot had gotten sick and didn't get out until 10. This is when the replacement arrived. We made it on the island at 9pm with the delay. We were schedule to land at 4. Next time I'm going down to the far sunny south I will fly with them again. We flew United the first time there, which had to connect with ALM. I had asked my travel agent if ALM had gotten any better with thier scheduling. She said they have gotten worse. I had checked into flying American Airlines and didn't like the late and all day trip getting there.

With all these Bonaire messages I have been leaving I just don't want to give up the good time that I had there. A week just isn't enough time.

Ray

We will be staying at Buddy in June. We have 2 kids, 10 and 14, who are both certified. We have heard that the shore dive enteries are difficult. Did you have any trouble? We were thinking about adding more boat dives. We have never done any shore diving. Thanks for the help.

Nina

Nina, We were there the first week in March (see trip report 3/2-9). We had no trouble doing shore dives. We had a surf to go through but if you walk into the water before you gear up this will help you find a good entrance point. You will have a rocky shore to content with.
Ray

Nina:

Difficulty of entry varies from spot to spot. Largest problem is uneven coral rubble with moderate to light surf. Hard to keep from loosing balance and falling in shallow water sometimes.

Word to the wise. Always look out for small (3" Dia), black sea urchins before entry. They tend to hide is cracks and holes along some of the shore line. We always take a close look before we put our gear on. I have yet to tangle to with one, but I often see them all around me when I am in 2' and less of water.