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Trip Reports: 1st Trip 7/5- 7/14...too short
Bonaire Talk: Trip Reports: Archives: Archives 2000 to 2005: Archives - 2005-05-08 to 2005-08-03: 1st Trip 7/5- 7/14...too short
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chanda calentine (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Wednesday, July 20, 2005 - 11:28 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

We flew AA from Ohio to Miami to San Juan where we spent the night due to the hurricane and finally made it to Bonaire the next morning.Thanks to the 4 crazy ladies from Chicago, AA set up a hotel room and took care of the food for our overnight stay in San Juan however, our luggage was a little delayed in getting to Bonaire to the following morning. Overall fight pretty okay.

Once at the airport I could already feel the beauty of the island due to the kindness and help of the people. A nice couple from Boston who have become "regulars" of the island, Martin and his wife, took us to our hotel, Divi Flamingo. Upon arrival we were greeted by rum punch and a quick check-in. Our room was average with beautiful balcony view of the water and the many crabs basting in the sun on the rocks. We ate an overpriced average dinner ($30 per person)and breakfast ($16 per person) at Divi. My over all impression of the hotel was average however, for our first time to the island it was perfect due to the central location.

Our first day on the island we looked for an open water certification course which is the primary reason we had chosen Bonaire as our honeymoon spot-scuba diving! Divi was full (although Poppy offered us a couple of morning dives with Alvin)and sent us to Wanna Dive where we met 2 wonderful people Shrek and Miriam. Shrek called every Wanna Dive checking for classes (which were full)and ended up showing us snorkeling fins and masks since we had no knowledge on the subject matter. The following morning he gave us our first lesson in snorkeling and tour of the underwater including fire coral (a must) amongst other fish and coral. Later he took us around the island pointing out restaurants, cell-phones rentals, grocery stores, dive shops and finally found us an open-water course at "Yellow Submarine".

We started the course the following morning with a greeting from the Yellow Submarine crew and the dog, follow, with coffee and tea. Our instructor, Marko, and instructor in training, Rob, were wonderful and took us to a new world underwater with another honeymoon couple Karen and Ross from Scotland (who were married the same day as Ryan and I). After we finished our 3 long days of books, classroom and skills, we ventured to "Oil Slick" for our first real dive. Breathtaking! Also went to the top of Hooker, Captin Don's (little Bonaire) and my favorite Karpata. So much to see, so little time. Although there was always someone to show us the ropes (Shrek, Miriam and Menno)

After we started the course, all of our honeymoon blended together with great people, conversation, delicious cheap eats, scuba diving and an amazing setting. City Cafe, Bongo Beach, Kontiki, Blue Moon, The Hut and Chef Jeffrey thanks for the great eats and amazing coffee.

This relaxing island with the friendliness of people became a home within the little time alotted for our stay. Bonaire is a perfect place for an adventure underwater with a couple of new friends (Menno, Shrek, Miram, Esther, Marko, Rob Karen and Ross to name a few) and all around beauty...just open your eyes. I thank all of you for our amazing adventure and we WILL be back soon.
Thanks for opening my eyes! Chanda NYC

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By DARLENE ELLIS (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1550) on Wednesday, July 20, 2005 - 12:03 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Your experiences are what I call "The charm of Bonaire!" I am glad you had a nice time and Congratulations!!!

 


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