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Trip Reports: Bonaire Noobies Trip Report - August 7-14
Bonaire Talk: Trip Reports: Archives: Archives 2000 to 2005: Archives - 2005-08-09 to 2005-12-26: Bonaire Noobies Trip Report - August 7-14
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mark Roberts (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #8) on Tuesday, August 16, 2005 - 10:03 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Dates: August 7-14
Airline: American
Hotel: Divi Flamingo
Plan: 3 boat dives and breakfast
Returning: Hell Yes!

First and most important – Many many thanks to all that take time to post on this board and took the time to answer questions for us Bonaire “Noobies”. You all made this trip better then would have been possible otherwise!

I will focus my trip report on experiences that will hopefully be helpful to other noobies and maybe even some Bonaire professionals. I am going to skip the area of diving as words do not do Bonaire justice. Let me at least say that my 13 year old son and I both did Cozumel and Bonaire this summer and agree there is no comparison – as good as Cozumel may be it does not hold a candle to Bonaire - - - not even close.

Let’s start with what was the only real negative - - getting there! I travel every week for business and read everything I could on the board and was still not prepared for the train wreck that we went through. Coming from Arizona I chose the less of two evils – American Airlines simply because I have Platinum status and it seemed from reading this board that AJ was just a crap shot. Getting to San Juan had the usual glitches for us but once in San Juan the fun really started. To reduce this train wreck in a few words please be aware that a confirmed seat and reservation means NOTHING when traveling from San Juan to Bonaire with AA. The American Eagle plane utilized holds 64 people but they will only issue 50 boarding passes day of flight and then start weighing luggage to determine if any others will get on. Rest assured that the plane on average will only carry 55 people because of this weight issue. People were going “postal” at the gate and there were people stranded in San Juan not for just one day but in one case three days. If it were not for calling the AA Platinum desk and some pleading and begging we would have not been allowed on our flight. Just keep in mind that if you are taking this route get to the airport as soon as possible to insure you get one of the first 50 boarding passes or you will in fact get stuck in San Juan. Upon arriving at the hotel the talk was all about each others travel disasters. Many people swearing never to return due to this issue. The good news is that Continental will start flying into Bonaire in December.

We stayed at the Divi as it seemed the best location for us noobies and was very pleased we did. Town is a nice walk of about 5-10 minutes but you need to make sure you request a key to the side gate. This cuts down the time required to get into town and also takes you on a route along the water front. The hotel had seemingly gone through a lot of remodeling as the paint and all seemed brand new. We stayed in room 202 and looked over the ocean and dive boats. It was nicely furnished and very pleased with it. It was actually better then I anticipated. The restaurant again seemed spruced up and was awesome to eat looking at the schools of fish below. Regarding meal and dive plans – We signed up for 3 boat dives and breakfast each day. The cost between 2 and 3 dives was minimal and ended up to be a great choice. When we go back again next year we will also add the lunch plan to the package as there really is not time to go into town in between the morning and afternoon dives. I found the Divi dining prices to be reasonable especially considering it is resort on an island were everything is imported. If anyone is interest in seeing the actual menus I did take pics that I can forward to see selection and pricing. As with most Caribbean locations service is slow – very slow.

The dive operation was first class with great boats, instructors and dive masters. My son got his Jr. Open Water Advanced certification while we were there and would highly recommend their AOW certification for anyone considering it. Out of 18 potential boat dives we missed two due to my son’s certification process. Most of the certification dives are done as part of the boat dive. My son did his certification with Alvin who is awesome and would highly recommend him. Our favorite dive master was a local named Lutty. We nicked named him “zoo keeper” as all you needed to do was ask him to find your desired fish and he just happened to know where to look without failure. The Divi pier and lockers made our night diving a blast. Again, pics available for anyone interested. We saw more off that pier then we did on our whole dive trip in Cozumel. Huge lobsters, massive tarpons, octopus, etc. were right there. Serge, the dive shop manager runs a tight ship and the boats left on time each and every dive and were well equipped to meet any needs.

One side trip that people were talking about was diving with Larry’s Wild Side Diving. Will definitely include this is our next trip.

We found dining in town to be similar to the states in prices and selections but you can definitely get great meals at a very reasonable price. Stiflers and Garden Café come to mind as cheap eats.

Mosquitoes – although we came prepared we may have experienced two total bites the entire week there. Maybe we were just lucky.

Getting back was almost as bad as getting there but I just kept imagining the Bonaire and next year’s trip.

If anyone has any questions please feel free to contact me at skydad@cox.net.

Many many thanks!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jeanine (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #622) on Tuesday, August 16, 2005 - 10:16 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Excellent report! Thanks for sharing and sorry we did not get to meet while on the island. Next time, add Gibi's on Tuesday night for dinner and you will encounter incredible food, great prices, and get to meet a lot of wonderful BTers. Thanks for the tip on Larry's Wild Side Diving!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By C Poteet (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #311) on Tuesday, August 16, 2005 - 10:46 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Mark -

Thanks for taking the time and going to the effort to compile and post your trip report. We are pleased that Bonaire did not disappoint.

Your report is a most appropriate way to pay back all those who helped with your pre-planning and you know it will be read with great interest by other "Noobies."

As you're planning your next trip do consider taking a half-day or more to tour Washington Slagbaai park. It will remind you of home except with the gin-clean Caribbean as a backdrop.

Charles Poteet
Dallas

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By DARLENE ELLIS (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1616) on Tuesday, August 16, 2005 - 11:05 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks for sharing the informative trip report. I am flying AA and will check in ASAP! Glad you had a great time!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Marcus L. Barnes (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #384) on Tuesday, August 16, 2005 - 11:32 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Cool Report. I totally agree with you on Cozumel - Bonaire. Did you get your boarding pass for San Juan - Bonaire at San Juan? I'm fairly sure we've been getting ours at the lst airport we fly out of in the states. I don't ever remember being given a boarding pass in San Juan. (I could be wrong on this). We always make sure we are at the front of the line to avoid getting bumped in San Juan.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cam (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #487) on Tuesday, August 16, 2005 - 12:25 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I agree with Marcus..I think we got our boarding passes in Dallas...getting in line is a good idea...provided you have a "runner" to grab you a wobbly pop or two as you wait...NEVER pass up a beer because it's getting close to boarding time...they're always late :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron Gould (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #249) on Tuesday, August 16, 2005 - 12:38 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Great report Mark, sounds like everybody had a good time. Next trip try the shore diving and lunch on the beach between dives.. :-) Air Jamacia is my choice for Bonaire travel and out of my last 10 trips we have only had one bad retrun flight... Ron

(Message edited by ronindiana on August 16, 2005)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kelly Baum (GDLW) (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2997) on Tuesday, August 16, 2005 - 1:59 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

If I'm correct, I think we get all our boarding passes when we leave Columbus. I don't remember checking in at the airport in San Juan, but maybe I'm blocking it out. lol

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Debbie Babcock (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2047) on Tuesday, August 16, 2005 - 2:04 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

When I leave out of Phila., I get boarding passes for both legs of the journey from Phila and from San Juan. Already have my seats assigned and everything for my trip to Bon this Friday.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cynde (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #14167) on Tuesday, August 16, 2005 - 5:59 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I'm with the rest, have always gotten my boarding passes all the way through when we depart from LAX...so it has never been a problem going from SJ to Bon (with the exception that the plane never leaves SJ on time!)

Glad you had a great trip Mark...you are now officially a Bonaire addict as you are planning your next trip!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Margarite and Jim Hix (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2077) on Wednesday, August 17, 2005 - 9:35 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Though we have never had that problem in SJ, I believe that we are issued our boarding passes at DFW, we have started flying to Curacao because of the more humane flight times in and out of CUR and BON on American Airlines. We fly Divi Divi from CUR to BON, there are other choices but it was the luggage policy that was the clincher for us and the $ 40.00 bucks per person each way price. Anyway getting to BON is part of the BON experience.....

Jimmy

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By K.Wetten (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Wednesday, August 17, 2005 - 12:15 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Debbie- did I read your post correctly? Are you leaving for Bonaire this Friday, August 19th? What airline are you flying?

My husband and I are on the 9:30 flight from PHL -> SJU ->BON via AA and I am very nervous about the weight restrictions on the SJU -> BON leg of the trip.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Debbie Babcock (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2059) on Wednesday, August 17, 2005 - 12:49 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

K., Yes, I am flying American as well. Same flight. I will be with my son, Brandon, age 10. Maybe we will meet up at the airport no doubt as we have to be there sooooo early to be sure to get on the plane! I think I have only one suitcase that is about 6 lbs. over the weight for the last leg of the journey, but worst comes to worst, I pay extra. How much are you over?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Debbie Babcock (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2060) on Wednesday, August 17, 2005 - 12:52 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

BTW, Welcome to BT! Email me if you want to talk further at debbie@bonairevilla.com You don't have a pic in your profile yet, so I won't be able to pick you out at the airport. I look pretty much the same, minus the parrot on my head!
LOL :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tara Smith (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #282) on Wednesday, August 17, 2005 - 12:56 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Great trip report Mark - thanks for taking the time and being so succint (sp? - to the point).
I am a "noobie" looking forward to a trip in January (please God!!!).
This site definitely inspires while still giving a realistic view of what to expect - good and the bad :-).
Well, you're a "noobie" no more :-) - I'll take that label and wear it proudly!
Cheers!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Theresa (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #256) on Wednesday, August 17, 2005 - 3:32 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Yeah baby, Mark I was told mosquitos were bad bought a gallon of skin so soft, the only ones were at swiss chalet inside. Suzy was serving up wonderful food and mosquito repellant. I will return

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By K.Wetten (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Wednesday, August 17, 2005 - 4:33 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks for the warm welcome to BT - I have been lurking for about 6 weeks now and will most definitely post a trip report when I get home. I usually keep a pretty detailed journal of my travels. BT has been a great wealth of information for planning our first trip to Bonaire - can't wait to swim with the fishies :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Just Babs (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #9342) on Wednesday, August 17, 2005 - 11:48 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Great report Mark! Thanks for sharing! K, Welcome and looking forward to reading about your trip as well! :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By T-Shirt Divers John and Sue (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #251) on Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 11:55 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Mark,

I'm glad you and your son had a great time in Bonaire and that BT was helpful.
I'm glad your son had a pos experience with Alvin. It's so important to have a pos beginning diving experience. I'm also a product of Divi Dive Bonaire - OW,AOW and Wreck.
We like Lutty too as a DM.
Looking forward to Sept.
Start planning your next trip to Bonaire!
Sue

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By J Rushman (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #104) on Friday, August 19, 2005 - 1:40 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

The first few times I stayed on Bonaire, I stayed at Flamingo Beach with meals included. But quickly we realized that, with large leftovers from the previous night, we didn't need anything extra for lunch. With a few English Muffins (usually from the store near Sand Dollar) and jam, we were all set for breakfast too. So breakfast and lunch are much quicker and less expensive too. (As long as you have a small fridge in your room).

When we "graduated" to the Carib Inn next door, we followed the same routine, except we occasionally entertain and have dinner in at night. Always fun to try and find the ingredients you need to make a specific dish (Our guests aren't "picky" (else we don't invite them back again!)). In one week, we still usually eat out at least five times. Between our old favorites and new spots in town, there are lots of places to go. Must do list for next visit: Casablanca, Rendezvous replacement.

Misc: What's Marcel up to? I hope he and his family are well. We'll miss him.

Diana G. Do you read this? We'll probably be down in December or January. What's your e-mail? Reply to jrushman@verizon.net. Michael, if you get this and Diana doesn't, please send me an e-mail. I'll bring down the Folgers Red or whatever else you need! Any word from Edna? Do you have an e-mail address for her? Did she get married? Send me a private e-mail at jrushman@verizon.net

 


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