Warning: My apologies to those who though my trip report was long and rambling, but Jessica has decided that her daily journal should be posted as well, as this was one of her school assignments (2nd grade) while she was with us on the trip. It is a convoluted narrative (unedited), for those who may be interested in a child's eye version of a trip to Bonaire....
Jan-20-01
On Friday we went to a hotel in Baltimore. We took a bus to the airport and we met our friends there and we went on the plane to Jamaica. We saw more friends at Jamaica and mom bought me a pink souvenir shirt. She ran to be back in time for the plane. We went on the plane and we landed at Flamingo airport and the building was pink like the bird. When we checked in we saw the new manager his name was Stevo. When my mom went in the new room she went back and hugged Stevo because she was happy that we have a blender. We ate dinner at “Richard’s” and while I was waiting for the food I went to the almond tree and picked almonds. My dad cracked open an almond to see what was inside.
Jan-21-01
When I woke up I jumped into the pool it was very cold in the pool “brrrr”. Then dad and I went to the beach and we snorkeled and we saw lots & lots of fish. Boy were they big! We drove in a car to deliver things to people who live here. Like the newspaper to Mister Gaynor and the lights and spices to Mrs. Richter. When we drove there we saw donkeys. Mrs. Richter and her husband have a special camera that takes pictures for the Internet. (www.bonairewebcams.com). The little boy, Bas Richter, came running to the door with no clothes!
Jan-22-01
We went shopping for dinner and we did not know some things that were written in Dutch. When we went to pay for it we gave them U.S.A. money and they gave us N.A.f as change. N.A.f. means Netherlands Antilles florin.) Later dad and I went snorkeling and we saw a bunch of Big Eye Scad which are silver and 6 inches long. (A bunch of fish is called a school of fish and it doesn’t mean they go to school!) My mom and I helped two French people buy bananas at the Venezuelan food stand they couldn’t speak Spanish. For part of my homework I bought ice cream and paid for it with guilders. When we were getting ready for bed a tree frog hopped in! Mom caught it and set it free outside. It was very slimy!
Jan-23-01
When we went to town I rode my scooter to the place you get photos back. When we got back I went inside to get some bread to feed the fish. When mom and I went to town I saw the person make an ice cream cone by hand. After that we went to Charlie and Gracie’s room for dinner we had salad and chili it was very good. All during the day I took photos for my journal. We had a surprise: when I picked a flower for mama we came back and saw four flowers.
Jan-24-01
When Charlie and Gracie and dad and mom and I took the car we picked up birthday cakes and ice cream for a party. We got lots of old coins from the stores that were square. We also got the 2˝ cent coins that they do not use anymore. Later Robin and I went to the beach to cool off and pick up shells. When Robin gets home she is going to make barrettes. I fed the fish again but it was a quiet day until it was dinner for Charlie’s birthday with 32 people! After dinner I read Oliver Twist and I finished it!
Jan-25-01
When I woke up I ate breakfast and went into the pool it cooled me off. Then mom would throw the play fish in the water and I got them from the bottom of the pool by diving down. I took a break and ate lunch and saw Little Men (a t.v. show.) Then dad and I went to town and bought postcards and a necklace for mama. Then I got a musket ball from the ship called “Nuestra Senora de Atocha” and I got a certificate to prove it was real. When I was waiting for potluck supper I played with Lars who lives on a boat. We opened the coconut we found by smashing it to the ground but we did not open it all the way. At the end of the day I dressed up with a wig and makeup. Before bed we did Brain Quest then I read my new book (Meg’s Story.)
Jan-26-01
On Friday dad, mom and I went to look for a necklace for me. We found one I liked and shopped for other things. We found a short set it fit very good. After we studied math and Brain Quest we wrote and mailed postcards to people. After that we said goodbye to people who were leaving. Then we went to Joke’s for some stuff. Then we went to the bakery for fresh bread for lunch for the fishing trip. Friday really was a quiet day. On Friday night dad, mom and I played PARCHEESI and I won!
Jan-27-01
On Saturday we had to wake up at 5:00 AM in the morning then get on the boat. Then we went to catch bait fish I caught 2 of them. Then we caught black fin tuna and lots of Barracuda and 1 wahoo. When we got back we watched the sunset and ate dinner with friends. Mom cooked the tuna. Dad left the camera outside all night and couldn’t find it.
(Note from Dad: camera was returned by Security the next day.)
Jan-28-01
On Sunday we had to wake up at 8:30 AM. Then we got all our stuff and went on the Woodwind.(Catamaran) At the first stop we saw a turtle swimming and lots of different fish. Then we came back from the Woodwind and watched the sunset and setup a satellite for the Super Bowl. We also saw a man on the roof. Then Jim, Bob, dad, Christy, mom, and I went to a restaurant that was called Mi Poron—an old Bonarian house (also a museum.) We heard 2 men play guitars and sing. I gave them two tips in their guitar case. Jim, dad, Cristy, mom, & I walked all the way home even when we had a car. We let Bob drive the car home.
Jan-29-01
On Monday I started a snorkeling class at the Plaza Hotel and my teacher was Annette a Dutch girl. When we were snorkeling we saw 27 different fish. When I came back from class mom and I fed the fish and when we fed the fish an eel came out! When we were done feeding the fish we got a card with photos of fish so I can learn fish. Annette and I saw 3 iguanas that were green in trees. When we watched the sunset the cruise ship was leaving. It came here last night late and left today. At dinner at home we had Barracuda for dinner it was good I like it. Today I went in the Casino before the grownups came.
Jan-30-01
On Tuesday Annette and I saw 8 fish. We had a great time. We have seen 35 kinds of fish. Then we had lunch at the fake Boat. I fed 4 tamed iguanas at lunch. They ate lots of lettuce but they don’t like watermelon. We walked into town to look in stores for stuff with our friends. Cristy got a seahorse necklace to remember her first Dive. When we were walking back we saw dad’s friend George who had two dogs named Molly & Leah who ate ice cream. When another cruise ship left at sunset it needed help with a tugboat. Before sunset we saw three monkeys in a cage in someone’s yard.
Jan-31-01
In snorkeling class I started an art project and finished it on Thursday.(That is today.)After we are lunch and went to see flamingos. We also got ice cream and saw a 2000 Memorial too! Uncle Jim drove us there and back home. We saw lots of parakeets one up in a tree and lots of them flying. Oh I forgot to tell you I went on a little dive with a regulator and a tank it was fun!
Feb-1-01
On Thursday Annette and I went to Klein Bonaire with other divers. It was great! The boat name was Blue Moon. After that I finished my artwork (I will bring it in.) My artwork is a house made out of wood and a boat. Before we went on the Blue Moon I gave an apple to her. We also saw 45 different fish some were small some were big. I played with Lars & Kaina. Kaina punched me because I put the scooter away. After we had potluck supper again.I met a new friend he was cool. His name was Hansmir.
Feb-2-01
On Friday it was the last day at Aquakids. Annette and I went to the Donkey Sanctuary we saw a baby donkey and iguanas. I also got a backpack it was a brown donkey it cost $20.00. On I forgot to tell you when a mother was keeping her baby safe she stepped on it it was dead. When we got back I got my certificate we saw 50 fish! Some were big and some were small. After Annette drove me to De Islander. When our new friends ordered Yana and I played on the play set and there was a wishing well. After dad took the car and dad went home and mom and I walked home. I bought an ice cream cone. When we went out with our old friends at Richard’s I dropped my fork on the beach. For the waitress we had Maria, Jim’s friend. She was the Carnival Queen two years ago.
Feb-3-01
On Saturday morning we had to pack our bags and dad took them to the airport. Then dad got back and put on a bathing suit and went in the pool. I slipped and scraped my chest and jaw. It hurt a lot. After we took a shower and got dressed and went to the airport. We had to wait two hours because the plane was late. We got home and now I miss Bonaire. Oh I forgot to tell you my dad had to get used to traffic lights because there are no traffic lights in Bonaire. When dad drove us home he had to get used to it all over again.

FOOD CRITIQUE
When we went to Mi Poron, a restaurant, I ate a Bonaire food called fish soup (sopa di pisca.) I like the fish but not the soup. It was too salty. I ate a little and all of us tried it.

Good job, Jessica! You are a very bright second grader - I wish you were in MY class! Keep that in mind if you and your family ever move to Wyoming! Sounds like you had a fabulous time. Be sure to keep your journal so that when you are old and gray you may look back and say, "I remember when..."

Jessica, that is a fantastic trip report. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I think it even rivals your dad's! I am glad that you had a wonderful time in Bonaire.

Great job Jessica. I loved reading every word of your wonderful journal. Please don't forget to save that journal, and put it somewhere very safe. Someday, when you are a mom, and take your son or daughter to Bonaire, they can write a jounal too. When they get home, they can look at yours, and see if they did any of the same stuff as you!

Masha danki(much thanks)for the report , Jessica!! It's wonderful to "see" Bonaire thru your eyes!!Thanks for sharing!

Jessica, I really liked your report. I just got a new journal for a birthday present, so now I can keep good notes like you do.There are a lot of fish to remember.I also bought my Mom a present, and l for myself. Do you know the old wooden Dutch shoes, called 'clogs'. I bought a little gold l for each of us. And I still have them. Didn't think about a seahorse, which would be nice to have too.Good thing your Daddy found his camera. I saw his pictures at Yahoo,and you and your Mom and Dad looked so happy. And now you're doing Scuba. You go girl!!

Jessica,

What a wonderful experience to read about. When I was a little older than you are I wrote a journal too. It was a trip with my Dad when we went Sailing in the British Virgin Islands. Now when I travel I always keep a trip journal so I can remember all the fun things I did.

Hope you can go back to Bonaire or somewhere like it very soon!

Let us know how your class liked your journal if you get a chance.

Bye!

Andy.

Jessica, I really enjoyed reading your journal. Thank you for posting it for us. We always learn alot from seeing through others' eyes, and you do a good job of looking! Have fun!

Dear Jessica, I just read your article and believe me or not, I had tears in my eyes, you are such a good writer! For those who are interested to do the same educational "Aquakids" program, please send me an e-mail at aquaadventures@bonairelive.com
I was Jessica's "private instructor" for that week!Best Regards, Annet Kops

Our thanks to all of you for the many kind comments and compliments regarding Jessica's efforts posted here, and under the other trip report. Jessica was very pleased that you liked her report...and you have all provided an incentive for these efforts to continue, for which we are grateful.
I see that Annet has posted her e-mail for the Aquakids program. I want to say again that we thought that this was a great way for kids to spend the morning. Jessica loved it, we think she learned a lot, and it really helped her to improve her snorkeling skills. Thanks, Annet!

Just a heads up to everyone: this afternoon I will be joining Jessica as she and I present her journal and chat about some of the interesting things our family did while on our most recent trip to Bonaire. I'll post a "de-briefing" for everyone later on today. My personal thanks as well to everyone who sent such kind words of encouragement to Miss J--we printed out the pages and included it in the back of her journal which she is submitting...I suppose this means that all of you can now claim that you are "published"!

Well, despite the fact that Jessica and I addressed 20 second graders shortly after they had indulged in Valentine's Day treats from nearly every affiliated parent, the Bonaire "Show and Tell" was a success. Jessica did an admirable job of reading her Journal aloud although I did have to read the entry that referenced Bas Richter "au naturel." The children were enthralled that there are so many animals on the island--flamingo, iguana, donkey, chicken, goat, parakeets, etc--and that often one can see them simply by walking or driving along the road. The fact that Jessica won an award for identifying 50 different species of fish garnered her the admiration of all 18 boys in the class; this emotion was overshadowed only by the production of the musketball! A photo of Annet caught the eye of several of the young men who thought that "one on one" snorkeling lessons might be "just the thing" for them. The various coins were a novelty especially the retired 2 1/2 cent ones. (One of Jessica's teachers is British and she compared that Bonairian coin to the similarly large, copper two penny coin of the UK.)
All and all, the trip was declared "awesome" and several suggestions for a field trip to Bonaire ensued.
Thank you all for your support throughout this adventure. I look forward to more chats and to meeting each of you on-line or, preferably, on-Bonaire. Although, to be honest, Robert is by far the extrovert of this couple and will most likely keep up the communique on behalf of the Deal Family.

Ramona, it is so wonderful of you and Jessica to share your whole adventure with us. I always enjoy communicating with all of you, listening to the report complete's this years story, thanks!

I really enjoyed reading your report Jessica. I'm glad your report in school was so well received too. Bonaire is a very special place to many of us. Uncle Jim

Jessica, your journal was wonderfull, and so well written. It will be a treasure that can be reread from time to time as you get older and will help refresh your memories. Your journal reminded me about the one I kept while I was there last. I took the time to read mine again. I only wish I had written more about the good things because my report tended to focus on the bad things that now in retrospect seem very trivial indeed. Mosquitos, rental car troubles and a too loud air conditioner. Why did I write about those things and not about my first encounter with an octopus at Andrea II? Thats what I liked so much about your journal. It sounds like you wrote mostly about the stuff you liked and were special to you. great job.

Hi Jessica,
I also want to thank you for your detailed trip journal entry. We are going to Bonaire for our first time in March, with our 3rd grader, Nathaniel, so it was terrific to see the island through the eyes of someone close to his age. We
will probably sign him up for AquaKids, too, so
he can get some good training in how to snorkel
and learn cool things about Bonaire.

Where did you and your family stay on Bonaire?

I hope you get to go back, and to write more travel journals over the years ahead!

Nancy

Nancy,
We all were at the Divi Flamingo, our usual accommodations, just down the street from the Plaza which hosts the Aquakids program. It made it quite convenient.
We strongly recommend Annet and the Aquakids. Great entertainment and education for the younger set, giving the older set some free time. And quite a bargain, too.

Thanks, Robert! ~ Nancy

Jakes friend Caren runs a service for kids also. He can provide more info. I also know she has a website but I don't recall what it is. She used to run the kids program at the sand dollar and when we stayed there last year, all the kids seemed to really like her. She has a masters in marine biology so she is able to give the kids good lessons on marine life and such. Just a suggestion.

Barry Baker

Caren Ekrich runs Sea & Discover - http://www.seandiscover.com

Jake