BonaireTalk Discussion Group
Trip Reports: Debbie's Trip - Part 2
Bonaire Talk: Trip Reports: Archives: Archives 2000 to 2005: Archives - 2005-08-09 to 2005-12-26: Debbie's Trip - Part 2
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Debbie Babcock (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2125) on Monday, September 19, 2005 - 1:23 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Part 2 of Debbie’s Trip Report

We all also visited the National Park for the first time. Took a day and went for the long route. The entrance to the park has a little museum and gift shop that has some nifty gift ideas. My son liked the Donkey Crossing sign there. They have some neat t-shirts too. There is also a public bathroom which is very clean, btw, to use before entering as there aren’t any in the park. There are some nice views to be seen, lizards, birds of all kinds and a very bumpy road to say the least. The ranger did not have a map in English, so if you see one at the tourist center in town or airport, pick it up to take with you as it explains each stop and it’s history. My favorite two spots were an hour and half into the trip at Wayaka 1 an 2 beach where we stopped to eat our lunch. There is a little beach at both and snorkeling there is o.k. We were greeted by two large friendly tarpon in the shallows going out to the reef. There is another beach shaped like a giant letter U a lttle further down that is nice to stop and take a break as well. Was nice to take a drive through and see what the park was like.

We spent a day at Jibe City to take the longgggg walk out to the reef to see what we could see snorkeling there. Hardly any wind this time of year out there and was a very easy, but long walk out to the reef. There is a little floating dock to the left close to the reef and we headed that way. The snorkeling by the left side of the reef is the best. Made it out there and got fins and snorkel on and off we went. Very shallow snorkeling, so even though it is a walk to get there, it is not very deep. You can take a break and stand in the soft sand. There is not a lot of live coral on this side of the reef, but a lot of ledges and rocks that you can swim in between and see what fish may be hiding there. We saw a lot of porcupine fish, barracuda galore and little tropical juvies of all kinds. Nice work out to keep us in shape for all the good food we were eating. Very nice place to have lunch when you get back in or a cool Bright after the long walk back by the beach and you can watch the wind surfers do their thing. Both my kids have taken lessons at Jibe City for wind surfing and love to try it from time to time. I haven’t tried it yet, but maybe someday. Right now, I do enjoy watching them.

Now, for the restaurant reviews! As you know, we flew in on American and it was pretty late after arriving, getting back to my house, then getting into town to get some much needed dinner. As some of you know, AE does not serve dinner on the way to Bonaire, instead they gave us a bag of Cheetos, a bag of cookies and a bag of cheese and P/B crackers and a drink! My son was in heaven, but not a good dinner, so I let him snack on one of those items and said we will eat when on Bonaire. I have heard so many things about Stifler’s , we just had to go check it out. We were greeted and seated right away and I just had to have my first Bright followed by a few more and enjoy my first meal on Bonaire. The place is fixed up real nice and you can sit outside if you don’t want to be inside. Brandon got the Chicken Sate and I ordered a bacon cheeseburger. Both came with fries and were very good. The portions are huge there. We went back there 3 more times during our stay, trying something different all the time. Would definitely recommend this place as the owners try very hard to please, were attentive and all their food was simply delicious.

We also tried another new place this time around by the name of “The Barracude Club” Run by a dutch couple who really fixed up the old “Mango’s” as it was known prior and Brandon had the filet migon and I had the shrimp dinner. Both were very good and would recommend this place as well. It is located by the Sand Dollar Resort. They have only been there since May and they have done a great job so far with much planned for the future and their menu. Definitely worth trying when on island!

Went to Bobby Jans of course for their ribs, sate and fries. They have the best fries on the island for sure according to my son, Brandon. Very inexpensive and always a pleasure.

I went with a friend of mine to Lucille’s which took over the old “Casablanca” location and I was pleasantly surprised at what a great cook she was! I had the best dinner there. You can eat outside or inside in a/c if the heat is too much for you. Very attentive and worth a try. Not really geared for anyone who has kids, a little pricey, but worth it and the portions were very nice and prepared to perfection. A nice little find for a good meal out for sure!

Lion’s Den has always been a favorite and I went there quite a bit. I think they have some new chief’s there too. We had dinner there 3x . 85% of the time, the food was prepared good as usual. We had one dinner my son ordered (steak) and it was 2/3 all fat. The owner apologized, offered him a filet migon, so even though we had one bad experience there, we still went back and had very good dinners afterward. The bacon bleu cheese burger still rocks and their specials are all very good.

Now, Chibi Chilbi at the Divi was another great dinner. Since new ownership, the place is a pleasure to dine or go to period. Can’t remember what I had now, but it was all good and my hubby said it was his best dinner this trip. I do know they couldn’t keep up with our Brights as they were always empty! LOL

Last, but not least, I went to Gibi’s and met some great new friends from BT! I think it was Scott and Gail who had terrible luck getting to Bonaire, but took it in great stride, another couple I can’t remember who now,Linda R and Bas and Yana, Liz and Ed, Renea (sp) Gibi, his brother which I enjoyed talking to about the snook I saw and how they tell me it is the best fish to eat and very rare on Bonaire! I felt special to be able to see one.

I also stopped by the Art Gallery where there are so many nice art pieces by Jake and Linda Richter. Just bought some furniture for my place and hopefully will be able to find something to go with it at the gallery. I just love Linda’s flamingo’s portraits.

My son, Brandon, spent 3 days with Caren, from Sea & Discover and identified 140 fish in three days with her. He really enjoys spending time with her each trip! She really has a way with kids. She told him when he was 12, he could be one of her helpers and he was so proud.

Missing Bonaire so much, but writing this trip report has eased some of my PBD! I have my next trip planned for just hubby and I in November and our family in February. Tickets already booked! Hope you enjoyed my report.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By DARLENE ELLIS (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1693) on Monday, September 19, 2005 - 2:13 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Now you have made me hungry!!! :-) Really enjoyed the report!!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Scott Phillips (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #240) on Monday, September 19, 2005 - 4:23 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Debbie,
It was pleasure meeting you down there both at Gibi's and at BobbeJans, and thanks for the kind words. BobbeJans is, indeed, incredibly good and amazingly inexpensive.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By BABS (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #9686) on Monday, September 19, 2005 - 11:27 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Debbie, thanks for the report! :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron Gould (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #299) on Tuesday, September 20, 2005 - 8:40 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Debbie, sounds like you had a great time and your report was great. Thanks for sharing.. Ron

(Message edited by ronindiana on September 20, 2005)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tom (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2458) on Thursday, September 22, 2005 - 9:15 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Debbie, thoroughly enjoyed both installments of your report. Thank you very much!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By ...boom dee ay (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #574) on Saturday, September 24, 2005 - 5:50 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Debbie - again thank you so much for taking the time to write your report. It really was great!
One quick question...
Are there a lot of other people around when you are snorkeling or diving, generally? Also at the park?
When you are at the park is there a problem with theft from your vehicle as in other parts of town when shore diving?

Okay, I know I said one question but, I'm sorry it was a very informative report that got me thinking :-) :-) :-)
Thanks,
Tara

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Linda Stoltzfus (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #656) on Saturday, September 24, 2005 - 7:28 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Tara,
Answer to your first question....No crowds, I usually snorkel by myself while the rest of group are diving. We usually do mostly boat dives as my husband's buddy (me) can't dive. We often join other shore divers so he can buddy up but, again, I'm usually the lone snorkeler. I LOVE it that way!

Answer to second question.....(the same) No crowds! :-)

I should clarify that my four trips have been in March/April. Don't know about other times of the year. BUT, I bet it'll be REAL crowded in a few weeks....birthday bash and all !!!! :-) :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Debbie Babcock (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2169) on Saturday, September 24, 2005 - 10:25 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Boom! Glad you liked my report! When I snorkeled this last trip, mostly all on the south side, there was only a couple of times where a couple came at the same place we were at. I was there during slow time. (last two weeks of August)I usually go for three weeks in Feb. and there are more people at all the dive/snorkel sites diving and snorkeling, but the sea is big, lots of room and you get to meet a lot of really nice people, some even from BT! And of course, sometimes you wonder where all the people went. You can end up with the snorkel/dive site all to yourself too! Out of a week of diving I think only twice did we see other divers when we dove, each at the end of our dives. I wouldn't say I ever was overwhelmed with too many people at all and I have gone in Feb., May, Aug., and Nov. When I dove the Wild Side with Larry, my husband and I were the only ones on his boat and enjoyed all the attention we got! Got to see my first nurse shark outside of an aquarium!

Now for the park, we were all by ourselves till the end and we finally saw a truck ahead of us after over an hour in the park. No theft problem at the park. We just took our snorkel gear and lunch with us when we got to where we could eat and take a dip and see what the sea could show us!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By pat murphy (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #219) on Sunday, September 25, 2005 - 8:20 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

in general you won't have any more problem with theft in the park than you would anywhere else. take the same precautions. i have heard of people getting stuff stolen in the park. the person i talked to got a very expensive video camera stolen...they thought another tourist took it.
when you go to the park make sure you take lots of water and whatever you want to eat...once you're in the park there are no places to get fresh water or food.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Eileen BT Mommy x 2 (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #8557) on Wednesday, September 28, 2005 - 8:46 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I am getting hungry too! Thank-you for your report:-).

 


Visit: The Bonaire WebCams - Current Bonaire images and weather!
The Bonaire Insider - the latest tourism news about Bonaire
The Bonaire Information Site, InfoBonaire
Search Bonaire - Search top Bonaire Web sites


Topics Last Day Last Week Tree View    Getting Started Formatting Troubleshooting    New Messages Keyword Search Contact Moderators Edit Profile Administration