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Trip Reports: Bonaire August 13 to 20, 2005, Second time’s as charming
Bonaire Talk: Trip Reports: Archives: Archives 2000 to 2005: Archives - 2005-08-09 to 2005-12-26: Bonaire August 13 to 20, 2005, Second time’s as charming
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cecil (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4256) on Tuesday, September 27, 2005 - 3:52 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Notes and Links
The photographs are in other threads and are in the same order as the trip report. My suggestion is open the pictures in another copy of your browser and follow along. All photographs are the exclusive property of myself and any other use or reproduction is very much encouraged (attribution would be nice). They are for the enjoyment of all.

Photos #1
Photos #2
Photos #3
The associated slideshow can be found here. Not for the bandwidth imparred (17 megs), or Mac users. Download from that site do not play from there. I had to reuse Bob Marley music but that is what I heard on the island, so it was required.

Dive profiles are here.

The following are the days when Sue, myself or signs were on the cams.
Tuesday1
Tuesday2
Wednesday
Friday
Saturday

Postcards from the island.

Planning

The planning for this trip started with a lot of begging and pleading after Christmas and was pretty much settled after the cruise. Bonaire in August, there was some concerns about the possibility of the trade winds failing and it getting very hot. I had pretty much decided on Eden Beach, we were not satisfied with the Plaza to spread out and too much money. Eden beach looked like a nice resort and it gave me a chance to harass people around the world. Now the question of how the hell do we get there?

I laid out the options for Sue; American through San Juan (late arrival), Air Jamaica through Montego Bay (great times, lousy record at the time), through Aruba or through Curacao. Sue choose Air Jamaica which was also my choice. Very fortunately I procrastinated on buying the tickets and AJ cancelled most of their Bonaire service. They did not cancel Saturday flights which was the day we were flying. So we switched over to the Aruba route.

I booked everything except the flight to Aruba through Caradonna Travel who were very capable and efficient. In the days leading up to the trip several people asked me to bring different things including a plant from the states. Making it all fit into the bags was quite a challenge.

The Trip There

Very early in the morning (like 3:30AM early) we loaded into my little car and off we went to Boston. We flew the 8:00 flight to Aruba on US Air. The plane was full but the flight was not that long (3:30). After clearing emigration/customs, I checked in with Bonaire Express for the 5:00 flight to Bonaire.

We had always planned to get away from the airport but the issue was what to do with all of the checked luggage. I had the idea at this time, to just rent a car for the few hours and I got talking to a lady from Palm Travel (We think), she told me a rental car would be very expensive. I told her about the luggage and our later flight. She told us to put the luggage in her office (they do call it the happy island). So after dropping the luggage in her office we grabbed a cab with our carry-ons.

The cab took us to Manchebo Beach Resort. We had stayed there many years ago on our first and only trip to Aruba. It’s a very nice low rise resort on the best section of beach on Aruba. We had a great lunch and hung out in the bar for a bit getting to know the locals (bird poop head). The cab that brought us there took us back to the airport.

One little misdirection play at the airport, we get in this long line to security. After waiting there a bit I noticed the some signs that said international departures. We were in the line to go back to the states. There was not a line to go to Bonaire. The flight was a joy; I just love flying low over the Caribbean. We got to see most of Aruba, Curacao and half of Bonaire.

We had a truck rented from Budget; they had a very old, very beat up truck available. Now I could have gotten a newer truck but in my Bonaire stupid mode (BSM, a recurring theme), I reasoned an older truck would be less to worry about and I would not feel bad about abusing. So we loaded up the truck and off we went to Eden Beach.

We checked in they let me pull the truck up to the room. We were on the bottom floor with a glass slider that opened up to a small patio. The room had a dinning area, a bar large bar, a kitchen with stove and refrigerator and a sleeping area. A very nice layout with pretty much everything we needed. One minor nit, there was not a plug in the bath room and the only mirror; they did get us a long extension cord.

After unpacking we made the arduous 30’ (10 meters to non-America speakers) trek to Bongos. We had a fabulous dinner where we got to meet our neighbors (a mommy cat and four kittens). They liked hanging around the restaurant for some reason. After dinner I did a quick swim in the pool. This was the only night where we turned on the TV.

The next morning I was up early and did a quick walk up the beach to look around. Then I cruised over to the convenience store by the circle and got some coffee. We split an omelet and I went to the dive shop for my marine tag and a checkout dive.

Once I met Paul, I found that Bas was already looking for me. I expressed my desire to dive the east side and Paul suggested I do my checkout dive on the east coast with Bas. That did not seem very wise to me, so I opted to jump in at Eden’s Rubble. Ron was going down to fix some mooring lines.

Dive 1 Eden’s Rubble, 94’ max, 46 minutes.

Eden’s rubble was to be my most dived spot. It is a steep slope made of coral rubble with some rocks. There is hardly any live coral. At first glance it seemed a dismal dive spot but first glances are almost always wrong. Bart said it best when he told me, all the fish are out in the open. That really is the secret, all the same fish are there but they have no where to hide.

There can be quite a current at this site but during my week there was only a weak current one time. The best places to look are the group of rocks in 20’ (a very active cleaning station) just out from the dive shop, inside and around Willie and north a 100 meters there is a large mooring with a lot of critters.

On the first dive, pretty much the first thing seen, was a Scorpion Fish up on a rock. I then went down to Willie while Paul worked on the mooring. I met the resident Green Moray that lives in Willie. I hung around long enough for computer to almost get upset (go into deco). I went up and found Paul gnawing on a large rope with a knife. I pulled out my Sea Snips and cut through the hawser in a few seconds. I help him haul a mooring into deeper water when my computer almost got upset again. We finished up and I climbed out of the water.

There was Mare with a sign welcoming us to Bonaire. From the water to helping Seb splice the cable in a few minutes. Jake was also there along with Yana and Bas. Doing that time Bas came by and got his doggie carrier and we scheduled an afternoon dive on the east side. We got the camera back on line, buried the cable and talked for a bit. After everyone left we had lunch at Bongos and I meet Bas in the parking lot. After topping off the tanks we drove to Lac Cai.

Dive 2 Lac Cai East Side, 51’ max., 87 minutes.

I found that my dive booties were back at Eden Beach (BSM again). I also found that except for getting in the water, open heal fins work fine without booties but work much better, with. Bas gave me a detailed briefing on the dive plan and the UW structure. The entry is made next to the couch shell pile into Lac Bay. The water was very milky with maybe 20’ visibility in the bay. The current pushed us into a hole at the entrance to the bay. This is where the Tarpon live. They were everywhere and big. We then went up a small rise and over the edge.

That’s when the wall on the east side came into view. The water went from a milky green to deep blue and visibility went from 20’ to 100’+. This wall is as pretty and magnificent as any UW wall anywhere. It reminded me very much of the walls in Belize with all the soft corals and sponges, big critters and the vivid blue of the deep.

Everything seemed bigger on this side. The groupers were huge, the morays bigger and several big green morays and I also saw a huge Cow Fish. We saw two sleeping turtles in coral caves. On the way back we saw three Eagle Rays in formation. The trip back was particularly tough, instead of swimming back into the current we went back in to the right of the bay entrance under the surf over rocks. The trick is to ride the ingoing surge then grab a rock for the outgoing surge. If you do it right it’s not a lot of work, if not you have to swim like hell and/or slice your hands on the rocks.

When we got back in the bay, I was pretty beat and very low on air. Bas found a number of young lobsters to play with and he called me down to look. That’s when it happened, I was always told that when a tank is empty you get a couple of tough breathes, not, mine just stopped. So there I was OOA at 7’, remember your training, I grabbed Bas’s octo and put it in my mouth and tried to breath. Well I had it in upside down and all it did was purge, I flipped it over and breathed in just as our heads came out of the water.

A quick drive back to Eden Beach to rinse my gear. We then went out for some supplies and I hooked up with Michael Gaynor for my internet connection. As long as I was within 800’ of Chat and Browse I had my connection. My plan was to drive around the traffic circle while surfing the internet.

After some snorkeling, a little beach time, happy hour and an awesome sunset we cleaned up for dinner. That night we went in to the Rib Factory and had some of their great ribs. I had the hot, Sue the mild. Back to the room for our procedure for the week, turn on the music and I would run out to Chat and Browse to post a post card while Sue would read. When I got back we would read for a bit and then sleep.

The next morning I had my breakfast with the early cammers, the kitties and the Sand Pipers. Bas met me at 9:00 AM for another dive on the East Side. He was flying that night and needed to stay shallow, so we did Lac Cai again. This time I tried to leave my mask (BSM) but Bas noticed and I ran back and found it.

Dive 3 Lac Cai, 46’ max., 75 minutes.

This was the same dive as the day before and a great dive is like a great meal, you can have it every day and like it the last day as much as the first. Start out in the bay, through the Tarpon hole and over the wall. The highlights were some turtles, big groupers, a big green moray and a couple of single Eagle Rays. Towards the end of the dive eleven Eagle Rays came by in formation. This time the climb up the rocks was much easier and I had plenty of air to play with the little lobsters in the bay.

Back to the room and I said good bye to Bas. A quick rinse and off we went to the Lost Penguin for lunch. God, I love that place, not sure why but everything just tastes better there. It was nice to see Renada and Ton again. After lunch we went south and found Jake and Linda’s new house. What a beautiful place and so much more room then the old place.

We then went back to Eden Beach for some beach time and snorkeling. Another beautiful sunset and off we went for dinner. The plan was Capriccio’s for some Italian but they were full. We wandered around a bit looking at menus but nothing seemed interesting. So finally we loaded back in the truck and went to the Banana Tree at the Plaza.

Now this is a place that we thoroughly enjoyed on our last trip, it was not to repeat. The food was good and the service acceptable but there was something missing. Back to the room to post and to read.

The next morning I had my breakfast with my buddies, and then I strapped on a tank and dropped down to Willie.

Dive 4 Eden’s Rubble, 77’ max., 35 minutes.

I love the reef in the morning. Some critters are getting up, others are going to bed. I hung out with the Jaw Fish and the Sand Divers, got my nails done at the cleaning station, met up with the Green Moray in Willie and got my fins on the cam. I followed a Sharp Tail Moray around a bit; he was already being trailed by a couple of buddies. It amazed me how closely they followed his nose which did not seem to bother the eel. A quick rinse and back to the room as Sue was getting up.

We loaded up the truck with beach and diving stuff and of we went to Windsock. Windsock (aka Donkey Beach) is right at the end of the runway. It is quite long coral rubble beach with Divi Divi trees in little groves. We just drove along till we found a grove of trees that was unoccupied and inviting. Sue set up in the shade and I got on the dive gear.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cecil (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4257) on Tuesday, September 27, 2005 - 3:53 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Dive 5 Windsock, 73’ max., 40 minutes.

The wall was a short swim out; there was not a current so I turned right. I swam down to the aviation pier and checked out the school of grunts. On the way back I found a friendly Golden Tailed Moray. Then a rather funny thing happened, I ran into a group of divers going in the other direction. At the end of the group there was a single diver who indicated to me that he wanted to join me. So off we went back towards Sue. After a bit I had to start up to do a safety stop on the coral flats. He starts pointing at the boat anchored there, I pointed at the shore. It finally all made sense to me (BSM) and him. He was the dive master off the Divi boat and he thought I was one of his lost sheep. I on the other hand just thought he was being friendly. After I climbed out and he collected all his divers he came over to the beach and we had a good laugh.

After that there was only one choice for lunch, the Divi and Chibi Chibi’s. We beat the boat back by quite a bit. We had a great lunch, signed up for a Woodwind cruise and headed back to Eden Beach. A new tank, snorkel gear and some more cold drinking water and back to Windsock. This time we drove past where we were earlier. We set up camp and did some snorkeling, it a very good spot for snorkeling with lots of shallow coral. After a bit I grabbed the tank and dive gear.

Dive 6 Windsock, 55’ max., 40 minutes.

It was a very nice relaxing dive, where I did not pick up any stray DM’s. I saw some Spotted Moray, Fire Clams, and a big group of Brittle Stars out in the daytime. Back to Eden Beach for a quick rinse.

At 4:30 Seb and Mare met up with us at Eden Beach and we went down to clean the cam.

Dive 7 Eden’s Rubble, 78’ max., 63 minutes.

This dive is an example of it’s important to have a plan, it is not important to follow it. The plan was to clean the cam and head down to the right to check out some moorings. Well after I showed them the cleaning station we never moved from that spot. It is a great spot, that afternoon we saw a Flaming Reef Lobster, several Rough and Sailfin Blennies, Orange Sided Gobies, Green and Spotted Morays. Another gear rinse, shower, drinks, music and awesome sunset. Then off to Gibi’s.

At Gibi’s we meet Gibi, his wife, brother and daughter, Lisa, Seb and Mare, Liz, Ed and Renee and a nice family from Virginia. The meal was wonderful, I had some grilled chops, and Sue had some grouper. I think there was some butter in the GARLIC butter, but I’m not sure, but boy was it good. The company was great and a good time was had by all.

The next morning after breakfast with my buddies, we loaded up the truck and drove to the Divi. After finding the Woodwind (now docked far left/south) we met up with Ulf and Dee, ditched the shoes and boarded the boat. It was pleasure to see them again and hear how their boys were doing.

We motored/sailed out to the klein and got the mooring at (I think) Joanne’s Sunchi. This was new spot that Dee wanted to try. It was a nice spot, a bit deep for good snorkeling and it was a bit rough that day. Everyone survived and Sue did very well in marginal conditions. Back on the boat and we cruised over to Andrea I.

Andrea is got to be the best snorkel spot on the island. I put my face underwater and there was a squadron of squid. A few minutes later a Blue Tang raiding party came by, those poor damsel fish went crazy. Towards the end I got to show Sue some wrasse love over a coral head. If you watched carefully, you tell when it was going to happen, their movements would get more rapid, and there would be a quick movement up and a small white cloud. Then they would go to the bottom and have a cigarette.

We had a great lunch during the slow ride back. It was a nice group of people on the boat that day, with a nice Dutch family and a couple from Missouri. Back to Eden Beach for a rinse. Sue wanted some beach time, so I strapped a tank on and waddled into the water.

Dive 8 Eden’s Rubble, 77’ max., 42 minutes.

I spend some time near the mooring block and then went over to the cleaning station where there was a tiny Spotted Drum hovering inches from a Spotted Moray. Good thing morays are pretty blind. At some point I met up with Dutch divers and we cruised down to a large mooring north of Eden Beach. A nice feature but the better stuff in near Willie.

Another rinse, shower, music and drinks. Then off to Casablanca’s for dinner with Jake, Linda, Yana, Bas, Seb and Mare. What’s not to love about dinner at Casablanca’s with that company. A great meal and great conversation and got the plant signed, then back to Eden Beach.

I heard tell at dinner that there was wireless LAN at Eden Beach so this night I tried the laptop outside the room. I had tried it in the room the first day, but no signal. This night when I tried it outside the room, I had a signal. It turns out there is wi-fi at the office at Eden Beach and all those nights I drove to chat & browse was just silly (BSM again).

The next morning I went out to have breakfast with my buddies when I found the three Dutch divers waiting for me. I had mentioned diving early but I did not think they would take me up on the offer. There they were ready to go, so off we went.

Dive 9 Eden’s Rubble, 77’ max., 51 minutes.

It was a nice morning dive with some interesting stuff including a Chocolate Chip Sea Cucumber, some open cup coral, Spotted and Sharptail Moray and a cooperative Peacock Flounder. I pretty much just threw the wet gear in the truck and off to the Divi to dive with Ed and Lisa.

Dive 10 Calabasas Reef, 67’ max., 56 minutes.

After suiting up Lisa tried but was not comfortable and turned back. After we made sure Lisa was safe over the wall we went. We started near the jetty for the ship harbor and turned right towards the Divi. When we got to the Divi we went up into the shallows to find the frog fish on the sunken boat. Then back north to the exit, and back to Eden Beach.

A quick rinse and Sue and I headed in to the Lost Penguin for lunch. While eating and talking to Renada, the Missouri couple (from the Woodwind) walked by and we talked them into eating at the Lost Penguin. After lunch we did some shopping and then started south to do some sightseeing. On the way we see the Mo. couple walking towards the Divi so we give them a ride. After we dropped them off, it occurred to me to invite them along sightseeing. So I ran and caught up with them and off we went.

The plan was to go around the south end, so the first stop was the donkey sanctuary. It turns out John and Linda were farmers and fostered wild ponies, so they really enjoyed meeting Marina and seeing the donkeys. We then drove around the south and stopped at Jib City for drinks and watched the wind surfers for a bit. Then over to Lac Cai but the flamingos were not home. Then back into town and dropped off Linda and John and off we went to Capt Dons for dinner.

This is the second time we have eaten at Capt Dons and both times it was exceptional. This time Sue had the filet mignon and I had wasbi shrimp. One thing that is a lot of fun at Capt Dons is to throw your leftovers to the tarpon/fish. After diner we went back to Eden Beach and Sue got her snorkel gear and I got my dive gear. Sue met up with Dee for a night snorkel at the Divi and I met up with Ellen for a night dive.

Dive 11 Night Dive Something Special, 49’ max., 67 minutes.

For this dive Ellen and I snorkeled to the jetty by the boat harbor and dove back. I forget how spectacular the reef is at night, this dive was a great reminder. All the coral seemed to be open and were displaying some wondrous colors. Ellen started out by leading me to two Frog Fish and then we cruised back along the wall. I saw all kinds of sleeping Parrot Fish, another Flaming Reef Lobster, and one huge spiny lobster up on a coral head, Later in the dive I happen to notice these two eyes sticking up above a coral head. I watched for a second and there were tentacles, it was a smallish octopus, playing hide and seek with me. I watched and photographed a bit and he disappeared down into the coral. On way back there were numerous anemone sticking up out of the sand/rubble. There was also the cutest little Spotted Moray that lived in a couch shell. Back to Eden Beach to rinse.

Sue had taken a cab home from her night snorkel. She enjoyed it and saw a number of new things including Frog Fish, Octopus, Barracuda, many squid, various shrimp, flounder, and lots of sleeping parrots. Sue was not always comfortable and being under the pier was scary.

We slept late the following morning and after breakfast, I asked Bart if there was a boat dive that morning. He said yes, in 10 minutes, so a few minutes later I find myself zipping across the bay heading for the Klein in the Wanna Dive boat. After checking mooring Bart hooked up to Joanne’s Sunchi, of all the spots. This is where we had just snorkeled on the Woodwind.

Dive 12 Joanne’s Sunchi, 90’ max. 66 minutes.

Diving a spot is very different than snorkeling there. I was the only single so that made Bart my buddy. Bart gave us a briefing and said the pool was open. So I back rolled in and dropped down to the coral flats and hung out while everyone else was getting in. Once we all joined up we followed the wall. It was a great wall with lots of soft coral and sponges. I pretty much stayed in the back with Bart staying down on the reef poking my head into all the holes.

After a bit Bart and I saw a Bonairian anchor across the reef. We both had the same thought, remove it. I swam to where it went from monofilament to nylon and cut it with my shears, just as it cut the line the shears broke in half. The rivet had rusted. I have had those shears for a few years and they have served me well.

I gathered up the monofilament while Bart headed down to get the anchor. This turned out to be a bunch of large steel nuts and were at 130’. Bart also had to put quite a bit of air in his BCD to make up for the anchor weight. Now those that remember the last time I was on Bonaire I retrieved another anchor in front of the Divi on my last dive. Here I was again on my almost last dive finding another one, just too weird.

By the time we had finished the rest of the group had turned around and were heading back. Once we got back I sat on the bottom while everyone got back in the boat. Once they were finished I swam up to the ladder. Back to Eden Beach.

While I was diving, Sue was getting a massage. She was not back yet, so I strapped on a new tank and dropped down to Willie for my last dive.

Dive 13 Eden’s Rubble, 77’ max., 43 minutes.

This was a great dive with some of the best UW pictures. For some reason all the good stuff was out that morning including a Creole Wrasse with isopod, a tiny Sharp Nosed Puffer, many Arrow Crabs, Pederson Shrimp, Red Lipped Blennies, Rough Blennies and a cute French Angel. One strange thing was running into a professional photographer (I think). He had two huge rigs, one for video and a DSLR for stills. He would leave one somewhere while using the other. Once out of the water, Sue was back and after a good rinse, off we went to the Lost Penguin for lunch.

Now one minor disappointment for this trip has been Eggs Benedict at the Lost Penguin, they only serve before 11:00 AM or after 3:00 PM due to how long it takes to prepare. We only seemed to get there for lunch on this trip. There were not many customers so I asked Ton nicely and I got my Eggs Benedict. Life is good.

After lunch we did some shopping downtown and at Chat and Browse. We then headed back to Eden Beach for some beach time and to get the packing done. That night was barbeque night at Bongos and seemed half the island was there. The Dutch family from the Woodwind and John and Linda were there. It was also one of the best sunsets of the week. I got some great shots some including a couple of local fishing on the reef with hand lines. The barbeque was very good and I should have held it up to the cam for all to see, next time. After dinner we cruised down to Ellen’s fish camp to have her sign the plant and drop off some unused booze, sodas and stuff.

The following morning I was up early and had breakfast with my buddies and did the last signs. Eventually it was time and we loaded all the stuff, said goodbye to everyone and off we went to the airport. I dropped the truck off at Budget without any issues. It was an old POS truck but it served us well for the week with no complaints. The lack of power steering made for some tough turns at low speed. I did provide some quality entertainment for one group that watched me struggle to get that dog out of the Chat and Browse parking lot.

We were scheduled on the BE flight to Aruba by way of Curacao. The flight left on time and we arrived in Aruba on time. After waiting in another ridiculous line at immigration we check in at US Air, we were scheduled on a flight that getting ready to leave for Charlotte and then connecting to Boston arriving there at 11:00 PM. I sweet talked the agent and asked if we could fly the direct flight to Boston. She played with her computer a bit and we were booked on the direct that was leaving in 5 hours and gets into Boston at 10:00 PM. Yes, we have a winner. We knew what to do, drop the luggage and get a cab to Manchebo Beach. The only issue was no swim suits, well I looked into the top of one of the checked bags and there was a suit for both of us.

We had another great lunch at Manchebo Beach and hung out at the bar for a bit. Once again we had the same cab pick us up to go back to the airport. The flight to Boston was full but uneventful and we were back in New Hampshire before the other plane got to Boston.

Conclusion

An absolutely fabulous trip on all levels. Our travels there and back was without hassle and was actually quite enjoyable. The weather was perfect, the diving phenomenal (especially the east side), no bugs, and no crime. Eden Beach was very nice, very convenient and reasonable and we both agree that we could go back there. The Wanna Dive crew were a blast and a lot of fun to hang out with.

We loved the Lost Penguin, Capt Don’s and Gibi’s. We also had great meals at Chibi Chibi’s, the Rib Factory and Bongos. We were not satisfied with the Banana Tree.

When all is said and done it was the people that made this trip so much fun. I especially would like to thank Jake and Linda, Seb and Mare, Bas, Ellen and Liz and Ed for their time, you guys are the best. This trip was to short but we did manage to cram a lot into seven days.

L'shanah haba'ah Kralendijk, Next Year in Kralendijk (with apologies to our Jewish brethren).


Sunset

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kelly Baum (GDLW) (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3232) on Tuesday, September 27, 2005 - 4:19 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Now that's what I'm talking about... what a great report ! I've been waiting.... lol.

Glad you and Sue had a great 2nd trip. :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tom (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2506) on Tuesday, September 27, 2005 - 4:40 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Cecil, this is one of the best trip reports I have ever read! Thank you very much.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fredster (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6531) on Tuesday, September 27, 2005 - 5:05 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Ditto what Tom and Kelly said Cecil !! You out did yourself this time for sure.. Great report!!!! Hugs to Sue

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ellen Muller (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #366) on Tuesday, September 27, 2005 - 5:26 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Cecil, it was great to see you and Sue again. I hope it won't be too long until the next time.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Patches (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2197) on Tuesday, September 27, 2005 - 5:37 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

OMG, that was fabulous, Cecil!!! I felt like I was there with you guys and all the great pics, well, just simply the Best! What do you do for a living? You should write novels or something! :-)
I loved your daily postcards! Great shots. You could make a calendar of your very own of Bonaire with all those awesome shots under the sea!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By PATRICK T. (BonaireTalker - Post #77) on Tuesday, September 27, 2005 - 5:57 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Cecil, great report!!!! great pictures!!!!!!! Thanks enjoyed it thoroughly.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jeff Charlston (BonaireTalker - Post #12) on Tuesday, September 27, 2005 - 7:10 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

We leave at o'dark thirty Sunday, flying AA from Dulles via SJU. After reading that I'm ready to go right now. Guess I'll console myself by packing *lol* Great report, thanks!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron Gould (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #311) on Tuesday, September 27, 2005 - 7:21 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Cecil, thanks for the well done report. You missed your calling. A writer in disguise!! Ron

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cyn Loo Hoo (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #14663) on Tuesday, September 27, 2005 - 10:05 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Cecil, great report and pictures! I'm with Jeff, if I weren't leaving in 11 days, I'd be green with envy! Jeff, will you be there on Oct 11th?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron LaCourse (BonaireTalker - Post #45) on Wednesday, September 28, 2005 - 1:12 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Excellent, obviously you put alot of time in it and we appreciate it!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By DARLENE ELLIS (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1708) on Wednesday, September 28, 2005 - 10:04 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

You out did yourself Cecil!!! Great report!!!! I am glad that you and Sue had such a great time but of course I knew you would!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cam (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #546) on Wednesday, September 28, 2005 - 10:58 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Man, what a fantastic slide show...great work Cecil

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Niki Harris (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1485) on Wednesday, September 28, 2005 - 2:38 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Cecil, I really enjoyed reading your report. It was almost like being there. It was so fun to do all that with you the first time, and the second time seems to have been everything you could have hoped for. I could imagine the Cai shore dive with Bas, move for move, because we did it with him too. BT, I first got him to eat eggs benedict at lost penguin and so I'm brimming with pride! Aww, gee, Cecil, I guess getting married on the sailboat was cool, but I can't help but be sorry we couldn't have gone to Bonaire too.... :-( :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Eileen BT Mommy x 2 (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #8558) on Wednesday, September 28, 2005 - 8:56 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks for the awesome report!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jeff Charlston (BonaireTalker - Post #13) on Thursday, September 29, 2005 - 6:47 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Cyn:

Yes we will be there, we fly out AE early on the 12th.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Yana girl (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #343) on Friday, September 30, 2005 - 7:38 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jeff,
You will fly out with Kelly, Steve, Bettie and Me!!! I hope meet you in Bonaire. You are more than welcomed to come to the Oct 11th festivities!!! Come and meet some BT chatters.
Yanagirl

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cyn Loo Hoo (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #14690) on Friday, September 30, 2005 - 10:56 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Yana...BT chatters? How bout BT crazies...LOL! Jeff, hope you can make the woodwind sail with the group the morning of the 11th, and then the double trouble birthday girl bash for yana and kelly at GRI, catered by Gibi's that night! It's gonna be a full day!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jeff Charlston (BonaireTalker - Post #15) on Friday, September 30, 2005 - 4:35 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Sounds like fun! My buddy had talked about driving through the park on our last day, but Woodwind and the bash sound like fun. Can I get some more info on the bash, not familiar with "GRI"- long day, it'll probably be a Homer Simpson moment. you'll know us when you see us, I've got a moustache, glasses, and a military-style buzz cut in salt and pepper (low maintenance, I want to focus all energy on diving! 37 hours to departure and counting...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By DARLENE ELLIS (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1716) on Friday, September 30, 2005 - 9:47 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jeff here are the two links with the info. I hope you can join us. They are going to be events not to be missed!!!!!

http://www.oldbonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/27/234871.html?1125005223

http://www.oldbonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/27/234395.html?1125078736

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By DARLENE ELLIS (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1717) on Friday, September 30, 2005 - 9:50 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jeff here are the two links with the info. I hope you can join us. They are going to be events not to be missed!!!!!

http://www.oldbonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/27/234871.html?1125005223

http://www.oldbonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/27/234395.html?1125078736

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John"Smack"Anderson (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1081) on Thursday, October 6, 2005 - 10:50 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Very nice report, Cecil! Excellent! Glad you enjoyed Eden Beach(I knew you would). The slide show was great! I've gotta do one when I get back.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By john fleischmann (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Sunday, October 9, 2005 - 7:09 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Cecil, We are going thru Aruba in Dec. as you did, and would like to spend the lay over at
Manchebo Beach Resort for lunch then make our connection with B.E. to Bonaire, can you give us some tips to make this part of our trip go smoothly THX!.... GO YANKEES!!!!...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cecil (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4272) on Sunday, October 9, 2005 - 3:50 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

John, welcome to Bonaire Talk. Getting to Manchebo Beach is pretty simple, just catch a cab. It will cost $17 and ask the cab driver to come back for you when you need to get back. They are happy to do that. The only issue is the checked luggage, BE will not check it in early. You can always take it with you and have the desk staff (at Manchebo Beach) keep an eye on it.

Make sure you have a bathing suit and towel for the beach/pool.

 


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