another great trip. we got to bonaire on time on american eagle on wednesday sept. 28 and got settled into our place at lighthouse beach. surprisingly our cell phone grew legs and walked away so thursday i went out and bought another one. we went to carib inn and signed up for diving. this was to be a relaxing vacation and the only work we had planned was to put new slip covers on our furniture and to install new gaskets on our fridge and freezer. ahhh...the best laid plans of mice and men....

while cleaning furniture on thursday mary noticed a mark on the back of the couch. we traced it to a water leak in the ceiling. that started the adventure of finding someone to fix it. we got one person to fix it (unsuccessfully) and then he left the island for vacation. our next choice was also off bonaire at the time. we finally got someone who did a great job but was as prompt as most other workers...wait, wait, and wait some more. that put a crimp in our diving schedule. glad to say it finally did get fixed.

we went to gibi's on oct. 4 and met all the great people from bt. food and conversation were great as always.

we also ate at pasa bon pizza of course. tried barracude club...ok meal. stiflers...wow, the size of the burgers and ribs was incredible...a great value.


we got some great dives in at oil slick, margate bay, invisibles, 1000 steps, and andrea I and II. in spite of waiting at our place while the plumber worked, we did get 12 dives in...and saw two great looking green morays while diving jeannies glory.

sunday october 9 we went to bongo's for the swim to klein. we got as wet on the beach as we would have in the water...then they cancelled the swim due to bad weather. drove home thru flooded streets and found that lighthouse beach had only received a light shower.

sunday night we marched in the all nations parade for regatta. this was our first regatta parade so i was selected to carry the flag. it was a fun parade. there were about 10-15 americans in our group and as some would leave, donna di salvo would find others along the route to replace them. had a great time at willeminapleine and the waterfront after the parade. monday donna called to say that our picture was on the front page of Extra...we are now media darlings.

monday we watched the regatta sail past lighthouse beach then we went into town. we were done diving so our stuff could hang and dry thoroughly before we stored it.

tuesday we were ready to head to the woodwind for our snorkelling trip when darlene called to say it was cancelled due to weather and mechanical problems. we went to golden reef for the birthday party for yana and kelly. we all had a great time and gibi put on a feast for us all. darlene looked especially perky that night.

wednesday we went back to town for the microboat races for regatta. the entire regatta event was great and we'll be back next year for it...and stay for three weeks instead of two. wednesday night we were at carib inn for the turtle talk by stcb and then to pasa bon again for dinner with andy and lee.

we left thursday morning on american eagle to san juan. from san juan we flew to jfk. then i jinxed our trip by calling my brother as we taxied and told him we were on schedule and to meet us in cleveland at 745PM. our flight from jfk didnt' leave the gate till 730 and then taxied 11 MILES (according to the pilot) before we took off at 9PM. got to cleveland and 50 degree weather about 10P and got home frozen at 11 and went to bed.

ok..that's it....i'll add more if i think of it. we'll be back in february for our winter visit. looking forward to seeing everybody again.

Good trip report Pat. Glad you had a great time. Thanks for taking the time to write.

Pat, thanks for the report! It was great seeing you and Mary again.

I am searching my pics now for one of Darlene... lol...

i have a good one of you kelly (see? darlene wasn't the only one getting her picture taken...she just tried to be the perkiest).

LOL --- she was definitely the perkiest.

Pat, nice report and it was good to see the both of you! Looking forward to seeing you again in March!!! I sure did feel perky that night!

you were very perky...until the perkiness started to deflate.

I have some of the perky pics...picking them up at lunch today so I'll try to post them later