Okay, it's really Kelly's report since Steve hasn't edited it... but here goes.

Trip Report
Sept. 30th – Oct. 12th, 2005


Getting There

AA - Columbus-Boston-San Juan-Bonaire
Hard to believe, but all flights were on time or early. Very little in the way of turbulence also which made my husband happy! We had planned to meet up with Cam and Sheryl Faminow in San Juan in the bar for a few drinks before the flight. I looked down the bar, and at the same time I said “I think that’s Cam”, he was saying “I think that’s Kelly”. LOL. We hit it off immediately and started planning our fun…

I made some great new friends in Cam and Sheryl. We ended up having dinner with them most nights I think, and Cam was my dive buddy. I will let Cam tell you about his air consumption. And I also won’t mention his FREE beach towels. lol.
We had a blast hanging out with them though, and hope to be able to make a trip to Canada for a visit. They invited us and I said, don’t ask if you don’t want us showing up on your doorstep !! They say they have good beef there.. we’ll see…

Accommodations

The first three nights we stayed at the Belmar. I truly cannot recommend this place enough. We had unit #16 and it was very spacious with a great kitchen. The view was amazing. We spent some time at the pool just laying around under the thatched umbrellas, and all was right with the world. The remainder of our visit was staying with friends and feeling like a local. Loved it. Rented from AB, had a good truck, no problems at all.

Cam and Sheryl at the Belmar


Steve at Belmar


Dining

We had GREAT food. The only thing I wasn’t thrilled with was my steak at Coco’s. Other than that, it was perfect. I had beef almost every single night. I love vacation. For our non-restaurant food, we shopped at Cultimara downtown. Remember to bring your own bags !

Richards (x 3)
Casablanca (x 2)
Croccantinos
Captain Dons ( x 2)
Gibis ( x 2)
The Lost Penguin - breakfast (every day they were open)
Chibi Chibi (one lunch, one breakfast)
Pasa Bon, the best pizza on the planet
Bistro di Paris (x 2)

A New Kind of Hot, or “We Are 3 Feet From The Sun”

The first week we were there it was hot. I mean H-O-T hot. In fact, I was talking to Ann Phelan on the phone, she was supposed to join us for drinks and she said, “I’m hot, are YOU hot??” I was like… uhhhhh well you LIVE HERE and you’re hot, what do you think??” LOL !!! One of Steve’s favorite pastimes was to weigh himself on the digital scale, sit in the living room and watch a movie for 1 ½ hours (all the while drinking tons of water) and then RE-WEIGH himself after the movie. It was a fun game. He lost an average of 2 lbs. per movie. My favorite “it’s hot” story is that my toenail polish melted.
I was actually able to scrape off my polish with my fingernail. Niiiiice.

Either it cooled down a bit the second week, or I actually joined the secret “You get used to the heat” club.

Diving

I used Wannadive again, and they were great. I was able to get small tanks, too. Since this was my first diving since my surgery, I was trying to limit the weight as much as possible. The small tanks were just the ticket. Most of my dives were with Cam, but I did get to dive with T-Shirt Divers John and Sue, Cynde and Babs, and Ellen and Erwin Muller. My only regret is not diving with Bas this trip, but next time it’s at the top of my list !

Eden Beach
Calabas
Captain Dons (Cliff site I believe)
Oil Slick Leap
Margate Bay
Belmar house reef
Bari

Cam and Kelly


Steve and me at the Divi ladder



People and Fun

I met so many BTers this trip that I know I won’t remember everyone. Also had some time for some old friends as well.

Yana Girl
Bettie
Darlene Ellis
Tom Cousino
The Smackster
Ellen and Erwin Muller
Pat and Mary Murphy
Dave and Wanda
Liz and Ed
of course Jake and Linda and kidlings
Cynde
Babs
Norma (or NORMAL)
Susan Porter and Lisa
Avy from the Cinnamon Art Gallery
Patty from the Hoppner House
Ann Phelan
Bas
Wildside Larry
Jan Huckaby

Our new friends, Cam and Sheryl


Oct. 8th was our first year anniversary, and we spent it at Richards. We were not disappointed. We reserved the table out on the dock, and it was so cool. It was a spectacular sunset, with the little sailboats bobbing by… picture perfect. The food was delicious… it was just a little slice of heaven. A big thank you to Richard for making our evening picture-perfect. (literally)

Here is the picture to prove it.



We got to meet the two boys we sponsor at the Maria Hoppner House this time. One of the boys is now out of the home, so we only now sponsor one, Elvison. We went snorkeling with the boys one afternoon and enjoyed it so much. Even if you can’t sponsor a boy, just try to do something with them, or take them some KFC or pizza. They love the attention and if you think you can’t communicate with them you are wrong !! We had very little problems communicating… lots of pointing and laughing though. Just a few hours of your trip will make these boys very very happy. Both Marven and Elvison made pictures for Steve and I and they will be very treasured.

Elvison


Steve and me with some of the Hoppner boys


After endless phone calls and messages, I finally managed to hook up with Ann Phelan, and we met at Capt. Dons for pizza. After dinner, the waiter came out with a little cake with a sparkler in it and Ann and Steve sang Happy Birthday to me. I’m thinking… does it get any better than this???? I think not !!

Now about my birthday party. I don’t know where to start with this one…. to say I was surprised is an understatement. Now, I KNEW there was a party, but I had no idea the extent of the preparations. Liz and Ed hosted it at the Golden Reef Inn in the courtyard. They had a tent set up with white lights, balloons, and party favors. Nice table centerpieces, too… flamingoes, etc. Lots of crowns floating around for us to wear… Cynde and Babs greeted me with all kinds of paraphernalia to wear, including a shot glass around my neck that Yana and I did champagne shots with later. (big thanks to Ann P. for the Bonairean champagne!) Yana Girl (also my birthday twin) had brought foam tiaras for us to decorate with foam fish, jewels, etc. Steve got to be the pirate and was such a good sport. At one point, Steve came up to me and said, “oh my god you have your own CRAFT TABLE at your birthday party!!” We also had thongs hanging on the clothesline to pick and wear over our clothes. I brought my own purple thong though.. lol… A very big heartfelt thank you to Liz and Ed for making my birthday celebration the best one ever.

Darlene Ellis, Barbara Leary, ME, Cynde, and Cam


The girls! Yana (my birthday twin), me, Darlene Ellis and Sheryl Faminow.


Me, Liz Ginocchio and Steve the Pirate


And who can forget Darlene, and her Flotation Devices??



Gibi did the food and Steve is still talking about the ribs! I ate enough chicken to kill me I think but man oh man was it GOOOOD. Food was great, beer was cold, friends all around me, and I was in BONAIRE !! It was the best birthday ever, I definitely felt special for my first annual 39th birthday.

Steve and me with Gibi.


Annette at Last Bite did the cake and it was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen… I think it had Bailey’s in it too (Cynde correct me if that’s wrong..) but it was hard to eat after eating 27 pieces of chicken. I gave it a good effort, though.

While shopping downtown, we were approached by a young man selling timeshares. This really bothered me. He said are you vacationing, and I said, “no, we live here”. The poor kid didn’t know what to say after that. I hope this isn’t the new trend …. We saw them several times working the street and stopping people. This is the reason we love Bonaire, the lack of this sort of thing..

It was a fantastic trip and we can’t wait to get back!

And one very relaxed Kelly.

Kelly, how are you going to top this birthday for your 40th??

Kelly, Awesome report!!! I really had a great time at your birthday Thonga bash!! It was great to meet you and Steve but it really felt like being with old friends! I hope our paths cross on Bonaire again and I too would like to see how you top this party for your 40th!!!

I don't think it CAN be topped... but maybe Vegas next year. ;)

Darlene and Sue... both of you were like old friends right off the bat. I, too, hope our paths cross again. Sooner rather than later.

FINALLY......I had ALMOST forgotten about your birthday celebration...HE HE !

Thanks for the belated but much appreciated report. What a fun time. Inquiring minds what to know...what with all the great food.....how much weight did you gain?

If you can believe it, I lost two pounds. (gained it back since, though..)

Kelly, I'm going to add some birthday pics to this thread too

Kelly and Yana getting their tattoos (such BAD girls)


Yana and her tattoo


Here is the "craft table"....Kelly and I did manage to make a couple of x-rated seahorse hats...LOL!


Pat, Darlene (and her flotation devices), Norma and Mary (scroll over pic)


The gang (notice, everyone has "hats" on)


Me, Bas and Yana


Birthday girl and her pirate


The birthday girls (Yana checking out her flotation devices)


Yana in front of the "Thonga Wall"


Steve trying out Kelly's shades


Birthday girl in full regalia


Kelly and Steve at Croccatino's


The gang at Croccatino's


I have no idea what Avy was doing, but it must have been funny!


Me, Kelly and Steve at Croccatino's

And Avi of course...

It's good to see the pictures, I wish I could have been there...

Wow! You all had so much fun! I can feel the excitement through the computer. Thanks for sharing.

Cold, wet, and snowy, here...need more pictures!

Cynde, that picture of Avy with Steve is hilarious !!! Have no idea what the heck was so funny but what a funny picture !

Well, I wasn't going to post this picture, probably because it is the worst one I have ever had taken of me (Tom may have a couple more but I will kill him if he posts them)...

This must have been what Avy was laughing at...(scroll over pic}

The hat was really a hit...



I think we all must have some sort of hat/tiara/put anything on your head fetish! LOL!

It's a Bonaire Thang. ;)

LMAO all through this report.

Kelly, great report - great photos! It was so nice to finally meet you and Steve, even if you do cry (happy tears) way too much;-{)}

Hopefully, we will be on Bonaire at the same time in the future. Having more than a few hours to share would be nice! No shirts next time, I promise;-{)}

Cynde, didn't I promise you "those" photos were safe? (evil Homer laugh)

Well, Cynde has a picture of ME that I would pay to have the negative to destroy it... you know of what I speak, sister....

Tom, ditto buddy... my husband LOVED you!! Not nearly enough time.

Tom, please do send me a copy of the pictures, I promise I'll try not to post them on purpose...

Kelly, what picture is that?

Tom, do NOT, I repeat do NOT send Martin those pictures...

you mean this picture Cynde???

No Freddie, she means this one

and this one

But I promised her I wouldn't post them, so don't look at them.

Kelly....oh to be so young and NOT gain weight on Bonaire. We walk most mornings from Capt. Don's to the fruit & vegie stand downtown and back (Al does everyday but sometimes I just can't get up at 5 - 6 am) PLUS all the normal water activities PLUS semi-watch what I eat.....and I still gain weight.

But I happily return every year!

Tom, you know I will not take too much advantage of the pictures...

Tom, Freddie, you are both saved due to the fact that those pictures didn't upload...my heart was in my throat when I first saw you were trying to post them...

Martini...really, they are bad...not my best side! LOL!

Great Report and Photos!!!!!

Happy birthday Kelly and many more happy ones
Andy

Fun pictures!!

Kelly,
What A great report...Thanks..The Birthday Party was great!!

I have the "package" in my suitcase. Just a wake up away! Will be staying at Great Escape the first night then Belmar the next 13 nights.

Leaving for RDU in about an hour. I was hoping to catch an early dinner with MaryM and Dirk. The only phone number I have for her in my new cell phone is her work number Yikes!!! I'm in the biggty trouble!!
See you on the Cams within the next 2 weeks!!!
Yana

Yana, have a great trip! 13 nights at Belmar...wow, I am jealous for sure! Safe diving

I am so jealous it's almost tangible. Wahhhhhh

Let go of your jealousy ladies. Breathe in the good, breathe out the bad. Ohmmmmmmmmmmm.

Kelly, I can not tell you how many times I have viewed this trip report. I swear each time my smile grows.

The "Partay" that Liz, Ed and Gibi put together for you and Yana was incredible. I am so glad Smackster and I were able to arrive in time to attend it.

Tom, I wish I had a picture of my face when (I think it was Cynde) yelled at me and I turned around and realized it was YOU !!! I may have even teared up a little... lol... yes we all know I cry all the damn time...

A few more pics.

The "Polar" can I found off Divi.


A photo that Cam took of me with the turtle we saw on our first dive I think.

OMG I am laughing my butt off... those are so NOT the right pictures....

oh well nevermind... it's funny just like it is.

let try a few others.

This should be the beer !


And here is one that Cam took at the anchor at the Divi.

LMAO Kelly...OMG, that is just tooooooo funny....rat! Max...hey, I look skinnier in that pic...better go back on my diet! LOL!

Cynde, I thought the SAME THING !!! Good Lord, it's amazing what a few years'll do to ya !

But man oh man I am still laughing, esp. at at the turtle picture....

Uhhhh sorry... I meant I thought the same thing about ME !! Not you !!!

What a great trip report and pics. I don't know how you are going to top your 39th birthday party.
I think you and Steve should just buy a vacation home on Bonaire. Then you can rent it out really cheap to your favorite ex-husband!!

I agree with Lisa, how will you top your 39th celebration? If you do purchase a vacation home, you could also rent it out (again really cheap) to, oh, say people that have worn tiaras, thongs etc., in your honor

I wouldn't be a good landlord, I'd just let people stay for free... maybe that's why I'm NOT a landlord ! ha ha !

I still like the idea of a BT house though...

And Tom, you have the distinction of wearing a tiara two years in a row for me for my birthday. These things I will never forget.

You guys were so very lucky to be there at the same time great pictures guys, Love to see people having so much fun together.

Kelly.....we miss you and Steve (TIHRN)!!! Suck it up and get to Bonaire with us In February!!! I'll make you a whole set of Bonaire music CD's....all 7 of them...