Jean & Chet: 23 Feb-9 Mar 2002
BONAIRE WEB CAMS:
-Watch timing
[CHET] We set our watches to within one (1) second of official time before we left home so we wouldn’t need to ‘pose’ for two (2) minutes for each StreetCam picture. Used Jean’s watch at Cam; ‘pose’ for 10 sec. before and 10 sec. after even number minutes. Didn’t work out very well, later found that the “cheap” watch was off by almost a whole minute by the end of the first week, and died before the end of the trip. Were on Cam three times:
-Tue (26 Feb, 10:18-10:34) delivered bag of ‘goodies’ (for people and dogs)
-Sun ( 3 Mar, 13:52-14:16) also, walked down toward power/water plant and were greeted by Bas’s dogs (made it easy to determine which yard was his (confirmed also by ‘Mini’s’ parked there).
-Fri ( 8 Mar, 15:30-15:38) picked-up T-shirts (got one of each, BT & Cam, both great, although, I like the BT one best).
Sunday at Cai:
[JEAN] Met Josie at Cai on Sunday. Also Ginger and Barbara Hart. Josie had picked up a nice couple from England and we had a nice walk along the conch piles. I like to stop by Cai, listen to the local music and walk around. That day the band was so loud you could only be heard by shouting and it gave me a headache, so we didn’t stay long.
[CHET] Also, needed to get back to pick up tanks for night dive.
TRIP REPORTS:
Dive Shop:
[JEAN] We knew that the Sand Dollar Dive and Photo shop was in Bankruptcy, so no surprises ([CHET] except that Leo, Malan, and other familiars were still there providing service).
[JEAN] The condo association had made arrangements with Wanna Dive for gear, air, and boats, with the same staff from previous years providing the service. By the time we left Andre was setting up shop for the new dive shop with new partners.
Have they decided on a name? We’ve heard 3 different names; liked Bari Reef Divers, which was in Anne Carlson’s e-mail newsletter, but apparently it is now called Bonaire Dive & Adventure. And the new pier is now under construction. Yeah!!
ACCOMMODATIONS:
-Sand$
[JEAN] We love Sand Dollar Condo’s and particularly the Zale’s condo. It is right above the office, quiet area and at night the security guard is usually right below. Zale’s just put in a brand new full size frig. The rooms at Sand Dollar are American sized, kitchen large enough to cook in, we do most of our meals in because of my food allergies and it’s cheaper.
[CHET] This was our second consecutive (hopefully of many more) year using Zale’s unit. We arrived the same day the Zale’s left, and greatly appreciated that they left us some goodies in the frig; particularly the Amstel (and the butter, the English muffins, the film, & …). Especially nice since we got there 2-3 hours later than expected (see ‘Getting to Bonaire’ below). Thanks again Alan & Joan.
-Eden’s Beach
[JEAN] We visited Eden’s Beach. Nice beach and the Wanna Dive staff seem nice. The two bedroom condos are two stories with a narrow stairs. Rooms are small but nice. Small kitchen but probably adequate for people who just want to sleep and dive, and don’t do a lot of cooking.
[CHET] Since I do a lot of cooking while on Island, I would feel very cramped in those kitchens.
DINING:
-Gibi’s Terrace
[JEAN] We met the Bonaire Talkers on the 2 Tuesday nights we were there. Met Diver Debbi and Adam, Charlotte and Bob Fishman (self proclaimed ‘BT lurkers’ and friends of Debbi & Adam), Josie and their friend Bill. Feel like they are all old friends now.
I would recommend Gibi’s Terrace for local food. Gibi is very accommodating and nice to chat with. I’m allergic to corn oil, which is what he usually cooks his fried food in. So I brought in some canola oil and he cooked my meal up separately. And it was delicious. I had the fish catch of the day and he served it with Cole slaw, a slice of watermelon and fried plantain. Yum!
[CHET] Ditto on the recommendation: had Conch stew first night and BBQ ribs the second Tuesday. Both very good and very reasonable priced.
[JEAN] I think it would be great to continue the Tuesday night tradition (we certainly plan on it for next year). And Gibi’s is a nice local food restaurant. The have various stews including goat stew and conch stew. There’s ribs, chicken, rice, funchi (which is a local dish, apparently similar to a ‘block’ of cornmeal mush) etc.
I like the local ambiance. The people there were relaxed and friendly. A local group was having a party and Josie hopped up to help take picture and then ended up in the picture, shortly joined by various other people in the restaurant including a small boy who ran over from the other side of the terrace. All done with lots of laughter.
-Chibi Chibi at Divi Flamingo Bonaire Resort
We had lunch there the day before we left with Josie, Jake, Linda, Bas and Yana. Yana is a lovely girl, talkative and not shy. She pointed out fish for me and drew a picture of a sergeant major on her napkin. Bas is a handsome active young man. I think maybe he takes after his father. (Bas had his 5th birthday shortly after our trip.) The terrace is over the water and fish swim up for a chance at a French fry. Beautiful view. Nice décor. Friendly staff and they serve in a timely manner. I have heard that some restaurants are on island time, which is fine unless you’re very hungry. Food was very good. I had a fish salad; simple, fresh and good. [CHET] I had fish sandwich, also very good.
[JEAN]
-KFC
I like to stop there for lunch when we are out shopping. The chicken and Cole slaw is good.
-Cozzoli’s
I had some watermelon juice on ice in a tall glass with an umbrella. It was delicious.
[CHET] While Jean was having the KFC and juice, I was devouring the Cozzoli’s Calzone (superb).
-Zale’s Kitchen
We do most of our own cooking (due to Jean’s multitude of food allergies), so I really appreciate the large and fully equipped kitchen (yes Alan, I also appreciated the new knife set). Also, now after 5 years of staying in Sand$ rooms, I think I’m finally starting to understand the electric range settings.
DIVING & SNORKELING:
-Bari Reef
[JEAN] Saw Octopus several times. One posed for the camera and flashed a pretty light blue color. Once there were 2 together close to shore on the south side of the rock outcropping where the new pier is going in. Saw a lot of spotted scorpionfish. And Chet sited a Reef Scorpionfish. Also Chet swam alongside a nice sized Hawksbill Turtle ([CHET]Jean captured turtle and me on video, unfortunately, I didn’t have the Sea & Sea with me on that dive). [JEAN] Lots of eels and every kind of fish. Blueheads, wrasses, chromis, Schoolmasters, surgeonfish, tangs, coneys, trunkfish, (a Bluespotted Cornetfish, and a Bandtail Puffer) etc. [CHET] Also, the snorkel to the south along the shore toward the old Sunset beach property and the concrete remains/ruins of ???? (called the “Aquarium” by Instructor/Naturalist Anne Carlson) is a super place to see a wide variety of critters. Over the past two years, saw our first Glasseye Snapper, Glassy Sweeper, Rock Hind, and Goldspotted Eel doing that snorkel.
-Angel City
[JEAN] Lovely site with the double reef. You can park right by the water, put your gear on the tailgate of your pickup and step in. Saw a big Rainbow parrotfish, Black Durgon, Palometa, etc. etc. Had a bit of surge, be sure to come in on the one sandy area.
[CHET] This was our first dive on the double reef system and went there twice; will definitely return to this site (particularly to do the dive north toward Hilma Hooker).
-Ol’ Blue
[JEAN] Great site. Easy entry once you get down a 5 foot ledge, if you go further south from the entry there are easier spots to step down. Then hand gear down from the ledge. Lots of beautiful coral. French Angels, Rock Beauties, Gobies, Parrotfish, etc. etc., etc. On our dive (9:15 am), we were the only ones parked there going in, then came out to find about 8 vehicles.
[CHET] This is also a site we will return to; entry should still be fairly safe and easy even with significant wave/surge action.
-Windsock
[JEAN] You park out on the street, so we geared up there then walked to shore. Not far. Nice fish and coral. You can hear the boat engines ([CHET] lots’a boat engines) [JEAN] in the harbor. I think the fuel depot pier is going in here for the airport.
[CHET]
-New sightings (positive identifications) for the year:
Hawksbill Turtle, Reef Scorpionfish, Bandtail Puffer, Bluespotted Cornetfish, Glassy Sweeper, Black Hamlet, Saucereye Porgy, White Grunt, Saddled Blenny, Boga, Yellowline Goby, Bermuda Chub, and Peppermint Goby.
Our Bonaire life-time list now at 146.
WINDSURFING & KITE BOARDING:
[JEAN]
-Kite Boarding
When we were at Cai on Sunday, there was a young man names Sky out on a Kite board. It looks wonderful. The kite is inflatable with battens. So transporting it is easy. Only catch is rolling up the lines. He rode on a board similar to a snow board. The wind would lift him off the water and he would spin around and land and take off the other direction. When he came in I told him it looked great. He said no, “Not enough wind today.” He is originally from California, but he and his dad moved here some time ago. He is also a good windsurfer.
-Windsurf
I got in a couple hours of windsurfing on a light wind day. It was perfect for me. The bay is just wonderful to be out on in the sunshine and blue water. Heavenly.
[CHET] I quit sailboarding years ago, got very tired of climbing back onto the board (and pulling the sail up out of the water) after nearly every turn.
GETTING AROUND BONAIRE:
[CHET]
-Netty’s
Previously we rented from ABCar Rental (because they had an office at Sand$, which they no longer have), but this year we decided to try Netty’s (seemed to be good prices, and offered drop-off & pick-up). Very nice, we will plan on using Netty’s in the future; Netty and her help were very nice and friendly, the drop-off/pick-up service worked well (and on-time), and had no problems with the Toyota double cab. I did need to get used to having a diesel; waiting to start, different vibrations, and definitely different sounds than a gas powered vehicle.
-New roads/places (Playa Frans & Nukove)
We didn’t dive or snorkel there this year, but we finally venture out the road that circles behind BOPEC. Took the drive fairly slow; looked like the rocks in the road could do very bad things to tires if hit to hard; but had no problems along the scenic drive. There was a Pelican floating around the nice looking beach at Playa Frans (the end of the road) and many Flamingos in the salina inland. Also friendly dogs and lots’a lizards. Stopped at Nukove on the way out; looks like entry/exit might be somewhat of a challenge (climb down and back-up was no problem with-out gear, but was definitely more difficult than Ol’ Blue.
GETTING TO BONAIRE:
[CHET]
-ORD (Chicago O’Hare)
Left home at 6:45 AM (10:00 Bonaire time), got into terminal at about 8:00 (for 10:20 flight to SJU). The lines for the AA domestic flights was real long, but the line for International check-in was not at all bad and were checked-in by 8:30. No major problems with security, but did need to explain the use of a dive computer and show how all the pieces fit together to hold a strobe on the camera; had no problem getting the dozen and half rolls of film hand checked
-SJU (San Juan)
Had previously read BT’ers directions on getting through the airport, so had no trouble finding our way. Only a couple hour layover, but not much to do (except listen to all the over-weight/over-booked flight and voucher offers. It seemed like every single American Eagle flight was looking for volunteers to fly later (with voucher offers varying between $200 & $400). We were checked-in and had assigned seats early, so no problem (yet).
[JEAN] At the last minute they took my carry-on and stowed it. I only had time to grab my water bottle and a few things. Then spent the flight without the book I wanted to read or tape player to block out LOUD engines. And worrying about the camcorder I wanted to hand carry. They had red tagged it when they were doing security check, but I didn’t realize what that meant.
[CHET] Many of the larger carry-on’s got "Valet" service; that is, if you get a red tag on your carry-on, they take it from you as you board and put it in baggage compartment (to be picked-up as you exit the plane, not as regular checked baggage). So, if you have a larger type carry-on, make sure the things you really need during the flight can quickly be removed and carried on separately.
Regular checked baggage: We had four (2 each) with no issues during check-in or boarding; but at arrival in BON the fun begins: First you notice that there are a bunch of people waiting for baggage that were not on your flight (these are the people from yesterday whose baggage didn't arrive with them). They all seemed to have gotten theirs; but we (and several others, wait and wait for all of our baggage to arrive (we got one of our four). Nobody announces that no more baggage is still coming, and nobody around to ask, but customs. Finally we start figuring-out that we are not going to get the rest of our bags and go to the ticket counter for information.
The information: The plane couldn't carry the weight of all the luggage (they had to carry yesterday's 'overweight' load), so, our baggage MAY be on the extra flight they are adding to arrive at 10:30 or it MAY be on the next evening's flight if they didn't decide to add another flight. They offer that we could either come back at 10:30 or Sunday morning to see if our baggage arrived; since we have frozen food packed in one of the missing bags, (and that it would have cost us an extra $30.00 to do the round trip to Sand$-airport), we decided to sit at airport and wait. Fortunately, the flight landed shortly after 10:00- with our baggage!
The return home-
[CHET]
-BON, Didn’t particularly like having to leave Sand$ at 4:00 AM to catch 7:00 AE flight, but since we knew that all baggage got searched, we knew we had to get to airport early. No problems there and things moved fairly quickly and flight left close to on-time.
-SJU, when you arrive, you get a really short bus ride from the plane to the terminal door (a much shorter distance than any of the walks we’ve done at Curacao); then you have a very long walk to get to U.S. Customs. All baggage arrived and quick pass through customs.
-SJU, food choice small-walk down side hall & through security for more choice. I walked out through security to the food court and got McDonalds for lunch. Coming back in they ran the food through the x-ray and waved the wand around the coke. I was trying to imagine what you could hide in coke. I guess anything is possible. Glad they are careful. Also, I could not convince security to hand-check the film I was carrying, so had to send it through the carry-on scanner.
-SJU, It’s a long lay-over, and again noticed that a lot of flights were over-booked & there was a lot of activity of people finding alternate routings to get home. We didn’t have any flight problems, and arrived close to on-time at ORD (with all baggage).
BONAIRE LANGUAGE:
[JEAN] We were hoping to pick up a Papiamentu dictionary this year. The gift shop at the airport sometimes has one, but not while we were there.
Conclusion:
[CHET] GREAT TRIP! Even though we have been extending our stay by at least a day each of the five consecutive years, we still didn’t want to go home at the end of this years two full weeks. Will try to get some pictures posted on our web-site (and delete the “2002 Feb/Mar BT’ers” lists). |
By Chet Wood on Tuesday, April 16, 2002 - 8:02 am: 
