Our eighth trip to Bonaire started out very early in Phoenix, Arizona with the taxi being 45 minutes late. We arrived at the airport looking forward to flying first class using our American air miles. At check in we were advised that we were selected to have our baggage searched. Security really tore our luggage apart and said they were confiscating our Spare Air bottles; they were obviously empty, but they say "danger" on the side panel. After several minutes of difficult discussion with two security men from the Sudan and two other hispanic security people, we were finally allowed to keep our bottles. It took a little time to get all the bags repacked so that our cameras would not be broken.

After that, we headed for the gate and I had some difficulty having my film hand checked at the x-ray machines. The security people there finally relented, but they were not happy about it.

Our plane was already loading, so we got in line; when our boarding passes were put in the little reading machine at the gate, we were told that we were selected to have our carry-ons searched. After that, we wound up being the last people to get on the plane. With a slight problem with the plane and some warning lights in the cockpit, we were finally on our way.

Our flights were all on time, and we arrived in Bonaire with our luggage at 8:45 p.m. April 3. We stayed at Lion's Dive this trip and rented our truck at first from Budget. As soon as we got all our gear to our room, we headed down to Lions Den Restaurant to see all the crew. Unfortunately, we missed their one year anniversary party by just one day.

Normally, Allen and I are up bright and early ready to dive the first day there. This time we were much more relaxed and did our shopping and set up our dive packages and took care of prepping our gear and cameras. It was a good day to look up old friends and visit around town. I think, also, we are getting a little older and slower, and with five weeks of diving ahead, it didn't seem like we needed to rush.

Our first dives out front of Lions Dive were great as usual, but with my new BC and new fins, I was glad we did the required checkout dive. After that we did 2 or 3 dives a day with a couple of days off-gassing. During the next five weeks, we saw many of our favorite creatures and fish and a few new ones. The highlight was probably the night dive in front of Captain Don's at his little wreck the La Machaca. While doing a macro shot of cup coral on the edge of the little overturned boat, we met Mister Rodgers, a very, very large green eel who slithered between my legs and pushed me aside so he could get under the boat. I've always been known for getting right in the face of big eels and snapping photos, but there was no way I was going under the boat for this one. We figure he was about 10 feet long by 2 1/2 feet in diameter. Of course, we also saw lots of turtles, eagle rays, and many spotted eels on our travels. Our favorite sites were Atlantis, Fish Hut, Karpata and Bopec.

We ate out about 4 nights a week. Our favorite restaurants are Lions Den, Swiss Chalet and Croccatinos. The Tira Misu at Swiss Chalet is "to die for".

After a week with our Budget pick up truck, we decided to turn it back in. First of all, Budget instructed us to lock up the truck at the dive sites. We have never locked our vehicles on Bonaire and won't start now. It is just asking for trouble. The other problem was that Budget wanted to charge an extra $5.00 a day for me as a second driver. We wound up with a much nicer truck at a much lower price from Netty's Car Rental. They charged us nothing for the second driver.

I used the BonaireLive internet service downtown a few times. It was $3.00 for 20 minutes use.

Our room at Lion's was a large one bedroom and very comfortable for the long stay. We met so many people, and we usually do, but I think we enjoy that part of our trips more as we get older.
We had an especially good time with our friend Bill Roushey from Denver who was there with us for ten days and a young man from Holland named Giri Knuttles who dove with us for a week. Giri's wife is pregnant, so she rode along and read books while we dove. We had a couple of meals and lots of great conversations with Bob and Ingrid Plemmons from California.

My surprise trip to the dentist for a crown replacement was much more pleasant than I had expected. Doctor Mimi van Edmonde has a brand new office with great equipment and the place was spotless. I couldn't have asked for better treatment. Wish she was here in Flagstaff! While at the office, we met Ann Joseph who invited us to her home for lunch. Her friend "Funchi" cooked us a great meal of baked grouper in sauce, funchi, and salad. They will be here in Arizona next month, and we hope to see them then.

Some other bright spots of the trip were the abundance of birds, more iquanas than usual and of course the donkeys and goats. We noticed that the iquana population dropped sharply just before the big celebration on Rincon Day. Speaking of that, we drove up the island early for the big gathering and enjoyed a few of the local foods. I took several photos of locals in local dress. We left early before all the big crowds arrived and headed out diving in the afternoon.

We stopped by the webcam twice a week while in Bonaire, and got a chance to talk to both Jake and Linda and meet the kids and pet the dogs. I have to thank the people who capture photos on the webcams, since it gave my family back home opportunities to see us there holding crazy signs.

Our next trip down will probably be in October, and we are already talking about that. I think next trip we will stay at Lions and Buddy Dive, but we will go back to diving with Buddy, since it is just a much easier thing to do. Lions has a lot more rules and makes it a little more difficult for Nitrox. Personnel at both operations are always friendly and nice. Another operation we like is Wanna Dive. Bart Snelder and Roeland are really getting the shops together.

If you have made it this far in this report, thank you. When you go to Bonaire next time, try taking along some little toys for the kids. And keep reading this newsgroup to see if there is anything needed by Bonaire locals that you might be able to take with you. Now it is back to doing more wash and reading more mail. Thanks again, Karen Papin in Flagstaff, Arizona

Karin, great report...lucky you..so many weeks to vacation on the island! Sorry to hear about your airport experience...It takes so long to pack,,I hate it when they undo everything! But I guess this is the norm these days!

Excellent report Karen! I think you have convinced me to get some large luggage for easy repacking in the event we are put through the mill as you were.

Thanks, Karen, for the nice report. We met you several times while strolling through Lions. We are the family from Colorado. We heard your eel story direct from you and have enjoyed repeating your experience.

Nice trip report, Karen. What a delight to have 5 weeks - the tone of your report is stil ver-r-r-r-y relaxed!

I love reading great stuff like that. Thirty seven days, but who's counting?

Karen, sounds as tho you had a "rough start" but a fantastic trip! We leave on Saturday for two weeks...can't wait to get there again. Carole (Shutterbug)

Karen, a nice trip report.. our Airport experiences were very similar to yours back in December, not very pleasant! Though Hugh was questioned about his spare air at LHR and Washington, confiscation was not mentioned. We have just returned from the U.S.(not a diving holiday), and I have to say, "I'm not impressed with security at all"... I won't elaborate on this too much, as certain checks are still taking place, BUT... let's just say, we're very vigilant!

Glad to hear that Bonaire has a good dental surgeon

Nice trip report ot read on this Mother's Day
Happy Mother's Day, Ladies!!

Great trip report!!! It must be nice to be able to go for five weeks!!

We been on Bonaire up to 4wks at a time. I still didn't want to go home. I wonder how long it would take to get "tired" of Paridse. Someday I'm going to find out, with any luck.

I'm right there with you on that one, Lorraine! We would LOVE to have the opportunity to become "tired" of island living...just give us the chance and Joe and I will jump at it. He lived on Oahu for a while and did develop what they refer to as "Rock Fever", but I think he is more than willing to try Bonaire living in a heartbeat! (You can only drive around the same island so many times before you go nuts, is what they say....hmmmmm.). Carole
PS Before anyone asks, yes, we have already read "Stop the Carnival" several times...actually it was Lorraine who let me read her book! cb