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Trip Reports: Josie's LATE (and long) trip report - Part I
Bonaire Talk: Trip Reports: Archives: Archives 2000 to 2005: Archives - 2001-11-30 to 2002-09-25: Josie's LATE (and long) trip report - Part I
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Josie on Tuesday, May 14, 2002 - 6:56 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Better late than never!!

But this is embarrassingly late. I returned home on March 21 --- after six glorious weeks in Bonaire. Currently planning next February's trip, and having sticker-shock at the fares I'm seeing. Anyone know of a way to get from Rochester, NY to Bonaire (for over 30 days) for less than $1,000? Would prefer to do it all in one day, which seems to mean the American flight via Chicago and SJ. Looong day, but any other alternative seems to be an overnight in one of AJ's gateway cities, in both directions.

But I digress. Back to 2002. Alan and I left snowy Rochester on February 5 via ORD and SJ, and arrived in Dushi Bonaire right on time at 8:45 pm. All flights were on time, just long waits between flights. We were met at the airport by the smiling face of Benny from Bonaire Town Homes, and felt we'd arrived home again. We'd chosen to pick up our truck from Budget the following day, so Benny drove us to drop off our baggage at BTH, then gave us the keys to his truck so we could head out for a bite to eat --- and to worship at the waterfront! We were happy to walk there, but he insisted we take his truck.

We did and enjoyed our first meal of 2002 on Bonaire at Coco's (catty-corner across from Karel's Bar on the waterfront). The night's special was wahoo and we thoroughly enjoyed it, as well as a lovely long chat with Sandra, our waitress. We do love how friendly people on Bonaire are. After a walk back and forth along the lovely promenade, we headed back to BTH. (BTW, one out of three checked bags didn't arrive, so Benny located -- with difficulty -- someone to take a report, and he then took complete responsibility for getting our bag back!! He was told maybe tomorrow morning, so he went to the airport then, then maybe this afternoon, back to the airport. Finally arrived on the evening flight and it was delivered by Benny to our bungalow that night.) This started the "above and beyond the call of duty" service we received our entire trip from Benny and Ester, the owners of Bonaire Town Homes.

Now, how to condense six weeks into a readable report. I guess I'll do what others have, and have this be Part I.

For the first time, we stayed in the BTH two-bedroom unit, and enjoyed it immensely --- especially the two hammocks outside in the lovely shaded garden area. We spent a LOT of time there, reading, lazing and doing crossword puzzles. Our plan was for me to spend four weeks on Bonaire, with Alan returning home after two weeks (I know the man's insane: he plays table tennis in a league and preferred one night a week in the league play to being in Bonaire! -- it truly takes all sorts, doesn't it!) After we were there a week, our friend Bill joined us (and used the second bedroom in the bungalow), and he stayed on for a week after Alan left Then I would stay for an additional week all by myself --- are you all following this? There will be a test. However, as some of you may know...I couldn't leave Bonaire and stayed for an additional two weeks (my thanks to Monique at the airport, who found me a reasonable fare back, as my original ticket was only valid for 30 days and then became trash). I was lucky that BTH had space for me (had to move to the one bedroom unit for the last four days, no big deal as both of their bungalows are lovely). While we were in Bonaire, a friend of ours who had been diagnosed only in January with a malignant brain tumor, died, and thinking of Doug reinforced my decision to stay and enjoy myself and not let all the "thou should nots" get in the way. I was glad I made that decision --- after the extra two weeks I was ready to come home (and I missed my honey as I hadn't seen him for four weeks).

This was my first full trip to Bonaire as a DIVER!!! And it was wonderful, although I only did about 25 dives in six weeks, about what a real gung-ho visitor seems to do in six days. I took it very relaxed. Got tanks at Carib Inn, and Alan and Bill did the Resort Course there, and did a couple of additional boat dives before Alan went home. Bill REALLY liked it, and went on to get his OW there before he left. They had Larry as their instructor, and really liked him. I think Alan will go on to the OW course next trip --- especially if Bill comes and pushes him. Why is it that a guy friend can get a husband to do something a wife cannot??

I decided I'd do the AOW course, and went with BonBini because Carib Inn could only accommodate me if I did it all at once, and I wanted to be lazy and laid back. Because of fitting in with BB's instructor schedule, my wish to do no more than one dive a day, and a minor ear problem, I managed only to finish 3 of the 5 dives, and will finish the rest next year. I told you I was very relaxed about this diving stuff. I did the UW Naturalist, Navigation, and Peak Performance Bouyancy dives -- the Bouyancy one was REALLY helpful in my getting more comfortable underwater. I adjusted my weight and put one pound on the back of my tank and that helped me not bounce up at the end of my dive as my tank got lighter, a problem I'd been struggling with all along. Even if you don't do the AOW course, I really recommend this specialty dive. I did my OW with BB last August and it was nice to see those nice folks again --- HI, Francey and Mananita!! I met Eddie for the first time and did a couple of my AOW dives with him -- very pleasant.

I had NO difficulty finding people to buddy with. The first week, I met up with Jack and Marsha LaDonna (from Syracuse!), who'd responded to my request on BT. Marsha snorkels, so Jack and I buddied for most of the week they were there. They were at the Divi, so we dived from the dock there, plus one dive at Windsock. Jack was a good buddy for me as I was still pretty nervous --- he stayed close and we were conservative about time, depth and just poodled around looking at the neat stuff. Thanks, Jack, you helped make my trip great. And thanks, Marsha, for sharing your husband with me...

To be continued...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Meryl Virga on Tuesday, May 14, 2002 - 11:39 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Josie...Great so far...I envy the time you spent on Bonaire...I would have to move if I stayed that long! They'd have to pry me from the coral! (I am taking notes for the test) I can't believe you could leave Bonaire for Table tennis! Keep it coming!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Liguori on Wednesday, May 15, 2002 - 7:59 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Don't stop now Josie.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chet Wood on Wednesday, May 15, 2002 - 8:04 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Josie,
Our plans are for 22 Feb to 10 March; hope we overlap again.
Chet

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lorraine Meadows on Wednesday, May 15, 2002 - 9:12 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Anxiously waiting for Part 2 :)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By DARLENE ELLIS on Wednesday, May 15, 2002 - 9:40 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Josie, so far so good!!! Can't wait for the rest to come!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Linda Stoltzfus on Wednesday, May 15, 2002 - 11:20 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Please continue !! :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By DIVER DEBBI on Wednesday, May 15, 2002 - 10:15 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Well...it's about time Josie....smile..we thought maybe you had forgotten all about your trip to Bonaire...now we get to hear all the "juicy" details...love to read other peoples opinions of Bonaire..is it spring in Rochester yet ? cold and wet over here..brrrrr..I want to escape to Bonaire now...see everybody in Feb

 


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