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Trip Reports: Josie on Bonaire -- FINAL episode...
Bonaire Talk: Trip Reports: Archives: Archives 2000 to 2005: Archives - 2001-11-30 to 2002-09-25: Josie on Bonaire -- FINAL episode...
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Josie on Wednesday, May 22, 2002 - 8:36 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I think it's about time to finish this up, and put behind me my embarrassment at being so late (I only got back two months ago, after all ...)
I think I've pretty much covered everything by now (in a totally disorganized way, of course). All told, it was a GREAT trip. The highlights really were the people I met both for the first time, and old friends now like Jake and Linda and Michael, and, of course, the very special folks at Bonaire Town Homes.

OOPS, forgot about the Town Pier dive: I reconnected with Ellen Muller again this trip, and when I stopped by one day, she mentioned that she had permission to dive the town pier that evening and just needed Erwin (her husband) to agree to take her (as you have to dive there with a divemaster --- Erwin is one at Toucan Diving at the Plaza). Well, I got right on Erwin, of course, and, despite the fact he'd just got back from St. Maartin, he took us (together with Dara Walters) . Pretty crowded there, but Erwin was great and kept steering me away from the crowd --- he knows his way down there VERY well. It was just MAGICAL. I could ignore the trash there, forget there were bunches of other people, and just lost myself in wonder at the beauty of the sponges and corals and all the neat "night" fishes. I was petrified I'd bash into something and kill something beautiful, but Erwin kept me well steered away from danger there. (I did the peak performance bouyancy class the following day, and wish I'd done it first, because better bouyancy would have made me feel much more comfortable.) Definitely a dive I want to do again --- I'll be talking to Ellen and Erwin about next February!!

I really enjoyed Bonaire Town Homes again, and it was fun to try a different unit. Both the one and two bedroom units are lovely, and I spent MANY hours in the hammock. So nice to have coffee and breakfast outside, surrounded by lovely plantings and birds flitting around. It's very quiet and peaceful there, and I treasure that. Benny is always there for any need or special request and that was very comforting when I was by myself. Benny's attention to providing a personal service is very special, and I really enjoyed the roti that Esther cooked and shared with us -- a real treat. It's a very reasonable place, but it's these personal things that make it so nice. Financially, we couldn't stay at a resort for the amount of time we want to be on Bonaire, but we don't feel we are missing anything in our little haven at Bonaire Town Homes. I thoroughly recommend the place to anyone who wants a beautifully clean and lovingly maintained, budget place: full kitchen, lovely outside sitting/eating areas, and wonderful Antillean hosts, who are very friendly, but not at all intrusive. It's a true bargain.

Almost forgot one thing: Had several visits with Michael Gaynor, always a pleasure. Several trips ago, I decided I wanted to give a little something back to Bonaire, and I always ask Michael what he suggests. This time, he suggested I make a donation to support the King of the Caribbean windsurf competition. I respect his knowledge of the island, so I made a small donation. I also told Michael I'd mention that in my trip report (not because I need to blow my own horn, but as a nudge to others who might like to do so... - help out, not blow my horn...) The competition is coming up in October, I think, and will be great for the local competitors, and also (hopefully) bring others to Bonaire to support the local economy. So, if anyone out there would like to help out, contact Michael, and ask how. Annie Phelan has been instrumental in making it happen, and I hope she'll be someone I'll meet on Bonaire some day.

The return flight: Got to the airport at just before 4 am for the 7 am flight. Already people in line. I got checked in, then went across to Donkey's beach to have my PB&J sandwiches for breakfast, watch the sun come up and say my farewell to Bonaire, then back to the airport to wait further (long line to get through passport control and into the departure lounge) I had a long layover in SJ, so I took a taxi into Old San Juan, and walked around for a couple of hours, had a nice leisurely lunch, then back to the airport to catch my flight to Chicago. No problems anywhere. Long layover again in Chi. I was MOST jealous listening at the staff at the next gate imploring people to be willing to be bumped on the flight to London -- they were offering $1,000 per person!!! Didn't see many taking it -- I'd have jumped on it... Unfortunately, the flight to Rochester was full, but not overbooked. Rats! Arrived in ROC at 11:20 pm --- LONG day. Still, worth every minute of it to be in Bonaire for six weeks. I missed my honey and was glad to be home. Until next trip (that will be to China, Tibet and Bali in August/September --- gotta find out about diving and snorkeling in Bali now..) Then Bonaire again next February/March.

Golly, I think that's it...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ann Phelan on Wednesday, May 22, 2002 - 9:02 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Josie, SUPER report. I too LOVE Benny and Esther. Someday I might take the plunge and learn to dive..u inspire me.

Thanks so much for supporting our event. I am so grateful. It will be super for the island. The actual dates are Dec. 11-15 so come on down all....just curious who you left your donation in care of...so I can be aware. I must set up an account when I get down there in July. Anyway, Michael is a dear...THANKS MICHAEL..u r such a supporter..we intend on making this an ISLAND wide event.

Annie
PR
www.kingofthecaribbean.com (under construction)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By DIVER DEBBI on Wednesday, May 22, 2002 - 9:38 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Josie..great to read your final episode..eating your breakfast on the beach reminds me of the same thing we did while we waited for the plane to depart..checked in our luggage and then walked over to the beach with a breakfast of fruit and leftovers from the apartment I had packed the night before..good way to say hello to the sunrise and goodbye to the island...also take advantage of the huge iguanna photo op at the airport while waiting....that has been a nice addition to the airport..we just had a visitor here from Bonaire and enjoyed showing Vermont off..too bad a bit chilly..but had fun..especially shopping and hiking

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lorraine Meadows on Thursday, May 23, 2002 - 5:39 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

The finale episode. Loved it Josie. Nice adventure!Masha danke for sharing.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ann Phelan on Thursday, May 23, 2002 - 6:28 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I loved reading about your sunrise pb&j at Donkey Beach..Mags and I arrived at our last AA flight at 4 (after I spent the whole night dancing/playing in town ..I NEVER do this at home)..came to Divi, paid the babysitter and we were off after a quick shower. After checking in, at 4:20 we drove back to town to Julia's Place (across from Maduro) and hung with the locals who had just finished partying..had a breakfast packed for the plane..they even let us cut in line so we could get back on time..at 5 AM we returned and some folks were STILL checking in as late as 5:15 and getting on!!

Next trip is on Air Ja again..thank GOD!

Annie
Cape Cod

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Gail Thomas on Thursday, May 23, 2002 - 8:40 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Annie, Take the plunge! I was not a strong swimmer, and hated to have my head under water. My husband and teenagers wanted to become certified during a vacation in the Keys several years ago, and I took the course with them just to know what they'd be talking about - but I never expected to make it through myself. Thanks to a wonderfully patient instructor, I was certified along with them. So far, I've only dove the Keys, Bimini in the Bahama's, Southeast Florida, and of course Beautiful Bonaire! But Bonaire is absolutely the perfect place for a "timid" student to be certified. The diving is awesome. I'll be back on Bonaire the second week in July, and hope to log my 100th dive then. If I can do it, ANYONE can! Good luck! Gail

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hazel Scharosch on Thursday, May 23, 2002 - 8:55 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

...Josie, NO WAY is this the "Final" episode - just the end of this mini-series :-) You also inspire me...someday I, too, will take the plunge. Looking forward to your Bali report.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By DARLENE ELLIS on Thursday, May 23, 2002 - 10:20 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Josie, Awesome report!!! I really do hate for it to end!! I am sure you will think of some other little detail that you will want to share with all of us!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Sarah on Thursday, May 23, 2002 - 5:31 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Josie, good stuff... :)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Josie on Thursday, May 23, 2002 - 9:56 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Oh, of course, I forgot something: I'd wanted to mention that Bonaire Town Homes has a great set up outside for washing/hanging up dive gear, and even clothes lines. I pack LIGHT andtake little in the way of clothing, and wash out something every day or so and hang out to dry.

Ann and Hazel: go ahead. Honestly, if I can do it, ANYONE can. It's so great to be able to say to myself "I'm a diver!!!"

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ken on Friday, May 24, 2002 - 9:38 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Who is this masked woman??

Could it be Josie at the small wall with Ken?
(pre-bbq)

/image{josie}

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ken on Friday, May 24, 2002 - 9:41 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Second try.. sorry working with Ken..

You would think the computer pro would be able to post pictures after all the pictures he posted while on vacation. hehehhe!

Josie

 


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