05/27. Up at 4am. to catch an AA 6:48 flight out from Nashville to Miami. Miami flight delayed 1-1/2 hrs. Arrived in San Juan with 35 minutes to make the SJ-Bonaire connection. Naturally the outbound gate was at the other end of the terminal, so we ran. At the gate we were told the luggage couldn't make it to the plane so we were not going to be allowed to board the shuttle bus to the plane. BUT, a call came in to the gate desk from on high, saying our luggage was en route to the plane, and to get us aboard. So--on to the shuttle, where we were pulled back off by an apparently uninformed gate attendant, telling us our luggage would not would not make it after all. Stranded. We go the the AA info. desk, where we're told to go to baggage claim and pick up our bags - and take them to a hotel where we would be put up overnight at AA's expense, including meals, taxi fares etc. Well..... the bags are now on their way to Bonaire, and we're not! No flight out until 5:40 pm. the following day.
05/28. Snorkeled the beach at Corado Plaza hotel, hung out at the shops, etc., and so to the SJ terminal and on to Bonaire. Arrived without a hitch, happy to see our dive gear hadn't picked up any bad habits in our absence.
05/29. Spent the day getting our condo ( Bel-Air )open, banking, paying bills, visiting street cam, shopping, visiting Toucan dive op on EEG Blvd. Quiet dinner at home.
05/30. First dive with all new equipment off the dock at our complex ( just south of Bachelor's Beach ), nick-named Judi's Dream for my wife. Happy to see the 60 yards or so of sand belt between our dock and the reef has increased growth of hard corals, fish life,some soft corals and anemones. New mask fogged up a good bit, but the large green moray, and usual suspects made up for it. Second dive was better as far as equipment check out went, saw a red-lipped blenny that wasn't too pleased to be sharing his space with a large, ugly, bubble breathing creature. Picked up some friends at Flamingo, had a good meal at BeefEaters, all had catch of the day.
05/31. Morning dive at Judi's Dream, large green eel in attendance, queen angel, spotted drum, stone fish, scrawled filefish, lethargic peacock flounder. Second dive revealed several large grouper, and the usual suspects, including a solid blue trumpetfish. TOWN PIER night dive. This is always a treat, as the variety of flora and fauna is incrdedible! Saw a white, short-spined sea urchin, decorator crab, three seahorses, a juvenile spotted drum, eels, and too many other wonders to list here. Great dive -don't miss it if you have time!
06/01. Boat dive to Klein Bonaire - Divi Three. Spotted eels, all the tangs, butters, damsels, basslets, and corals you could want to see. Second dive at Rock Pile, gold spotted eel, several spotted eels, unusual file fish, 2 separate barracuda. PM - SMALL WALL - REEF CAM dive. Stopped by to see Jake and Linda Richter, and shore dove the reef cam and small wall ( after receiving prior permission of course ). Found a number of nudibranchs ( sp? ), as well as a host of reef fish, including a large spotted drum. Dinner at De Tuin ( at Jake's reccommend ), and you simply have to try the mustard soup! A great meal for a great value.
06/02. Just one shore dive - Invisibles. A spotted Eagle Ray came by for a gander, along with the usual mix of brilliant reef fish. Easy entry and exit, almost no current to speak of. A very good dive. Spent the afternoon at CAI listening to some of the local bands jam it up. One dude was playing a home-made musical instrument made out af a wood box, painted green and pink, about 2' wide x 2' deep by 1' tall with a sound hole cut into the middle where he had a mike stashed, and seven metal blades screwed to a bridge that he played with a pick! Went over to Kon-Tiki for the Sunday afternoon jazz concert with Cool Breeze, and man - they were good! Standing room only. If you get the chance, check out the sunday concerts, you won't be disappointed. Dinner was Rijsttafel at the Old Inn. Absolutely fabulous!
06/03. Last day. Morning shore dive at the Hilma Hooker. Fairly easy entry, and the swim to the site was not as long as expected. The Hook is always a treat, even though there were two boats full of divers to share it with. Got some good photos. Spent the afternoon snorkeling off the dock at our place, saw several schools of yellow snappers, quite a few parrots and tangs, and a gold spotted eel. Made time to stop off at the Donkey Sanctuary to see Marina and " Poncho ". Marina is doing her usual stellar job keeping the compound up to speed for the 62 animals in her care. Still needs a lot of support though, so if any of you can help, it will be most appreciated. Dinner at the lion's Den with Jake and Linda Richter, and let me tell you, the food was about the best I remember having in a long while. Jake and Linda are very gracious hosts, and we all had a great time. Just watch out for the " Turtle " drinks! They sneak up on ya!
06/04. Up at 4am. for the 6am. outbound to San Juan. Hate to say goodbye. Back ( hopefully ) at Christmas for a Bonairian holiday! Good luck to all.
The Clownfish. |
By Brian Schoepflin on Thursday, June 6, 2002 - 4:08 pm: 
