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Trip Reports: All by myself!
Bonaire Talk: Trip Reports: Archives: Archives 2000 to 2005: Archives - 2001-11-30 to 2002-09-25: All by myself!
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mercy Baron on Tuesday, June 25, 2002 - 9:22 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I'm going to Bonaire for the first time, am so excited! I really got hooked after reading all your great posts. I'm a single fun loving lady by myself and pretty darn friendly! I'm staying at the Divi and just booked it today and am leaving in 3 wks! July 17-23. I got a much better deal booking the Divi with my Entertainment Book and and booked my Air Jamaica flight separately. I could only get an Oceanview Studio which I guess is the time share, but I wanted a bigger bed then what the oceafront was offering anyway. A double bed on vacation?! No way! Really wanted oceanfront, but oh well, next time! I am not a diver, but an avid snorkeler. Anyone that wants to hook up for a dinner or go on a snorkel trip please let me know.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ann Phelan on Tuesday, June 25, 2002 - 9:32 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Mercy, email me a bit more about yourself..if we are compatible I would love to take you out on the town..City and Karels often have nice music..to dance of course..are you a night owl when the music is good? As far as snorkeling we ARE compatible for SURE. My daughter and I would love to meet up to snorkel as well. Call my BON cell at 791-5682.

Annie
ann@bonairewindsurfing.com

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By michael gaynor on Tuesday, June 25, 2002 - 9:33 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi.. I would be happy to take you for a snorkel in the Manngroves if you wish. Upside down jellyfish, 2 inch Baracudda, etc. E mail me gmichael@bonairelive.com

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By michael gaynor on Tuesday, June 25, 2002 - 9:35 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

PS Annie, you and Maggie are also welcome..maybe I can teach you to dive this trip.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ann Phelan on Tuesday, June 25, 2002 - 9:35 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Michael, can u handle 3 women?? Maggie and I would come too..

wink

Annie

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By michael gaynor on Tuesday, June 25, 2002 - 9:39 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Yes..I will even cook for all of you in my new and wonderful Kitchen...maybe Bas would also like to create a delicacy!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ann Phelan on Tuesday, June 25, 2002 - 9:39 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Michael, Maggie has been begging me to learn since she has spoken to Dara, our own mermaid on BT..but I am so scared..anyway, Jack at Habitat and I have chatted and I think I will do a course with Juni...but would LOVE to go out with u two to learn what you can teach us...I never want to do boat dives tho..I am VERY claustraphobic..shore dives will suit me fine. I LOVE to snorkel tho..

Annie

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ann Phelan on Tuesday, June 25, 2002 - 9:41 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh..I cannot wait...I can contribute too..can u get Phyllo dough on island?? Is it ok to bring peaches or fruit on island or is this a NO NO as in most islands?? I do not want to bring in any bugs...but would LOVE to bring some nice peaches that are out..Annie

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Linda Richter - NetTech on Tuesday, June 25, 2002 - 9:50 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

No problem bringing in any fruits or veggies that I've heard of. We don't really grow a cash crop here.

Phyllo dough is a real iffy one. I've seen it a couple times but not recently. Is there a local chef listening in that might know?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By michael gaynor on Tuesday, June 25, 2002 - 9:55 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Diana has Phyllo dough in her freezer and she is off to China for the summer. I will liberate it!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By christine Hughes on Wednesday, June 26, 2002 - 3:37 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Ann how old is your daughter I have two one 12 and one 15 we will be there July 6-14 dont know if you would be interested in getting together and let them snorkel

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker on Wednesday, June 26, 2002 - 6:41 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hello, Mercy! I know you will fall in love with Bonaire on your first trip. We are timeshare owners at the Divi and love the place to pieces.....but, I think all of the timeshare units have two double beds in them...unless they have made some changes to some of the units recently. I don't want you to be disappointed or upset if you were to arrive at your studio unit to find two double beds if you were expecting one larger bed. You might want to double check with Divi on that matter. The snorkeling right there at the Divi is wonderful...you don't have to go far at all to see the "underwater show" as it is right at the Calabas Reef at your doorstep.

Michael...you had better behave yourself, now!! Entertaining three lovely ladies all at once...now THAT takes a talented man! You GO, Michael! Hugs. Carole

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mercy Baron on Wednesday, June 26, 2002 - 7:02 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Wow, again, you're all so nice on this site! I wrote to Annie and Michael separately, but am still open to anyone else that would like to hang. Sorry I'll just miss you Christine! Hope you have a great time there. Doesn't sound like it's too hard to that on Bonaire!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ann Phelan on Wednesday, June 26, 2002 - 7:12 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Christine, Maggie is a mature and fun 10 year old..growing fast yet still a baby in some ways..We would LOVE to do a snorkel session with you..I am busy with some work and some windsurfing but please email me or call my cell at 791-5682 to chat...I am always at Lac Bay when it is blowing 20+...We love Windsock (can watch the KLM too), 1000 steps, Plaza..ahh so many choices..

Annie

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Linnea Wijkhof-Wimberly on Wednesday, June 26, 2002 - 7:36 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I think the timeshare beds are queen size. As for not being on the Oceanfront, you are a 30 second walk away from the sunning pier, the little wooden pier, and dive pier 2. The sunning (concrete) pier and the little wooden pier both have chairs, lounges, and tables. Both are great for sitting, watching the fish and sunset, and sipping a cool drink.

The timeshare units have a kitchenettes and if you don't have a meal plan, are great for fixing your own breakfast and lunch, and and heating up leftovers for dinner. There are at 4-5 restraurants within a 3-5 minute walk of Divi, and a couple of dozen within 10-15 minutes and most serve large portions. And the Cultimara market is about a 10 minute stroll each way.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker on Wednesday, June 26, 2002 - 8:03 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Linnea, you are probably right on the queen size beds...we have a King at home so anything smaller seems like a twin or a double bed to me! LOL. I know Mercy will fall in love with the Divi and Bonaire without a doubt and she won't care what size her bed is! She won't be in her room all that much as she will be so busy having outdoor fun and exploration. Wish we were on our way back down right now......ahhhh, to dream and wait...something to look forward to. Carole

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mercy Baron on Wednesday, June 26, 2002 - 8:18 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Oh yes, the timeshares are queen size, I made sure of that! Even though I wanted oceanfront I thought it was funny that those only have double beds. They were all sold out anyway since I just made my reservations only yesterday! But with the Entertainment Book, I got the studio for only $70 a night! Ok, it turned out to be $90 per with taxes. Still a better deal than any agent was offering me, even with a land/air pkg. As a single lady I do spend a bit more time in my room than most, but so far it sounds like a few people are going to hook up with me when I'm there...I'm so blown away by that! I travel quite a bit and never had offers like that...even with Club Med! Can't wait to give my first trip report when I come back...yippeeee!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bas on Thursday, June 27, 2002 - 12:27 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Heyyy
Nice thread.
Ann, since we're looking to do the LaDania's --> Karpata snorkel... maybe Mercy can join us!?
Mercy, this is a very nice drift snorkel (about 500 yards) with a lot of nice corals and soft corals and a few turtles. Jump in from the cliff (2-3 feet high) into 10ft deep water and drift with the wave action to Karpata. You can get there by just floating... maybe a bit of swimming to zig zag to look for stuff.
I'll walk to bring the car to Karpata and bring some chilled fruit n juice for after snorkel chit chat.
My cel# 785 9599
Bas

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mercy Baron on Thursday, June 27, 2002 - 3:30 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks for the invite Bas, I'll take you up on that! Annie and I have communicated through email and have decided we would have fun together so I know we'll go snorkeling for sure! I will write down your phone number along with Annies and Michael who has graciously invited us to dinner. Blows me away how nice everyone is..haven't experienced that on any other Island I've been to so far! Drift snorkel? Never done that..jump off cliffs...I'm game! Swimming, no problem, I swim a mile 3 times a week at home and hope I can do that in the waters there also..or at the very least in the Divi pool. I saw your pic with the dalmations, loved it! I have a German Shepard and a Queensland Heeler whom I'll miss when in Bon! Looking foward to meeting you and everyone else!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Stephanie Caviness on Thursday, June 27, 2002 - 4:42 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Mercy,

Can you tell me where you got your Entertainment book? Is it the same sort of thing they use in the US? I am looking at staying at the Divi, too, and am very interested!

Thanks so much,

Stephanie

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bas on Thursday, June 27, 2002 - 6:23 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

woohoo!! lol
eek, a mile 3x a week...that's a lot of swimming. You up for a drift snorkel from 1000 steps to Ol' Blue for a break and on to Karpata? 2x 1.1 mile. Easy going drifting with the wave action. See a lot of stuff!! Recently posted a report on it under 'Snorkeling Bonaire'... 'Tip for the snorkel addicts' Let me know if you're up for that. I really like this snorkel but can't go as often as I would like because it's difficult finding some one who wants to do it too.
Bas

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mercy Baron on Thursday, June 27, 2002 - 10:32 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Stephanie, I got my Entertainment book right here in California, I'm sure they're all over the USA, at $35 a pop. Makes up for it with one hotel stay or a couple of dinners out. Divi resorts are all over the book, and it's the only one in the book for Bonaire. Good luck!

Hey Bas, that snorkel sounds great. Why don't others want to do it? I just started swimming like that about 3 wks ago after being gone from it for a couple of years...so do I need a ton of endurance for that drift snorkel? Cause I'm not in that good a shape right now. But it sounds like I'd like to try!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Stephanie Caviness on Thursday, June 27, 2002 - 11:51 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks, Mercy. I looked online and it looked like they only had Entertainment books for the US and Canada?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bas on Friday, June 28, 2002 - 12:30 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Because it's a long swim. You cant get out until ol blue or karpata because the shore is steep cliffs all the way. And it involves some hitch hiking to get a ride from sabadeco to 1000 steps and a ride from Karpata back to sabadeco. Stuff you can bring along is very limited.. no towels, no dry clothes. I do carry a mesh bag for a bottle of sun screen, 2x20oz bottle of water, ziplocked sandwich & smoke and 2 prs of sandals. I drag it along and leave it to float for the occasional free dive. It can get pretty wavy too so if you get sea sick quickly it's not a good idea.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Sarah on Friday, June 28, 2002 - 5:10 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

your picture

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Heit on Sunday, June 30, 2002 - 9:37 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Mercy, You'll definitely have a great time at the Divi. We are heading down 7/3 thru 7/17. This will be our 3rd year in a row back to Bonaire and the Divi. You will be treated well and the house reef is great. Too bad we'll miss you but, wish you a great time.

Steve
Garrett-Opal-Gems.com

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mercy Baron on Tuesday, July 2, 2002 - 9:56 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Stephanie, I put up a response to your message about only being able to get the book in the US or Canada, but for some reason I guess it didn't post. But I was trying to ask you where do you live and that all the same hotels are in the books no matter where you live or buy it. Even though it's geared toward the restaurants in your area, the hotels are all the same in each book. I hope that helps.

Bas, the drift snorkel sounds doable to me. I don't get seasick from snorkeling...I didn't know you could! Hitchhiking?! Here in Los Angeles, that could get you killed! But I'm sure on Bon it's a whole different story!

Steve, sorry I'll miss you too. Sounds like you're leaving on the day I'll arrive! Maybe we'll pass each other in the lobby?! Have a great time!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Heit on Tuesday, July 2, 2002 - 11:53 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Stephanie, Thanks, I'll do my best. There is always the chance I can miss my return flight LOL. Talk soon.

Steve
garrett-opal-gems.com

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Heit on Tuesday, July 2, 2002 - 11:54 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

The limo's coming in four hours and no sign of sleep....arrrrhhhh

 


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