Two weeks just wasn't enough. I need another week. We had a wonderful time.

part of the pleasure of going to Bonaire for me is that Eric and I spend time together...we get so busy in out everyday lives that we just pass in the hall some weeks. So two weeks of Eric is a treat...I kind of like the guy.

The Delta flight to and from was so civilized. We overnighted in Atlanta and arrived on Bonaire rested for the first time ever. Coming back, we got our luggage, cleared Customs and Immigration, and were at our gate in a half hour. I'd read the horror stories about waiting for luggage, ect, so I has happy to see that they seem to be working the kinks out.

Michael Gaynor helped us get a truck from Budget...thanks Michael. It was dirt cheap, the vehicle was great, and the check in/check out was painless.

We'd stayed at the Divi and they put us in the timeshare side. We'd been there once before some time ago, and they've really fixed it up since then. It was great, and the folks who work there were so nice. The highlight of staying there, though, was that our room was bookended by a group of women, most well into retirement, who were in such high spirits and having such a good time that it just had to rub off on you. One had just gotten certified two years ago and was talking about her trip to Fiji. The last I saw of her, she was saying "Gotta go...I can swim for twenty more minutes before I catch the plane!"...when I grow up, I wanna be just like them!

I was disappointed that we couldn't get an orientation the day we got there, as were several people I talked to. They could make a lot of people happy by getting them in the water sooner.

That said, once we got across the orientation hurdle, we found the dive operation to be pretty well oiled...helpful, friendly people, plenty of tanks. We did only shore diving, and the arrangement for picking up and dropping off tanks was efficient.

They also have a very nice kitty cat, Captain Garfield, whom Eric fed constantly.

There was only one cruise ship in port while we were there, and, man, since they parked it at Ro Ro Dock, it was reeeely close to Divi...made it so you could only dive south when it was there. Carol B, I want to tell you that Divi's gates were indeed open wide when the cruisers were there, although it didn't get loads of traffic. Somebody told me that the crew took over the beach bar and sun pier, but we were gone diving most of the day, didn't see it ourselves.

I think Calabas is really suffering from the ship traffic. Eric played devil's advocate and tried to believe that the ship traffic wasn't the cause of the reef's degradation, but that is the one differing factor since the last time I was there, and I see a tremendous difference. The reef is trying hard to be alive, and we saw a lot of wonderful stuff right off the dock, but it ain't what it used to be.

Eric is a great one to dive with...he has good eyes and sees EVERYTHING. He found us a manta ray at The Rock, a four foot (really) grouper at Weber's Joy, one of the biggest lobsters I've ever seen at Lighthouse, numerous turtles and spotted eagle rays. I can't think what else. Lots, though. I always have my nose three inches from the bottom, so I see the little stuff, but miss a lot without him. I did see sponges spawning...a first for me.

I think Candyland and Nucove were standouts for both of us...long drive, but worth it. Funny Taylor Maid is so close to Candyland, but not nearly as spectacular, we thought. That huge coral is amazing. We liked the Rock...hadn't dived that before. Hats off to Susan Porter...she should call that book "Shore Diving for Dummies"...she thinks of absolutely everything, and is always right.

This was the only time we have felt like the conditions would let us dive the Lighthouse, and even on a calm day, it was kind of a stumblebum entry and exit. One look at that shelf between you and deep water tells you why this site would be a real stinker with any surf at all. But we saw LOTS of stuff...schools of tarpon, schools of fish which were twice the size they are on the lee side....really a cool dive.

Dining....who cares? I don't go to Bonaire to eat, and although it's better than it used to be, vegetarian fare there isn't the greatest. Eric, who does eat meat, loved Cactus Blue, and we both liked Bistro de Paris...wish I could get his ratatoulle recipe. Went to the Garden Cafe, where even Eric sits up and begs for the Garden Salad. Got to wish Raja well, since I don't think I'll get back before he shuts the place down. He didn't have any of his TekiBon tequila available, but he gave me a prototype bottle as a memento...you are all going to want one; it's a perfect souvenir.

The new produce store,,,La Huerta?... is worth a trip. They are trying hard, their stuff is a notch above the average Bonarian produce, and they have lots of exotic things we just never see here...fun to try.

Regarding the Cams, I don't think I got enough attention for standing there like an idiot in my yellow raincoat, people. The people of Bonaire are friendly and tolerant, but I'm here to tell you that they have no use for a big blonde tourist wandering their streets in rain gear. No one gives stink eye like a latin woman can, and I got some. I didn get a pic of myself, in mufti, by the Giant Hands at Lovers...more stink eye, too.

That's it. We're back. I just called Eric at work and he'd been cruising the Divi web site, said it was 90 degrees and sunny on Bonaire this afternoon....









(Message edited by barbara_gibson on May 5, 2008)

WOO HOO.....great report and SO glad you're back. Thanks for sharing I LOVED the capture we got of ya on the cam LOL!

Priceless.......

Thanks, Kobi....you're next!!

We missed you here that's for sure! And that picture was hysterical, you the Flasher and Eric playing with his gadget! Glad you had a good time, hurry up August so we can go!!!!

I want to add in short description of a trip highlight for me: I tried a 3-hour ($180) kite boarding lesson at Atlantis Beach with the Kiteboarding Bonaire people. They run a bus out to there and have some boats, kites, boards, and instructors. It was very interesting. My previous experience with skate boards, surf boards, and windsurfing was not super helpful. The instruction starts with flying a small kite on land. I kept it flying for 300 milliseconds (one third of a second) on my first try, after which I dived it into a bush at high speed. The very patient instructor helped get it untangled and re-launched. Eventually I was able to keep it flying steadily, and making a few gentle figure 8's. Then we flew a much larger kite from land. Then it was into the water, with a still bigger kite, 6 square meters. This is the same size as a very large windsurf sail. The plan is that you are dragged through the water while steering the kite. You try to arch your back and keep your legs back. This is very counter to normal instinct.

anyway... I kept it flying for a while and got vigorously dragged through the water. I got stung by a few jelly fish on my legs and arms which was a distraction. The welts faded after a day or so. The wind was strong and I crashed the kite into the water a few times, but we got it flying again each time. Finally after the 3 hours were nearly up, the instructor loaded me into the boat and we motored back towards shore. He could fly the kite with one hand and steer the outboard with the other, very impressive.

So finally, time is totally up and we roll up the kite and strings, and I load into the boat. We went to pick up another guy who had gotten downwind, and loaded him and his board and kite into small skiff. We had trouble with the motor and eventually figured out that leash from the other guy's board was wrapped in prop. We got this untangled and were motoring towards shore when the second boat came out to check on us. Very safe operation.... good to have a backup. Anyway, it was very challenging and interesting to think about how the big kites work. I was awake flying the kite mentally for many hours and I think I irritated Barbara who was trying to sleep......

The diving was great too.... Seeing all the fish, rays, turtles, coral and sponges was terrific. I liked Cactus Blue the best since they served beer in larger glasses and had good burgers. All the restaurants seemed first rate to me, especially when you get a chance to chat with the owners. Now I am stuck back in my cube at work, wishing I could be relaxing on the dock with a beer. Instead, I am fixing defect number CSCso88492 in a big pile of software.... sigh....

Barbara has posted 1789 times? No wonder dinner gets eaten at 9 pm in our house.... I guess I could try cooking it myself if I wanted to eat sooner... what a concept....

That was a great adder to an already great report LOL!

I am so busted....

Fun report, thanks. Just a side note, those guys serve a cheap lunch out of the kite bus. My wife and I have sat and watch the people between dives and enjoyed a snack several times.

L...M...A...O... Eric...You have to blame me, I think I was the one that LURED CB out of "lurk" mode with my dry suit questions.

YOU FOUND A MANTA???? man, that's awesome. And the kiteboarding, kudos to you, more than I could do. Did you get any bruises? And shame on you for keeping our CB awake with your Kiteboarding fantasies...LOL!

You know we love ya...did you two manage to get any pics?

Cynde, I was shocked when that manta turned toward us and I could see its mouth!

We got just a few pics...my strobe was DOA, so nothing under water. I'll work on posting them.

I have the world's stupidest tan: dark face, arms and back, and dark rings around my ankles, the part between the wetsuit and the booties.....

Eric, I want to try kiteboarding, I promised myself next time I go I would do it!

Only a few pictures??????WAHHHHHH

We also befriended Garfield, he ate really well when we were visiting, Rianna fed him 3 times a day!

LOL Great report, CB, you are sooooooo busted .

Nice to see Erik posting too!

This was a really good, FUN report!!!
Thanks!!!
I thought you looked very nice in your rain coat...Some people just don't know fashion!

Thanks guys! I really appreciate your report.

anyone have the pic of CB in her raincoat getting the stink eye? Post it here? I missed it...

Thanks for the report.
Eric, thanks for adding your adventure to the post.

For anyone planning to kite board: my advice is to buy or rent a small trainer kite which has similar flying characteristics to the big kites. That is, it should have a horizontal control stick, power lines, and control lines. Spend enough time flying it so that you can put it into figure 8 pattern and zoom it back and forth from side to side. If you spend enough time doing it that you can fly it around without conscious thought, you will be very far ahead of the game when you are trying to master the bigger kites, or fly a kite from the water. Trying to steer a kite and a board both at the same time is a supreme challenge to the brain. Of course, if you can fly a helicopter or ride a unicycle while using a yoyo, it might not seem very hard.....

Flying kite from land is very relaxing and fun activity all by itself... Avoid doing it if there is a cactus within your landing zone or you will spend part of your time untangling things....

This is Eric's Brain. This is Eric's Brain on Kiteboarding.....





Thanks for the pics, Kobi. What is going on in the first one, is:

Eric: "Let's GO. People are staring. Let's leave!"

Barbara: "We have to stand here for two minutes. You get back here and stand with me!"

LOL, I love it I can just hear you two now....hee hee!!! Thanks for posing; it sure made me smile!!!

Nice report CB and Eric! That cam shot is priceless! Way to go.

Nice trip report, thanks for sharing. My husband and I just got back from Divi, we were there May 3-10. Looking for Garfield was one of the first things I did, since I was really missing my own 3 cats back at home. I am glad they have Garfield there and I think for the most part people treat the cat very well. But I did see some kids chasing the cat and petting in a way that looked more like hitting. Ironically the 3 boys chasing the cat were kids of a Divi employee.

Eric -

Not many will pick up where you work from your posts - but I definitely recognize the defect numbering scheme as a nerd myself. I wasn't able to id the particulars from the bug toolkit...

Glad to see another nerd/diver!