I feel a little awkward about posting this trip report. We returned from Bonaire just before Omar arrived. We had a great 2 weeks, but I know a lot of our friends there now have some big clean-up and rebuilding challenges ahead of them. Maybe this can serve as a reminder of what we can look forward to when Bonaire has cleaned up the damage from Omar topside and the reefs heal their scars. Both of which will happen, I am confident, sooner that we expect.

Sue and I were honored this year to be awarded the title of Bonaire Ambassador by the Tourism Board based on the number of consecutive years we have visited the island.


We spent the first week and some of the second relaxing with our week 39 friends from North Carolina and Texas, (you know who you are). The first week was the usual low season relaxation and diving. Week 2 was Regatta,, which we always enjoy. Regatta was not as big as previous years, but enjoyable as aways. We fell asleep most nights to the echoes of the live music from downtown. Getting to and from the dive sites on Klien was interesting. We happened into the middle of a couple of races and had to carefully pick a course that got us thru the pack of boats and to the dive site moorings. The upside was that we got a great view of the sailors and their craft in action.

Travel
We took the Continental red-eye from Newark both ways with no issues. There was the $25 surcharge for the second bag, but we were expecting that so it was no big surprise.
Car rental was via AB. As usual, there were no problems or hassles, other than figuring out where to drop off the car for the early morning return flight home, but that turned out to be easy too.

Resort
We stayed in our Divi timeshare. There was a little hassle getting our studio on Sunday, but that was resolved by Sunday afternoon. Our unit had not been renovated yet, but a number of them have been, and some were in progress as well. I guess we will just wait until they get down to our end of the rooms.
The grounds were in there usual good state, well landscaped and maintained.

Restaraunts
We had to console one of our group because Capprichio was closed when we were there. We’ll have to figure out a way for him to get his Tirimisu fix next year ;-)
We ate at most of our favorite places, and discovered a new one, “Unbelievable”. It’s just across the street from the Divi Casino and the rooftop terrace is a great location. It’s breezy and quite comfortable. The menu is varied, with local fish being the feature, the prices are reasonable, and the service is prompt and professional. What more could you ask for ?

Diving
We dove with Divi Dive Boanire. Remember, we are lazy boat divers. All were boat dives except for our checkout dive and a couple of night dives on Calabas reef, including one with Becky. I must say she’s a trooper for schlepping her dive gear and tank from the parking lot to the dive dock. Way to go Becky !
Divi were having some issues with their boats but always managed to keep them working and get us to excellent dive sites. Of course since Omar, Sunrise looks like it’s a total loss.

My new camera system performed well, with only a couple of scares. Sue’s housing had an issue in week 2. The folks at Capture Photo at the Divi were very helpful in setting up a replacement rental camera/housing for here.

Our UW pictures for this trip can be seen at: http://homepage.mac.com/j.ciurczak/PhotoAlbum33.html


The main Site is: http://homepage.mac.com/j.ciurczak

Here’s 2 teasers to encourage you to visit the website.
We would appreciate your feedback on your favorite, and perhaps more importantly, your LEAST favorite picture, so we can improve our work.

Your teasers are great! I'm so glad you got to dive with Becky. She is a great dive buddy.

John and Sue - it was great to dive with you and thanks for giving me some time to "rest" after my schlep (or is it schlepp?)

I am in awe of your pictures - even the teasers. I'm having the same sort of awkwardness regarding my trip report and the timing of Omar... but I know people want to see what I/we saw, so I'm still working on it.

Congrats on your ambassadorship! That's quite an accomplishment.

Another outstanding album. John what kind of gear are you using for your uw photography?

Awesome pictures and trip report!!! We received our 15 year ambassadorship award this past May; it's a nice thing the tourism board does for consecutive visitors.
Congratulations to you both!!!


Thanks for sharing!!!

Fantastic photos ! Congratulations on your ambassadorship. We have our first one from Aruba and working on this one from Bonaire. Thanks !

Nice shots John & Sue..I really liked the blue parrot fish fleeing the paparazzi.

John and Sue, as always, thank you for the great shots and topside adventures. I ALWAYS look forward to looking at your pictures. You are a master with the camera. Since I am not a photographer, neither below or topside, I always appreciate your expertise.

Wow, the pics are great! I esp love the first one, half in/half out of the water. We keep trying that but never get it right.

Beautiful pictures, but ya'll always take good one. Glad you missed Omar.

Andy

Wow! What beautiful photographs! I especially loved the red trumpet fish and the brittle starfish. Thank you for sharing such excellent work! Cheryl