As we pack up and head back to the USA I can now reflect back on the last two weeks of our vacation. We have come to Bonaire over 16 times in the last 12 years. It started out in 1998 as an innocent diving trip with a group of 18 other Americans to enjoy the underwater world. Over time that world has diminished as the reason we return because it’s really the people not the fish and coral that keeps bring us back. It truly amazes me how friendly the people of Bonaire are if you treat them with the same respect you desire. Of course they have and the whole world has a few bad apples. Just use common sense and you to will find the best people.

This trip we brought two new friends to Bonaire both non-divers, so we decided not to dive but to snorkel. Something I never thought I would do but agreed to so we could all be together. After 150 dives here I knew I would regret that decision while here and I did. Omar hit a few weeks back and I remember the hurricane in late 98 that destroyed the shallow reef. Omar did even more damage to the reef above 25ft. than the 98 hurricane. Knowing what we saw on every dive back in April 08, I was very disappointed to see the white sandy covered coral lying flat on the bottom of the ocean. What had come back since 98 was gone. It was worst than I could imagine and I felt my friends after hearing us sell them on the beauty of the shallows would hate us and Bonaire. They understood that Omar was to blame and took it in stride better than I did. As we snorkeled daily, they reminded me of myself the first time I came here. Every little creature we found, scorpion fish, puffers, parrotfish (50 pounders) angelfish, eels, sharp tooth eels, tuna’s (Yes tuna’s, I had never seen them on Bonaire) etc. excited them like kids in a candy store. They had no idea what they were missing, since this was their first time here. I knew but with their excitement growing on every dive, I found myself relearning to enjoy what was left. Oh how I want to go deeper!
This trip above water was even more enjoyable for us all.

We dined at our favorite places, Wil’s, Mona Lisa, La Luna, Dona & Giorgio’s, Pasa Bon and found some new places we will return to Sunset, La Guernica, Buenos Aries and Maiky Snack. We missed Cactus Blue, Patagonia, Lion’s Den, Brasserie Grandi and Kon Tiki, as they were either closed or time just did not allow us to get there.

We meet old friends and made some new friends. We exchanged emails and telephone numbers and had discussions with all about life, traveling, family and politics.

Our newbie friends to Bonaire had to leave 5 days before us, so Annette and I got to spend a little alone time together. These are the times I enjoy the most. For 29 years I will never get enough time on earth to spend with my soul mate.

To our old Bonaire friends, Erika, Hans, Dowue, Rudy, Monic, Scott, Pablo, Ines, Momma and Papa, Wring<sp>, Irene, Kirk, Kirk (from NY), Martin, Wil, Sue, Suechi<sp>, Sharon, Joe, Larry and Janice thanks for always making us feel welcome. To our new friends, Roy (You listen to me!), Bart and the ole Dutch gang at Mona, thanks for sharing your time with us. The memories made on this trip will last a lifetime.

In the words of Arnold “We’ll be back!”

Yea really Ric that's what Bonaire is all about.
The underwater topography will return. It's just a shame that the reef was just recovering so well from Lenny.. But Bonaire is really about it's people as you have astutely observed.

I can't help thinking back to our last trip several months ago when we were in town & bought some fish wall decorations to hang up. I commented that I didn't have an electric drill & the woman working there actually came by our condo on her day off with an electric drill & new masonry bit & offered to hang them for us!

Would such a thing EVER happen in the US?

Ric Hurricane Lenny was Nov 16, 1999...
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/sju/lenny.html

Why didn't you dive after your snorkeling friends left?????

We did not bring our gear and I prefer not to rent. We didn't even snorkel... We might be old but we still have "it"!

Ron, You da Man! Thanks!

Any info on what sights were still good to snorkel after ormar?? please tell all!

Andrea II and Alice in wonderland were our favorite's this trip.

Omar did damage in some places and left others untouched. Damage wasn't as bad as i thought it would be.

1000 Steps and Red Beryl were my favorites this trip.

Again below 25ft is fine, its' the above 25ft that suffered the most. Also per Larry, the east side is now the best side. Of course he has always said that... Either way I would not let Omar stop me from coming back!

I am a novice diver (just 16) but have found my new love. While at Black Durgon in October I dove most every day and snorkeled every day. Just a different experience and always good, always relaxing, always so much to see. I love the turtles! and had a great eagle ray by small wall. Can't wait to get back.