Here goes – better late than never, right Tara?? Trip report on trip number 5.

Travel: Delta from Milwaukee to Atlanta to Bonaire. I’m not sure I’ll use Delta again. The schedule is just too tight. I’ve been lucky on my trips down that we’ve made the connections, but on the way back clearing customs is a nightmare. This time we left Bonaire an hour late. We initially had a 1.5 hour connection in Atlanta. The delay took it right down to the nitty gritty.

We got through customs and got our suitcases and had to do some emergency reinforcing of one of my bags. I truly think they had a gorilla in the cargo hold making room for all the luggage. Holy cr*p was my bag trashed! I saw it come up the conveyor and could not believe it. Luckily, we had an extra strap and we were able to put 2 straps around the bag, one lengthwise, one widthwise, and everything in the bag made it home (including 3 bottles of Bright... one of which is now open on my computer desk). Now, they didn’t make the flight to Milwaukee that night, but I did have them in my possession by 7pm the next night.

(author’s note: I do have to say that Delta made good on the bag. It was old... and there had been some minor damage already, but nothing that would have interfered with the security of the contents. When it came off the conveyor it was ripped ¾ of the way around, just below the zipper. I took it back to Delta at the Appleton, WI airport and about a week later I got a call from their luggage department. The guy I spoke with was hysterical! He asked me if I was the lady whose suitcase Delta felt it was necessary to demolish. It sounded like it was the worst bag he had seen in a long time. I had a new bag in my hands within a week. )

Accommodations: Lighthouse Beach Resort Number 13. This was the stay I won in the BT Auction. All I can say is WOW!!! Thank you Debbie and Greg for offering a week’s stay in your home. It is beautiful, well appointed, set up for divers, and in a great location. My mom loved it, as well. I’m really glad that for her first trip we had such an incredible place to stay.






The ONLY negative (for me) about LBR, is the sand flies. For some reason they find me irresistible. I got chewed up and spit out. My legs looked like I had leprosy or something. My mom got nary a bite, not a single... stinking... one. It just isn’t fair. This would absolutely NOT stop me from staying at LBR again or from recommending it to others. It would, perhaps, make me a bit more diligent about the use of DEET, but then again... maybe not. I always forget until it’s too late. I’m glad I don’t dive like I DEET. LOL



Diving: I dove with Dive Friends at Port Bonaire. They were awesome people and it was very easy to get tanks. I only got 9 dives in, but this trip wasn’t about diving as much as it was about having a great time with mom – and we did!

That being said, I dove: Yellow Sub – checkout dive – loads of great stuff. Mom snorkeled there and really enjoyed it.








Alice in Wonderland – A feeding party of jack/snapper/sharptailed eel and a feeding Eagle ray!







The Lake – awesome squid encounter (which led to my KADUI Squid Whisperer certification).








LaDania’s Leap to Karpata “drift” and Invisibles to the Rock, both with Bas Noij – incredible dives: saw 2 anchors at Karpata, several turtles, and had a bit of a rough exit (thanks for catching me, Bas!).









At Invisibles (Incredibles) we saw a permit – unfortunately it was the only permit we got as our request to dive Salt Pier was denied... twice . Oh well... hopefully next March!






Tori’s Reef – another awesome Eagle Ray encounter. I can't say enough about this dive site... I am never disappointed.













At a little unmarked site north of the Black Durgon – I found a black grunt... quite rare in Bonairian waters, we also saw a Tarpon blowing bubbles, and a huge blue tang feeding parade.









Red Beryl – my only porcupine puffer and scrawled file fish encounters, and I finally got to see blue striped grunts jaw wrestling... unfortunately, my batteries died about 5 minutes into the dive. Bummer. I also did a night dive off the Divi dock with John and Sue (T-shirt divers). They were awesome dive buddies and I got to see some cool stuff, except the elusive seahorse

(author’s note: Mom snorkeled all the sites I dove except the guided dives at LaDania’s and Invisibles. She hung out in the LBR pool that day and met a friend – a cute little green iguana. She got some great pictures. I’ll have to have her send them to me. She also got quite sunburned... even AFTER I warned her that Bonaire was only 3 feet from the sun! Parents, geez... they never listen.)

Snorkeling: We did a full day snorkel with Dee on the Woodwind. We were joined by Darlene the snorkel queen! We snorkeled some incredible sites on Klein Bonaire. We drifted from Southwest Corner to Munk’s Haven – saw a coronet fish among others. Ebo’s to Jerry’s (or was it vice versa??), and then in front of No Name Beach. Saw several turtles, a very deep eagle ray, and loads of other fish. We also got to be in amongst the regatta boats as we headed out to Klein. There wasn’t enough wind for the Woodwind to sail, so we were motoring. The sad part about that is that we got passed by all the sail boats in the regatta who were NOT motoring It was pretty awesome seeing them with their gorgeous spinnaker sails billowing.










Dining: We went to a few tried and true restaurants: Pasa Bon – awesome as usual. Mom really liked the pizza there. Casablanca – once again, an amazing steak. Bistro de Paris – we went just for dessert, and it was wonderful. Bobbe Jan’s – gotta love their barbecued ribs, and I swear they have the best fries on the island. I also tried a few for the first (and not the last) time: Sunset (at Den Laman) had an amazing view and great service. The meal was fantastic. Plazita Limena was incredible with great food (I had fish), great service, and fantastic prices. Warung Louise was also good. My only complaint was that it was during regatta and there was an ATV track set up next to the restaurant making it very loud. The restaurant had no control over that, though... and the food was excellent (and a bit spicy!). We tried Brisa del Mar for lunch (the restaurant at Eden Beach) and it was quite good with a great view. I also finally got to try Maiky Snack on my guided dive day. Thanks, Bas! I don’t think I could find it again, but it was so worth the "mud bogging" trip. Local goat stew and funchi – mmmmmm!

(author’s note: since airlines no longer feed you during your flights, do what we did: order a take-out Pasa Bon Pizza the night before you leave, and stow it in your carry on bag in zip-top baggies you brought with you for just such an emergency. Even the flight attendants were jealous as we were eating on the way to Atlanta! Maybe that’s why they trashed my suitcase??)

Topside: Mom had wanted to do the Park, but there had been so much rain I didn’t think the roads would be very good. One trip on the “shortcut” from Karpata convinced her to skip the park, LOL! Instead we went north and around Gotomeer (on paved roads). What a wonderful drive! It felt like you were in paradise it was so amazingly beautiful. And better yet, there was not very much traffic, so you felt like it was yours alone for the viewing. When we came back through Rincon, we detoured up to Seru Largu. I do love the view from up there.






















(author’s note: The Bright mentioned earlier is now empty... dang, I will have to switch to domestic beer as it will be too long before I get back to Bonaire and replenish the Bright supply. The two remaining Brights in the fridge will be saved for other important occasions. Note to self, next time bring back more than 3!!!)

People: It was fun meeting new people and re-connecting with some I’ve known before (If I had said old... I’m pretty sure I’d get slapped next trip). Under the new category: I finally got to meet Ann Phelan! What a sweetie, and a lot of fun, too! John and Sue (T-shirt divers) are great dive buddies and amazing photographers to boot, thanks so much for inviting me on the night dive! Bas Noij is a great dive guide (and tour guide between dives) – that’s all I’m saying about that. Under the re-connecting category: Darlene - you are an absolute RIOT to hang out with. Susan – you rock. Michael Gaynor – as we all know, he’s the go to guy on Bonaire, and never steers you wrong. Thanks for the tip about Calamine... it did kill the wicked itch. Next trip I come armed with prescription strength anti-itch meds!

(author’s note: due to the new puppy, lateness of the hour – it is currently 11pm CST as I write this – and a very long day that involved some shoveling of very heavy wet sn*w and ended with a Bright; I’m signing off. I’m sure there is more to this trip report, but it cannot be extracted from the cobweb laden recesses of my mind at this time.) Cheerio!

great report becky...i agree about the sand fleas. i've said before that i rarely get bit even when i don't use anything but mary's legs look like yours did even if she bathes in deet. sounds like you had a great time. also, as we've said before, isn't it just like bonaire to have regatta during the one time of the year that there is little or no wind?

glad you liked LBR.

pat

Beck-ee, I absolutely loved your report, pics and videos. I am so very happy that you and your Mom were able to share such a wonderful trip. Hugs to you both

Great report and pictures! Thanks, I enjoyed it!

i hope darlene didn't corrupt you too much. she has a habit of doing that. i used to be quiet and innocent till i met darlene...now look at me.

Hi
I just spotted Becky's picture of Karpata taken before Oscar, about the 9th I guess. Here's my picture taken on the 16th of Oct. Quite a difference in the coral rubble. The tide is higher of course, but you can still see the change.
Mick

Thanks for posting your report and pictures.
I enjoyed both very much.

Beckee..Nice trip report! If it's any consolation, your Mom probably also got bit by the sand flies. Unfortunately you probably have a hyper-sensitivity to them. The same way pollen or mold spores affects people differently. Some folks have no reaction, others have an immune system which goes into overdrive.

wow, great report and looks like you and your mom had a blast. Love the picture of the salt pyramids, that's an amazing shot!!! We only had one eagle ray encounter, looks like you had at least two if not more. Thanks for posting all of those pics and video's, great. Scott
ps. can't wait to go back.

Beckeeeee...saw you are coming back in the spring. Hopefully we get the Salt Pier permits this time!!! It was great meeting you and diving with you. Looking forward to next time!

Good report. Thought I would combine the 2 Karpata pics for easy reference. Yes, big difference. Thanks.

Becky, what a great report and I love your pics!! The videos are awesome, I love turning the volume up and listening to the breathing...right Steve?
Ahhh, just like being there!!

I'm so glad you and your mom had a good time!! That is priceless!!

Wow! Becky got her report posted - I'm impressed. Seriously though, great report! Where are the pics of you and your mom?????

A world class trip report and pictures. Most excellent job Becky, thanks for taking the time.

I was wondering this morning if everyone gets bit by the sand fleas but only some have an adverse reaction (don't you feel special).

Great report Becky - Great Squid Shots
But this is my favorite .

Wow - thanks Timmmy for touching up my eagle ray pic. I really like that one as well I just could not believe it when I turned around and there he/she was.

Thanks everyone for the compliments... . It was a great trip and for mom's sake, I was glad we got out 2 days before Omar hit.

I loved LBR, even with my hypersensitivity to sand fleas . Thanks, Vince, for the 'splainin - I figured it was something like that, because it does seem to get worse each trip. Oh well... that's what doctors are for

Scott - thanks for the compliment on the salt pics... the lighting and water pond conditions were perfect that morning. <sigh> Your report was awesome as well - I downloaded your slideshow to my desktop. It helps to look at/listen to that as the winds are howling and the sn*w is flying past my windows.

I can't wait to go back, either

Oh, and PegiSue - are y'all pickin' on me?? LOL

Iffin I knowed how to add music to my videos, I shore would... iffin I knowed how to turn OFF the sound on my camera - I'd do that too! LOL

Becky, fabulous report pics, and vid...outstanding. Well worth the wait

Great trip report and awesome pictures!!!! It was really fun spending time with you and your Mom! Sorry we are going to just miss each other in March. Maybe we can connect in October again!

oh Beck-ee...love your photos~! Thanks for the report!!
I have Never done LaDania's leap. Wanted to in October but Omar messed it up. Hopefully in March.

NO!! I wasn't picking on you!! I love listening to that...it's like being there! Honest!!!

Timmmy, that pic looks GREAT! That was my fave too. Wouldn't it make an excellent tattoo??? I had to draw a ray one time for a logo for someone, and that one would have been perfect!!

That's OK, PS - I was just joshin' with you You're right, though... that would make a most excellent tattoo! Hmmm.... maybe... no, I'm a big chicken, lol

Becky!!!
Awesome report and fabulous pictures. I'm SO glad you & your Mom had a good trip.
Totally wonderful that you two got to vaca together in beautiful BON!!!
I'm glad there was a happy ending to the damaged luggage incident too!

Thanks for sharing your report; makes me want to go back there right now!!!!

Becky, you did good on this one. Thanks.

Wonderful trip report, Becky! Love the pics and videos. So glad you enjoyed your stay at my place. We got to see lots of eagle rays this past November too, but didn't get pics like you did! Did I tell ya we saw a manta? Haaaaa... Can't wait till February.