BonaireTalk Discussion Group
Trip Reports: Arriving this Saturday, 9/28
Bonaire Talk: Trip Reports: Archives: Archives 2000 to 2005: Archives - 2002-09-26 to 2003-03-31: Arriving this Saturday, 9/28
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Brian Compton on Thursday, September 26, 2002 - 3:02 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

We'll be changing planes in Jamaica just as Lili arrives. (not so bad, max 35mph winds) How is everyone's stomachs? We were concerned about the gastro-enteritus thing and would appreciate an update.

Also, I skipped the wetsuit and plan on a skin only for diving. My bodyfat works pretty well. I see that this is the warmest water season - 83 or 84 F.

Has anyone hiked Bandaris ? Were you glad you did? Any animals along the way ? Any fresh water to cool off in on the mountain path ?

This net has been great for generating enthusiam. I should be working right now but I can't. Thanks to all who participate !

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Robert Grover on Thursday, September 26, 2002 - 3:46 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Brian,
It could be ineresting flying into Jamaica on Saturday. We are changing planes there also.

Last year in Cozumel, the water was 84 and I went with a Henderson Microprene wetsuit. .5 mil thickness, and had no problems.

Where are you flying out of to get to jamaica?
We are leving from BWI.

Robert

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Deborah Fulton on Thursday, September 26, 2002 - 5:27 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Brian,

We climbed Brandaris in July. It's a beautiful view from the top. Bring plenty to drink and your camera with you. There are no Coke machines on the trail. It took us 2 hours round trip and we are not experienced climbers. The last bit at the top is a little rough---loose rocks and actual rock climbing but if I can do it anyone can. The only animals we saw were birds and iguanas. Be careful and have fun.

Debbie

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Brian Compton on Thursday, September 26, 2002 - 8:20 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Robert - we'll probably see you in Jamaica on the way to Flamingo. I've been monitoring http://www.wunderground.com to keep an eye on Lili. We're flying out of EWR. This'll be our 4th trip, and every time a different airline and route. The money I saved on the wetsuit went to new mask & fins - killer. I'm yellow man so my wife knows me. Now when we arrive I'll find everyone on the boat in yellow fins, right?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Brian Compton on Thursday, September 26, 2002 - 8:29 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Deborah - I hope we get to go. I'd like to do it at dawn but I remember the park doesn't open 'til 8:00.
Our last flight departing Flamingo afforded a great view of the park. Having read a travel book on a hiker's cross island trek over Brandaris ending in wave washed pools made me picture myself on that hill. Thanks for the encouragement.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Brian Compton on Friday, September 27, 2002 - 10:03 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Our travelling friends just confirmed the flight out of Newark for tomorrow morning. We're supposed to be at the ticket counter at 5 AM for a 7:15 flight. Air Jamaica had better be there if we are. I'm happy to see that recent Bonaire Talk visitors have stopped complaining about the stomach virus. Now if we can clear the weather up we'll be just fine.

With regard to tomorrow night on the island.., "wheredaparty?"

Still requesting Brandaris hiking tips...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan Goff on Friday, September 27, 2002 - 11:09 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Brandaris hiking tips:

Go very early, takes awhile to go through the park on a very bumpy road, lots to see along the way though
Freeze water in bottles or bring a cooler, it gets plenty hot on Bonaire around noon.
Wear sturdy hiking boots.
Check weather conditions before heading out to park.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Brian Compton on Sunday, October 6, 2002 - 12:53 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Best week in Bonaire ! It was touch and go last Saturday though. I can't believe that dispite my weather research I (or the weather services) couldn't get a handle on Lili. Air Jamaica postponed the early Mo-Bay flight out of Newark a few hours but when we got underway we never encountered weather. They held up the Bonaire flight for us and we got into Flamingo only three hours late. Of course we know the storm turned into a killer in Cuba and then the US, but OUR beautiful island simply got a pile of nice rain out of it, and that was three days before we'd arrived.

We found Bonaire as sweet as ever. Really - every day up in the 80's, nites too, fabulous breeze, colors we won't see 'til we return, and memories to last 'til then. Getting in before dark allowed us to enjoy the ride to our digs. We'd forgotten how cute the donkeys are, splattered a lizard, passed by some flamingos not far from the road, and didn't use the air-conditioning.

Carib Inn was terrific as our dive shop of choice. We didn't dive all that much during our week but could have, any time we'd wanted. They just compute the cheapest deal at the end of the week for whatever you dove, bought, or used. Then you get that cool big Bonaire poster with Bruce's photos as a gift. I wish I hadn't bought gear in NJ as Carib was like half price for alot of things. Bathing suits for $10, replacement snorkel - $12. (nice one too...cheapest in NJ was $39 and you feel like a sucker buyin' it)

They've set up some big old ship anchors just off the dock on a sandy bottom in 25' of water. It was a real confidence builder to spend some time practicing good boyancy control. Dumped three pounds I hadn't needed. The reef is just beautiful and worth getting familiar with.

Our drive through Washington Slaagbai was wonderful. You've got to give in to some discomfort. It's hot as hell in the sun sometimes but you either find some shade, some wind, or some water to cool off. Those pretty buildings north of Goto Meer are a wreck but the snorkeling was awesome at that location. On some stops in the park we'd get out of the truck and stand around awhile and the lizards would start showing up. Less brave souls than us could freak out and run for the vehicle. I got a couple close up Iguana photos with people in the background making it look like one of those old Japanese sci-fi movies. We also stopped by to look at flamingos where we were so close it was like former observations through the binoculars. We stayed quiet and marvelled. Some were more than pink, with such distinctive heads, beaks, and crazy necks. Thats one bird I have no trouble identifying. Another was a White Tail Hawk. We're looking at it with our jaws dropped figuring - "well, it kind of looks like a hawk, and hey, look at that white tail; I just bet that's a White Tail Hawk !"

Although we didn't hike Brandaris we found enough side trips and stops in the park that our day was full. Some beer, snacks, and more water than we'd thought we would drink made the day very pleasant. I'd done my snorkeling in a light skin mainly as a sunscreen, but the skin was nice to have to stay warm in the water. Sometimes I even snorkeled with a broad brim hat. (I have red hair)

One night our friends enjoyed the Mona Lisa - their leftovers had turned into a lite supper the next day. Good lamb and also tasty barracuda. While they were there, my wife and I just strolled the main drag. I just loved Whattaburger and the ice cream in that little shopping mall. Walking the pier was cool seeing under water dive lights and camera strobes from various groups of divers. It would have been fun just to have grabbed a mask and jumped in to get a better view. We all rendezvooed in front of Karel's where Toni and I'd been dancing on the sidewalk.

We'd never connected with the fresh fish we were looking for. We thought the place was up around the old Sunset Beach. ( which, by the way is also a wreck - somebody ought to film a movie there and then bulldoze it and start over) But we were told to try a place between Richard's and the Carib Inn. They just didn't happen to be around the times we'd try, although we're pretty sure it was the right place.

Well, about thirty hours ago we'd seen the prettiest sun-rise of our lives, then kayaked and snorkeled, hung out, came home, rose at 6:00 AM as usual and now I need a nap. Just had to write a little.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Deborah Fulton on Sunday, October 6, 2002 - 2:13 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Brian,
Sounds like you had a wonderful trip to Paradise.
Debbie

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker on Sunday, October 6, 2002 - 5:02 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

What a great trip, Brian! PBD isn't the word for it. Memories....they have to hold you over until the next trip...planning that one arleady? Carole

 


Visit: The Bonaire WebCams - Current Bonaire images and weather!
The Bonaire Insider - the latest tourism news about Bonaire
The Bonaire Information Site, InfoBonaire
Search Bonaire - Search top Bonaire Web sites


Topics Last Day Last Week Tree View    Getting Started Formatting Troubleshooting    New Messages Keyword Search Contact Moderators Edit Profile Administration