First off I need to report a serious crime incident during my stay. Sometime on the evening of 11/6, while enjoying my pre-diving welcome rum punch(es), Buddy Dive and Bonaire stole my heart.

Now that I'm back at my desk in Chicago to the cold, snow and rain; and the joys of my inbox, I wish I had never left.

I was (only) able to enjoy 33 dives during my 9 dive days. I confess that 24 or so were on the EXCELLENT house reefs right off Sand Dollar/Buddy Dive/Lions Den and Capt Don's properties. I can honestly say that I saw something new on EVERY dive I made, dawn through night and that next time I must save and save for a two week stay.

The staff, grounds, dive operation, boats, bar, restaurant etc. at Buddy are positively first class and as convenient as they are beautiful. I highly recommend Buddy Dive to anyone looking for a grand time and good value for your vacation dollar.

My Netty's Daewoo mini van was a treat and the total renting experience was very positive.

I flew AJ and loved it. Reasonably on time, all luggage arrived safely at both ends and I found the staff to be very cheery and helpful. Some folks on my flight did experience a day layover in Montego Bay, due to a late Bon departure causing them to miss their connecting flights. But I guess a day in Montego courtesy of AJ ain't all bad either.

I am now in the process of culling over 1300 digital pics I took underwater and on land. I will be creating a photo CD slide show to send out to friends and dive buddies once I weed out the junk from the nice pics.

Thanks Jake & Linda for the great time at Antriol (sp?) Catering. It was a thorough delight to meet so many BTers for a sampling of the marvelous island cuisine. A terrific time was had by all.

Oh well, I guess that's it for now, it seems some of the locals here would prefer it if I did some actual work for a while.

I'll post a formal report once I pick out some nice pics to post.

PBD big time!!!!!

Glad you had such a wonderful time in Paradise!!!! It truely does steal your heart away!!!

Looking forward to your pictures and more trip details. Thanks, Randy! Margarite

Can't wait for the pictures!! It helps us all when we get to see what we are missing. It makes the countdown to the next trip a little easier. Thanks, Debbie

Ah yes, another love story. Bonaire does that to just about everyone who comes her way. So glad you had a great trip...you definitely spent most of it underwater and experienced some wonderful things. Can't wait to see some of those 1000+ photos!!! Please pass a link over to us if you can. Your PBD will be with you for a while...actually, until you return to her. I am most certain you will be planning your next trip right soon, eh? Ayo. Carole

Ah, yes, I remember too the moment I fell in love with Bonaire!

Our first trip was two weeks, the second for four weeks, this year was supposed to be for four weeks, and I extended to six weeks (yes, you guessed, Alan's retired, and I have a "work when I want to job-- which is never in Feb/March now).

Next year will be for six weeks again (three for Alan as he's not willing to miss more of his table-tennis league!).

We found we were able to afford a much longer stay by carefully shopping for budget accommodation, as we could never do it at "resort" prices. Bonaire Town Homes is our home on Bonaire now, and I really recommend them to anyone who'd like to stay longer and are prevented from doing so by economics.

It's rainy, cold and miserable, and not a chance of seeing the Leonids here, and I can't WAIT to get back to Bonaire (Jan. 29....)