I actually did not need a break. I was just curious to see whether my pictures would actually show up in the report if I followed Jake's instructions on how to post them. I took me several tries. But it really works IF one reads ALL the instructions. Thanks, Jake.

Day 9: Dove Fish Hut (unmarked site; see Jessie's book) and Angel City with Thomas from Nurnberg (Germany). The first rainy day: big thunderstorm in the morning. Loved both dive sites: easy entries and exits, healthy reef, abundant marine life, sandy bottoms and chutes.

Day 10: Highlight of the trip: went diving (and touring) with Bas on his day off.

First dive, giant stride off the rocks at "La Diana's Leap," followed by a leisurly 57 minute dive to "Karpata"; saw five turtles; being the air hog I still am, buddy shared air with Bas for part of the way.

Then, lunch at the Rose Inn in Rincon: a mountain of pan-fried Wahoo with "yellow" rice.

Second dive at Bas's "secret" site on the other side of BOPEC (I think it's the same one Fiona talks about in her report). Someone named it "Candyland". Yeah, that's a good name for it: "Bas's Candyland"! And candyland it is: there Bas showed me one of the biggest coral mounts that he knows of.

We drove across a lot of back roads that day where one has magnificent views across the island and the sea to Curracao. We saw 12 Ospreys that day and Flamingos by the road at Gotomeer. We stopped at the little "oasis" of Dos Pos to rinse our dive gear.

I couldn't imagine a more perfect day on Bonaire or anywhere!

Day 11: Two boat dives in the morning with Chris at Klein Bonaire: "Divi Tree" and "Ebo's Reef".

Two hours of Rescue Diver course theory review with Emile in the afternoon.

Day 12: Took a lesson from Caren at Sea & Discover (www.bonairenature.com/seandiscover/). Learned a great deal about coral growth, sponges, and fish behavior. Couldn't do the planned dive with her to "see [sea] and discover" because of her head cold.

Took the Rescue Diver exam and PASSED!!!

Clean-up dive with Photo Tours, organized and sponsored by Jake at Oil Slick Leap (very easy to get in and out now with the new ladder -- better than the old one, everyone says). Collected half a trash barrel full of fishing line, leaders, hooks, and sinkers.

Afterwards, a B-B-Q at Photo Tours Hamlet Oasis, organized and sponsored by Jake and his company.
Met many wonderful people there, among them Jessie ("Shoredives") and two fellow Canadians, Maureen and Juri, who runs the animal shelter.

Day 12: Sunday, rainy morning with brief intensive tropical thunderstormns that flood the streets... again, a morning visit at Dos Iguanas; then a northern tour of the island -- Boca Onima (mythical landfall of the first Bonairean), Alta Mira (spectacular view of Rincon and the northern end of the island), Karpata (thre boys trying to catch a juvenile sharp-tail eel in the pool in front of the concrete dive entry), Grotomeer (prettiest spot on the island), the little oasis of Dos Pos - and a a quiet, sleepy afternoon at "Luna Azul."

Day 14: Bank, haircut and a visit at the "Zuster Maria Hoppner Stichting (Foundation)," home for abused and neglected children (yes, there are social problems even in paradise), age 4 to 16, 13 boys, girls house currently closed due to lack of funds. Talked with Ellie, manager, who is gradually putting things back together. Needs support. Go and visit, next time you are on the island.

Later, exploring dive resorts for a potential dive trip with a group of divers from my dive shop here in Edmonton. Liked Buddy Dive the best: great flexibility in accommodations, not too big, attractive grounds, excellent facilities, friendly staff, welcoming management.

Then, another highlight: the Bonaire Talk Dinner at Garden Cafe, with tasty Lebanese food, well served and reasonably priced.

But, it always begins with the webcams...



We owe so much to Jake and Linda who give us the opportunity to talk with each other and learn about Bonaire. I am, as I am sure all of you are, very grateful for what the Richters do for us and our favourite island.

Here is a list, going around the table on my left, of who was there:

Monique Reekers, Bonaire
Dara Walter, Bonaire
Linda and Jake Richter, Bonaire
Meryl Virga and Steve Giamporcaro, New Jersey
Lisa Naas and Sam Edwards, Atlanta
Sharon and Scott Barlass, MN and "soon" Bonaire
Kate and John Allen, Mansfield, MA
Emi Wallace and Scott Musson, Fairfax, VA
Kathy and Gary Long, Houston, TX
Karl Homann, Alberta, Canada

From left to right, Scott's nose and Sharon's shoulder; Steve (boy, can that man eat!)and Meryl (boy, can that woman talk!); Linda and Jake (our Bonaire patron saints); Dara; Monique's hair and fingers; Bas; Gary...



Lisa and Sam (they weren't really as serious as they look)



John and Kate; Scott (what's with the Barlass -- don't they want to be in pictures?); and the Spanish Pepsi Sint Niklaas on the wall...



Where the light begins, Gary and Kathy; the other Scott (a.k.a. snorkelguy) and Emi...



And then there is this handsome trio: Monique (not just her hair and fingers); Karl (hot lips!); and Bas (the Conqueror of Lac Bay and the Emperor of Candyland)...



All of sudden, this odd-looking fellow showed up: does anyone know who he is?




Day 15: Last full day on the island -- more sightseeing: morning trip to Lagoen (neither a pretty site nor sight for all the junk and garbage)and Spelonk Lighthouse. What an awesome place, desolate, moonlike landscape, crashing waves against the rocks, no cars, no people, just a few donkeys in the far distance... A bit daunting but worthwhile trip on unmarked desert roads.

In the afternoon, packing and resting...then a drive to anotherspecial place: Lac Cai, the mangroves and a look across the Bay to Sorobon, the site of Bas's triumph (more about that later in "Local Items."

In the evening, dinner with Sharon and Scott Barlas at Rendez Vous, a classy place. A dinner choice suggested by Marcel (owner and friend of the Barlass), superb in taste and presentation. Pleasant company and conversation... a fitting ending for my last evening on the island.

Days 16 and 17: A smooth trip home, with Air Jamaica via Montego Bay and Miami (overnight) and Air Canada, Miami, Toronto, Edmonton, but more about that in "Getting to Bonaire".

So, all in all, a most pleasant and enjoyable trip to and stay on Bonaire: no unreasonable late planes, no lost or late luggage, no accidents with or breakdowns of rental car, no thefts, no bad dinner experience, no near drownings, no complaints... nothing but positive experiences and friendly and helpful people.

So, all that remains to be said for now is...



and thank you Bonaire and its wonderful people.


Karl H.

Sorry, for the duplicate postings and about the large picture size. I have a 911 call in to Jake.

Also, the first picture got cropped. Let me try again.

Karl nobody can doubt your persistence! Good detailed report that gives me a good idea of what to expect when I arrive in Bon on the 19th of Dec, it will be my first trip to Bonaire, but as a newbie diver (open water no experience), I will be concentrating on the simple things, like getting in the water and bouyancy and breathing....
I had not decided on hiring a vehicle but it looks like a good bet as my partner is a snorkeller.

Thumbs up Karl!
Nice 2 read u had a great time and congrats on the Rescue Diver Exam!
On saturday (your day 12) we ran into Jake in front of his house. He was leaving 4 a clean-up dive. A pity we had 2 go home on monday, so we couldn't join u all 4 the BT-Dinner.
I don't know if it makes the PBD worse or better, but it was fun 2 read. Thanks again!!!
Igor

Karl,

Thanks for the great trip report. PBD will become a daily condition for you now. The wants becomes needs so quickly after visiting Bonaire.

Karl, it sounds as though you had an absolutley fabulous experience during your stay on Bonaire. Thank you ever so much for the details and the photos. You will have many memories to hold you over until your next trip....planning that one yet??? It helps keep the PBD down when you know you have another trip to paradise planned and ready to go! Look forward to more photos if you have them, too! Carole

Karl, Thanks for the great report and pictures of fellow BTers. You obviously had a wonderful vacation in Paradise. Debbie

Karl, Thanks for the great trip report and the pictures of fellow Bonaire Talkers!!! I love puting faces with the names! I guess you experienced what I call the charm of Bonaire!!!!

Karl, great getting to meet you and the rest of the bunch at dinner...congratulations on the rescue diver course!...Hope I didn't "chew" your ear off....all the excitement of meeting everyone can really set me off! So much to say...so little time! Hope to see you again on the island....

Great report Karl! It certainly was a pleasure to meet you. Great work on your certification, what a great place to do it! I'll post my pics over the next few days.

And Meryl, I saw your appearance on the web cam in the Friday archives, what a great picture! Congratulations on your dive!!!

Wow,Karl, even better with pictures! Thanks for the trip report. It's funny, because I knew you were taking the Rescue Diver course - but not that it was you exactly...Bas told me a Canadian from Alberta was taking it with him....next day we dropped by the Pink Dive bus with treats for Jack, Bas' pup dog..maybe you were one of the folks interrupted by the white Hilux, AB car rentals, with 5 people feeding the 3 pup dogs...small world :-)

Thank you for the wonderful detailed report and great pictures. Congratulations on your Rescue Diver certification!

Karl,
I truely loved your report! Glad to hear you had such a good time and Bas is great isn't he....