Well I guess for you to truly appreciate this story I need to give you some background. I first discovered Bonaire on a diving magazine about 1 1/2 - 2 years ago which was titled, "Bonaire is Best" with a great reef picture. It was this article that made me want to learn to scuba dive.

Fast forward to November 2002, my pool and class work were done all I needed was my 4 open water dives which I planned to do in Bonaire on my honeymoon. I decided to do my open waters there for two reasons I am from Los Angeles and couldn't stand the thought of cold murky water and what better place to do my first dive than Bonaire.

Bonaire was our third leg of the honeymoon, the first two being Puerto rico and Peter Island, because my wife cant dive due to health problems I only planned for us to be there for 3 nights, just long enough for me to get certified and get maybe one extra dive in. As you all know getting there isn't the easiest thing in the world, we chose to go American Eagle since we near San Juan this was the BIGGEST mistake I have ever made. We checked in at the Tortola airport around noon for our 6:40 flight to Bonaire and were told the flight had been over sold and we were eight and nine on the waiting list. Apparently due to some weight restriction nonsense 17 ticketed passengers did not make the flight, despite a good amount of yelling by all of us. To make matters worse they only have one flight a day that leaves in the evening so we were really screwed, they did at least put us up in the condado beach Marriott in a beach front room. As a result of this I was not able to get certified in Bonaire because my actually diving days had now gone from two to one.

24 hours later we arrived in Bonaire and check into the Plaza, a great hotel with a friendly staff. That night I was like a kid on Christmas eve, I was so excited about the morning I couldn't sleep. We stayed in an ocean front grand suite and every hour I would go outside and see if there was any hint of the sun so I could start my day. Alas morning did finally come and after a brief orientation I was off to do my first dive at 18 palms. Wow now I see what all the fuss is about, I was literally overwhelmed with the beauty of everything. Luck was finally on my side, on my second dive my instructor spotted a spotted eagle ray cruising the reef, a nice treat for what would be my last dive in Bonaire. I sadly returned my equipment with the promise to return soon for some extended diving. Although I couldn't do any more dives we did make the most of our time there, we snorkeled at thousand steps and karpata and did a long evening snorkel at 18 palms. We had planned to do dinner that night at Richards but laziness overcame us so we ended up at Tipsy Seagull, great food. The rest of the trip was spent snorkeling at the plaza and checking out the few but cool sights of the island. Before I knew it our time on Bonaire was over but it wasn't so sad because our next stop was Aruba. My diving experience did end on a good note though as I was able to do two wreck dives in Aruba and complete my padi certification I am now officially hooked on diving and will starting my advanced classes as soon as I can catch up on all the work that was waiting for me when I got back. As for Bonaire we plan to return for our one year anniversary via air Jamaica.

kitou

p.s. - I just want to say thanks to everyone for all the great info. I have been reading this board for about a year and this trip would not have been possible without all the great info I got here.

Thanks for the trip report.
Although short, your time on Bonaire was well spent. Congratulations on your certification!
Happy Marriage!!!!

Kitou, congratulations on your certification and your new diving and Bonaire addictions! Welcome aboard! and hope to see you one day on the island.

Thanks for sharing your story Kitou. I hope you do get to return soon and see more of Bonaire. I was complaining that I was only there for a week, 3 days must be tough, but it was your honeymoon so congratulations!

Kitou, Thanks for the trip report and congratulations on your marriage and certification. How lucky you were to do your check out dives and enjoy your honeymoon in Paradise. Debbie

Kitou,
Did AA offer free tickets too? We are flying down to Bonaire in Jan on AA for the first time. We have flown to Bonaire on DCA 3 times, NO Problems, and AJ once with NO problems. The law of averages say we will get bumped this time.
I enjoyed reading your trip report. Such a nice Honeymoon package you two put together! Congratulations are in order for your New Lifestyle of marriage and scuba!!!!!
Yana

Yana,

They did offer free tickets but you have to be careful, at first it was $200 but for those who held out we received $350 towards future travel. If you plan your trip assuming something like this may happen its not a bad deal at all.

Thanks 4 the report Kitou.
Sorry 2 here about the travel-troubles, but hey: I still beats sitting at work 4ever!
Congrats on the marriage & the certification!

Kitou: If you stay at the Plaza again next time, recommend a night dive at 18th Palm. We were there in Oct; we did 2 night dives at 18th Palm and were joined by two very large Tarpon both times; they stayed with us for at least 30 minutes of the dive. It was very cool.