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Trip Reports: Snorkelguy and Snorkelgal return to Bonaire – Part 7
Bonaire Talk: Trip Reports: Archives: Archives 2000 to 2005: Archives - 2002-09-26 to 2003-03-31: Snorkelguy and Snorkelgal return to Bonaire – Part 7
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Snorkelguy {Scott} on Saturday, December 7, 2002 - 12:52 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

November 26th – This is not my beautiful house!

We decided to do an AM snorkel at Windsock. We pulled into the spot we had gone to 2 ½ years earlier and I was totally disoriented. Where had this fuel dock come from? Why were there booms in the water around some of the pilings? (This is not my beautiful house; this is not my beautiful wife!). We decided to go down a little further and park on the road by donkey beach, but this might have not been the best idea. I’m guessing the fuel dock is to bring fuel into the airport to support planes that come from significant distances, and I certainly understand the need, but it was a pretty shocking change to my once favorite little reef. I did notice that it was possibly placed next to the giant brain coral that I had seen previously, and hopefully nothing was moved or removed to accommodate this new structure.

We got into the water and it was quite sandy (as you’ll see in the pictures) unlike the last time I was there, but again I wasn’t in the exact same place. The place where the dock was now was once the entry through the reef and we were to the left of the dock (should have gone right of it towards 18th palm). We were greeted by a bunch of smiling Chubs who were happy to see us. The usual stoplight parrots and red-lipped blennies dotted a pretty healthy shallow reef. We swam right into a school of squid and they were at first were startled, but Emi and both stopped moving for a couple of minutes and they started to approach us. They were curious and looked us over as we slowly started to move by them and out around the shallow reef. We continued to move slowly down the reef and the next thing I knew the school of squid was not only following us, but swimming in circles around us and then with us. We were both amazed as we started to wonder who was watching who?

squid

Next to the right of us we saw the biggest Rainbow Parrotfish we’ve ever seen. It was about 3 feet long and just browsing along the coral, what a beauty!

p1 p2 p3


We were several times visited by a shoal of browsing Blue Tangs which I don’t think I’ll ever get tiered of watching.

tang

Over all still a nice spot, but I have a feeling the right side of the dock may be better. I give it a 6 out of 10, nice entrance, a little too sandy (makes a nice beach), coral is in great shape and lots of interesting life in the shallows. However the 10-20 foot level is fairly sparse. Please note my rating may be a little biased because of past experience.

We decided on another afternoon road trip, this time to Gotomeer, the large Salina on the north end of the island. On the previous visit to the island we saw an amazing amount of bird life here. Lots of flamingos, orange birds that look like Orioles (O’s!), and a huge Cara Cara (Wara Wara) that flew overhead. This time the lake was very low and there were fewer birds. I imagine that it varies with the time of year and the rainfall and perhaps even with the time of day. Still a beautiful unusual place that is just humming with cicadas and bird songs punctuated with the occasional goat.

goto1 goto2 goto3


We again headed across the island and towards the sleepy little town of Rincon.

rin1 rin2 rin3


Then we headed over to the east coast to watch the waves breaking at Boka Onima. On the way we saw a group of people, one of which was squatting down by their right rear tire. I was concerned that they needed help and asked Emi if they were trying to change their tire, after all were on unpaved roads at the time. Emi said, no, she’s going to the bathroom, not changing the tire. At this point I noticed, oh yes, glad I didn’t stop to help. We were certainly far from any facilities.

Boka Onima was spectacular and I love to go right to the edge and feel the spray of the ocean as it crashes on the rocks, and then watch the waves roll into the inlet. It’s a really dramatic spot that’s old coral worn by the waves of the sea and does indeed look like the moon as Dean had described in his trip report (might be the same spot.)

om1 om2


We spent a little time walking around back in town before heading back to the hotel. After a long day it was time to head back to Buddy’s and relax and enjoy the view. And oh yes cash in our free rum punch ticket and watch the sunset.

buddy1 buddy 2

buddy3 buddy 42


Dinner was at Zeezicht and was disappointing. Very bland snapper with an anemic salad, but at least the rice was good. The company was great, and we were visited by 2 creatures, one adorable and one that made me glad I was finished eating. You should have seen how big the cat’s tail got when he caught eye of it. We were outside mind you and right by the water. Unfortunately a woman was feeding chicken bones to the cat and he would choke on each one of them. It bothered us both a bit as we were worried about the kitty, but I reminder both of us that cats have been eating birds for eons, and it’s only in the last 40 years that we’ve been concerned about them eating chicken bones.

emi kitty

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kay Powers on Saturday, December 7, 2002 - 1:05 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Snork...you need to publish this trip report! Awesome!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Karl H on Saturday, December 7, 2002 - 3:20 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Scott,

did you (or Emi) really take that picture of the squid yourself? I am envious: his/her(?) eyes are looking straight at me.

Speaking of moon scape (at Boca Onima), let me add a moon scape of my own, the Spelonk Lighthouse. I don't know if you and Emi went there, but there is another desolate and dramatic place on the island worth a visit if you can find the raod and are not afraid of getting lost.

Here is the road and the lighthouse in the far distance as one comes over a ridge just outlide of Lagoen.

/image{road to Spelonk)

Then only donkeys crossing....

/image{donkeys 1}

or donkeys staring....

/image{donkeys 2}

... not another car or person. And then the lighthouse in a barren moon scape...

/image{Spelonk Lighthouse}

with the waves crashing against the shore.

/image{waves}

Quite the place!

Karl

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Igor van Riel on Saturday, December 7, 2002 - 5:58 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks again Scott!!!
Great report. Love 2 see the other days.
I don't think the first sunset-picture (with the boat in the middle) is of nov 26th (not that it's a problem :) ). I am sure we've got a picture of the same cloud-formation in the sunset-sky. We left Bonaire on the 25th. I'll put our picture in my Trip-Report.
I agree Karl: the Spelonk LightHouse was one of our highlights! Loved 2 drive down there. We were a bit disapointed by our pictures. The colours didn't turn out as beautiful as they were. So pleazzz post your pics...... :)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Igor van Riel on Saturday, December 7, 2002 - 6:01 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Sorry Karl,
I've located some of your pics. Please let me know if u want some help with the pics (scanning, resizing, posting, whatever). Once u know how 2 do it, it ain't that hard, so I will be glad 2 share any tips and tricks. :)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Snorkelguy {Scott} on Saturday, December 7, 2002 - 11:19 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Yes Karl, I’m very proud to say I did indeed take that picture of the squid, and on our snorkel at Windsock. They were certainly watching us as we were watching them. One of the nice things about snorkeling is you can be really quite, no bubbles etc. and keep your movements very slow and controlled. I’ve found that the slower and quieter I learn to be, the more closely squid will approach me. It was fascinating watching all the different positions they would get into, how they would change color and move in synchronization some times and then independently other times.

I saw your shots on the other thread, they’re great! We didn’t get a chance to go there, but it looks like you as if you had a nice adventure. Thanks for sharing.

Igor, I can’t swear to the day those particular pictures were taken on as they were on film and not digital. At least my digital camera keeps me straight. With taking so many sunset shots, and when you’ve got 2 people with a pile of cameras, it does get confusing. I hate those time stamps on my pictures too, so I’d rather be off a day or two.

Kay, thanks that’s nice. I’ve actually thought about it, just for personal use. However it would take many hours of correcting my bad grammar and typos!

Jake, thanks for deleting my botched thread, I guess you did read it…

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Snorkelguy {Scott} on Saturday, December 7, 2002 - 11:20 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

BTW, after this busy day of adventure we went on a night snorkel at Oil Slick Leap. I have a couple of nice shots from then that I’ll post later. Need to do some work today.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker on Saturday, December 7, 2002 - 4:00 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Snork, you have so inspired me that I called Air Jamaica today and booked our flights for May/June. I had been putting off making our return reservations for a few reasons (nothing to do with not wanting to be in Boniare, tho) and now we are psyched about being there again. Your trip reports and photos are absolutely spectacular! When you get to the "end", could you start all over again for us??? Please, please! They are that entertaining and enjoyable. Thanks again, Snork. Carole (Shutterbug).

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Meryl Virga on Saturday, December 7, 2002 - 9:23 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Carole,,,I agree....Great job....do I hear movie....(that could be an idea....The Vacation...I'd watch...)
Glad you got tickets ...a year is long enough!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Snorkelguy {Scott} on Saturday, December 7, 2002 - 11:27 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Alright Carole! So glad you’re going to make it back. I know you’ve wanted to get back to Bonaire for a while.

Meryl,

I think a documentary on the people who live on Bonaire would be wonderful. I met so many interesting people there I think it would be a cool film, although it would likely never make any money like most documentaries, but what a great way to spend a year. Emi actually has done video production for years and would be a great asset. If we can raise some money (or find an organization who would donate some) and we can all take a year off and do the film!

Naw, it would be too much fun and I’d never be able to finish it…I don’t think I could stay out of the water long enough to work.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Meryl Virga on Monday, December 9, 2002 - 11:56 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Well then we will have to film it in the water!

 


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