November 27th - All Signs Point Home

I awoke Wednesday morning to the grim thought that our time on the island was quickly running out. I knew that a week wasn’t enough time, but it was certainly better than not going. I had the brief insane momentary thought of how can I stay a few more days? There’s so much more to see, so many snorkel sites to check out. I quickly put this out of my mind and we got on our way for another beautiful day in Bonaire. After all we had 2 ½ days left and we were going to make the most of it.

Opening the refrigerator that was struggling to keep anything cold, we found that the milk had curdled. Also we noticed we were out of bread. We ate some dry cereal washed down with some orange juice and decided that we might need a few more provisions for the next couple days. I sincerely wonder how appliances like refrigerators can possibly keep working in an environment like Bonaire. Minimal A/C in many places, corrosive salt air, and warm nights; you probably have to schedule opening the door once in the morning and once at night, otherwise the poor thing could never keep up.

Trying to ignore the obvious signs that vacation would soon be over we trotted off to the grocery store to get a quart of milk and a half a loaf of bread. Great selection of bread at the Cultamara. While walking around through the store making sure we didn’t want anything else, we came across a family shopping in there wetsuits, one with dive knife strapped to his leg. Not the way I would choose to go shopping.

Anyway it was off to Karpata and the hope of seeing some turtles. Bob and Sabina, our fellow Buddy Divers had seen several and in shallow water and gave us some good directions. We hadn’t been to Karpata snorkeling on our previous visit and thought it would be nice to try. Unfortunately the wind was pretty high and so were the waves. Still we were up for the chance of see some turtles.

Upon our arrival at Karpata we saw a species of creature that appears on the increase. There were significantly more on this trip compared to our last trip.

Dive Widow

Karpata has beautiful soft corals and sponges. Many are shallow enough to be closely observed, but this is best left to calmer days when you won’t bounce into them. We pretty much felt like corks in a washing machine, but fortunately we both have a fairly high tolerance for waves. We couldn’t find any turtles and the depth and waves didn’t make for good picture taking. We got out with the help of a wave or two and considered our options.




We felt for this poor person trying to earn a living on those waves that tossed us about like seaweed. Every few minutes his bow would disappear and then come splashing out of a wave…


We headed back to Buddy Dive for lunch. We rinsed our gear and decided to go have something different for lunch at the restaurant at Buddy Dive. We again saw our new friends Bob & Sabina and traded turtle and seahorse stores (or lack there of). Emi ordered a turkey sandwich and got ham (no complaints), but swears it happened last time we ate there.

Next we decided to try to find the seahorse that Bob & Sabina had seen in about 15 feet of water near one of the Buddy Dive boat moorings. We went into the water and started to hunt. Things got interesting from the moment I hit the water. Right on the base of one of the dock pilings was a scorpion fish, as plain as day, or as plain as a camouflaged creature can be. Of course not as easy to see on film ;-).



My flash batteries died right after catching a shot of this sharpnose eel, which was too bad as we then saw a huge green moray free swimming.



No luck on finding the seahorse, but I did see a tarpon that was almost as big as I am on exiting from the water.

We decided it was time for a drive (for a change) and we headed for Lagoen as I had never been in this direction and wanted to find the blow hole. We never did find the blow hole, but I blame my American paranoia of driving onto somebody’s property. I forget that the rest of the world isn’t armed to the teeth as we are. However the short drive did reveal some beautiful sites, as usual on Bonaire.

We saw the most amazing tree near Lagoen, and a quite lagoon with boats waiting to go fishing.





Next we drove past some familiar sites…



and into town for another watermelon juice and a walk around…








Evening arrived and we went back to our hotel to get ready for dinner.


We had a wonderful dinner at Capriccios, great service, good wine and great food. Emi had a shrimp with vegetables dish and I had a traditional lasagna and we both had a nice glass of red wine. Then a quick evening dip at Buddy Dive and off to bed to rest up for our last full day on the island.

Off course our new best friend was waiting for us when we got back…

Scott,

when you went to Lagoen, you passed right by the road to the Spelonk Lighthouse that goes off the main road. You really must try to find it next time because you and Emi would enjoy the visit.

Once again, thank you for sharing your pictures, your impressions and your good spirits.

Karl

Sigh.....
Thanks 4 the major increasement in PBD.....

Beautiful pictures Scott! I agree with Karl: try 2 locate Spelonk on your next trip. Judging by your pictures & stories, my guess is u will enjoy it!
Pleasssssse continue, I don't mind if u make up more days....

Will do guys, it sounds very much like a spot I would enjoy. I also hope to do some hiking in the park next time too. After listening to the bustle of the crowed suburbs of DC day in and day out, the sounds of the park and of the ocean on Bonaire are music to my ears.

I will say it again Snorkelguy, GREAT REPORT! Thanks,
Ida

I agree with Igor, Snork....if you have to make up more days and stories we won't notice and will keep on enjoying your reports and your great photos. When are you going back?? Carole

Carole,

At least one more report coming, maybe two if can continue to be long winded. When I’m going back? One thing is for sure, it won’t be soon enough. I’m hoping within the next year, but we’ll see what life throws us and what we throw back in the mean time. I’ve always wanted to go to one of the islands off of Africa too (particularly the Seychelles) but that eats up lots of vacation time. Don’t know if we’ll do that this year or sometime in the future. Of course both of us staying employed would help facilitate these trips, and it’s no secret that things are not as sound in the economy these days. Who knows, maybe we’ll adopt the chuck-it all mentality and go live somewhere like Bonaire or New Zealand for a few years. That is of course if those countries will let us and maybe work there at least a little.

Ok, got to stop dreaming (only for the moment) and go scrape the inch of ice off my car and slid into work.

See you soon.

Great minds think alike! I have often thought of the old "chuck it all" possibility, but then reality seems to kick me in the butt and my conservatism kicks back into gear. Wish I had the guts to do it. Oh well, we will just have to dream about it until then. I remember the old "live for today" theory from when I was a teen in the sixties, etc. Has it good points and its bad ones.......oh, such decisions! I also understand the desire to explore new places, but we have just become so hooked on Bonaire and her people that we "talk" about going elsewhere and then book the return trip to Bonaire anyway...not enuff money or time to do all of the traveling we would love to do. We are addicted...plain and simple and no denying it. What a great addiction, tho. Look forward to more reports and photos...definitely enjoyable and beautifully done. Be safe today...the same weather is now headed in my direction here in NJ...ice is sooo treacherous and deadly. Be very careful out there. Ayo. Carole

Sorry for slacking off gang, but the old work thing and x-mas preparations got in the way. I’ve got about ¼ of the pictures scanned and should have the next edition up by Friday night.

I just found time to read your series. Your report is really engaging and fun. It's a great read, and ideal for a new visitor who's preparing a trip. (I myself covered 4 trips, then skipped writing about the 5th; maybe in 2003 I'll find a new angle to make another report interesting. We'll see...) Thanks, :-)

Scott. Congratulations on a great trip report and lovely pictures. Makes me wish I was there.

2 of My children have emigrated to New Zealand, and we went to visit last year, it is truly a beautiful country, if you get the chance dont hesitate. (Good Luck)

Snork, we have a lot of patience! We will be right here waiting for your next move....Carole