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Trip Reports: My trip to Bonaire, part one
Bonaire Talk: Trip Reports: Archives: Archives 2000 to 2005: Archives - 2001-05-19 to 2001-11-29: My trip to Bonaire, part one
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Fox on Wednesday, June 13, 2001 - 8:21 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Writers note: I am writing this from the perspective of a solo traveler on his first visit to Bonaire. What I saw there and what I found is contained below. I hope that this will be of use to other first timers and those who choose to travel sans companion.

A Bonaire diary

It had been 6 years since I had tried to wiggle my body into a neoprene sleeve and plumb the murky depths. I was about to turn 47 and in my zeal to not feel like I was dead before my time, I came up with the brilliant idea that I should start diving again. Three months in the gym, 20 pounds lighter and I was raring to go. Not any of that cold water stuff mind you, no. But a trip to a tropical clime where the fishes come in many colors, the land is covered in a lush greenness and the days are filled with gentle breezes that move the palms in sleepy sways. Where the air is filled with the perfume of flowers and the tall green trees are filled with the living art of native birds. I see myself covered in nothing but a sarong after a days diving and from the terrace of my casita I observe the setting of the tangerine sun. THAT, I said, is where I want to dive.

After much thought I chose Bonaire and, well, the fish did turn out to be very colorful. Best laid plans and all….

The Flight In
I happened, by pure accident, to be on American Eagle’s inaugural flight into Bonaire. I booked this flight to avoid ALM and Air Jamaica, the stories here about both of those airlines had me ready to swim from Miami if necessary. I should have known something was up when the Minister of Tourism joined us on the flight, but I was tired after nearly 18 hours of travel from San Francisco and all I truly wanted to do was fly to, land on, and sleep in Bonaire. The flight was perfect from start to finish. I saw the island coming up out the window and looked forward to touch down. Well, we landed alright and disembarked into a party! There were cameras and dignitaries and ribbons to cut and a band playing in the parking lot. There looked to be the better part of the island’s population milling around the place and I looked at the dignitaries and thought “how do those guys where suits in weather like this?” There were signs with people’s names on them from the hotels and rental car agencies. Two of those signs had my name on them, but in the circle of frenzy that surrounded me I never even saw them. I eventually got my rental car and with directions written on my hand I set out to find the Aqua Viva Apartments and a good night’s sleep.

The First Night
Why is it that the state of exhaustion does not immediately translate into the ability to sleep? I would have been dead on my feet had I been able to recognize the fact that I possessed feet. Since gentle slumber was not an option at this point I moved to number two on the basic needs list and went in search of something to eat. –My First Lucky Break, (in a continuing series)- I stumbled upon Pasa Bon pizza just a pillows throw from the pastel walls of the Aqua Viva. I enjoyed both the excellent pizza and conversation of the owners Joe and Fred and what had been the frustration of still being awake magically moved into the pleasure of travel all on the fragrance of pepperoni. One full stomach, a short trip home, and a good bed brought me into the arms of Morphius and a deep slumber. I awoke refreshed and renewed.….with the wind howling in my ears. It was like waking up next to a jet. The words hat and chinstrap will forever be inseparable in my mind.

The Accommodations and beyond
I chose the Aqua Viva Apartments for a couple of reasons, cost and location. I had decided to dive with Bon Bini and wanted a place close to them. Miguel offers his nice one bedrooms with diving and a car for $799. It was a price and location that I could not beat elsewhere in my diggings and so I signed up. The unit I stayed in was a one bedroom apartment with a large living room and a small, but full, kitchen. I had the luxury of cable TV and air conditioning in the bedroom. The ceilings are high, and so, much of the heat rises above the tile floors and keeps the place reasonably cool. The windows all have louvers on them so that the hurricane-like winds can be directed in any manner you please. There are no phones in the apts., and I found that to be inconvenient. The bed was very comfortable and every other day I was given fresh towels and was cleaned up after. Aqua Viva is clean and livable and I was always happy to return after a hard day of diving to slip into a relaxing evening. Would there be anything I would change? I would have loved a phone to call home and it would have been great to have an ocean view. Would I go back? Yes, the price and the location were excellent, as was the comfort of the apt.

 


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