On Wednesday, I did my Deep Dive for my AOW. It was fun and I did good. Above water, Francie showed me a knot to tie underwater --- I couldn't tie it above water (some people are less coordinated than others), but I didn't do any worse underwater -- still couldn't tie it until she showed me several times. Had no difficulty writing my name backwards, and didn't feel narced in any way. Everything looks so GREY down there! Next, and final, dive for the AOW will be a wreck diver at the Hooker. I'm on a real loose schedule and they'll arrange this some time within the next couple of weeks. I'm very slow and easy on Bonaire.

Dives since last report section: Twice at Karpata: lots of turtles, we saw four the first time, and four the second time. Both times, only one had a tag. We saw them in the real shallows getting in and out and down at 60. Yesterday's dive we saw a yellow seahorse (found for us by Ellen Muller, who is a fish underwater!) It was a bit rough yesterday, but my buddy Benny helps me in and out, I'm getting very spoiled (not that I'm complaining, mind you)

Food: Stopped at Rose Inn in Rincon after our first Karpata dive: Very nice ribs, and Alan said the wahoo was great too. Such a nice spot after a dive.

Valentine's Day saw us at Mangos for the wonderful sushi/sashimi/seared tuna special dinner, shared with Jake and Linda Richter. Great food, pleasant service and great company.

My valentine's gift from Alan was buying my own gear, finally: Got a Diva BCD, made for a woman, and that makes all the difference, and a Cressi reg. Actually, the gift from Alan was his not muttering under his breath about how much diving costs... He doesn't mean it, of course, he gets a kick out of my enthusiasm. He's decided that he'll only ever be a snorkeler.

We had a pleasant dinner last night at the Spanhoek, which serves a surinamese version of chinese food, sort of... Nice food, LOTS of it, and the local people already there when we arrived greeted us so pleasantly, and then again when we left -- we felt very welcomed there.

Several breakfasts at the Lost Penguin: the eggs benedict is so GOOD!!! We brought lots of breakfast stuff, but it's hardly touched because the breakfasts at the Penguin are great, and it's a nice walk down there, then a stroll on the waterfront after we eat, little stop at the fruit stand for fruit snacks for later...just a nice leisurely way to start the day.

Probably off to Cai for the Sunday afternoon "fiesta" in a little while. Just so much to do on Bonaire. Got time for an hour in the hammock now though.

More later...
Josie and Alan

Josie, you are having a ball! Such a nice, relaxed trip to Bonaire. YOu and Alan are living the good life...that's what it's all about. Thanks for letting us have fun with you on the board. Carole

Hi Josie!
Glad to hear that you are having a great time and that you did well on your deep dive. Maybe we can go see those turtles together at Karpata when Tom and I get there! See you in one week and six days, but who's counting!

Hello, Josie! I'm soooo enjoying your trip report! I did my deep dive at the Hooker....I liked it so much Jimmy had to drag me up...we were within 3 minutes of it becoming a decopression dive....( don't do that!)...but be sure to look up into the interior of the hull from the bottom and say hello to the giant Tarpins for me. They are beautiful.

Don't forget to tell us about the Sunday shindig at the Cai.

Thanks so much, again......margarite

Josie,

So nice to hear you are having such fun. I am really sorry Alan can not experience it with you.

It was so nice to see your smiling faces in person at Gibi's last week. Only wish I had been able to get there earlier.

Next year I hope to have a BBQ at Bongo's, hopefully we will be on Bonaire at the same time and you folks can join us.

Josie ... Your report continues to be wonderful. I love the way you are so relaxed about your days! You will be my standard when I can finally get out from under the one week vacations prescribed by my job! I got my Diva BC last year as part of my birthday gift and love it! Be there in less than a week --- see you then!

Susan

Hi Josie,
I'm enjoying your reports! My husband Scott & I arrive this Saturday and are staying at Capt. Don's. I will be working with Francey to finish my Advanced Cert. We will be there until Mar. 1st. Hope to run into you. Any get-togethers we could join?
Have a great day,(I'm taking notes)
Dawn

Dawn ... we also arrive this Saturday (not soon enough). Are you flying through San Juan on American? You can join the BT dinner on Tues the 25th at Gibi's. Look at some of Chet's posts in Everything Else Bonaire about the Feb/Mar BTers. Hope to see you there.
Susan

Hi Susan,
We are out of Cincinnati, thru Atlanta I believe on Air Jamaica. We leave Sat. morning. My husband set up this trip, I really haven't paid much attention, until now! The ice & snow seems to have gotten me motivated, that & the fact that I only have a couple days to go! Thanks for the info & hope to meet up with you.
Have a great day,
Dawn

Hi Josie, Just home and been catching up on all the news from around here but also enjoying reading your trip report. It is good you can work on it while you are still there.
It was great meeting you and Alan and it is wonderful to hear you are going to try and get to New Zealand next year. I am sure you will love it there too.
I can see why you wouldn't want to miss out on Bonaire and glad you can do both.
So glad to hear the diving is going great and it is super you got a new BCD and reg. for Valentine's. Alan is a very nice guy.
Hope to hear from you when you get back...keep in touch...Dawna

Cai was fun yesterday, had a bite to eat (good fish soup!), listened to the music, then took our folding chairs to a shady spot overlooking the mangroves and read. Nice afternoon!
Jim and Dawna: We're probably definitely either going to New Zealand or the Galapagos next February. Just booked two weeks here starting Dec. 29, so we still get our Bonaire fix!! I'll miss six weeks of lazy fun in the sun, though...