Hello fellow boarders!! You folks have set up an awesome forum here and everyone sounds like real friendly Cats!

My Name's Jordan and I am a former Army Vet who decided in 2006 (while spending 9 months on a beach (well, kind of like a beach except the beach bars had been replaced by exploding trucks) that I wanted to become a dive Instructor. Well now I AM and ive found a great job on Bonaire. Assuming I'm accepted for the position, I;d like to get a general idea of "life" on the islands. Ive Lived in London, Portugal, Honduras, Afghanistan and the US Virgin islands and as such am used to re-locating, but every place (even the islands) are so different!!

Are folks normally welcoming to newbies?

Im 26, male, and can party with the best of them, but my primary focus will be safely taking people underwater, as such, What is the social life scene (mostly bars or can you get involved in the community, working with kids, finding a rugby team, participating in other sports?

Will I struggle to find accommodation upon arrival? My normal MO is to tun up blind and try and find a family with spare apartment or under-house living where I can assist around the house and provide activity time for the kids in exchange for decent rental rates.

Will my inability to speak dutch be a killer? I speak basic spanish and teaching level English, and I'd be willing to learn on island.

Are things as laid back there are they are in the other Islands (BVIs, USVIs, Bahamas) where I have lived and worked before?

Do most people dress smart casual or is there a large backpacking crowd on the island?

Also does anyone know if their is a Masonic Lodge on island?

Are their "nice" rentals on Bonaire for "fair" prices? I was forced to spend $850 on St John USVI for a horrid 1 bedroom apartment while in Honduras I spent close to $600 for a 2bd cottage on the water.

Will it be a struggle for me to find a decent 4 wheel drive vehicle for 5k US??

And finally, should I do it? From the research Ive done the Island looks amazing, but you never truly know until you talk to the locals (i.e) YOU FOLKS!!

Sorry for how long this turned out to be and please dont try and answer everything at once. Anyone's tips, tads, nuggets, suggestions and criticisms are wholey welcome.

Thanks and I hope to here from you (my maybe soon to be buddys) in Bonaire!!

Jordan King

Hi Jordan.

I will try to answer some of your questions: Bonaire is really friendly and one of the reasons that my Wife and I settled there was because of the people.

The nightlife is pretty limited. City Cafe has music on at the weekends, sometimes live local music or a DJ. Little Havana which is a jazz bar with a Cuban flavour has a DJ most weekends as does Karels. Lees Bar has some music and shows all of the US sports on big screen Tvs but in the main, entertainment is low key. There is always an opportunity to work with local charities and I am sure that many will appreciate it, especially in sport. They are into baseball and Football (soccer).

If you arrive in the middle of the night you will struggle to get accommodation, I would suggest sorting that before leaving. Affordable places are Bonaire Inn & The Lizard Inn. This link will help: http://www.google.co.uk/url?q=http://www.infobonaire.com/hotels.html&sa=X&oi=smap&resnum=1&ct=result&cd=1&usg=AFQjCNGR_TkSnvpIxWeWOAP8rtzkm8Vdlw

Spanish will be more useful than Dutch. Everyone speaks English except some South Americans who are more likely to learn the local language, Papiamentu.

The island is pretty laid back and the dress code is usually casual.

The are not that many backpackers on the island and no Masonic Lodge.

You should be able to find a 4x4 on the island in your budget but a crew cab pick-up is the vehicle of choice.

A few things to know. You will have to apply for a residency permit which your employer can apply for. You will however need to have a medical and tests for HIV and Hepatitis, obtain a police report and be able to provide the authorities with your birth certificate and proof of your marital status complete with apostille stamps. The is also a security bond to pay which is returnable when you leave the island of around $3000.

Bonaire is a relatively safe island with low level crime. Although there are no sandy beaches to speak of, the coast line is stunning.

We had a great time and would recommend it to anyone.

Good Luck!

Antony (without the "H")

Hi Jordan-Bonaire is fabulous-if you want to relax, enjoy life, love the sea and all that inhabits it and want to be with people who know how to be real then it is for you. If you are an adrenaline junkie it might be a little bit of an adjustment, except underwater of course. Bonaire gets in your blood and once there refuses to leave. Have a ball!