We arrived at the belmar Friday July 4 and left July the 12. It was like coming home we stayed in the unit that we did last year and it was wonderful. The staff at the belmar are the nicest people you ever want to meet.
Everyday after everyone got through diving or snorkeling we would all meet in the pool and talk about what we saw and where we were going to eat. Most of the time we would have to drag ourselves out of the pool when we looked at our watches and realised that it was 7 closer to 8 pm.
People were there from last year that were back at the same time this year.
It was incrediable to sit around the pool around 9 at night and watch the stars and moon. Thanks to Cheryl B she had a star gazing chart and pointed out the different constellations.
Karen and ROg were so wonderful when having some difficulty getting the breathing down pat underwater Rog spent over an hour with me in the pool and got me completly comfortable with breathing.
It was like a small little community it was wonderful. When someone left they would give the leftover things they had to person that was staying longer.
The house reef is so incrediable. I could of stayed thier and swam the whole time.
I felt completly safe there. Butchy the guard is the greatest and he made sure that we were well gurarded and nothing was going to happen while he was on watch.
The girls that work for toucan diving were incrediable. Especially Erica she had the patient of a saint helping get over my fears with the intro scuba course. She didnt have to but she took me out even on a 2nd day to help me get more comfortable.
Ingrid who works in the office is wonderful. Her and I chatted daily. I hated to leave bonaire but most of all I hated leaving the belmar it was like a home away from home.
I dont want to brag to much because if I do when I stay there might not be able to find room in the inn. In fact we all had such a great time with each other. We all decided that we would book at the same time for next year.
Another great thing is if you are on a budget they have wonderful kitchens fully stocked with dishes and pots and pans so that you can cook your own meals.
I even asked ingrid if she needed a office assistant but she just laughed at me but one of the new guests that came on wed said forget the office they should hire me as the social director yep I think thats the job for me.
Another neat thing about the belmar that each individual unit is owned by different individuals and because of that each unit is decorated differntly which is very cool. In fact because of it came home with some very cool items by asking where do you get those things. Came home with a pink flamingo planter. Came home with the cutest paper mache star fish and someother cute items.

Hey Christine...I definately agree with everything you said above and more...already planning for next year...let's make sure to keep in touch and come down at the same time...sounds like you had a long day on Saturday!...Did you get your pink flamingo planter at Green Lapel? Everyone loves our parrot planter that we bought there...Talk to you soon and will e-mail you pictures...Karen & Rog

Karen it is so funny you would not believe this but the family that came in after you was from ca also. They had a 17 yr old daughter. How was the plane ride home ? I got the planter from the green label. yes saturday was a long day as I got woke up at 6:30 and finished the rest of packing. Then at 9:00 went and settled in the office and went to airport and payed departure fee and then went and picked up a few things to bring home.
Did the baggage thing at 10:00 then came back and we had the hotdogs you gave us for lunch.
Left belmar at 2:00 and got on plane and got to miami at 8:30 got to our car at 9:00 and finally got on the road around 9:30 and got home at 1:30.
I am so glad that I did not try to come on sunday as thier is no way I could do that and be back at work the next day.
The girls say Hi and they miss you and Autumn is like I cant wait till next year and rog and can show me some moves.

Christine, We just got home a couple of hours ago and I am already looking on the Bonaire pages for a fix. I read your entry above and had to make myself a registered user. Again it was a pleasure meeting you and thank you for all the good info you shared with us. Serious about the Social Director, (happy to to supply with references). The Belmar was more than we could have expected. The staff, the location, the diving you name it.(everything you said above) After 2 weeks we were very close to staying a 3rd week, but commitments on the home front held us up. We too passed on the tradition you introduced us to and passed on the items we did not use to another family who had a few days left (another Thank You!!!). As well, thanks to you there will be a couple of flamingo and parrot planters hanging in the warm California sun.

Dear Kathy,
I am so glad that you had a good trip. How did you get the planters home ? So do you think you will go back next year. I swear once is not enough. I lost your email address .