I wrote above about being first time visitors to paradise and am looking forward to staying with Louise and Mel at HHH, I have heard nothing but lovely things about them and Louise has been very helpful with all must first-timer questions. I'm looking for anyone with advice for activities and fun things to do with 4 1/2 and 6 1/2 year old in and out of the water. We have kids set up in aquakids program at plaze--anyone with experience with that program??? ALso wondering about a glass bottom more or less boat I read about. How are the beaches--I understand this is an iron shore, but there are a few yes, which are best with kids?? I've heard hotels will let you use their pools even if not staying with them--is this true??? Any advice for a newbie on what to bring that may not be readily available in Bonaire--I've heard tissues are good to bring--silly or not?? Any advice for where to eat--love to hear anything,

Thanks ahead of time,

Grace

Hi, Grace! I don't think the hotels encourage non-registered guests to use their swimming pools, but some of them let you access the beach areas but do ask that you don't utilize the resort chairs and other beach amenities without permission or sometimes a small fee.

Have a wonderful trip! Carole

Carole,
Thanks for your information. I had heard that the resorts loved to have people come over just so they'd patronize the bars and restaurants, thanks for setting me straight!! No big deal, although it would have been nice because of the kids, but I imagine the ocean is fine for the kids to swim in too.

Thanks again for your response,

Grace

Ps do you scuba??

We have tissues here, most of the time.

Grace,

As a person who stays at Divi regularly, I get really angry at those people who stay someplace else (cheaper) and then come to the Divi to dump their kids. I've never seen these people pay the daily fee. They hog the chairs, the kids are loud and noisy and swamp the pool. Sorry... I'm sure you have well behaved children but I hope you go to a different resort. The best option would be to rent at a resort that has beachside facilities and pay the price the rest of us pay.

Again, I don't mean to offend you but your suggestion runs counter to those of us who pay for our vacations. There are numerous public beaches where you can take your children to play.

Grace, although I have not traveled to Bonaire with children as young as yours I have seen many families at "Donkey Beach" which is the Windsock dive site, directly at the end of the runway. It is very easy access. Are you taking along "water shoes" for the kids? It will make even access at that beach easier for them. Your children might enjoy a visit to the Donkey Sanctuary as well.

Dear Susan,

Thanks for your helpful message about Donkey Beach. Yes, I have the water shoes. I'm sure they'd love to visit the Sanctuary as well, I hadn't heard of that one. I appreciate the help.
Grace

Gregg,

I could guess what kind of child you were like.
I'm sorry if I respond in kind. It truly is offensive, but not unexpected to see a response like yours to a simple question to what I assumed was bad advice from a family who has stayed at the resorts and obviously doesn't have the distaste for children you flaunt unashamedly. I too am "paying" for my vacation, I just like a much different setting than you, and it's obvious as to why.

Thanks again for your wit and wisdom

Grace

Actually, Greg is a pussy-cat and I am sure he certainly did not mean to offend rather to make a point that many find difficult to make in gentle way. True, there are times when kids get rowdy but on the whole, the resorts do "police" the activities.

Grace,

I am sorry you were offended. As Michael says, it is difficult to be gentle when making a point that many find difficult to say. You seem to make this an issue about children. My distaste is not for the children as much as it is a distaste for the adults who feel they can stay at a cheaper resort and then casually make use of facilities at the other resorts. It is a chronic problem at the better resorts to filter out the non paying guests. Obviously, the family that gave you that advice fit that category.

thanks Michael

Gregg,

I agree with you wholeheartedly.

Belinda

Grace, do take the kids to the donkey sanctuary. You can take apples and the kids can feed the donkeys. Marina runs the sanctuary, and will appreciate the visit! Here is the website for the Santuary:
Donkey Sanctuary

Grace:

The beach directly across from the end of the airport runway (I think it is Donkey or Bachelor beach) is nice. Good snorkeling too. Also great place to watch the large jets take off and land. The jets are so low and directly overhead, that it is almost scarey. When the big KLM jets take off, they back up to less than 100 yards/meters from the road, which separates the beach from the runway. When they kick it in high gear the jet wash will almost blow you off your feet. Pretty cool for kids, and even grown ups who are fascinated with big jets(ME). Be careful though!

Other good beaches are across the island. Lac Cai, and Jibe City are nice sandy beaches. On Sundays a party takes place at Lac Cai. Our son loves to go there and play with other kids (both local and tourists kids). Jib City is the sail boarding area, so they rule the water. Not a good place to turn the kids loose, but a great place to lay on the beach and watch the sail boarders. Around the corner from there, kite sailors are often doing their thing, which is even more cool to watch.

I am not familar with the use of beachs or pools by those other than paying guests. However, when we go to Lac Cai and Jibe City we are careful to purchase drinks, snacks, etc. from the locals. It just seems like the right thing to do. We also pack some of our own. Taking kid(s) on vaction is a strain on the pocket book.

For a day trip, go to the park and visit slaagbi (Spell?). It is very nice beach. Very hot drive in the park. So pack water for the kids. Go to the Bird watching station on your way through the park. Lots of birds and BIG lizards. Also hike up to the old light house on the hill, Great view.

I would suggest that those who are upset with non paying guests using the facilities for which they themselves are paying, should complain to the resorts directly, not to people asking simple questions on this board.

Have a great trip.

Grace, The issue of whether hotels/resorts encourage or discourage “outsiders” to use their facilities is almost always a case of supply and demand. I spend part of my year in the Greek Islands, and most facilities love—if not actually advertise—free use of their pool and facilities for the reason you stated: the revenue it brings in for their bar and restaurant. Contrarily, it costs a king’s ransom ($$30-$50 per person) to get a day pass for the facilities of some luxury resorts on the coast near Athens, for the exact reasons Greg poses. At the time of year you are going to Bonaire, as I think you’ve discovered, it will be very busy. Management may tolerate "visitors" for the business, but paying guests may be hostile—which isn’t great fun for anyone. I suggest you simply check in with the front desk of the hotel resorts themselves—either by e-mail/fax/call from here or when you get there, ask their policy, and go from their. It sounds as if you should pass on the Divi, but there might well be some places that fit into the first category I mention above. Hope this helps. Cheers, Bob.

Bob,

you said it much better than I, thanks

in the last year, some resort(s)in Bonaire have even gone as far as "charging" divers to make dives from their docks...this came as a result of abuse by people who utilized facilities at those resorts and deprived the resorts own guests from the use of those facilities. As a diver, I hope that practice does not proliferate but I understand why it was implemented.

Dave, most resorts post signs which state the facilities are for guests only. The burden should not be on the resort guest to complain about inconsiderate visitors. Complaints to management rarely are effective because the management prefers not to make a public scene asking people to leave.

I actually appreciate it that Grace would post her question on this chat line. My initial comments were somewhat harsh and I apologize for that. However her casual question, as suggested to her by a visitor at her resort, implied that using facilities at other resorts was an accepted practice in Bonaire.

end

Gregg, I think we knew what you meant

Grace, you can go to the restaurants at other resorts, and Mangos (at Sand$) has a pool at/next to the outdoor seating. I had a little birthday bash there a couple of years ago, and if folks brought kids, they could go swimming before dinner.

(Message edited by cyndelee on December 10, 2003)

Grace, try the Sand Dollar as Cynde mentioned. As far as I know they encourage folks to sit and dine and use the pool, too. The food at Mangos is fabulous, too! Have fun! Carole

Grace,
Consider taking the kids to Windsock or Pink Beach when the dive bus is there. This will give you shade, bathroom, snacks. I saw a post that the bus was gone awhile back, not sure about this. The website's still up at www.divebus.com

As far as the park with the kids, the drive over bumpy dirt roads is quite slow and long; though there is a tremendous amount to see and we've gone several times, it really is a full day trip and I'm not sure I'd take a 4 1/2 or 6 year old!

Thnaks for the e-mails, I don't usually get so irritated, but I did and I'm sorry. I really was trying to search out the truth because we don't want to be rude. It is our first time to Bonaire and I just don't know the customs well. As someone else stated, it is customary at a lot of resorts to want non-guests to visit and spend their dough, others are exclusive. When we stay at the Four Seasons in Tahoe, almost everyone in the bars and in the tubs are non-guests--that's the way the time-share/resort earns extra dough. The hotel my friends told me about was the Plaza Resort where we were originally booked until we heard about HHH being more quiet and subdued. They have stayed their the last 8 years at Christmas time or spring breakish, and they said this about the hotel as well as two people I've talked to over the phone. So with three different sources, you could see why I thought I should check out the info. Also, we were told by the Plaza staff that it's not a problem to bring the kids to the pool if we wanted to because we were still going to keep the kids in the aquakids program. Anyway, water under the bridge and I'm sorry I let it steam under my collar--call it cold weather I've got to get out of here blues. Gregg, I formally apologize, I'm sure you are a pussy cat and I'm not usually a grumpy old had either. I know I get very frustrated too with adults that have children then try to dump them off on others to take care of.

Anyway, I appreciate all of the great advice I've gotten here and can't wait to experience it myself. Sorry and Thanks again,

Take care all,

Grace

Sorry to continue, Hit send when didn't mean too--us rookies--I swear. I don't think I explained well either time that the people who told me about the pool thing were guests of both the plaza and HHH and another--Harbor something I think it was which I'm not sure if that is condo or resort--sorry my inexperience again. So this is why I thought I'd ask. In reality, it was always just something I looked at as a back-up plan if the kids were to scared to swim in the ocean or something. I can't imagine with all that calm water I've heard about the a pool will really be necessary--my husband and I were also wondering just for us when we wanted to go out without the kids if it was a problem to hang out at the pool bars, which I assume their are pool bars. To bare my total ignorance, this is really our first trip to the Caribbean. We have done cruise ships in the past, then had kids, and they are finally old enough and mature enough to travel now, however we thought a cruise a bit confining at this age. We loved to scuba prek---pre kids, and thought what a good combo it would make--warm weather, scuba and kids snorkeling, lets give it a try. So, maybe this will help explain the question too now that you see where I'm coming from--which is 7+ years without a real vacation.!!!)))(They bake for 9 months first))

Again, I hope everyone will except my apologies, I didn't realize I was opening Pandora's box of worms, and I promise to all those traveling over Christmas that it will not be my kids you are tripping over. My tongue maybe, but not the kids

Thanks again,

Grace

Use of pool included w/lunch at Mango's (at lunch time, 12-2), tables poolside, sun or shade, & bar (sounds like a pina colada'd suit you just fine asap), all w/in sight of half-size fresh water pool. If you're in the water w/them (that young) at dinner time, then that's ok too, but it can't get louder than dinner/bar guests...(it is dark by 6:30 though).

You'll find us quickly because we're at the Sand Dollar Resort (big orange barn type bldg next to tennis courts), which has island's other kid essential-- Lover's Ice Cream Parlor (and Michael's Chat 'N Browse) also on property.

You can give kids all the oceans in the world, but there's something addictive between kids & chlorine.

My kids (6 and 8) love going to Mango's for the soul purpose of swimming in between bites of food. We grab a table on the wooden deck part so the kids are not tracking water over the tiled area. Plastic chairs, chicken nuggets and mac'n cheese make it super kid friendly.

MAC AND CHEESE

Do they got big boy (maybe a little bit TOO big) chairs too?

A guy's gotta have his mac and cheese, even on vacation

Grace...all said, your kids are gonna have almost as good a time as you do (you get the extra pleasure of watching them have fun)

Joe

Ruth and I had a discussion when she opened Mango's about which kind of Mac N'Cheese. We are talking the orange kind from the box which my kids love. Not that icky white stuff made from real cheese that my mom always made. My kids looked at me crossed-eyed the one time I tried to serve them the homemade stuff.

Gregg:

I think I agree with you. My point is only that "If a resort has a policy of letting non resident type guests into the resort, complaining to the non resident guests is the wrong thing to do". I would complain to the resort staff.

David is correct. The park is an expidition. Not for the frail, car sick types, or people who need A.C. and other comforts. I personally think the park is a must see. So different from the rest of the island. Kinda reminds me of parts of Arizona, except with BIG lizards and flamingos.

Oh boy, I was not aware that Mangos served Kraft Mac n Cheese. I'll be there for sure! LOL

Kelly, Kraft Mac n Cheese AND a Salitos (unless Ruth has finished them all)...we will have to make it there for lunch one day this time...for sure!

I love this thread, it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. People were mature, talked it all out, and then we all held hands and lit a unity candle. I love it. AND mac-n-cheese. Life is good.

Grace,
Another beach where the waters are very calm & and has a nice sany bottom is Lac Bay... You can catch the windsurfers and the local fisherman coming back in. Although there are no trees, there are a few large huts, that you can get out of the sun.

have a fun time!!!

Mac and cheese is clear evidence of a supreme being.

FOR SURE

uhhhh, uummmm, errr ahem: okay, hoping Christmas spirit is all with you when I tell you we're out of mac & cheese and salitos. I loved our M&C, and those who had it did too (at least I thought they did), but we sold sooo little (as in, one case lasted 4 months...that's like one lasagna pan size a month, with lots of waste), I didn't re-order. Sorry guys. Next freezer container I'll reconsider & give it one more chance.

Now Salitos, that's just the idiot distributor in Curacao that keeps forgetting to order. We gave up trying to import directly from Germany, and would have to warehouse too much...eh. Oh well. Back to Polar for me, and Mangoritas of course!

Thanks for the e-mails and input--
Mangos sounds like a great place even without the mac n cheese--but no salitos--I don't know, I've heard so much about those. You are right, a pina colada or margarita is about 6 years over due. I'm sure my family is going to have a blast, and we plan on spending all our time hanging out with Gregg at the beaches and bt bars. ) Yes, Christmas spirit abounds and all is well on bt and Bonaire I hope too.

Can't wait, getting more anxious by the day/night. I hope to meet some of you on the island.

Take care, and feel free to pour on anymore advice.

Thanks,

Grace

Ruth

I can probably (as I am a mac and cheese master) show you how to make Mac and Cheese from locally available ingredients. I've been known to prepare it in a number of exotic locations (including Poland and rural Mexico) on travels when I was called upon to cook. Mayhaps we could have mac and cheese night when I'm there in January

Joe

Ruth
I just looked at your menu at Mango's and I would gladly trade mac and cheese lessons (and I'm thinking I could even convince the little Richter's to eat mine) for Chicken Sate lessons from you. Came to looooove that peanut sauce on our last trip to Bon

Joe

Maybe you could just make real mac and cheese and add a great deal of food coloring, or a few cheetos

Joe, I think they carry that peanut sauce in Cultimara.

Joe, I like the idea of mac and cheese night...hey, when my stepkids were little...mac and cheese was the "other" white meat! LOL!

Seb, cheetos would make it a bit grainy...although food coloring might do the trick

Here here Grace. I’m happy to hear that you will be hanging out with Greg. Actually, I was thinking of starting a fund whose purpose would be to pick up a dinner tab for both of your families—to meet, bond, and plan mutual outings. And I don’t mean to be trite: irony is ripping through the thread. I just read your question in the Trip Report section of BN, indicating that you are disabled, and asking about wheelchair access and dive operations that perhaps specialize in helping disabled divers. As the immediate replies all steered you to the Divi as the best place to handle disabled divers, it looks like you and Greg really will be close by!

You really will have a great time in Bonaire. As you can see from these threads, it is made of a great group of visitors—most of whom have a mutual love of scuba diving and windsurfing (in my case both, with a bit of an emphasis on the latter). I have rarely met a more affable, helpful, and sociable gang than those I have met through these two sports. To find them both concentrated on the same beautiful, laid-back island is…well, paradise. I’ll be back with my family during the holiday period and hope I run into you to say hi. Meanwhile I know you’ll have a support network here to help you out.

All my best, Bob.

Seb Seb Seb

Cheetoes...........heresy.
I thought the dutch were famous for their cheeses, I'm sure I can find something to replicate the fine taste of pure Amurkan velveeta imitation cheeselike schtuff.

Mac and Cheese night with limbo for the gravitationally challenged (that's a weight comment and purely self directed) and muchos Brights and Polars

I think we have a party planned

I'll bring the M&C

joe

I dunno Joe, Cynde, seems like cheetos would be perfect crumbled on top for that crispy oven taste. Then again, I am not big on mac and cheese, in fact I refused to eat it as a child,I had to sit at the table until I finished. I lay down on the kitchen chairs and took a nap. I think my dad thought he would win that one; he didn't.
Now maybe if Joe made it with some Old Gouda...Nah! Carbohydrates without crunch are sorta pointless, aren't they?

seb, my stepdaughter hated mac n cheese too...i think it was because for the 8 years she lived with us, she had to eat a LOT of it! When she was about 8 (I think) she was throwing a fit about eating it...making all the faces...sighing...lying down on the chairs...quite a big show...it's the only time I ever heard Michael threaten to "get out the wooden spoon"...He did get it out but didn't have to use it, as she managed to get it down...she refused to eat it for years after that day! LOL!

Now me, I love mac n cheesemmmmmmgooooooddddd

not THE SPOON.....NOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Gouda maybe.....i'll have to do some cheese testing in Bonaire

it's a thought

joe

Joe, I'm bummed I won't be there to taste test

In my day the "spoon" was "a switch" from the tree out back

Never eat anything that doesn't smell good unless someone will actually break your arm, that's my rule.
bad.
Gee, if we keep this up will somebody split the thread off into dining?

First of all, anyone talking about me cooking obviously is long overdue for meeting me...I can do every other part necessary to own/run a restaurant, from building it (not that I built that 'barn' with the bar for amazons--it came that way; Mango's seaside will be much better), to decorating it, but cooking? Ha, that's what the chef is for! Lest you forget, I'm the one who loved Salitos, not only for its fantastic taste, but also because it is the ultimate lazy drinkers drink-having the tequila, lime, salt AND bottle opener included in each bottle.

Secondly, both Mango's and KFC have ramps. Mango's from the north (drive around & park near kitchen) and west (inside Sand Dollar parking lot, park near palm trees & tennis courts) entrances; KFC and the entire Harborside Mall's ramp access is on the west seaside entrance. The other end of the mall is level with Kaya Grandi, but there I'm not sure how far a WC can go up/down "main" street. I believe that from town (KFC area) north, to the Marina, most, if not all, of the Promenade is now WC accessible, since the road dept. removed the planters that were originally a hinderance. They're not US standards...but not bad for an island either.

Being a "Vermontah" I can't even think of mac and cheese any other way than with extra sharp white cheddar. I grew up on it as did my kids -- made the mistake one time of trying the box kind on a camping trip and the kids refused to eat it! When my oldest moved to Minnesota i had to send her "real cheddar" as she could not face the orange cheese of the midwest. Now that she lives in CA she can get VT cheddar but somehow still likes it when we take it to her or she carries it back after a visit. Jake and Linda --- we have your VT cheddar ready to bring next week!

I knew it would happen.........Cheese debate. While I respect the challenges faced by our friends in Vermont and the other cold states (cold is NOT our friend), this recovering Texan understands that the national standard for Mac and Cheese is pure unadulterated??? VELVEETA (processed cheese like stuff for the uninformed). I believe that the President established a Commission on Correctness for Food (the CCF, which as actually run by Tom Ridge but that's a secret) setting forth food standards for M & C, Chicken Fried Steak, Gravy, and other necessary Amurkan dishes. The CCF has stated that the ONLY Mac and Cheese is that made with Velveeta.

That's what the President says and I BELIEVE IT (don't we always?)

Happy Mac and Cheesidays

Joe

Susan,
I've lived my whole life just across a border from Wisconsin (first half in Minnesota-second half in Illinois); I don't know if I've ever had the 'opportunity' to try any white cheddar. How about you bring a small sample in February, and I'll bring a sample of the 'cheddar-head' real cheddar and we can do a blind-fold taste test on the two. How about Tuesday (24 Feb) at Gibi's?

Chet, to quote Mark "Sounds like a plan!!"

GREAT!
Now the major risk is that if I find I like the white better, I won't be able to find it local; I'd have to import it from 'out-East'.
Also, I think I'll try some "Mac'n Gouda/Edam".

Just hold the phone. Being a recovering Roman Catholic, who was forced to eat many non-meat entries while growing up, I can speak to m&c. I can also speak of m&c with Mrs. Paul's fishsticks. What we are all forgetting is how you really come of age in this culinary experience. When you graduate to mixing stewed tomatoes with your m&c, you have taken the big step in your life to adulthood. The contamination of the blandness of m&c with something red is huge. Furthermore, if you use DelMonte Italian stewed tomatoes, with oregano and basil, you are showing the world the cosmopolitan being you really are. So, all this talk of white cheddar vs. Velveeta is truly irrelevent. When you mix all that other stuff, it does not matter. Dr. Atkins, eat your heart out!!

McPeak..........with all due deference to your religious upbringing, I have to take umbrage to the idea of the combination of "anything" with Mac and Cheese. The plate should be, at least in one's mind, divided into quadrants, each of which is to completely contain the food item as intended....with food items NOT to mix. Even migration of the magic gravy from Chicken fried steak (yes I am a southerner) would mark trespass upon the inviolate Mac and Cheese. I suppose we all reflect our upbringing, but the "southern" version of "cosmopolitan" would likely involve having one's gravy "on the side".

The epic continues.

Joe

I fully agree with Mr. McPeak! And, I definately prefer the tomatoes to be cut into strips, not diced or crushed. Also, I'll agree with Joe about not wanting any gravy to mix with the m&c; but, an occasional green bean can wander over the line.

Joe, what exactly is chicken fried steak? Also, here is a great example of how we can take a thread about kids swimming at resorts, and change it into macaroni and cheese and chicken fried steak. It just goes to show what nitrogen narcosis can do to a few good people. LOL