We are coming in June w/ a group of 10 to stay @ Sand$ is there anything special to remember this being my first dive trip. I have enjoyed reading this board it has been very informative.

Just relax and have fun. You are going to have a great time

Drink lots of water, watch out for sunburn, sloooow down and have fun.

Great place for a new diver! Enjoy!

Thanks for the instant advice! I love how active this board is. Speaking of drinking lots of water how is the tap in Bonaire? Should we be prepared to purchase bottled water?

Katie,
The only thing you need to do with the tap water is to put some in the refrigerator to make it cold, it's de-salinated sea water, and probably purer than my well water at home (although, my well water comes out of the tap cold).

The water is fine to drink. We usually only buy 1 or 2 bottles drinks of some kind (Coke, water...whatever) and then refill it with water from the tap.
Speaking of reusing drink bottles here is an idea for you. If you use 2 liter drinks, keep an empty bottle and 2 lids. In one lid make 3 or 4 small holes(this is easier at home with a drill). Fill the bottle with water and put a normal lid on it. When you get to a dive site, lay the bottle in the sun. When you return from the dive, replace the lid with the one with the holes, instant and cheap solar shower.

Herman, what a terrific idea, we'll do that next time. Have you patented it?!

Katie, we have stayed at the Sand Dollar twice, most recently in late March - early April, and will be going back again mid - August. We have always found that if any glitch comes up, it is easily solved by the management there to your satisfaction. All units come with furnished kitchens, so you have the option of picking up groceries or snacks to have on hand, as well as going out for meals. There is a restaurant on site, (one of our favourites, Mangoes - we had fresh shrimp there one night that were the best we have ever tasted)and the restaurants for three other resorts are within a five- to ten-minute walk. Just show up and enjoy yourselves because you can't help but have a wonderful time on Bonaire!

The water in Bonaire is excellent, and need not be chilled to taste good, unless you like it that way. Take almost no clothes, except for light slacks to deter the evening bugs under your dinner table. Nobody cares what you wear, except no swimsuits in town.
We don't bother with the holes, do they work well Herman? I just take off the cap and pour water over my head. I finally got tired of driving off with the sunshower on top of the car and stopped bringing it.

I like the holes, it makes it a little more like a shower and helps conserve some of the water for others.

Great Idea.. Thanks for the tips on the shower.

I hate to ask but I just have to..
I have been reading about the theft in Bonaire people stealing out of cars and such while people are out diving. I am curious is there theft problems in the hotels, should we just leave everything on us at all times worth any value or is it safe to leave items in your rooms while you are out for the day? We usually bring a laptop and some other small things along that we would like to make it home with. I no not to leave the obvious cash & jewelry laying out in sight, but is this a problem to be concerned about?

The Sand $ units all have safes for your valuables. I do not think the laptop would fit.

I have never had a problem with the laptop, cameras, etc. left in our room. Housekeepers are usually very honest or they lose their job. Keep items of value, that don't fit into the safe, out of obvious sight and lock the doors and windows when you're not there. That way someone in passing won't have an interest in breaking in.

Katie . . . . . regarding security on Bonaire . . . we didn't have a problem there with theft at the hotel or with our rental car. However, maybe I am paraonide, but We were very carfull there. We had a safe in our room at the Divi (costs $6 per stay) and used it for extra cash and cameras and passports. We didn't leave anything of value around.
As far as the rental car goes, I use a small dry pack around my waist where I put the car keys and save key. We didn't leave anything in the car except shorts, shoes, and water.
I am not sure why people need to carry a laptop on vacation with them.

ken

lap top on a dive vacation is useful for downloading digital pictures off memory sticks/cards to re-use the memory for more pictures daily :-) (although there are other alternatives)

Denise . . . Oh. That seems like a valid reason.
ken

I am told that another BTer, Sue F, posted info about a stand alone cd burner called Roadstor (?) that is smaller, therefore easier to travel with and much cheaper than a lap top that can be used for this too.

I believe you can consider burning the digital pics onto a disc at Chat n Browse, Michael Gaynor's place right at the Sand Dollar. Here is a link to his site. I'm sure Michael can help you out or maybe someone who has already done this can jump in here and let us know how they made out. Carole

http://www.infobonaire.com/chatnbrowse/

definitely, I recommend Michael's Chat 'n Browse for downloading pics, in my case it was too far from the Divi with out a car. Michael is really nice and I would support his business.

We stopped by Michael's too - for the internet access, Bonaire gifts, and just to talk.

Still, having the RoadStor right there was a big plus - it is compatible with just about any digital media you can name (so if you get a new camera that takes a different card, it still will work), does one-touch back up to CD, and you can continue writing to one CD until it's filled up. That means you can bring home 4 or 5 full CD's rather than 10-15-20-whatever with only a cards-worth of photos each. It also allows you to view your photos on a TV if one is available, and you can even watch DVDs with it...not that watching DVDs was high on my list while we were on Bonaire...

The Roadstor sounds great...I think I will check into it myself! Thanks. Carole

Well, I just ordered the RoadStor via J & R in NYC. I will have it by Thursday...can't wait to take it out and learn how to use it and play with it...a new toy! Oh boy! Thanks again for reminding me about the RoadStor, guys. Carole

Ken,
We will have a laptop for multiple purposes thanks for the info about the safe in the room. We are looking forward to our trip, its getting closer!
Thanks for all the input from everyone
Katie