Hi, I've been reading the entries to this site and am very impressed with the number of people who are happy to answer questions of all kinds. I hope someone can help with my question. We thought we had "Dream Bonaire" all sewn up but it turns out the house was double-booked. We have plenty of time to find a new place and are looking for a comfortable, very nicely furnished house or townhouse with some privacy right on the beach. We want two bedrooms with king-sized beds and a very well-equipped kitchen. Our dates are February 6-10, 2005. Is there someone who knows of the perfect house?

Hi, Karlyn and welcome to Bonaire Talk! Check out www.sunrentals.com . They have many rentals. My favorite is Punt Vierkant 38... it has great diving right off the back patio.

Good Luck !

You might also want to check with Ann at www.BonaireCaribbean.com. She is a doll. She also has rentals and can set you up with anything from windsurfing to where to eat to hiking!

Hi Kelly,

Thanks for replying to my posting. I sent an email to BonaireCaribbean.com to see what Ann comes up with. I also checked out Punt Vierkant 38 as you suggested. The diving access looks great! When was the last time you were there? What condition do you think the furnishings are in? How close is it to town? Two of the four of us are divers and the other two are just in it for the snorkeling and relaxation, with a little excitement thrown in. We want a place that we're happy to spend time in and want the furnishings to be clean and fresh, not too tired. Would you mind giving me your opinion based on this criteria? Thanks for all your help - I really appreciate it!!!!!

Hi Kelly,

Thanks for replying to my posting. I sent an email to BonaireCaribbean.com to see what Ann comes up with. I also checked out Punt Vierkant 38 as you suggested. The diving access looks great! When was the last time you were there? What condition do you think the furnishings are in? How close is it to town? Two of the four of us are divers and the other two are just in it for the snorkeling and relaxation, with a little excitement thrown in. We want a place that we're happy to spend time in and want the furnishings to be clean and fresh, not too tired. Would you mind giving me your opinion based on this criteria? Thanks for all your help - I really appreciate it!!!!!

Oops - I wanted to add another question ... what is your opinion of some of the resort possibilities on the island. The Harbour Village Beach Club and Bellafonte Chateau de la Mer look nice. They're a little pricier, though.

Thanks again -- we really appreciate your help.

Karlyn

You also may check www.BonairePartners.Com

Karlyn, I thought the furniture was nice, but I didn't actually stay there, I was just visiting friends who were there. Maybe she will post here, I will email her the link.

I think you'd like it there, even for the snorkelers in the group. Good snorkeling right off the ladder. It's not walking distance to town, but probably about 5-8 minute drive. Something like that. Nothing is too far away, but just not walking distance. It is closer to the south dive sites, and close to Bachelors Beach and Windsock/Belnem diving.

Karlyn, here is a pic. taken from the ladder at Punt Vierkant. Very nice!

WOW Kelly -- that's one heck-of-a dive suit!!! Here in southern California, we see mostly basic black!

Thanks again - I'll keep accepting all the good information I can get!

Karlyn

Karlyn, can't believe there's another left coaster now! woohoo! Yes, black is the color of choice in So Cal...LOL! I would love to find something a little more colorful in a 7mm though! LOL! You might also want to check the BelMar, it's right next to the Bellefonte. It is more expensive (like Bellefonte and Harbor Village) but the furnishings are very nice. If you go to www.infobonaire.com, and look through the accommodations you will get more pics (in case you haven't already done this).

BTW, we will be having a Southern California Bonaire BBQ on December 19th, haven't gotten the place to meet yet. Jake, Linda and the kids will be here for Christmas, and so we will be having a shindig...so keep your eyes peeled on the "Everything Else" thread...

Cynde, Thanks for the BelMar mention. I've been looking at so many places it's hard to keep them all straight!! Is there a particular place you like to stay?

I've stayed at the Sand Dollar, house sat and dove with Buddy's, we're staying at Belmar in March. It really depends on what you want to pay, and how much luxury you want. Please feel free to email me directly :-)

Karlyn, can thoroughly recommend Belmar, we are going back for our third time this Christmas. Apartments are really clean and furnishings tend to be really good. Diving the house reef is also fun, and the access for snorkling is wonderful.

Hope you have a nice trip

Thanks to all of you who have given me so much helpful advice. We're still letting all this information settle and will be deciding soon. BT is a wonderful forum -- I really appreciate the ability to learn about Bonaire from so many perspectives in the blink of an eye!! I can hardly wait for our trip. Bonaire is obviously a wonderful island and is well-loved by many. Thanks, again!!

Be sure and check out BelMar, we have stayed there twice and will stay again on our next trip. Their website is very informative. It is www.belmar-bonaire.com It is a very laid back, small resort. Have fun on Bonaire there is no place like it for diving and/or snorkling. Please excuse my spelling Andy

We have stayed at the BelMar apts twice and will stay there again on our next trip. It is a small, laid back resort with a dive shop on site. It is great for diving and/or snorkeling. Their web site is www.belmar-bonaire.com. Andy

FYI, Feb 6 - 10, 2005 is Karnaval Week, usually a very busy time of year, so you should consider booking ASAP.

I know nothing about Karnival week. Is this a tourist event or a cultural celebration for the locals?

Karlyn,

It's a cultural celebration for the locals. It's not what we would consider a "carnival" here in the states. Here is a little report on the Carnival last year, and a video

http://www.oldbonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/27/150868.html

It is closest to Mardi Gras but nowhere near as big. With parades leading up to the burning of King Momo on Fat Tuesday the day before Ash Wednesday and the begining of Lent.

"Karnaval" is the last chance to let loose before the "sober" time of Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday (Feb 9th in 2005) and ends Easter Sunday. Like Mardi Gras in New Orleans, it's based in Catholicism, but you don't have to be Catholic to party & have a good time during Carnival. Lots of Caribbean islands & Latin American countries celebrate it (Brasil/Rio is probably most famous).

Usually this is the way things go: Sunday, (Feb 6), will be the adult's parade in town, Monday is a legal holiday (banks, offices, most stores closed), and Tuesday night is a night-lighted parade in town. Resorts, car rentals, dive shops, etc, & most restaurants will operate as usual.

Yes, of course!! I should have realized the timing and made the connection. I do appreciate knowing about shops and banks being closed on Monday (since we arrive on Sunday) and I'm glad to hear that restaurants and dive shops remain open. Thanks for your help!

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Thank you, Larry, for the information. We've already reserved Crown Court 44a and look forward to our February trip. I just checked the web cam and it looks beautiful in Bonaire right now. We're currently drowning in rain (San Diego), and the clear skies are sure a welcome sight.

I still welcome any extra information to make our stay more pleasurable. Thanks again to everyone for keeping us informed!

Karlyn

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11-27-04
We just got back from Bonaire. We had a fabulous time. We went with SUN RENTALS. I always find them very easy to work with. I travel with my 4 year old & my mother (so my husband & I can dive) Sun rentals has always been more than accommodating. This time we stayed at Crown Courts 44 & found it to be absolutely fantastic. Bert delivered air to our front door every morning & we were able to dive right off the ladder on our back porch! This particular dive site is one of the best on Bonaire...it's unmarked & unbelievable! We dive at least twice a year & find the people & the island one of the best places in the World. Sun Rentals is the way to go!

Jodi, you just made my day! Thanks for such a wonderful "review" of the house and of Bonaire as a whole. I've heard great things about Crown Courts 44a and the area for diving. Two of us are novice snorkelers -- I hope our snorkeling enjoyment will equal your diving experiences off the ladder. Many rate Andrea I and II as some of the best diving on the island and it will be right outside our back door! Did you find the damage from the summer hurricane or the recent rains to be a problem? How about the damage to the nearby dock? BTW, who is Bert? We'll need to get in touch with him, for sure.

Thanks again, for the report. We're trying to temper our excitement since the trip is still a couple months away but it's getting more and more difficult!

Hi Karlyn, You will love CC44. The picture's on the web do not do it justice. The resident iguana'a next door are a scream.....they fall into the ocean, then climb up the ladder! Bert is with Sun Rentals. He's very pleasant with a lot of info. He'll come to your house & give you a briefing of all the sites & the island & such. The reef did not seem damaged at all, but to talk to the neighbors, I guess some of the coral was destroyed. By looking at it for the 1st x it was fantastic. The dock is destroyed, they are in the process of rebuilding and it's not a problem. I also recommend The invisibles, oil slick,and of course...1000 steps. We found 3 really good restaurants. "it rains fishes" "Richards" and "Casa Blanca" The Donkey Sanctuary is a must. Beware of Fleur! The kayak's thru the Mangroves is also good. I hope you will find Bonaire as wonderful as I make it out to be. I just find it to be a unique little paradise with a lot to offer.(Even if you are not diving!) P.S. Andrea was nice....we had a hard time finding II due to some construction. Plus it was our 1st shore dive & we got pretty beat up trying to get out of the water. I would recommend it...but not as your 1st x in. Cheers! Jodi

Hi Jodi! Wonderful! Thanks for the restaurant recommendations. SunRentals has been great to work with so far. I'm glad to hear they'll help with the extras, too.

Now I'm looking forward to the iguana show in addition to the snorkeling!

Karlyn

Have a great time. You made a good choice. Jodi.

Hey Karlyn,
I am anxious to hear how your trip was & if you enjoyed CC44 as much as we did?
Let me know.
Jodi

We returned late last night from our Bonaire vacation. Not being a seasoned traveler, I was unsure what to expect from life on a far-away island.

The villa (Crown Courts 44a) was the perfect choice for us: easy access to the ocean for snorkeling and diving and air-conditioned bedrooms with two king beds (one for my husband and I and one for our friends - we didn't need the third bedroom at all). One unexpected highlight was the table and chairs on the back deck where we spent many hours enjoying good conversation and relaxation. The resident iguanas, indeed, are a riot.

If the sleeping arrangements suit your needs, I highly recommend this villa. However, book early (VERY early) as I hear it's a popular choice.

We received wonderful service from the ladies at the Sun Rental office and Bert next door (for our diving needs).

A big THANKS to everyone who chimed in to answer my many questions. Hopefully, a trip report will be forthcoming in the next several days.

Karlyn