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Accommodations: Captain Don's question
Bonaire Talk: Accommodations: Archives: Archives 2000 to 2006: Archive - 2006-03-01 to 2006-08-31: Captain Don's question
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Susan (BonaireTalker - Post #17) on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 7:55 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I will be traveling to Bonaire very soon and have two questions. 1) With all the mention of crime (no not trying to bring that up again) I am wondering if it is safe to allow my 13 yo son to spend time alone at the pool? When we were in Roatan at Anthony's Key last summer he was either diving or swimming in the resort pool. I am not one to allow my kids to run off but felt it was safe there since it was on a sub-island and our room was close by. 2) Jack Chalk was kind enough to give me the room number that we will be staying at, has anyone stayed in 2037? If so I would love to hear your impression of it. Thanks much and I can't wait to visit.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jeff Stine (BonaireTalker - Post #91) on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 9:08 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Room 2037??? Did they ever get the rats out of that one??

Seriously though, Capt. Don's is a nice place. We have never stayed there but we do like Rum Runners Restaurant there. I would not have any issues with allowing my son to use the pool alone there. Just remember that just because you are on vacation, do not totally let your guard down. Don's is sort of set apart by itself and I don't think that you would see a lot of folks wandering around there without a legitimate purpose. There is always a lot of staff around. You should be very happy with your choice of accommodations. Jeff

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kelly Baum (GDLW) (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4171) on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 9:13 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Just go over the usual stuff you would tell your child. If he is responsible, I see no reason not to let him swim alone. I'm betting he'll make friends quickly, too!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Glen Reem (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2389) on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 10:41 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

The crime you have read about has rarely, if ever at all, involved personal danger to adults or children during the daytime on any resort property. Or even at night outside a room, in case you want to night dive. So I believe he should be perfectly safe at the pool.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Susan (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1545) on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 10:50 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

The pool is located right beside the restaurant, and in front of the Deluxe Ocean View rooms. You can see a map at http://www.habitatdiveresorts.com/bonaire/property_map.html#property_map.

One thing to note: there aren't life guards at the pool, so is swim at your own risk. It isn't very large - about the size of one you might have in your back yard, maybe a bit bigger, I think.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Susan B (BonaireTalker - Post #19) on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 1:33 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks, I appreciate the feedback. I keep pretty close tabs on the kids, especially when we are not in our small town, but do realize they need to be allowed to have some fun too. I am hoping that he will enjoy this trip as much as the Roatan trip last year. We were actually scheduled to go to Bonaire, but Hurricane Emily changed our plans.

Rats... pfft.. They are smaller than bears... I can handle them, after all we are Alaskans. It is that bright hot thing in the sky that I am worried about.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rick Fortune (BonaireTalker - Post #13) on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 12:13 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I have stayed at Capt. Don's twice with no problems what so ever. I believe if you lay down some ground rules for your son, there should be no issues. I felt very safe while there. There are usually other people at the pool and it is right next to Rum Runners and there is always someone there.

I have never stayed in cottage 2037, but my close friends did this past Jan. I did spend a lot of time there, it is a very nice cottage. They had no complaints either. Have FUN.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By carter farrell (BonaireTalker - Post #46) on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 1:16 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

13yr. old...hmm. That is the only danger as I see it. 13yr old boys can always find something to do that is potentially dangerous, and yet they all seem to survive!
Your cottage is in an area that is not in an area of high activity. The area is basically an irregular circle surrounding vegetation and man made ponds. Two Paths between the cottages go directly to the high activity areas where there are always people hanging out. The pool is one area, the reception is the other. And in between are the restaurant and bar. All these place are frequented all day long and very safe. The cottage area although more quiet usually always has someone from housekeeping working or family people coming or going.
You mention the pool area and as stated by others, it is not manned by any life guard. I'll bet my last kroner (Swedish)however, that your son will spend more time hoping off the dive dock and swimming/ snorkeling around that area than hanging around the pool,

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Linda Stoltzfus (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #867) on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 3:35 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Susan,
Please read my trip report from 2002.
http://www.oldbonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/1022/31140.html?1021997999

We have stayed in cottage 2001 (next cottage over from 2037) five times now. We absolutely love the cottages and the resort. I'll bet your son has a super great time.

We also live in a small mountain town and are not used to big city crime. You will find Bonaire similar to a small town. We feel VERY comfortable there. But, as in the mountains, sun screen, sun screen, sun screen ! :-) Have a great time!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bill and Donna Goodwin (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #184) on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 1:50 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

We stayed in Capt Don's this past April (one of the villas north of the dive shop - security men walked around all night and the days posed no risk for children that we could see. We did watch two children (siblings?) that were 6 or 7 enter the water at Baby Dock with water wings, snorkels and masks with no adult in view. We hadn't noticed but mom was already in the water with full scuba and she was photographing them as they swam around the dock to where she was in maybe 8 feet of water. It was calm, warm and clear ... not a worry in the world, just peaceful natural beauty - we truly believe your 13 year old will be safe and happy - and when he wants some action, pool-schmool - put a mask and snorkel on him and get him out front with the ever-present bait, feeding tarpon (including 6' Charlie), diving pelicans, nuclear hunting groups of sharptail eels, Spanish hogfish, goatfish and snappers, yo-yoing yellowhead jawfish, and more in less than 10 feet of water.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Susan B (BonaireTalker - Post #21) on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 7:45 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I am sooo very excited I can't hardly wait. Thank you all so very much for the feedback. It makes me feel better. Originally I am from california where you did not let your child out of your site for one second, have relaxed a bit here in Alaska, but when I travel I revert back to keeping close tabs on the kids.

The reason my son liked the pool area was the kids, so I imagine where the kids are is where he will be off gassing until his next dive..

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ann Phelan - www.bonairecaribbean.com (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2269) on Saturday, May 27, 2006 - 7:41 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I have a 14 year old and we are at Capt. Don's often for Monday night rum punch party. She loves to wander about with her friends and chill there..it is a very safe and family oriented environment.

 


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