By Christine Albro (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Wednesday, August 9, 2006 - 3:03 pm: |
Hi all,
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By Cecil (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4918) on Wednesday, August 9, 2006 - 3:31 pm: |
Welcome to BT, Christine. First a few misconceptions, there are no all-inclusives on Bonaire and pretty much no crowds. It's a very different place. All the resorts are on the west side (lee side) with the exception of a few places on the west side near Lac Bay. The nicest place over there is Sorobon but you may be overdressed (clothing optional). All the diving is on the west side (no surf). This is also where most of the resorts are.
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By Christine Albro (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Wednesday, August 9, 2006 - 3:58 pm: |
Thanks so much for the quick reply Cecil. That is refreshing to hear. It seems like every place I've been to recently has been plagued with high-rise resorts. We tend to end up on the far side of the islands we visit for theat very reason. I have another window open right now on the site you mention! Eden Beach looks very nice. Any thoughts on Den Laman?
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By Cecil (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4920) on Wednesday, August 9, 2006 - 4:31 pm: |
Personally I am not familiar with that place but have heard of it. Most comments have been favorable. You can always search for it.
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By Christine Albro (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Wednesday, August 9, 2006 - 4:38 pm: |
Sounds like the perfect place for my husband and I. We pretty much like to explore, snorkel most of the day then have a nice dinner and sit near the sea before bed. We're avid snorkelers and from what I see, there are plenty of great snorkel spots as well. Thanks again for your thoughts Cecil.
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By Cynde (Moderator) (Moderator - Post #304) on Wednesday, August 9, 2006 - 6:11 pm: |
Christine! Welcome to Bonaire Talk! Cecil describes Bonaire perfectly
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By michael gaynor (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2215) on Wednesday, August 9, 2006 - 6:15 pm: |
there are a few nice small properties as well..Coco palm, Happy Holiday Homes, Bonaire Ocean view villas to name a few...
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By Christine Albro (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #4) on Wednesday, August 9, 2006 - 7:03 pm: |
Thanks everyone. Promise to do my research and then bug you with all of my questions. I definitely have island fever! Just went to Antigua in April and am already having urges to plan another trip. Bonaire definitely looks like a winner.
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By seb (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2891) on Wednesday, August 9, 2006 - 7:45 pm: |
Yes there are Michael, but none of the properties you mentioned allow one to "sit near the sea before bed" without a short (or long) hike. Not even "Ocean View" Villas.
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By Julia Graves (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #932) on Wednesday, August 9, 2006 - 8:31 pm: |
Look at Pelican Reef House. We love it!
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By Grasshopper (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #18951) on Wednesday, August 9, 2006 - 9:40 pm: |
Julia, is Pelican Reef also known as "Larry's Place?" It looks like where we met up with some folks that were staying there and dove last Oct...and they called it "Larry's Place."
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By Julia Graves (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #933) on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 4:22 am: |
I think so, the owner's first name is Larry! It seems popular and I know Mare, Tom and Smack liked it when the came to dive with us. Wanted to go this October but it was already booked.
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By Andy & Dave Bartlett (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #555) on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 5:50 am: |
Look at Belmar Oceanfront Apts they are really nice and are right on the water, no beach but nice pool side and 2 piers to sit on and watch the sunset. Belmar is a small resort with only 22 apts. thier web site is www.belmar-bonaire.com They have 1, 2 or 3 bedroom units with fully furnished kitchens. Also check www.infobonaire.com
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By Andy & Dave Bartlett (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #556) on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 5:55 am: |
Forgot to mention, even though Bonaire is small you will need to rental a car/truck to get around, the taxi's are few and some what expensive.
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By Susan Davis, InfoBonaire (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #116) on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 8:52 am: |
Hi Christine, Just to add to all the good advice that's already been provided, there's a map with hotels of more than six units at http://www.infobonaire.com/hotels.html. Susan
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By Grasshopper (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #18954) on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 10:01 am: |
Julia, that's the place! It was wonderful! I didn't know what the name of it was, thanks!
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By Denise Kacavas (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1275) on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 12:25 pm: |
I vote delux room on the water at Divi :-) But as has been stated there are many great choices . . .
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By Ron Edison (BonaireTalker - Post #100) on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 1:59 pm: |
That's a great map, Cynde. (The only key thing missing is Cultimara grocery.) I had a similar laminated map from Amazon.com (with very tiny print) but we found the free map we got at Sand Dollar more useful (and more legible).
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By Christine Albro (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #5) on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 3:44 pm: |
WOW! Thanks for all your replies! OK, so I think I have a short list forming but really do need to know one thing - are there any hotels that don't have many kids around? I know I'm probably going to irritate someone with that one but I'm just not a kid person. No offense, really!
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By Ron Edison (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #101) on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 5:31 pm: |
Because of the lack of sandy beaches, you won't find many kids vacationing on Bonaire unless they're divers. That said, some resorts do promote themselves as more "family friendly" than others and offer special activities to occupy the kids while parents dive. (The Plaza and Sand Dollar, for example.) To name just a few, Buddy Dive, Captain Don's, and Carib Inn target themselves more for the hard core diver, but they are far from alone and hard core doesn't necessarily mean the facilities are no-frill. We saw very few kids on our last trip and most we did see were European and knew how to behave themselves.
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By Cecil (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4926) on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 5:34 pm: |
Agree with Ron. You can also help yourself by scheduling your vacation when the kids are in school.
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By Kelly (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4525) on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 10:32 pm: |
Ron, I just returned and there were kids everywhere ! Lots of them! Maybe because it's summer vacation/holiday but I saw many, many more families than I usually see there.
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By Kelly (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4526) on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 10:32 pm: |
And where are my manners??? Welcome to Bonaire Talk, Christine !!!
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By Mercy Baron (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #203) on Friday, August 11, 2006 - 1:46 am: |
Welcome to BT Christine! I didn't see mentioned anywhere when you are going to Bon.
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By Glen Reem (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2462) on Friday, August 11, 2006 - 7:54 am: |
I have not stayed at Black Durgeon but I would suspect they would be on the 'low kids' end of the spectrum.
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By Sue Steiner (BonaireTalker - Post #49) on Friday, August 11, 2006 - 8:04 am: |
We've been staying at Pelican Reef for the past few years and plan to return there for 2 weeks this December. It has two nice decks facing the water and you just have to step off the dock to find nice snorkeling. I enjoy early am and pm snorkeling. It's also close to my boyfriend's favorite diving spot.
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By Katie Mann (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #4) on Saturday, August 12, 2006 - 4:50 pm: |
Hi
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By Christine Albro (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #6) on Tuesday, August 15, 2006 - 9:01 am: |
Thanks to all for the great responses! It certainly looks like you all are very enthusiastic about the island and I cannot wait to go. Trying to make our first trip to the island in December. I'll read up on all of the recommendations and get back with a short list. Just wondering, for a snorkeler does it make sense to join on the boat trips or is it better to go for shore entry? We like to snorkel the shallow reefs and wonder if the boats will give us that opportunity. Are there any boat trips that focus on snorkeling? I did see the Snorkeling with Renee option. It would be nice to have a local show us the best spots and if we can avoid some of the difficult shore entries, that would be a bonus. Thanks again everyone!
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By Grasshopper (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #19007) on Tuesday, August 15, 2006 - 9:55 am: |
Christine, Renee does wonderful guided snorkels. Also, the Woodwind does drift snorkels around the island.
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By DARLENE ELLIS (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2153) on Tuesday, August 15, 2006 - 11:49 am: |
Snorkeling is good in Bonaire no matter which resort you stay at. I am a fan of the waterfront rooms at the Divi Flamingo. The resort is a ten minute walk to town and the snorkeling there is awesome! They have a cement pier that tons of fish life in it. There is a little sunken boat just to the right of the pier in about 15 feet of water that is really neat too as well as under there southern most dock. The Woodwind also sails from the Divi which is an added convenience.
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By Gary Steven (BonaireTalker - Post #28) on Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - 10:15 pm: |
Christine. We have been traveling to Bonaire for years and have fallen in love with Casa del Sol. It's a wonderful property right on the water with its own private sandy beach with a reef a few feet from the sand with tons of fish, etc. The property has been updated and is very comfortable with a security system and safe. Given what you are looking for, this could be a perfect place for you. Its a popular property so you have to plan ahead generally. You can find information on Casa del Sol on www.bonairepartners.com. Good luck and enjoy Bonaire.
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By Marilyn Mc Clain Friedrich (BonaireTalker - Post #28) on Monday, August 21, 2006 - 9:06 pm: |
Christine, turn the prism around a bit and you have my opinion of the best place to stay on Bonaire, which is "sans" kids!! - the Deep Blue View. Check out the web site. It's so hard to express how wonderful it was there - the hammocks by the pool, the quite, the wonderful rooms, breakfast made to order each morning! It is a bit inland, but up on a hill, so it has a wonderful breeze all the time. You need a truck or car anyway to go to the different Dive/Snorkel sites anyway so, for me, the trade-off was more than worth it. Not to mention the two beautiful dogs. Menno and Esther are the perfect host and hostess and provide an incredibly peaceful and private environment. The room was wonderful. Anyway, sounds a bit "drooly" when re-reading this, but I am a rather jaded traveler and had such a wonderful experience at the Deep Blue View. By the way, I was the only snorkeler amongst the Scuba Divers and was still treated with respect! Anyway, check it out, it's worth looking into.
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By Carrie Huhtanen (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #8) on Tuesday, August 29, 2006 - 2:37 pm: |
Just wondering what hotels do have the better beaches? Plaza, Divi? thanks...
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By Cecil (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4969) on Tuesday, August 29, 2006 - 4:20 pm: |
Carrie probably the ones on Aruba .
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By Carrie Huhtanen (BonaireTalker - Post #11) on Tuesday, August 29, 2006 - 4:46 pm: |
I've stayed at Plaza, just wondering if there was a better beach. This time I'm bringing my children.
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By Cecil (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4971) on Wednesday, August 30, 2006 - 10:48 am: |
The Plaza beach is about as good as it gets. There is a nice sand beach at Lac Bay on the east side. The locals all go there to swim.
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By Katie Mann (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #5) on Thursday, August 31, 2006 - 11:02 am: |
There's a great sandy spot at Windhoek beach, great for making sand castles and there's some shade too if the sun gets a bit too hot. But try avoid Sunday when it's full of locals. Mid-week is better and you can have the place to yourself. Watch out when the jet takes off as one family found out and all their gear had blown away!
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