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Accommodations: The Real Divi Scoop
Bonaire Talk: Accommodations: Archives: Archives 2000 to 2006: Archives - 2000-07-16 to 2001-07-11: The Real Divi Scoop
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Craig Santelman on Monday, January 3, 2000 - 11:38 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

We are going to be staying at the Divi Flamingo at the end of Feburary. Just wanted to get a feel for what is going on at the place! Seems some people would consider it okay - others hate it. What is the real situation???

Not really interested in anonymous postings - if you had a bad experience, let me know.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Robert Deal on Tuesday, January 4, 2000 - 11:35 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

We will be at the Divi for two weeks from January 14 'til January 29...granted, on the timeshare side, same as every year. I will be posting a report, which I hope will be thorough and objective, as soon as possible.

For what it is worth, we have always liked the place. I honestly believe it has one of the best dive operations on the island, in terms of accommodating the wishes of the guests, and in the quality and friendliness of the staff. We love the convenience to town, and maybe we have always been lucky with no real problems. At any rate, on the spot report to follow soon.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lorraine Meadows on Tuesday, January 4, 2000 - 2:17 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I totally agree with Robert about Divi.
We too are timshare owner's and always have had a positive expierence there. The diving is great right out front and the staff is always been accomodating, especially the dive shop.The location is central to everything too.
I am waiting to hear of Robert's experince this year as we will be going back in May2000.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lorraine Meadows on Tuesday, January 4, 2000 - 2:18 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I totally agree with Robert about Divi.
We too are timshare owner's and always have had a positive expierence there. The diving is great right out front and the staff is always been accomodating, especially the dive shop.The location is central to everything too.
I am waiting to hear of Robert's experience this year as we will be going back in May2000.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By rich james on Wednesday, January 5, 2000 - 12:14 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Good Luck, And I suggest you pack some tools to help them with thier reconstruction.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Craig Santelman on Wednesday, January 5, 2000 - 11:23 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

So Rich, are you speaking from a particular experience? Or just adding some noise into the discussion?

If your comment was from experience, when where you there? Timeshare side? Could you please be a bit more descriptive? What tools do they need?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By TERRY BURT on Friday, January 7, 2000 - 9:45 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I am tried of all you people trying to bandage the DIVI problems.This place is a dump and should be shut down before someone is hurt or killer.It is dirty,safe,unhealthy,and you timeshare people get "real".I stayed there in the first week in December and after three day got out quickly.

Like other people have communicated in the past few month,my wife was rob and the staff did not care less.The next day after the robbery by the pool ,our room was hit also.When some of our cloth were stolen,we knew is was the time to get out.The facility was a pit and the advertising the Divi Corporation displays in dive magazines and other literature could be again the law.

As Rich James said earlier,bring some tool,but I would add a weapon of choice for your protection and extra clothing !!!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By rich james on Saturday, January 8, 2000 - 12:00 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

If you think we are just making this up skroll down the other posts about Divi and read some of the past comments, I belive you will find one last summer that had an intruder enter there room while they were in it.
I just wish I had read these before I had to to make last minute plans because of "Lenny".
10 years ago my wife and stayed there and the place was great but I guess things change and not
always for the better.For the money that this Divi company is taking from us tourists I guess I would expect something better.
I'll give you some examples, the hot tub, now a water garden of sort, the ocean front resturant- abandoned, no fire safety equipment anywhere- all stolen or missing, water running out from under our sink- the trap was repaired with electrical tape, our lamp cords spliced with electrical tape,
buzzing coming from our room radio- could not unplug it cause it was wired directly into the outlet, most of the hotel rooms dismanteled with no signs of any consrtuction.
Sure some of you may say this is petty but when you think what we are paying for the 1 or 2 weeks
to go on a vaction once a year, 3 years for me.
We should get better service than this, this is just total neglect by Divi Mang. to give to the people that are lining there pockets what they deserve.Maybe the economy is just to good and if some of us don't return oh well someone else will grab one of those glorified pamplets and book a week. Well I hope I have made some sense to my first posting, I really hate to bad mouth a hotel
or anyplace but I relly feel the Divi is not suppling the type of acomodations that they are advertising.
I relly hope for the sake of you time share owners that they do get serious and take care of things.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By C. Shiro on Saturday, January 8, 2000 - 8:13 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I suggest that you call Divi HQ in North Carolina and put them on the spot. I'm not sure if its the right person, but the sake of having a name at all, try asking for Fran Fink (she's Timeshares VP, or something like that).

The basic problem is that Divi has been sucking cash out of all of their dive opeation resorts for years, even before they went Chapter 11 several years ago. Divi has been very cash-poor and this results in shortfalls as they financially live hand-to-mouth, which means that every time Divi's St Maartin hotel gets hit with a hurricane (twice, in the '90s), all of available cash goes there to get it fixed back up and the "cash cow" dive resorts lose out again.

Bottom line is that its extremely long overdue for them to start to put money back into the dive op resorts.

FWIW, talking with Divi staff (before Lenny), I've actually heard sentiments that they were wishing that they WOULD get hit by a storm, just to get the insurance money to conduct a rennovation.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cors Boom on Saturday, January 29, 2000 - 8:43 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I have stayed in the Divi from 19th to 23rd january. It's clearly an old hotel which needs renovation. The airco is very noisy but in general the room was clean. They were working on one of the buildings but it didn't cause any disruption to my holiday. I live in the Netherlands and the Divi was one of the cheapest hotels on offer here and until they have renovated the hotel this should certainly stay that way. The lower ocean view rooms were not in use, probably because of damage from Lenny. The winds from Lenny didn't cause that much damage on the islands, most damage came from the water. I had one of the upper ocean view rooms and the view was incredible. You can see the fish swimming, see the planes landing and have a nice sight on Klein Bonaire. The beach at the Divi had quite a few stones on it, like many of the beaches I have seen on Bonaire and Curacao. I would not call most of the staff at the Divi very friendly but if you asked them something the did everything they could to help you. I found the security staff to be the most friendly. At no moment I felt unsafe or threatened at the hotel or anywhere else on the island. Walking from the hotel to Kralendijk is perfectly safe. In all I would say the hotel can be much improved but I certainly enjoyed my stay here.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lorraine Meadows on Saturday, January 29, 2000 - 8:41 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Masha Danki for the latest on Divi.
Going back in May and we are wondering about the Divi. We are timeshare owners and have always loved it there, but do agree with the need for "fix'n" up the place a bit.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Silvia Peters on Sunday, January 30, 2000 - 12:23 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

We, also, are wondering about Divi. This will be our first vacation without the kids, and are using the timeshare program to come to Bonaire. We are on a budget, as I will be graduating from school and hope to start a new job when we return from vacation. Hope to have an enjoyable trip...... or should we book at Lions Dive???

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Silvia Peters on Sunday, January 30, 2000 - 2:04 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Anybody that does time-sharing in Divi or Lion's Dive- Do they give deals in dive package or do you just get retail?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lorraine Meadows on Sunday, January 30, 2000 - 8:28 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

We get a dive pkg when at the Divi usually like unlimited air and some boat dives dependng on our sched. Ask at the dive shop I think I get a dis. for being a timeshare owner if you pay in advance. Bring all your receipts if you do.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Robert Deal on Monday, February 7, 2000 - 5:41 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Trip report - Divi Flamingo, Jan 14-19

So it has taken me a week to post this report, but I needed a week to recover from not being in Bonaire, and finding 18' of snow and ice on my driveway upon my return. This is going to be as complete as time allows, as promised prior to departure.

Divi IS doing a renovation, regardless of opinions expressed elsewhere. This is currently concentrated in 40 hotel rooms that surround the swimming pool, and have balconies that look out over the pool and the sea to Klein Bonaire. The rooms have been gutted, and at the time we were there have been re-painted, new tile work in the rooms and baths, new bath fixtures and airconditioners are going in, new sliding glass doors to the balconies and new windows. All new plumbing, water heaters, etc were visible. This seems to be an extensive renovation that is proceeding at a little faster than island time, but keep that phrase in mind. The projected completion we heard for those rooms was February-March, I would consider that possible but optimistic. We talked to on-site management and to representatives from Divi off-site, with the following information forthcoming (I can only repeat what we heard---determination of veracity is up to you):
that the rooms that border the seaside are not being done at this time, the lower level having been wiped out by Lenny. These rooms will follow, however.
Work on the ChibiChibi restaurant is to begin sometimein March. Approval has been obtained for the necessary foundation rebuilding and the seawall.
The Calabas restaurant and kitchen will also be rebuilt, after completion of ChibiChibi
the old landscaping will be torn out and redone.
The old standard rooms behind Calabas will be torn out and that area rebuilt.
The office and reception area will be redone. The maintenance area adjacent to the new superior rooms will be converted to a parking facility.
The tennis court has been already turned into a parking ot for the casino. The casino will be expanded and renovated. (During the time we were there new slots were delivered and installed.)
So, it does seem that money is committed, and there is work in progress. Two shipping containers of new furniture for the renovated rooms were delivered the end of our last week, so maybe the timeline for completion is not that far off. Still, island time...

Lenny related damage: Divi got off easy. The Dive II pier on the timeshare side of the property survived with only the loss of a few boards, and the back of the dive shed being washed out. The stairs into the water were also damaged. This was all fixed or in the process of repair (the stairs). The swim pier in front of the timeshares, and the Dive I pier on the hotel side were washed out. As a result, dive boats now depart from Dive II only. Repair materials had arrived for the other piers, but I do not anticipate rapid completion, as the necessary floating heavy machinery is hard to get. Nevertheless, dive operations continue very smoothly, on the premises with no inconvenience. Divi continues to run a two tank morning dive boat(you can do one or two) and a single tank afternoon dive boat...so go nuts and do three boat dives, then drop off the Dive II pier for a late afternoon or night dive.
As mentioned above, Lenny washed out the lower level of seaside rooms also, with the waves apparently reaching through these and up to the pool. The Calabas restaurant and the beach (such as it is) survived without noticeable damage. The property benefited from the protection of Klein, given the direction the waves came from.

The current condition of the timeshare side of the property, where we stay year after year, is not much changed. The renovation does not reach here until next year perhaps, although the pool deck has been replaced.The rooms are clean, but showing wear. Kitchen appliances all worked, linens were clean and fresh, beach towels were scarce. Exterior is weather-worn, and the shrubs and grass needed trimming. Some of the pool furniture needs replacement. The renovations are needed, but we are already planning our return next year.

Diving and snorlking post-Lenny: It is not the same, but is is still good. We did have several days of very bad visibility (20 feet), but many days of good diving. Some sites seem virtually untouched, and others are devasted. We visited Jerry's Jam on Klein, and it was rubble, well down to 50 feet and more. Really sad! Rappel, Old Blue, and the other protected sites on the northern end of the island were still ok. Andrea offered good snorkling, as did Old Blue, but the shallows have definitely suffered damage. The Park was closed because of rain and storm damage, so we did not get up there, but Slaag Bai was badly damage and Nukove no longer exists.
We did not dive south very much, as several attempts found bad vis, at Salt Pier and Slave. Also very strong currents.

Weather was unusual, for the beginning of our stay, too. Cold (70 F.) and raining for three days continuously, but then sun and warm for the remainder. No green flashes, however, as there were evening clouds on the horizon each day...great sunsets, however.

Eating: Richard's regains my vote, with great food and service on two occasions, after a not so good experience there a year ago. Rendez-vous is as slow as ever, with a large group of us needing an hour to get the entrees served, and this with the owner in attendance. The food was mixed that night, too, with seafood dishes getting good reviews, and the beef filet getting a big thumbs down. Regrettable, at the price. Croccantino's got bad marks from our group for poor service also, but Capprichio's was well liked. The new place, Le Wok, at Hausmann's Folly got mixed reviews. Some said the food was OK, but the service atrocious, "unless you spoke Dutch". (Not my quote, but expressed by more than one person.)
Regrettably, the Green Parrot is no more, and it just ain't the same, as they say. Good luck to them at Den Laman, but it seems that internal politics and insurance regulations will not allow either the Parrot or the dive shop to be rebuilt at Sand Dollar.

That's it for this time. Glad to answer any questions that are not anonymous.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lorraine Meadows on Tuesday, February 8, 2000 - 7:16 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Masha Danki for the report Robert!
Have all my arrangements for May and your report gives me a good idea as what to exspect.Heard similiar report from a friend who came back.
Let you know of any progress we see.
Did they have any plans for rebuilding the "tanning" dock in front of the timeshares? I loved just sitting there.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Robert Deal on Tuesday, February 8, 2000 - 5:14 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Actually, yes, Lorraine. The Tanning dock as well as Dive I are to be rebuilt. Engineers were to be seen measuring for both during our stay. Lenny did a job on it, so it may take a while...a measure of the commitment from Divi on all this would be to see how far they have come by the time you go in May.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lorraine Meadows on Tuesday, February 8, 2000 - 7:12 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I hope they fix the tanning dock by May, but I'm not "holding my breath". Glad to hear it's on the agenda.I am the optomist always.
How are George,Raffino and the others Divemasters?
Heard Renee' was still on the Woodwind.
Did you hear of plans by the salt co. to fix Pink Beach?I know they fixed it up in the first place, hoping they will again. Are there any plans to clear some of the rubble from some of the beaches?
I couldn' wait to hear your report.Masha danki for your honesty. This snow must have been a jolt after that wonderful warm place! Cann't wait to get back!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Robert Deal on Wednesday, February 9, 2000 - 2:21 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Equally optimistic, always.
George and the whole dive crew were as great as always. Dove with Enrique and Lutty most of the time, and it could not have been better...finding me frog fish, sea horse on several occasions...I was in heaven shooting macro.
Renee is still doing the Woodwind trips, with Barney as captain. Janice Huckaby was with them on the Sunday trip we took, doing an underwater video which she later showed and sold. Quite nice.My hat is off to Renee for still being as friendly and charming as ever, after nearly 10 years of doing this.
There was some talk of Cargill cleaning up Pink Beach, but frankly, I did not follow up on it.What did have everyone buzzing was the word that Green Parrot would not be rebuilt, nor the dive shop there, because of some internal issues at Sand Dollar. How's that for a kick in the equity, if you are an owner? Hope they work it out, for everyone's sake...loved that burger, and it just doesn't seem the same over at Den Laman.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lorraine Meadows on Thursday, February 10, 2000 - 8:18 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Robert,Masha danki for the reply, answered my questions.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Annette & Mark Roswell on Tuesday, February 15, 2000 - 4:22 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Just logged into this site. New at this game (if you can believe it !!) Am the old Guest Services Manager at the Divi (Annette). Was there with Alastair MacKellar and the rest. Glad to hear that Flamingo Beach is renovating and that we (they) still have such loyal repeaters :-) Am in Vail, Colorado now and as I sit here my fingers and toes are cold. My husband (born on Bonaire) and I are planning our return to Bonaire (to live). Maybe we'll run into some of you guys there on the island. Masha danki for words of the island !!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By michael gaynor on Tuesday, February 15, 2000 - 7:28 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I wondered when you would come back....Hi to Mark!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By DARLENE ELLIS on Thursday, February 17, 2000 - 10:43 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

HI THERE EVERYONE! WE JUST RETURNED FROM OUR FIRST TRIP TO BONAIRE. I THOUGHT I HAD DIED AND WENT TO HEAVEN!!!! EVEN WITH THE DISTRUCTION OF LENNY I SAW MORE BEAUTY SNORKELING THAN I HAVE EVER SEEN AT ANY OTHER ISLAND! I REALLY LOVED THE LITTLE BOAT THAT WAS SUNK BY THE DIVI. ALL KINDS OF CORAL ON IT INCLUDING PURPLE TUBE SPONGES. THE FISH REALLY LOVED IT AND I SPENT A LOT OF TIME JUST FLOATING OVER IT! THE WOODWIND WITH RENEE, JAN AND BARNEY REALLY MADE OUR TRIP!!!!! WE WENT OUT ON THE WOODWIND 4 TIMES AND RENEE WOULD POINT THINGS OUT THAT WE WOULD HAVE NEVER SEEN. I AM A SCARDY CAT AND RENEE MADE ME FEEL SO COMFORTABLE THAT I EVEN DID A NIGHT SNORKEL IN FRONT OF THE DIVI WITH HER. RENEE WOULD OF EVEN HELD MY HAND IF I HAD NEEDED IT; LUCKILY I DIDN'T. IT WAS AWESOME! WE BOUGHT THE VIDEO THAT JAN DID AND WE HAVE WATCHED IT EVERY NIGHT SINCE WE GOT HOME!!!REALITY IS THE PITS AND WE HAVE BEEN DRIFTING BACK TO BONAIRE EVERY EVENING!!! RENEE, JAN AND BARNEY AREN'T JUST BUSINESS PEOPLE, THEY ARE OUR NEW FRIENDS! THANKS FOR THE HOSPITALITY!!! I MENTION ALL OUR SAILING AND SNORKEL EXPERIENCE UNDER THIS POST BECAUSE I FEEL IT IS VERY RELATED TO THE DIVI FLAMINGO. EVERY THING I SAW AND DID WAS RIGHT AT MY FINGERTIPS STAYING AT THE DIVI!!!! THE LOCATION IS FANTASTIC!!!! THE WOODWIND SAILS OUT OF THE DIVI. THE WALK TO TOWN IS VERY SAFE AND BEAUTIFUL. I NEVER FELT UNSAFE ANYWHERE ON THE ISLAND. THERE IS A TON OF RESTAURANTS TO CHOOSE FROM IN CLOSE WALKING DISTANCE.WE HAD AN OCEAN FRON 2ND FLOOR ROOM AND THE VIEW OF THE SUNSET WAS BEAUTIFUL AND EVERY MORNING WE WOULD WAKE UP AND FEED ALL THE FISH THAT WOULD COME TO VISIT US. WE COULD SEE KLEIN, THE AIRPLANES LANDING, THE CRUISE SHIPS COMING FROM AFAR, WE COULD SEE ALL THE ACTION AT THE TOWN DOCKS WITH OUR BINOCULARS. IT WAS REALLY COOL. I REALLY DID THINK THAT I HAD DIED AND WENT TO HEAVEN WITH THE NATURE AND BEAUTY THAT WAS ALL AROUND ME. THE SECURITY PEOPLE WERE ALL VERY FRIENDLY. ONE OF THEM EVEN BROUGHT HER PET BIRD IN FOR ME TO SEE BECAUSE SHE SAW ME LOOKING FOR THE PARAKETTES AND I HADN'T SEEN ANY! NOW THAT IS WHAT I CALL BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY! O.K. I HAVE TO AGREE WITH CORS BOOM'S POST THAT THE DIVI IS OLD AND IN NEED OF REPAIRS AND THEY ARE BEGINNING TO WORK ON THAT.(ISLAND TIME OF COURSE!) OUR ROOM HAD SLIDING GLASS DOOR PROBLEMS BUT THAT WAS IT. IT WAS CLEAN AND ROOMY. IF YOU ARE GOING AWAY AND EXPECTING THE RITZ, DON'T GO TO THE DIVI. BUT IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A GOOD DEAL, CLEAN AND SAFE PLACE IN A GREAT LOCATION, THEN THE DIVI IS PERFECT! I GUESS THE MESSAGE THAT I AM TRYING TO PORTRAY IS THAT I WENT TO BONAIRE FOR PEACE, TRANQUILITY,TO GET IN TOUCH WITH NATURE, AND TO SEE PLENTY OF FISH AND CORALS. I HAD NEVER SEEN A QUEEN OR FRENCH ANGEL AND I GOT TO SEE THE QUEEN ANGEL WHEN EVER I WENT OUT SAILING WITH RENEE AND I SAW FRENCH ANGELS WHEN EVER I WENT IN THE WATER!!I SAW OVER 75 DIFFERENT VARITIES OF FISH AND SPOTTED GREEN TURTLES 3 DIFFERENT TIMES. I GOT ALL THAT STAYING AT THE DIVI!!!!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Robert Deal on Thursday, February 17, 2000 - 7:33 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Darlene, I love your enthusiasm. It sounds like you had a great time and caught the Bonaire bug big time! Welcome to the club! I have to agree with you about Renee and all the crew on Woodwind: they are truly wonderful people. Of course, I have to recognize that our daughter decided that Barney's son Lars was her best buddy, so maybe I'm biased. Hope to bump into you some day in Bonaire...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Donna M. Leiss on Saturday, February 19, 2000 - 6:22 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I vote with Robert and Darlene: Divis is certainly not the Hyatt Regency by any stretch of the imagination, but if you're spending most of your time in the water, who cares if your accommodations are less than 4star, as long as they're clean and comfortable? We are timeshare owners (although not at the Flamingo) and have stayed there twice. We'll probably go back again next year, simply because we enjoy the snorkelling so much and the fact that there's so much to see right out in front of the hotel. We were a little disturbed at how much is still in need of repairs, but sounds to me like they're slowly taking place. We were sad to see all the damage done to the reefs by Lenny, but there's still plenty left to enjoy; and it will all come back eventually. Going out with Renee and the Woodwind was wonderful, as usual. Last year I started out being afraid to go into water over my head, but by the end of the week Renee had me jumping overboard fearlessly. Next year we'll definitely try a night snorkel. We walked into town at night on several occasions and never worried about it for a moment. Try the Blue Moon and Amadeus, which was Le Mangerie last year. For the person wondering about Lion's Dive--they lost their dive shop and photo shop courtesy of Lenny. Still in shambles in early January. Shame about the Green Parrot; I still have my carved hummingbird swizzle stick from last year.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lorraine Meadows on Sunday, February 20, 2000 - 11:37 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Did anyone get to the new pic at the Divi renovation site. Bright colors. How's it look in person Donna or Robert?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Anonymous on Sunday, February 20, 2000 - 8:01 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I certainly hope the new color "scheme" in Bonaire does not look like the Divi Tamarijn Resort in Aruba. They painted that resort a multitude of colors such as purple, pink, mustard yellow, green, etc. Each block of buildings had been painted a different color.

The members at Divi Village, which is across the street, arrived at their units a few years ago to discover these very "distinct" colors glowing at them from across the way! You cannot miss it. There have been quite a few "comments" about the color "scheme" involved (more like a circus atmosphere) and they are not very complimentary.

Perhaps Divi is being "trifty" and plans to use up the paint supplies left over from Aruba??.....

I do hope the Flamingo will look better in these colors than the Tamarijn in Aruba. (If, indeed, the same exact color scheme is being used).

Actually, I hope I am wrong and that the Flamingo paint job/renovation is not at all similar to the one in Aruba.

Of course, this is just ONE opinion and let me be clear in that I have NOT seen what they have done to the Flamingo structure. It might be an improvement and a welcome to the resort.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Donna M. Leiss on Monday, February 21, 2000 - 1:29 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Lorraine:
The new color scheme appears to be royal blue and mustard yellow. Renee (the Woodwind) says that Divi is copying the colors she used for her house! It doesn't look bad; it's the tropics, after all.
We passed by Tamarijn when we were in Aruba in January; don't recall the colors being all that bad, but it seems like those buildings get repainted every year, anyway.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lorraine Meadows on Tuesday, February 22, 2000 - 8:27 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Masha Danki Donna.
We'll be there in three months, but who's counting(?)
I'll let you know how far things progressed(hopefully)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Antonio Ferrer on Tuesday, February 22, 2000 - 3:18 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I would not mind spending next week in a house painted bright red with yellow polka-dots, if it was in Bonaire!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By DARLENE ELLIS on Tuesday, February 22, 2000 - 4:13 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I'M WITH YOU ANTONIO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I CAN'T WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR ALREADY AND I JUST GOT BACK!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lorraine Meadows on Wednesday, February 23, 2000 - 5:08 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

The place has a way of doing that to you.
May is not that far off anymore.
I was just curious. Did you see the pic.posted in renovation site? Cann't wait to see for ourselves.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Edie Wayman on Wednesday, March 8, 2000 - 3:17 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

What a great newsgroup! My first visit will be the first week in May. I'm just going crazy waiting. I'll be staying in a timeshare at the Divi and will be signing up for the 2 morning dives - is it really necessary to get a vehicle? if not, is there transportation to/from the airport?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Robert Deal on Wednesday, March 8, 2000 - 6:22 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Edie:
Although it depends on what else you might wish to do---travel around the island, do a lot of shore diving, etc.---it is not really necessary to get a vehicle if you are staying at Divi. Everything is to be found within easy walking distance: restaurants, shopping, supermarket, and all. Transportation from the airport is readily available in the form of taxis (just a few dollars to the Divi). They don't use meters, but we have never had one try to inflate the price or anything.
By the way, the two "morning dives" is really more flexible than the name implies. If you are signed up for two dives, you can do 8:30 and stay on the boat for the 10:30; or go at 10:30 and then do the 2:00 PM boat; or do 8:30 and then hang out until 2:00...you choose the combination, with shore diving thrown in to round out the day. That's the sort of flexibility that I love about the dive operation there.
We are looking forward to our next trip already, and we have only been back for 7 weeks. If you have any specific questions, e-mail me directly and I will be glad to try to answer.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By michaelgaynor on Thursday, March 9, 2000 - 9:49 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

FYI. All the taxi fares are posted on a board next to the taxi stand at the airport.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Edie Wayman on Thursday, March 9, 2000 - 10:05 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks for the responses. I read this everyday as May gets closer!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Linda Richter - NetTech on Thursday, March 9, 2000 - 10:36 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

The taxi rates are available on this web site. See http://www.infobonaire.com/html/taxirates.html

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Clay Lansdown on Thursday, March 9, 2000 - 11:25 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Edie,
My wife and I will be next door at the Carib Inn the first week in May,(We arrive late on April 29th). We usually make a morning and an afternoon dive and will be around our room or at the gazebo down by the water after 4:00pm or so. Drop by if you get a chance (ask for Clay or Lee at the Carib Inn dive shop). We don't rent a car and might be able to give you a few tips.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Edie Wayman on Thursday, March 9, 2000 - 11:32 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Clay,

Sounds great, actually we arrive on the 29th also.
Look forward to meeting the both of you!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Craig Santelman on Monday, March 13, 2000 - 11:26 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Due to the fact that I started this thread way back, I feel that I should add my view on the Divi into the discussion. We stayed there from February 26th - March 4th and were happy with the accomadations.

I thought the Club Flamingo side (by the Dive shop) wasn't too bad at all. This is where we stayed and the pool was fine, grass needed some trimming, but the room was cleaned everyday, nothing was stolen, and our neighbors where great. We backed up to the house just outside the gates and I really liked the dog alarm clock and screeching parrots everyday at 3:00am, but what can you do.

I can't say I would want to stay on the hotel side, looked really 'tough' right now. But in their defense, we did see the renovations occurring (at a slow pace) while we were there.

Only went to the restaurant on site the first morning for breakfast. Seemed very expensive. We hit the Cultimart supermarket for all of our breakfast/lunch supplies after that. Great pastries!

I will be posting a full trip report under another thread. Feel free to contact me with any questions/concerns. I believe this newsgroup really prepared us for our trip and we were able to avoid some of the pitfalls of any vacation.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tamara Brunger on Tuesday, March 14, 2000 - 1:00 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Craig,

We are planning to stay at the Divi for our honeymoon May 21-26. They say that the renovations should be done by then. What do you think? We were thinking of staying in a time share, but the room is cheaper, and if we rent a refrigerator ($6/day) we can get by for lunch and breakfast without a stove and all the rest, but if the regular rooms will be a mess, it might be worth the extra $240 to get a timeshare. What do you think?
Thanks

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lorraine Meadows on Tuesday, March 14, 2000 - 8:19 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Dear Tamara, We'll be there then too! We're timeshare ownwers. I'm hoping the renovations are coming along, The timeshare studios are not terribly large, but do offer the kitchenette. As far as the refrig for $6 a day ,check on that I'm not familiar with the ones in hotel side. How large is it? It's nice to come back after a dive and be "at home". Have a cold drink and a snack on the patio, still with the options of the hotel if you want them. There a little more roomy too!Either way you'll have great snorkeling I'll share some things with you over a drink. See you there!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Craig Santelman on Tuesday, March 14, 2000 - 8:48 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I never actually went into a hotel room - but I would have to say the place looked better on the timeshare side. The pool, the grounds, the overall maintenance of the building itself. I could scan in some pictures of the timeshare side and e-mail them to you if you would like. Our whole party really liked the kitchenette in the timeshare - I would go for the extra $240.

I believe it is important to set your expectations correctly before visiting the Divi Flamingo. This is not a 4 star place. Age and Lenny have taken care of that. I would imagine 15 years ago this was one of the better places on Bonaire. If you go in expecting a place to stay while you spend your day off doing other things - this will fit the bill.

When we end up back in Bonaire, we will be staying at the Divi again.

BTW: Check out this website

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=78791&a=2415798

Underwater pictures of someone else's trip to Bonaire!

 


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