My wife and I will be in Bonaire for the first time 9/21-9/30. We are staying at the Plaza. Everything I have read has been very positive. Is there anything we should be concerned about or is this place as good as I have read?

Jim, I can't think of anything you should be concerned about. People that post good reports about Plaza have stayed there many times or plan to return. You'll soon find out why this resort is a good choice. Hugh and I have stayed there 3 times, no complaints. Have fun..

ps: look forward to your Trip Report..

Jim,

Do a search here for "Plaza Resort".

Jake

PS I moved your thread to the Accommodations topic which is more appropriate for your post.

Jim, I agree with Sarah. My husband and I are returning to the Plaza Resort on September 21 for our sixth stay there since first going in September, 1999. The rooms are large, the grounds are lovely, the beach is among the nicest on Bonaire, snorkeling right off the beach is excellent, Toucan Diving is super... I could go on, but you get the idea. Maybe we'll run into you there!

Best regards,

Deborah

Hey Deborah, I like your profile pic! Gosh, he's grown......YOWZA...

Thanks, Sarah! "Steve" (affectionately named for Toucan's main man, I was told by Luciano) is the biggest barracuda I've ever seen... at least a 5-footer. He often hangs around the entrance to the lagoon at the Plaza. My profile pic is based on a photo I took of "Steve" while snorkeling, back in December of 2000. My husband, Mike, didn't believe my story of seeing this giant fish, even after looking at my photograph. I finally got scuba certified at the Plaza Resort in August of 2001, and we returned again to dive last December. On our check-out dive, "Steve" and some of his entourage (smaller barracudas and a couple of remoras) obligingly came cruising toward us. I thought Mike was going to crawl into MY wetsuit and hide, he was so spooked! "Steve" and I just smiled and nodded to each other - it was a great way to start a week of diving in Bonaire!

--Deborah

Jim -

The only extra information I would add about the Plaza is that you might request a room as far away from the beach bar (Coconut Crash ?) as possible if nightime party noise would be a bother.

While not an overpowering irritation, if you've had a full day and are going to be up early, you might wish you didn't have to be close to the party. On the other hand, it may be just your type of thing and I've now alerted you to where the Plaza action is at night.

One of the other things we like about the Plaza is that there are usually a significant amount of Dutch tourists and a number from Venezuela. This just adds to the fun of traveling so far for holiday. You really know you are in a different country and culture.

Just one other tip: start looking at your calendar to set your next trip to Bonaire...it is inevitable!

Charles Poteet
Dallas

Oh Deborah, I'm laughing here.. reminds me of my first encounter with "Steve" too.. was back in 1997, I think? Our first visit to the island and the Plaza.. we were snorkeling off Plaza beach too and came across the barracuda.. he was pretty big then, I thought. Well, I decided I would feel a lot better with Hugh between the barracuda and myself, so I crawled over Hugh's back!..LOL I've haven't seen him since, but I know he's out there.. and I know we'll meet again.. Luciano speaks the truth, though Steve is a darling... ;)

HI Divers:
Looks like I'll miss some of you by a day. I'll be back September 14th to the 21st. Like everyone said, this is a place you'll want to come back to.
I plan on going every fall for the rest of my life!
Have fun!

Sarah

When you say "I've haven't seen him since" I hope you mean Steve. :-}

Three weeks on Saturday WooHoo

Brian, don't panic!.. I have seen plenty of Steve.. but not his namesake.. NO, don't panic, Hugh has seen "Steve" every year since the first encounter..

I saw the two legged Steve about 20 minutes ago, but I guess that's not the same, is it? :-)

Jake

Brian, I forgot to say "have a great trip"...Think of me studying like mad and sitting in 09:00 lectures while you're down there having fun.. ;)

121 days.....

Me thinks we've gone off the subject here a bit!

Jake, how did the pics turn out? Would love to see the one of Tower Bridge at night...

My happy hubby and I will be staying at the Plaza for exactly 10 days one week from today. Hope I get to meet Steve....A big barricuda is such a thrill!

We will be staying at the Plaza in just 30 LONG days. This will be our first trip to Bonaire and the Plaza. You would not believe how much we are looking forward to this trip!! I will be trying out a new housing for my Nikon digital camera. Hope to get some great shots of the diverse aquatic life of Bonaire. A picture of Steve would sure be nice. It would go well with his cousin's picture I took in Cozumel last year.

Bob

robert, once you get to bonaire, the days will quit being long and fly by. barry and i spent 2 weeks there in May and felt like about 3 days.