We will be visiting Bonaire between March 6th and March 18th, and will be staying at Lighthouse Point. We are two couples, each with a two year old, and we are hoping to rent two baby cribs, and perhaps other baby items. Does anyone know who may be able to rent us this equipment?

Thank you very much,

Erin Hanley & David Weinstein

I don't think there's anyone on Bonaire that rents this sort of stuff out. When we travelled with our infants and young toddlers, we used to pack a collapsible play-pen / play yard, and have them sleep in that. See http://www.gracobaby.com/Sections/ProductCatalog/SubCategoryList.asp?ProductCategoryID=9 for what I mean.

Jake

Thanks, Jake. We do have portable play pens and are prepared to bring them, but we wanted to avoid the hassle. Besides being unwieldy, we have lots of other kid related stuff (not to mention adult stuff, including some diving equipment) to bring. We have to take three flights over two days to get to Bonaire from where we live, so any additional luggage – like play pens – that we don’t have to bring is much worth the effort. Last year we rented a house on Curacao through a vacation rental company, Intac, and they rented us the cribs and high chairs. But this year we are staying in a private home on Bonaire (we arranged it through the owner of the house, the MCB), so we have no one to ask for these items. Anyway, if you hear of anything, please do let us know. Thanks,

David and Erin

I am still working on it! Will keep you posted.

Thanks, Michael!

I just put two and two together – and realized that you are the same person that e-mailed us directly about trying to find cribs (we have made several inquires through various avenues besides Bonaire Talk – I believe you may have responded to a message we sent to Happy Holiday Homes?).

Anyway, just this morning I was perusing several Bonaire Talk discussion lists, and saw your lessons on Papiamentu. Although my mother was born and raised on Curaçao (and my family has been on the island since the 1600’s), I know but a few phrases. Hablo el espanol bastante bien, y por eso, entiendo algunas palabras en Papiamentu, but I have never lived in the islands for more than a month at a time, and have never picked up the language. Good for you for passing on your knowledge of the language!

Thanks again,

Mashi danke i tur cos bon

We are planning a trip as well, and would like to rent the same sort of things. please let us know if you find anything.

Hi Jay.

We just got back today and saw your post. We had no luck securing the cribs before going down - we contacted quite a few places (hotels, tourist board, home rental agency, and this discussion group), but no luck. We ended up dragging down two portable cribs, and clip on high chairs. It wasn't as bad as we thought it would be - it just cost us a few dollars in every airport to rent a cart or secure the services of a porter. In the end, having the crib with us as we arrived was convenient, instead of having to chase down the darned thing once we arrived! Anyway, good luck, and let us know if we can be of any help with this, or other "traveling in Bonaire with toddler" advice.

David and Erin