Hi all,

My wife and I have been 'lurking' on this discussion group for a week now and we're just about to book our first trip to Bonaire, thanks to alot of information found here.

First, I want to thank everyone for their comments and hope we can help someone else in the future.

We are planning a two week vacation in the beginning of August. Staying at Buddy Dive the whole time. We are non-divers, but avid snorkelers. We plan to do some bird watching, kayaking and exploring the mangroves and caves. We are going to rent a pickup truck during our stay.

Any tips for a 'first-timer' would be much appreciated.

Go, relax, enjoy, and let the love affair begin.

Book at least one trip on the Woodwind to Klein Bonaire.

You will enjoy Buddies, we are there in 2 1/2 weeks. Some of Buddie's plans have a truck included. The breakfast buffet is great.
Things to do:
1 Don't miss the BTer's tues night get together at Gibi's.
2 Drop by the streetcam and harass those back home
3 Go to Prisca's and get ice cream

If you have not heard the "procedure" for shore snorkling this may be of some use. There are yellow painted rocks all up the road. Simply pull in next to one, unpack and go. If you are leaving your truck unattended, don't leave anything of value in it, roll the windows DOWN and leave it unlocked. Boniare is safe but there is the occasional kid who likes to see what you have left in the car.

Another tip, keep any old 2 liter soda bottles and fill them with water. Bore 3 or 4 small holes in one extra top. Place the bottles out in the sun before going snorkling. When you return, replace the top with the one with holes and you have an instant and very cheap solar shower. I love it after a dive.

Herman, love your tip about the custom solar shower, will have to try that one, how creative!

Go to Pasa Bon Pizza for dessert and have the molten chocolate cake if you like chocolate!

Book a kayaking trip over in the mangroves. It's very enjoying and you'll learn a lot from any guide you use.

I might also suggest visiting Sand Dollar and seeing if Jerry Ligoen is giving fish ID lectures. He also used to be a birder. If you can, do a guided snorkel with him. He is a wonderful teacher, and will point out creatures you never knew existed.

Have a blast!

Wow.. thanks for the suggestions, especially that 'solar shower'.

Yeah, we definitely plan to do the mangroves, they sound very interesting.

Robert, go to the August thread on the Everything Else Bonaire bulletin board and ask to be put on the August list. We look forward to meeting you. Our hint - We ordered a solar camping shower ($10 - a collapsible flat black plastic container with a hook for hanging in a tree and a hose coming out the bottom) for those post-shore-dive rinse-offs.

When you get there, make sure you go to the bar and make friends with Marcos and TC. They are the most fun! And please tell them Lee & Mary say "Hi".

Robert, just got back from Bonaire last night. We used Buddy's and they have a FANTASTIC STAFF! Augusto, Martin, Alex and Lourdes are wonderful. Martin is a videographer, and Kelly and I had him do a dive with us and video it...It is fantastic I think he will video snorkeling as well, it would be well worth the 90 bucks and have the experience on film He is a sweetheart Tell everyone that Kelly and Cynde say hi

Dining, Cappricios, Casablanca and Croccantino

(Message edited by cyndelee on July 14, 2003)

Oh, and the Lost Penguin

Ditto on what Renea says about the chocolate cake at Pasa Bon Pizza! Awesome! Yum Yum! Oh, and don't forget to have pizza there too! They are closed Monday & Tuesday...plan accordingly.

Buddy's is a great place to stay. You'll absolutely love it. We've stayed there our last 3 trips out of 5 total. They have an activity center where you can plan & schedule all of your non-diving activities. The staff are very kind & helpful.

Herman gave some great advice...Gibi's, StreetCam & Prisca's in Rincon are a must do! You may want to visit Washington Slagbaai National Park on the north end as well. Great wildlife encounters! However, make sure you have the appropriate vehicle as the terrain can be quite rough.

Have a great trip!