Ok Ok.
I surrender.......Looking for a new spot to go next year for some great diving and snorkeling, I must say that Bonaire was NOT on my list. I actually thought that having seeing St John and Grand Cayman, I must have seen the best the Caribbean has to offer.........I just returned from the Maldives (see my post in Accomodations: Bellafonte) and thought that was probably the best it could get. I had Fiji and the Seychelles on my list of next destinations. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately), Dutch travel agents are not great in offering trips to those destinations. I went to the agency and first asked for the Seychelles. Answer: " Oh, well, hum, ho.......we don't really have much on them. But, what we DO have: how about the Dutch Antilles...." I was NOT looking for the dutch Antilles.....so I asked another lady for Fiji. Response: "Oh, well, hum, ho......we don't really have much on Fiji, but....how about the Dutch Antilles......".

All right, all right, just to be polite I took one brochure home. From the ABC islands, it seemed that Bonaire was the divers paradise. Ok, every island thinks that of itself, I was still stubbornly thinking. So,,, big mistake, just for the sake of it I looked up Boanire on the net (I also remembered that my Dad had been there in 86, but he went for Astronomy, not for snorkeling or diving).

I happend to find this site and the rest they say is history. You guys managed to put Bonaire out of nowhere to the top of my list. Would you believe there was actually a lady saying that the snorkeling in Bonaire is far more satisfactory than on the Maldives.......now THAT is a challenge I just cannot ignore....I really had/(maybe still have) the opinion that nothing can beat the Maldives (though, to be honest, that's what I thought of Grand Cayman before I went to the Maldives...........).

So.....it really really looks like I will be coming for a visit next year...now I have to decide on when and where....which is the hardest part I reckon. I am still very curious about Bellafonte (thats me: wanting info on something that isn't even there yet, but I am a sucker for a great adventure...) But, I have alot of months to come up with a choice.....

Just want to say: thanks everyone for the comments on my previous post and for all info posted on this site. If you can manage to sway this stubborn lady (and that with posts that plainly speak of a great love for this small island in the Caribbean), then you are doing good work indeed!! Keep it up.....

Ina

While when and where may be the hardest part, the funnest part may be the research you put in as you try and determine the where and when. Welcome aboard and as you may have already noticed folks here will be quick to help out.

Ina...all I can say is this....my first trip to Bonaire was in September 1996, returned July 97', November 98', July 00', June 01' and I am returning November 18,2001!!!! I am sure if you poll the board there are numerous people that have been going to Bonaire for 15 plus years.

I can only compare it to Lays Potato Chips....just can't get enough!!

Have a great trip.

Ina, welcome aboard! We have been traveling the Caribbean for many years and this will be our third return trip to Bonaire in 13 months time. One might say we have fallen in love with our little paradise. We are avid snorkelers. I remain in the waters with my sea friends for six to seven hours at a time without touching the shoreline...that is how nice it is in Bonare.

I hope that you, too, will discover her many, many snorkel sites and fall in love with her beauty and wonderment. Welcome aboard!! Carole

I have stayed at the Plaza a couple of times and it is one of the two best places on Bonaire (has one of the best sand beaches as well). If you are coming from holland, klm has a direct flight and the plaza is dutch owned and often has some attractive packages. You might ask your travel agent about that one.
The Bellafonte was only half built when i was there in June, but the cost may be higher than you want to pay. (the sale prices are 300,000.00 us dlrs. and up, so i wonder what the rental rates will be).

Wherever you decide to stay i hope you like Bonaire as much as a lot of us (not living there) do.

Ina...I first went to Bonaire in July 1992, stayed at the Caribe Inn, returned to the US after 11 days, and immediately retired from IBM after 25 years of a good career.

Took the next 6 months preparing for my move to Bonaire - finished my degree in 6 months, instead of the 12 months remaining, prepared my home for sale and application time for residency.

Moved on 18 Feb 1993 when I became a resident. What held me up was waiting for my new Suzuki Samarai to become 6 months old so I could take it with me.

That's how strong the pull of Bonaire can and will be...

Good luck, have fun...

Ina, I just discovered the islands 6 years ago and I vowed that I would go to a different island every year till I had been to them all. I went to Bonaire only two years ago and I have no disire to ever go to another island and I am now, by hook or by crook, going to go twice a year! I don't know that it will ever be possible, but I hope to live there some day. The snorkeling is incredible no matter where you go and the people are the same!!!!

Ina, I believe I was the lady that said "better snorkeling on Bonaire than Maldives).. I still stand by that There seems to be more of a variety of fish species than I saw on the Maldives (which was a long time ago).. for example.. I have never seen such a HUGE barracuda anywhere in the world than the one I saw on Bonaire.. that's just one example... I could go on and it's definitly better than Grand Cayman.. though, that's my opinion.. I hope you too will experience new things.. We have stayed at the Plaza twice (our first 2 years).. the beach is nice and the snorkeling is good too.. Have fun

Hi!

Thanks everyone for the "booster" reactions.....now there is just no turning back anymore. Sarah, your reaction was the one that did it....I will have to see with my own eyes the place that is supposed to have better snorkling than BOTH the Maldives and Grand Cayman.......as I said, it's too good a challenge not to take up! If the people are just as friendly as the snorkling is good......what else do I need.....(I really don't think of any worries in that department...I read with growing astonishment the trip report of the poor fellow who stayed at Buddy's and landed in the hospital.....WOW!!! need I say more)

So, if next year anyone happens to spot a small lady with long hair, yellow flippers, kermit the frog bathing suit (yup, I know, not one word....) and a huuuuuuggggge grin, then that will be me!

Ina