First I want to thank everyone for their input I will be sure to contribute when I return from my first trip. We are staying at Harbour Village and have traveled extensively to most islands. We are real beach people (love to swim) so from what I read we will be a little dissapointed...oh well! No one has mentioned clothing and as we like to travel only with carry on's it is important to have a sense of what to bring. We have traveled to European cities for 10 days with carry-on's. Therefore, what is expected when you eat at the best restaurants? When you travel around town? Anything you can share is much appreciated. As far as the water and swimming ...hate to wear anything on feet will I be sorry?

Hi Niki, I think you will have a great time in Bonaire,there is not a lot of sand but the swimming is great. if you snorkel or want to learn you will enjoy the warm water and the little fish in the shallows. Try a boat trip too. If we did not bring dive gear I am sure that Bob and I would be able to get away with 'carry-on' only. Nowhere is very formal, including most of the really nice restaurants. T shirts, shorts and perhaps a wrap round skirt will suffice. But you will need to wear something on your feet in the water, there is a lot of coral rubble which is too rough for bare feet!

Niki -

To be more specific, in the best restaurants you will see ladies in walking shorts and summer tops. Men will be in walking shorts and sports shirts (and you'll see a lot in clean tee shirts).

No slacks, no heels, no stockings, no jackets, no ties.

Bonaire is very casual, but not unkept. You will find packing to be quite easy. Concentrate on your water activities and you'll be fine.

And be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen. Unless you have been as close to the equator as Bonaire, you cannot anticipate how intense is the sun. Other tropical islands farther away from the equator are no measure. The breeze fools you, but be assured you absolutely will fry if you don't have sun protection.

Charles Poteet
Dallas

Niki, from what I understand, there is a wonderful beach at Harbor village so you won't be hurting your tootsie while getting in the water to swim there. Divi's beach is smooth access as is the Plaza. Booties are very helpful accessing the waters at non-resort spots. It is worth it to gain access to these waters, too...check it out!

Dress is very casual everywhere on Bonaire. You will dress for comfort, not style on Bonaire.

We only bring bathing suits, shorts and t-shirts when we stay for two weeks at at time. The rest is fins, masks and the like.

Sunblock is a must as "C" mentioned above. We are used to the sun and we still bring down #45 and #30 with us. It is an intense "Africa hot" sun! The water just magnifies the sun's effects, too, so please be very careful....keep the backs of your legs, knees and your back covered with block as well as your front....mind the ankles and toes, too! The waters are soooo clear that it will still get you in shallow waters! Have a great time and relax and enjoy yourselves and all that Bonaire has to offer. Carole

Hi Niki,

I second what's already been said, and also welcome you to the discussion board. You will have a great time on Bonaire! We Niki's all do! (There is a neighborhood there called Nikiboko; the signs always make me smile.)

(To others on BT, I'm away from home and got on the internet briefly enough to happen upon my name twin, so I piped up. See you at the end of the month...)

Mr fashion challenged (that'd be me) has a grand affinity for zip-off pants (the legs zip off). I reached the zip-off epiphany when i flew into Phoenix from Jackson Hole Wyoming and it was 9 degrees in Wyoming and 102 in Phoenix. Now I'm sold and they work well for Bonaire as well (specially if the skeeters get ya and ya need to avoid skeeter itch). Have a great trip.

The zip-off legs should be handy for leaving the States in winter 'long' and 'shortening' just before leaving the plane in Bonaire!!! And vice versa on return. I do it by changing in the head but zip-offs could be done at one's seat.

Thanks to all of you!!!! No problem leaving the states in shorts (as long as there is no snow) I'm crazy like that. So glad to know it's casual.
Looking forward to leaving on the 25th of October. Thanks again..
Niki

Don't forget the AA and JM flights to and from are FREEZINGGGGGGGGGGGGGG

The freezing part is why I change near Bonaire!! :–)