I just wondered if anyone just returning had experience with bringing their own ice chest of beef to Bonaire. Does anyone know if Mad Cow has changed the way Bonaire allows beef to be used for personal consumption?

I pondered and pondered where I should post the day before my departure and "at last" i have found it.


MAD COW

nah

I'm more worried about

MAD CHEESE DISEASE

the cheesinator
who will awake tomorrow and begin epic journey

Renee,I haven't read anything in the health news, generally if a country will ban the product it hits the news...you may want to call the airline you're flying with...they may know...

Joe, have a GREAT trip, and we'll be looking for you on the cams

Why would you want to import beef to Bonaire ??? Beef from Argentina is readily available at the Warehouse and Cultimara. The only foodstuffs I would consider bringing are hard-to-find, can't live without, or special diet needs. We even found Folgers at Cultimara, although it was freeze dried (sorry Michael) and lo-carb rolls (which were very good) at Sand Dollar, (thanks Uncle Buddy). Unless of course you really, truly want to spend your Bonaire vacation in the kitchen cooking. OH, by the way, Lover's Ice Cream is excellent and they have an outstanding selection, including rum/raisin and my fav capuccino.

I have to agree with CK why take food to Bonaire.(Unless it is something unusual and very specialist) The shops are normally very well stocked. They did run out of fresh veg and salad after new years day, but only for a day.

Regards

Brian

The answer to your question on why we would bring beef to Bonaire is because we raise our own meat, beef, chicken and turkey, all organically grown. So, we save money by cooking our own meals. We do not eat out much.

Then bring on your cooler. I appreciate cost savings, it just seems to be a shame to travel to Bonaire to spend time in the kitchen when there are so many good places to dine.

Just remember your foodstuffs are going to defrost and delays are not uncommon. And, the use of dry-ice is seriously frowned on...there is a major per/flight charge, IF they let you check a smoking box onto any flight.

Oh, for my information, what is considered to be organically raised livestock ?? Thanks

From the Bonaire Reporter:
"In connection with the detection of mad cow disease in the US, the import of beef and beef products from the US by the Netherlands Antilles has been banned for an undetermined period."

Susan, Thanks for the note about the Bonaire Reporter news on beef products prohibition. We won't be bringing any with us under the circumstances. I really appreciate this board for being there when we have questions.

C Kritagent, organically raised livestock is grass fed on our farm in fields with no chemical fertilizer added. We feed no processed grain to our animals and therefore they are "organically" grown. The studies show that meat grown in this manner is much healthier in the forms of fat (omega 3's) that is available in the meat. I was a bit surprised at the comments about "why would anyone want to cook their own meals on Bonaire?" My husband and I rent a nice house for vacations so we can relax, cook a nice meal and watch the sunset in a peaceful atmosphere with a glass of wine. We do not drink and drive so therefore we prefer to eat "in" rather than going to restaurants while on vacation. We love Bonaire and the peaceful times we had there last year. The one time we will eat out will be at Giby's to meet other BTers.
Take care,
Renee (3 more days and we depart!)

Renee, have a wonderful trip...out of curiosity, do you raise the animals just for your own consumption, or do you have a farm/business?

Renee, somehow I do not see a relaxing vacation as spending time in a kitchen, however each to their own. Enjoy your vacation and watch out for those that do (drink and drive), they can be more dangerous that non-organically grown critters !!!

HEY !!! Goats and Iguanas are organically grown... Kewl.

I will also vote on doing cooking in on Bonaire.
Being there for 3 weeks, cooking saves quite a bit. After a long day on the water, it is easier for us to cook in and relax than to try and go out all the time. We also go with friends and take turns cooking. We like to use the local fish markets to enjoy the fresh fish. We do eat out a couple of time a week.

Cynde,
We raise organically grown meat just for our own family. We have 9 cows, we sell young cows, and keep one for meat for ourselves. Then, each year we raise about 50 chickens, and 12 turkeys.

Corney Ann, I am happy to hear we are not the only ones vacationing in Bonaire who like to cook. I was beginning to wonder if we were wierd!!!

We are leaving tonight for Bonaire. Can't wait to get into the water.
Renee