Day 7 and 8

I am ready to die and go to heaven now. I just had dinner in the harbour while watching an amazing sunset tonight. All colours yellow and orange with some lightblue. The moon and Venus rising above it, both very close together and bright. All this above the Caribbean sea and Klein Bonaire.

You have to see it. No camera can capture it although two couples asked me to take their picture I’m afraid they will be disappointed with the results when they get home.

As I am writing this I’m sitting on the roof, the moon and Venus shining above my head through the leaves of a palmtree that is gently swinging in the wind. Even the wind is almost absent here tonight making it a very pleasant evening to sit here. This truly is a magical night.

Are you drooling yet?

Let’s continue with the life of Brian..urhm.. Martin with day 7.

Day SEVEN! This is going much to fast for my taste. The first real day on the island went really slow and I remember having a sinking feeling that I booked for 3 weeks. What had I been thinking when I did that? How was I ever going to keep myself entertained for 3 weeks?

Now I look at the calender and figure it’s already monday. Before I know it it will be saturday again and the saturday after that I am already leaving!
No, bad Pilgrim. Don’t look at the future, enjoy the present. For tomorrow may never come. (although I certainly hope so…)

In the morning I went swimming at Bachelors beach. Two whole hours I had the entire “beach” to myself. I say “beach” because the entire beach is under water as you probably know. Still it is my most favourite place to swim. It has real sand, little rocks and the water gets deep very fast so you can do some actual swimming. Not to mention it isn’t so far from town. Also since I’m a bachelor I think I’m entitled to swim there. <g>

Then quickly going home for a bite to eat because today is Carnival day!

Now when I booked this trip I did not know about any carnival. All I knew is I needed a vacation and I needed it NOW. I wasn’t actually too pleased when I heard I was visiting during Carnival. Airline fares were quite high because of it and I could care less about Carnival. All I wanted was sun sea and a rocky beach. After enjoying the parade or better yet, the atmosphere that comes with the parade I’m a convert though. If at all possible I’ll try to be here again during Carnival next year.

I have been told the parade starts at 15.00 hrs so I try to be there at 14.30 hrs. Only to be greeted by the parade that is already passing by. Dang.
They’re moving real slow though so it’s easy to catch up with the front. Slow as in standing still most of the time. And still they kept dancing in that heat.
They were handed lots of fluids though. I’m not sure what it was but if it contained alcohol then most members of the parade would not have made it to the finish line while standing up straight.

All the time the parade was passing by I was regretting that I didn’t bring the video camera. I had the photo camera and I can also use that one to shoot some basic film but there is only that much you can do with it due to memory limits.

After frantically running back and forth trying to figure out which way the parade was going I finally figured out that they were coming back through the main street. With the pace they were going that could still take a while so… I did some jogging. I must have raised many eyebrows when I sprinted full speed ahead back to basecamp (home). I had the car with me but it was parked closer to home then to the center. Sometimes I wonder why I even bother to take the car when going to the center since it is so close. I guess I’m just attached to it.

Anyhow… more dead then alive I made it back WITH camera and found this great position on top of a 8 ft wall. From there I filmed the entire parade. Great footage.

Great footage… At a price though. At the beach and in the open I’m always on my guard. But while sitting on that wall I burned so badly the people sitting in front of me must have thought hey were roasting sausages somewhere nearby.
Blimey that hurts. It’s about time though. After one full week here you’ld have thought I would have gotten some sunburn. Well now I’ve got plenty.

I’m red as an Indian and when I had to put on long pants that evening I made the accompanying sounds as well!

(during daytime I walk around like a bum but after 6pm I want to feel human again. Shower, get rid of that filthy sunblock, sand and salt and dress properly. I often really look forward to that moment)

Finished the evening with some strawberry ice at the harbour. Another day gone. Turning on the airco one hour before sunset seems to have done the trick against mosquitos. My arms still look like I have meazels but that’s all from the night before. This night I only had one mosquito in the bedroom. That I can live with.

Day 8 (today)

Had a fantastic day. Already described how the day ended at the beginning of this message. Today I explored Bolivia. Started the day by first getting some more cash from Mr Cashdispenser Machine. I don’t spend enough money. These Nafl are $ 1.75 but I spend them like they are $ 1.-

Used my new cash reservers to first fuel up again. Well that doesn’t put much dents in the cashflow. They are practically giving the fuel away here. I’m used to paying almost $5 per gallon. Here I can have a full tank for less then Nafl 50.

Still not sure if you are supposed to tip the guy who fills up your car. Is it custom? I’m used to self service only.

Then drove all the way to the chatnbrowse again to get some sunblock. Cause I need it badly. This night I am not typing with the laptop on my ..lap. I tried but the bloody thing is hot. And putting something hot on my lap is the last thing I enjoy at the moment. Walking barefoot on limestone seems more attractive.

I realize an internetstore is a strange place to get sunblock but hey… they sell it, I need it. What more reason does one need? Ok, one more reason then. Just for you…
It’s the only place I know that sells it. When I stared through his window at 6 am on my very first morning here I noticed it was being sold. Since then I haven’t seen any store that sells it. Kinda strange on a tropical island but I probably somehow missed it.

So off I go to explore Bolivia. First order of the day… find the road that leads of the mainroad that I’ve located on the map. Also the most difficult part since there are many dirtroads leading off the main road and since almost no tourist goes here there are no signs. If you don’t know this road exists you’re not gonna find it. After taking 3 wrong roads (in two occasions ending up at the home of some very surprised locals) I have a bingo.

http://www.pelgrim.nu/bonaire/map.gif
The road runs from Onima to Spelonk

This road is long, it’s hot and it is totally deserted. Not to mention is is absolutely hell to drive. 10 kph is more then enough. It resembles the roads in Washington park and then some more. Took me nearly 4 hours to complete the entire road (including several stops at the shoreline). Never came across a single soul. You are absolutely alone here. An hours drive from nothing and an hours drive from nowhere.
Beautiful terrain, rugged shorelines and tons o’donkeys.
Almost the entire road is located on the lower terrace with the middle terrace rising up just besides it. It does not take much imagination to see that this lower terrace used to be the bottom of the ocean not too long ago. You can just imagine the water rolling over your head and hitting against the sides of the middle terrace.

This place is so absolutely deserted it is a very bad idea to get a flat tire here or get an accident. Because if you do there is little hope someone will come by before nightfall and it’s a damn long walk to anywhere. Provided you can still walk ofcourse.

I absolutely loved it!

When I finally made it back to the main road to Kralendijk I passed by Lagoen Hill. Couldn’t resist and drove around the compound a little. I wasn’t too impressed. The place seemed to lack something. Heart? Spirit? Don’t know. Hard to explain. It seemed cold and empty to me. Then again it was middle of the day and the place was deserted because everybody was probably at the beach.

About an hr ago I looked at the houses for sale in the window of Sunbelt (again *sigh *) and saw several houses for sale at Lagoen. Prices were quite low. Some 130.000 to 140.000 USD.

I also saw several houses for sale in this place. It’s also a park somewhat like Lagoen Hill with predominatly Dutch owners I think. Prices were just a fraction (5-10000 US D) higher but the location is much better. Just imagine… going to Bonaire and only having to worry about the price of the plane ticket. Now that would make things a lot more affordable…

Sorry, daydreaming again. Don’t kill me for it. If you do then you’ll probably have to kill yourselves as well for having the same dreams, right?

After dropping the camera equipment off at home it was time to finish the day with some nice cool Caribbean seawater. Bachelors beach was too crowded for my taste to Pink beach it was again. Must remember to bring camera next time. When driving towards pink beach you pass an area with bright pink water in the saltpans, mountains of pure white salt and an ocean that has a very light blue color. These three colors combined on one photo should look just marvellous.

How the day ended you already know.

I’m ending it here. I’m going to sit here on the roof watching the moon and the stars and the palmtrees gently waving in the wind until I fall asleep on this roof.

Sounds like a wonderful night! I am definately jealous! I am looking forward to more!

Martin,
Thank you so much for sharing your diary with all of us. I have enjoyed every posting and find inner peace when I read it.

Martin your saga is wonderful and I wouldn't want anything to ruin it so please if you take your camera with you when you go to swim please think again and leave it at home.. we wouldn't want it taken from the car whilst you are in the water........Hope your sunburn feels better..I'm sure Michael sells aloe lotion as well for the burn..

Love your story telling!

So, are you really Martin, and if so who is Brian? (That wasn't a freudian slip!)

Gail: It was a reference to a hilarious Monty Python movie called Life of Brian: http://imdb.com/title/tt0079470/

I'm really Martin. And contrary to popular believe my life is not nearly as exiting as Brians' (the one from the movie, not the one who posted above)

I'm of to bed. Had quite a night. Dinner at Gibi's. lost my car, lost a 10 story cruiseship and then lost the car again.

I'm now finally back home again with all my belongings. Well except the cruiseship but that technically never belonged to me anyway so it doesn't count.

Martin, you had a very full day, today! We're all green with envy. Glad to see you made it to Gibi's...what did you order? Goat Stew? It is outrageous. Don't you think the cruiseship will be a little heavy for the rooftop tonite?? Say hi to Michael for me, please, OK? Ayo. Carole

And that brings us to day nine… tuesday:

Took it slow on tuesday. For some reason I was tired. During the daytime nothing really happened that is worth mentioning. Went and got me some more groceries, more fuel for the car again and then (shame on me) around 1 pm I fell asleep. Woke up around 3 and felt like absolute hell. Dragged myself into the car, drove to bachelors beach and dropped myself into the cool water. That helped to clear my mind somewhat.

A huge cruiseship also arrived today in the harbor. And I mean HUGE. The population of Bonaire must have increased by 20% this afternoon. The ship is towering high above the houses. It dwarves Kralendijk.
The town is buzzing with tourists and a good deal of dollars is flowing into Bonaire today.


When I got home and looked at the time I noticed I was short on time. I actually had to HURRY. Now this is a sensation I have not been familiar with for over a week and it’s amazing how fast you forget what it is like to have appointments throughout the day, try to make them on time, always leave home *just * a little too late so you have to drive *just * a little too fast, get in a traffic jam, make your appointment * just * a little too late etc etc.

Sound familiar? Well, that’s my normal life. From morning till well after midnight I am running late and am in a hurry while at the same time I always seem to be driving behind someone that apparently is NOT in a hurry. God, I need a vacation!

Oh.. hang on. I AM on vacation. Right. So why do I have to hurry. Well it’s Gibi’s night ofcourse! I’ve got 15 minutes to get there and I don’t have a clue where there is.

Amazing enough the part of my brain that is responsible for navigating me around this globe and is responsible for getting me to where I need to go (and more often getting me where I do not want to go – although I cannot be sure of that because I usually have no idea wherever the hell I am anyway) is working above and beyond the call of duty tonight and I’m only standing away about 10 feet from Gibi’s when I pull over and ask some locals for directions.

One other couple and Chet are already there and after taking the couples picture in front of the Gibi’s sign we talk about an hour about Bonaire (and diving – one thing I am absolutely clueless about). A total of 10 people show up. Thankfully Cheb is the only person who has read the BT board recently so the rest of the people have no idea of my ramblings on the board during the past week. Jake and Linda are not there as they’re shopping in the States.

I answer the usual question “so if you do not dive then what are you doing on Bonaire?”

I’m pretty sure I didn’t convince anybody that there is more to the island then diving. Then again they didn’t convince me that looking at fish is the best way to pass your time on Bonaire. Let’s call it even.

It’s only our group that is at Gibi’s because apparently it is still Carnival and tonight is the parade again. With lights this time. (how am I supposed these things? Are announcements made or something?

Some group pictures with Gibi are taken, farewells are said and off into the night I am again. Heading straight for home. I really need to get rid of some fluids badly.
..urm.. heading straight for a roadblock. And another..and another.. Every which way I go I end up at a roadblock, large crowds and cars parked on the streets left and right. After driving around for what seems hours through the dark and ploughing my car through people (THROUGH people, not over people! – now don’t get all upset) I see an open space on the sidewalk where I can dump my car. I run towards the harbourside mall where I know are public toilets.

Feeling all happy again I decide to go to my car and try to find another way out of this mess. Well, deciding to to to my car is easy. I make tougher decisions at least 100 times a day. Finding the car is a completely different issue. I’ve been driving around in the dark through little streets for so long and I was in such a hurry when I finally had parked it somewhere that I really don’t have a clue where it is.

Other people don’t seem to have a clue where my car is either. This is really upsetting. They’re always friendly, smiling and waving at you when you drive by but if you ask them a simple question like “where is my car?” they just look at you and pretend they do not know.

Finally the area begins to look vaguely familiar. And there he is! My “car for for three weeks” Unfortunatly the parade scheduled to go through this area now and I cannot get the car away from there at all. I’ll either have to walk home and get it in the morning or wait till the parade is over. Let’s just hope it isn’t the same parade I’ve already seen three times last sunday.

Trying to find a landmark to help me find the car back from now on I notice it is parked at the south dock just meters away from a 10 story cruiseship that is lit like a Christmas tree on Christmas eve from bottom to top. Right… I must have missed that when I parked here. Hey, when a man needs to go a man needs to go.
Confident I will now be able to find the car back I head into the partyzone.

It’s the same parade as last sunday. With lights this time. But the atmosphere is completely different. The last parade was in broad daylight and this one is during darkness. The cruiseship in town adds to the atmosphere as well and each float that passes attracts a great number of people who follow it dancing. In the end the streets are filled with one big parade of dancing people all across town.


As it is coming close to midnight and I sit on a warm street, my back against a building, drink in my hand I listen to the music that is coming from every corner of the town. Look at all the people dancing in the street, look up at the sky that is black and full of stars I take another zip of my drink, close my eyes and remember the question that was asked earlier today.
“so if you do not dive then why do you come to Bonaire?” *sigh *


That would have been a nice line to end the description of this day however there is still a small matter of my car…
After the parade is over I go and get it. I look for the huge cruiseship because where that ship is my car is.
A blind man could find that cruiseship but… no cruiseship.

After wandering around for another 15 minutes I find the car but the ship is gone. I guess that huge lightblur at the horizon which looks like the sun is rising there (first time the sun rises in the west) is the cruiseship just about to disappear behind the horizon.
They left in the middle of the parade?!? If I had been a passenger I wouldn’t have been too pleased with that. I’m wondering how big a chance there is that the captain decided to leave just to tick me off and make me loose the car again. The captain and officers are probably having a good laugh about it at my expense right now. Remind me to write the cruiseliners head office and complain about this totally unaccepteable behaviour.

Wednesday…

Now what did I do on wednesday? I shouldn’t wait so long before typing it out. I tend to forget details.

Oh yes! Cleaned the house, did the dishes, washed the car then sat on the roof for the rest of the day reading a book. Not exiting enough to write about. Boring even. Let’s move on to

Thursday…

Thursday was better I believe. I drove around a lot and saw many beautiful places. First took the old coastal road to Karpata. But for the first time this vacation I did not go to the right towards Rincon this time but I took the Goto lake tour. Now when I say I took the Goto lake tour I do not mean I follow the signs and drive over the asphalt like normal people do. Should you not have figured it out by now.. I am far from normal.

Little dirt roads have an amazing attraction on me. I’m giddy as a schoolgirl when I see one. Each time I pass a dirt road leading to nevernever land I’m like “Ooooh, where does THIS road go?” and concequently.. I take it.

Often enough I end up in the backyard of somebodies home, get stuck halfway and have to drive a mile backwards before I can turn the car and go back or the road just simply ends.

On occasion however… I get rewarded by ending up at the most beautiful places that you can imagine with just gorgeous views.

Somewhere along the road I took a dirt road that went uphill. Uphill is always good. Uphill equals great views. And yes.. this time I had a bingo. The road continued to go uphill for a long time until I really was in the middle of the hills. And the road just didn’t seem to end. At some point I was standing at a place where I had this great view to my right overlooking the hills, the ocean at the bottom and klein Bonaire in the distance while on the other side I had a top down view of Goto lake and surrounding areas to the likes you don’t even get if you stand at the original lookout point. (because I was just very high up at that moment). At some point the road stopped and I left the car and went on by foot. There was a small pathway still leading up. Saw some great looking birds. Bright yellow ones and a couple of Parrots I think. It was really quiet and hot there. There were also some very kind mosquitos who were very fond of me. They kept cuddling close to me. Very close… It’s about time someone invents a sunblock with build-in mosquite repellent.

In the end I got to a little plateau on the mountain where someone had been trying to build a house once. By the looks of it a long time ago. The only thing that was really left was the concrete foundation. I’ld build a house there anytime. Wow! Talk about oceanviews! Went back to the main road, continued the official tour. Dos Pos etc. Nothing too exciting.

Passed through Rincon and was on my way back to Kralendijk when I came by the Boca Onima sign again. Seen it many times but never had the time to go look. However it’s a dirt road and I have time left so…

Came to Boca Onima. What can I say.. it’s a Boca. But there was a dirt road there. Oh joy!
It went along the coastline and went on and on and one and… Thought I had seen every possible landscape on Bonaire especially on the Lower terrace but this was something new to me. All gravel, all red. After driving about an hour and having no clue where in the world I was or how to get back I found a little sandy beach. Not all that great for swimming unless you want to get sucked out into the Atlantic, drown and never be found again (not my kind of fun anyway) but good enough to take a quick dip into the water, get rid of all that sand and cool off a little because boy does it get hot out here.

After a while I drove further but the sense of “need to get out of here and find directions” become stronger and I first headed badck and then due west for a while.
Finally found a normal road again with surroundings that looked vaguely familiar. Hang on… I’m at the entrance of Washington Park. But that means I must have been in the park earlier on without realizing it given the directions I just drove in…

Headed back to Rincon and then back to Kralendijk. Passed the “Fontein” sign and figured what the hell.. I’m here now anyway so let’s add this to the list of todays wonders of Bonaire as well. After a long driveway I came to the landhouse. People there waving. I drive up to the entrace of the caves… dang. Nafl 1.- entrance fee. I don’t have any money with me.

So.. I start the car again, turn around, wave again to some very amazed people who look like they’ve just seen the village idiot and drive back to the main road again. I’ll bring Nafl 1.- with me some other time.

Finally home. Hot, thirsty and tired…. I fall asleep.It’s already very late and dark when I wake up again.

Still hot so I’m going for a midnight swim at Bachelors beach. Hmmm….nice cool water.

As I’m gently drifting on my back in the water, the moon and the stars shining high in the sky, a few blurbs of music coming from town drifting on the wind I’m thinking this is probably the most romantic thing to do right now.
“so why do I come tgo Bonaire if I do not dive?”

I’ll keep drifting on my back in the water here for a while looking at the stars and think about that question.


The whole experience would have been a lot more romantic though if I had been with the love of my life and we would have made wild and compassionate … well you know… in the water for the rest of the night.
Remind me to go to town tomorrow and find the love of my life. Preferably before noon. *mental note: make love of life pay for half the fuel.

And with that exciting thought we enter

Friday feb 27th

I’ve seen flyers about boat rentals. For $120 you can rent a boat for an entire day. Not bad at all. It’s an 8 person boat which means I’ll have plenty’o’room.

Before I rent anything I first want to test if my skin is up to it. All this exploring of the island has given me a nice tan already but nothing is a greater challenge to your skin then spending an entire day in a boat on the water. If you’re not careful you end up in the hospital with first degree skin burn.

So I decide to make this my first full beach day. I go to Pink beach and spend a good 5 hours there. Just swimming, snorkling, lying in the sun, walking around, sitting under a palmtree, reading a book. After about 5 hours I haven’t had enough but I’m worried about overdoing it. My skin feels fine but.. well with the wind and all you never can tell here.
I head back and make a quick stop at bachelors beach where I take another dip.

Finally I’m heading back home but I’m starting to feel slightly uncomfortable. Dunno.. still doesn’t feel so bad but I’m beginning to have this awful feeling that I’m not as ok as I’m hoping to be.

By the time I get home I’m pretty sure I’m not as ok as I’m hoping to be.

When I look in the mirror I KNOW I’m not as ok as I’m hoping to be.

Hope???? Oh ye of little faith… abandon all hope.
Cap’n, there be Indians on this Island! I’m red. Not just in some places… everywhere.

Not only do I look like an Indian but when I sit down, stand up, lay down on my bed or whichever position I move my body in… I also make sounds like an Indian.
AAOUUUUUUAOUUUUUUU. All that’s left for me to make the picture complete is find a nice cave and start painting some murials.

It’s only 4 pm but my friday ends there and then. During the night I’ve used two whole tubes of skin cooling cream. I’ve had the airco on all night but I haven’t been cold at all. My body emits enough heat at the moment to warm a small town in Siberia.

I guess the boat has been moved back on my schedule.

Saturday (today)

Well, know you know why I spend this day writing my “diary” instead of swimming or doing other stuff that is done in the sun. I’m now with the SA (sunbathers anonymous) and I’ll have to stay out of the sun for 36 hrs.

When I woke up this morning the first thing I did was check the damage. Still red as a tomoto ofcourse. But the pain is …less… Skin cooling cream helped somewhat.

Early this morning I went to town and had breakfast in the harbor. (in the shades). Croissants ham and cheese and freshly squeezed orange juice while reading the Amigoe and watching the early morning harbor life. That was a nice experience. Wish I had found that out earlier. Think I’ll have breakfast there more often.

Later on bought some groceries, took a hitchhiker along and then ended up here where I’ve spend most of the day lying on the porch reading and stuffing myself full with goodies and writing down what I still remember of the past few days. Can’t wait till the sun sets.

Martin, I am mesmerized by your stories....I'm at a loss for words to describe how much I am enjoying each and every installment! Can't wait for more, more more!! Carole

PS What IS there to do on Bonaire if you don't dive....I think that is hysterical! I'm with you....just soooo much to explore and enjoy and to relax and vegg out, too. I am not a diver (a snorkeler and proud of it) either. I love Bonaire. My husband and I work all year long to be able to return to Bonaire for two weeks of the year on our vacations....and we don't dive! LOL. cb

Martin....what did you order at Gibi's??? Did you enjoy it? He is such a great cook/chef. Love his meals. CArole

Hi Carole

I had the beef stew. I'm not such an adventurer when it comes to food. Heard great stories about the goat stew but after looking at the menu for a while that was just too difficult a decision for me.

I'm a fake vegetarian. I love meat *jummie* but it should not look like meat. If it has bones (remember the chickenwings?) fat etc in it or anything else that even vaguely reminds me of what meat really is then I am ready to throw up instead of eat it. Meat should come nicely cut and packaged in plastic :P

The rest ordered wahoo and shrimp I think. In fact so many people ordered shrimp that Gibi's supply of shrimp ran out and the last person to order shrimp had to get something else

Martin, Gibi has run out of shrimp before and it seems one poor soul must make another decision on what to eat...not that this is a problem at all because everything there is terrific!! He is quite the character, too. Very enjoyable to chat with.

I have forgotten where you are from, Martin...where is your "home base"...where your internet provider sends their bill to you??? LOL. Carole

Thank you again, Martin for your great stories! btw, i think there is sun block with repellant! believe i saw it somewhere.

I just drift away to paradise when I read your wonderful adventures! Thanks for taking the time for sharing!

Thanks all. It's a pleasure writing it. It'll also be nice for myself to read back once I'm back home in the deepfreeze again. (just read that it's 10 degrees below zero at night)

I'm from Holland Carol but hopefully some day in 2006 I can say I'm from Bonaire. At least that is a promise I've made myself in 1999.

Sounds like a good promise, Martin! I hope you can do it. We would love to be living on Bonaire, as well. Don't give up the dream!! Carole

Again, I enjoyed reading your stories! Thanks for writing them, so we can read it.
I'm from Holland as well and we are planning to go on vacation to Bonaire in July or August. We were there in 1999, so I'm curious about the way Bonaire is now

Hi Martin, I'm the person who had goat stew instead of shrimp. But that was okay because I wanted the goat stew anyway, the shrimp just sounded good. By the way, there is a sunblock with sea lice protection that I bought in Florida and I think it helps keep the mosquitos away also. I'll be sure to bring it with when I return to Bonaire. Hope to see you again next year. Have a great week.
Dawn & Scott Spencer

Hi Dawn!

Home already?? Missed you tonight at Gibi's. Just got home. Great dinner. There were about 20 people there tonight.

Gibi came prepared this time. Plenty 'o shrimp for everybody. Although goat stew was more favourite this time but I think that was because Jake promoted it so well when he read the menu.

My last dinner. just 3 days to go.. ):

Martin, the goat stew is always great, sometimes I don't have it because I think it'll be a hassle, but it's ALWAYS worth it. Maybe you could just try to imagine the bones are little treasure boxes?
Dawn, it was nice to meet you and Scott, when are y'all coming back? Didn't you love that goat stew?
Martin, only three days left?? Poor guy! Have actually been under the water yet partner?

Diana, maybe we will see you in July.

Actually.. yes. I have been under the water.

We've been having turbulent water during the last few days. The day before yesterday I was at Slagbaai in Washington Park. Maybe the fact that there was nobody in the water should have given me a hint but as usual I was not paying enough attention to my surroundings.

I walked in the water, swam on my back a little bit further and then stopped and turned around to overlook the sea.

I remember this huge wall of water reaching high above me racing towards me.
My last thought was "ok... this is not good"

A quarter of a second later the wall smashed into me and my next thoughts were a little less coherent

auw my neck
damn these rocks are hard
which way is up?
mommy?


I still don't see what all the hubbub is about though. I didn't see any fish at all ):

Hi Martin, I thought about you last night and missed being at Gibi's. Did Marsha & Fred show up?
Seb, glad we got together at Gibi's 2 years in a row. Don't know when we'll be back, our daughter is getting married in September. But we weren't planning this last trip, so you never know. When my husband gets the bug, we'll be there! I'll keep watching for good deals in the meantime. Can't pass up a good deal! If you hear of any, let us know. House sitting would work for us too. I'll even clean & dog sit for a place to stay! God knows, I miss Bonaire!
Martin don't forget to keep in touch upon your return home.
Safe travel,
Dawn Spencer

Martin, I will miss your humorous writing style of your adventures in paradise. It has helped with my pre Bonaire excitement.... We leave for two weeks on Saturday!

Gibi's was great last night. I think 20 or 21 people turned up this time. Marsha and Fred were also there but I didn't get a chance to talk to them. They were on the other end of the table(outside shouting range)

Hmmm, two weeks I'm jealous!

Hope you enjoy every second of it!

Martin,
Thank You!!! You have a real knack with the written word. Too bad you're leaving so soon.
Bob

Just to wrap this up...

Every story should have a happy ending.

I'm home again.

...The end.


Oh, hang on. That ain't happy is it? Hmm, ok but this is difficult. How could this end be happy. I went, I enjoyed, I returned. It's the "I returned" part that bothers me the most.

Well here is a happy thought.. I still have over four months of vacation left in 2004. Now how to spend that... :-)

The end (...or is it?)

It's never the end, Martin.....only new beginnings. You shall return.....Carole

see you at Bon in May, Martin!