Hi BT'rs -
After looking at every conceivable island - I/We couldn't help it. We both agreed it had to be Bonaire again - nothing can compare to the water and the people! Since we wanted to vary our experience, we chose to stay at Sand Dollar instead of Plaza. Sabah told me that Sand Dollar's "Bari Reef" was ranked 3rd best in Caribbean - any comments? ( We snorkel only at this point). Also, where exactly is Sand Dollar located if you use Plaza as a reference point? One last ?- does it have a nice pool? I read about it somewhere - but any comments and additional input would be great. i.e. dive shop, resort course for John - maybe get him breathing underwater ;-) etc
Thanks!
Michelle

Hi, Michelle. Using Plaza as a reference point, you go north through town on the main street, to the circle. Go 3/4 of the way around, and Sand $ is right there. I have dove Bari reef several times, and it is one of my favorites, if not my absolute favorite. Cynde and I did a twilight dive there and saw so many puffer fish we lost count. It is easy to navigate, and a very very nice dive. Coming out, however, was tricky once due to some serious surge, it was very difficult to get up the ladder. The solution of course is to not use the ladder, to use the beach portion of the entry.

Good luck and have a great time!

Kelly, man did you bring back a mental image of us that day...we'll do ANYTHING to keep from getting sand in our gear! LOL! The surge was pretty unbelievable (of course a hurricane passing through the Caribbean is what caused the problem!)

Michelle, you will love Sand$. Stayed there a couple years ago and Bari is by far my favorite...LOADS of life, heck, just hang out under the dock and you will be amazed! Take a bottle of wine and some munchies and hang out on the waters edge and watch the sunset...it's spectacular!

You guys: I can't take it! I want to be there now! Chicago is grey and dreary and somewhat chilly. Martin's Palm Tree video didn't help much.! Thanks for the directions and speaking of wine, isn't there a place you can call and have several bottles of wine delivered or did I just make that up?
Michelle

I think it's called the Antillean Wine Co. or something like that. Such a civilized idea, too. ;)

Yes, Cynde.... the memories..... wow what great dives. Possibly my favorite vacation memories ever. I wish we could do it again soon.

Cynde, Thanks for your post. We are putting together our first trip to Bonaire and were 90% set on booking at Sand$ but had some concern that with the pool and restaurant being on the other side of the property there might not be a place to hang with a drink and chill at the waters edge. You may have just closed that 10% gap for me!
John M

Kelly, me too...waaaaaa!!! Crying over my keyboard...

Michelle, when my husband Michael and I stayed at the Sand$ we took a fish behaviour course from the dive shop. It was our "no dive day" and I still wanted to be in the water. We watched a video, had a small lecture, then went out and snorkeled south past the defunct Sunset Beach hotel, then north past Buddy's. I had no idea there was so much stuff going on in the shallows and areas between shore and the reef drop off. TONS of baby fish, and other things. It was one of the best things I have done, it certainly opened up a different world!

John, do a dive at 5...best dive time on the reef...first time we made a twighlight dive, we went out over the reef and my husband and I just looked at each other in awe...it was absolutely AMAZING...the amount of life going in each direction was breathtaking...we just hung there for a few minutes taking it all in. Take a bottle of wine in a bucket of ice, along with some cheese, crackers and fruit...put it in your locker while you are diving and then when you exit the water, grab the goodies and watch the sun make it's final exit over the reef...it is one of my best memories! Don't get much better than that! Of course, you can do this same thing from any water front resort

Thanks Cynde. Now If I can just figure out how to make the time 'til November go faster. Only 258 days to go! I guess I'll put my dry suit on and hop in the shower to imagine Bonaire in the mean time. Its nice here in Alaska today though.

You're welcome John...I'm afraid it will be more than 365 days for me