Hi Bonaire, Will be on the island Oct. 5-13 with twin 16 year old girls.
Would like to know where are the safest places for them to visit and do the teen thing!!! Any suggestions? Of course most of the days and some of the nights will be diving but the girls are very interested in discovering the local culture. Thanks, Bonnie

Bonnie, I've moved your thread to "Everything Else."

Have a great trip

Cynde

Hi Bonnie,
I, too, have a 16 yr. old daughter. You, goodness, have two! Well, I was just on Bonaire for 10 days in August with my daughter and a friend of hers and I can tell you what they enjoyed doing on the island. They went night snorkling with Renee and really got into the night life down under and just adored Renee. She will take out adults as well, but you might want to schedule ahead due she takes only up to 4 at a time. Also, they really had a blast at the Plaza's Beach BBQ that is held every Tuesday from 6-10. They also have a beach ball game going on that the girls will just have to get involved in. My girls made a lot of friends that night. The BBQ is all you can eat for $14 U.S. Worth it. I dropped them off there at 6:30 and went to Bonaire Talkers at Gibbi's then back at 9:00 to pick them up and they begged me to let them stay till 10:00! I felt good about the security there and they had cell phone to call me if they wanted to leave. You can rent them from Chat N Browse for about $2 a day, put a calling card in for whatever amount you want and they can call you to pick them up. They also did windsurfing at Jibe City and enjoyed that for an entire afternoon and met lots of young people there as well. They enjoyed just walking through town going in the shops and meeting people during the day. Of course they enjoyed swimming, sunbathing by the pool and snorkling at LBR during their down time and really enjoyed themselves and were surprised at all the young people they did meet. I'm sure they will have a great time as you will. Bonaire is truly a wonderful place with its people, sea-life and just its own island personality. If you need any info on any of the places I mentioned, drop me an email, this post is getting long and I will be happy to give any info, numbers and contacts for these activities. Enjoy

Whoops! When I said beach ball game, I meant Beach Volley Ball Game! There, that makes sense now. And most importantly, Welcome to Bonaire Talk! Debbie

Debbie, Thank you so much for the response. I do have a few questions. Who is Renee and how do I get in touch with her. Thanks, Bonnie

Bonnie, Glad to hear your daughters are getting certified too. Read that from an earlier posting of yours. Renee's website address is www.reneesnorkeltrips.com Her phone number on the is 785-0771 or 717-7791. If you call her from the states, dial 011-599- and then the phone number. My daughter got her cetification a few years back (Naui) and has been going ever since. Her friend wasn't certified on our last visit, so she stayed topside with her and still managed to have a good time.

Debbie, thanks again for the info. Mica & Kali are interested in the beach volleyball at the plaza. We are also planning on visiting the donkey, flamingo & turtle places. We hope to kayak in the mangroves, hike in the park, walk around to see all the downtown sites and listen to local music, eat local cusine and buy stuff to take home to friends -- as well as diving. We will stay busy!! We have found that many people bring things for the local schools. I will contact the Maria Hoppner Foundation today before we leave. If I do not get in touch with them we just plan to bring some markers, crayons, paints,etc.

Bonnie, If you look under Support Bonaire--Donations to the Hoppner Foundation, you will see what people are bringing there this month and there is also a list of things needed and people have posted what they already have bought, but calling is good too.