I wanted to share a great story about one of Bonaire’s dedicated vacationers and an occasional Bonaire Talk “lurker”.

Stan comes and stays with us at the Inn every Jan./Feb. for about 6 weeks. (His wife Betsy joins him the last 2 weeks.) They both became Bonaire Ambassadors on this trip celebrating 10 straight years of vacationing to Bonaire at the Black Durgon. He comes here from Grand Ledge, Michigan to continue his training for various marathons.

Every year Stan sets new goals & continues to amaze us. His accomplishments this trip:
1. During the walk-a-thon from the slave huts to Rincon, Stan biked from the Black Durgon to the Slave Huts, up to Rincon – got there first before the finish line, so he biked back to the Inn. Later that afternoon he ran up to Seroe Largo.
2. He swam from Black Durgon to 1000 steps and Ol’ Blue (at 1000 steps he encountered some naked people on the shore - so he never got out – just turned around and swam right back 
3. Stan and 3 other guests decided to do a kayak and swim relay to Klein Bonaire. Stan kayaked there, passed off the kayak, swam back, and then had to kayak ˝ way back to “tow” the other kayakers back because the wind suddenly picked up.
4. He biked around the island before sun up every morning and ran every afternoon.
5. He even managed to get 1 or 2 dives a day in.
6. For his final accomplishment on feb 24, 2006, he decided to swim around Klein Bonaire. He swam from the marina across to Klein, north around the island and then swam back to the Marina. The Extra newspaper was there to greet him when he got out, we are awaiting the story this week in the paper. (For safety, he was followed by his friend in a boat, thanks Gary!). This was a very hard task, – and doesn’t recommend it. (See picture below.)

Congratulations, Stan-the-man! We are proud of you! Good luck in your upcoming marathon – see you next year.

/image{Stan the Man}

Wow! Way to go Stan!

Congratulations, Stan, on your many accomplishments. WOW

What an inspiration....I'll remember you in the weeks to come as I watch the sunrise while WALKING to town Pier and back from Capt. Don's...and as I complain about the early hour!

wow...thanks for sharing Rona...Stan, you the man! What do you do to relax? lol! Really, what an inspiration. I'm with Linda, I won't complain about any walking I do next time...

Stan relax? He says he relaxes while he rides his bike or swims. Well actually, he did relax the day after his swim around Klein Bonaire... I think he went running only in the afternoon that next day.