Ok,
I want to make sure that I'm not forgetting anything. Here's what's on my list to bring. If I've missed anything, please let me know.
After Bite
Aloe Vera
Ammodium
Back Pills
Bee Needle
Hair Brush
Bug Repellant
Conditioner
Contacts/solution
Dramomine
dristan
Ear Drops
hair spray
Lip Chap
Oval
Penacillon
Qtips
Scope
Shampoo
Shaver
Shaving Cream
Stomach Pills
sudefed
Sunscreen
Tylonal
First Aid Kit

Hats
Swim Suits
Coat
T-shirts
Dress Pants
Underwear
Socks
Sandles
Towels
Vans
Track pants
Shorts
Belt
Sweater
Dress Shorts

BCD's
Regs
Wetsuits
Dive Skins
Fins
Boots
Snorkle/Masks
Lights
Slate
Dive Computers
Dive Log
PADI Cards
UW Camera Housing
Knives
Light Batteries
Save Dive Kit
Extra Defogger
Silicon Lubricant
First Aid Kit
Cable Ties
Spare Mask
Candies
Extra Orings
Oring lubricant
Plastic Bag for Gear
Camera Oring lubricant
Extra Camera Oring
Extra Camera Silicant
Equipment serial#/descriptions

Digital Camera
Batteries
Battery Charger
Memory Cards
Sunglasses
Crib Board
Cards
Photography Books
Safeway bags
Portable Cooler
Canada Purse
Bonaire Books
Pillow
Other Games?
Thermos
Camera Cable
Cheap Sandles
Power Converter
AAA Card
Camera Driver CD
Camere USB cable
Card Reader
Computer Batteries
Flashlight Batteries
Camera TV Cable
Diving Bonaire Book
Dive Site Print-offs
Licence Plate
Surge Protector
Lock
Print off of hotel info
Computer Manual
Small Bat Charger
Computer Faces
Surge Protector
Camera Book
Camera silicant

Edmonton to Miami Plane Tickets
Miami to Bonaire Plane tickets
Passports
Photocopy of Passports
Photocopy of PADI cards
US Money/Travellers cheques
Cell Phone
Wallet
Purse
DAN Cards and Contact Info
Hotel Info
Researvation paperwork
Equip Insurance

The wife! :-)

You are way too prepared, you’re required to forget a couple of things so you will buy them in Bonaire to help fuel their economy .

Benadryl
Mask defogger
Patience - It's a long trip from Alberta!

Linda LOL - Thats one thing I don't think I'd forget - she wouldn't let me get away with that. Plus, what could be better than being married toyour buddy?

As for being too prepared - come on - I've been planning this trip in my head so I first got my OW cert

Darryl

What do you need coat, hairspray, underwear, sweater & AAA card for?

Hi Ruth,
Coat: when I went to Cuba last October, I got off the plane on the way back to edmonton in shorts and with no coat - it was snowing and minus 20 celcius. I'm not going to do that again

Hairspray: ask the wife - my hairs thinning our enough where I certainly don't need it

Underwear: well it is our honeymoon, but I imagine at least she'll want to wear some if she's wearing a spring dress

Sweater: see coat comments above

AAA card: staying in hotel in Miami on the way there, on a AAA rate.

Darryl

Forget the hair spray (it is windy), dress pants and sweater. Never have used any of these. Aloe Vera grows all over the island. Take Chlor-Trimeton as a good antihistamine for relief of bug bites (or anything with the same specific ingrediants)Some people have an allergic reaction to Bonaire's bugs. (three in my family not all related)Take a big smile and have a wonderful trip.

Heck of a list!

Some of the resorts provide towels, but not wash cloths (if that is something you use). Could also throw in a bar of soap (though, as pointed out above, you can get most anything you need after you arrive).

And I need to be educated. What, pray tell, is a "bee needle"?

Hi Corney,
The reason for the dress pants is that she would like to dress up reasonably and go out for a couple of nice dinners (suggestions people??)

I did not realize Aloe vera grew in Bonaire. I remember that when I was in hawaii - its kind of neat to break off a branch and use it like that.

Darryl

Darryl, You forgot your Fish ID and Jesse's guide for bonaire shore diving.. No worries, you can buy it on the island. Enjoy and tell us your colors..

Martin

Hi John,
Soap has been added.

As for the bee needle, I'm allergic to bee stings. My wife being the nurse has the correct name for it, but I just call it a been needle I have to take it whereever I go. Its basically jsut a really big needle that I have to take if I get stung.

Fortunatly I have never had to use it . . .

Hi Martin,
Jesse's guide is under 'Bonaire Books'. I am not planning on bring any fish id books. I have a library of close to 20 different books on fish and corals (I have a few reef aquariums at home), that just weight too much to take along. Plus, with my digital camera, I can ID them once I get home.

Darryl

Don't forget...

1. Tank bangers (how else can you get your buddy's attention when the cool stuff is swimming right by you and they aren't looking because they are looking at some other cool stuff?)

2. Suitcases and/or duffel bags (how else were you planning on carrying all that other stuff?)

3. Snack bars (for the ride down and back and for the 1st evening - if arriving late the grocery stores will be closed)

4. Printouts of reservation confirmations (I assume that your line for "hotel info" was just general location and phone numbers. Carrying hardcopies of actual prepaid reservations, including payment proof, may prevent mixups at check-in.)

5. Several of us BT'ers... (you may need to pick us up from various places, like DFW, JFK, LAX, England, Holland, etc., but like the AMEX card, you shouldn't go to Bonaire without us!)

---

My packing list is a little simpler;
a. Wear long pants and a longsleeve shirt on the plane, since it is usually the coldest part of the trip.

b. Pack up "all the scuba gear you've got" (except the drysuits, of course), to the exclusion of anything else if necessary. For example, if your baggage only has room left for either an extra wetsuit or two extra changes of clean clothes, pack the extra wetsuit - you'll probably use it more!

c. Stick your passport, c-card and favorite credit card in your wallet. It is not considered neurotic to check for these three critical items several dozens times, as the lack of any of them could prevent you from diving.

d. Throw a couple pair of spare shorts and t-shirts in a bag. This is, in fact, pretty much optional and depends on the space available in your suitcase or duffel bag (see (b) above.)

e. If any space remains, check on BT for stuff that people need, like Krispy Kremes, bagels, rare car parts, lost favorite jeans, etc. Obtain them, and pack them carefully for prompt delivery on your arrival.

f. Grab the tickets, print off your confirmations, and head for the airport. Stuff some snacks in your pocket on your way out the door, since you are likely to be leaving too many hours early out of eager anticipation... eat some of the snacks while waiting impatiently at the airline gate for your plane to arrive.

g. All the stuff you didn't pack (like soap, sunblock, bugspray, and other basic kit) can be obtained locally. Use the space left open from step (e) above to return home with some of these "daily routine" items as reminders of your trip. When they run out, you will probably be planning your next trip already.

-LS

Hi Leif,
We have a couple of tank bangers, but I find they don't work very well. Do you?

I'll make you BT's a deal - if you can fit in the suitcases (that I would have fogotten if you hadn't brought them up ), you can come along.

Darryl

If it is a very large hardside Samsonite, with small holes to breath through, you're on! I'll even drop a few pounds to lighten the load... I haven't tried the seats in cargo class, but to go to Bonaire I would probably be willing...

I didn't think much of bangers until my wife insisted on getting herself one. If placed right, they work OK at up to a medium range of around 50 feet linear distance, which is as far as I would ever let my buddy get from me, anyway. In heavy surf they can slip off, though - but this isn't likely unless you spend time on the East side.

-LS

Depending on where you're staying, you may want to bring a few kitchen items. In the past I'd bring a small knife for cooking preparation. You'll have to inquire about the current policy on taking pointy objects (corkscrews too).

Again, depending on where you're staying, the innkeeper might appreciate bringing down an item or two that is difficult to get in Bonaire.

John R

Are you renting a car? If so, you need your driver's license. Did I see toothbrush and tooth paste? I'm taking my medical insurance card - just in case I need it in the U.S. portion of the trip. Any gifts for those Bonaire residents who you may get help from?

When are you going? I'm leaving on Friday!!!!!

Hi Becky,
I can't beleive I forgot toothbrushes and toothpaste?? With a list that size . . .

Medical card is also a good point.

As for gifts, so far no-one was taken me up on the offer to bring them anything (see post about great white north)

I'm leaving Friday, but won't be there until late Sat.

Darryl

Darryl,
I hope you don't mind but I printed out your list and have modified it some - but you've (with the suggestions of the other guys here ) just saved me a great deal of time in creating my own check list - Thanks!
Michelle

Darryl, are your PADI-cards, the same as your C-card?

Gary - yes, I was certified by PADI.

Darryl...my bet is that you are going to see so many neat and different fish and marine life that you will want to know who and what they are while you are still on Bonaire, so you might want to pick up a book while you are down there. Believe me....I went thru my digital shots and my books at the same time and with wonderment and sheer joy, to boot! I think you will "want" a book to identify everything you will be seeing the moment you actually see it! LOL. You have a list like mine....and I think I might actually use 1/3 of the items I lug down there every year...my poor honey, Joe, does the lugging and I cram the bags with "stuff". Have a wonderful, wonderful time! Carole

Most of the dive shops at the resorts have some fish id books lying around for you to browse through.

Have a great trip. Next time you'll cut that list in half. 1/2 of the clothes you don't ever wear.

Your so right Kay. It’s the one thing that I’ve learned in years of traveling...you always take more than you need.

...chapstick (after all, you ARE on your honeymoon) and some ziplock bags to keep ants out of the candy. Have fun, and don't forget o post a report!

bring less clothes. there is no place fancy on Bonaire, at least no place I've ever heard of that will throw you out, and if there were such a place the food would probably be overpriced and mediocre.
That said, Mary broughty a nice sundress and wore it twice (in a month)

The sink, don't forget the kitchen sink...lol

Thanks everyone. As for the kitchen sink, well I think if I need one of those, I'll pick it up there

Darryl

Before we started diving I had luggage for Bob and myself down to half of one persons allowance, about 10kg. Now I have to ask KLM for extra allowances for dive gear! We had a great BT'ers night out at 'It rains fish' when we were there at the end of August. I loved the food. I also bring some pretty but light clothes, it's nice to dress up after days spent in rubber or neoprene.

Darryl,

Thanks for posting your list - you saved me from a headache and a bunch of anxiety wondering if I will forget anything!

At the risk of repeating what a couple of others have said...if you are taking "dress shorts" you definitely don't need "dress pants" - it will be too hot and you'll end up not wearing long pants. Your new wife, on the other hand, will be very comfortable in a nice sundress to go out to dinner in. Also, nix the sox - you'll never, ever put them on in Bonaire! (not that they take up much room .. :-) You can wear sandals or Vans w/out socks.

What we do, flying from Denver in winter, is leave our warm coats in the car at the airport - don't take them along! Maybe just a windbreaker stuffed into the outside pocket of a "rolly" suitcase so you can put it on when you get to your airport at home, but have the warmies in the car.

I don't think you need to bother with 2 surge protectors ...LOL

We never, ever waste valuable suitcase space on towels. That's an easy item to make do with whatever is provided at your accommodations.

Does "Safeway bags" mean ziploc bags? trash bags? shopping bags? We always pack ziploc bags - any food you keep in your room/kitchen needs to be shielded from the local insects.

Oh man are you going to have a great time! Can't wait for your trip report. Congrats on your marriage, here's to many, many happy years with your bride. (speaking from the vantage point of 35 years with my groom) ...

Hi,

Quite the list you have there. I can't believe I'm suggesting ADDING something to it, but a small "Otter" box to fit your car keys, prescription glasses, and a few guilders is handy to have to clip to your BC. Keeps everything dry and unavailable should your rental vehicle get visited by one of few locale rat weasels that like to "borrow" whatever you have left on shore.

Also my vacation rule is to "Bring 1/2 the clothes and twice the money". It usually works out exactly. lol

Counting the days till 11/6 when I get to be there. You're going to LOVE it.

Dive Safely

Wow! What a list! And I thought I packed heavily!!! 1/2 the clothes and twice the money is about the best piece of advice I ever received. It's so casual and laid-back that nothing fancy is needed! So, pack your bags, count your cash, and enjoy your visit. Looking forward to a trip report! I'm jealous!!! :-)