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Everything Else Bonaire: Does anyone else have selfish thoughts sometimes . . .
Bonaire Talk: Everything Else Bonaire: Archives: Archives 1999 - 2004: Archives - 2002-12-02 to 2003-04-29: Does anyone else have selfish thoughts sometimes . . .
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Darryl Vleeming on Thursday, December 12, 2002 - 7:58 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

After reading about Bonaire being highly reccomended in RSD, my first thought was 'I hope it doesn't turn into a huge tourist place like the Caymans'. I loved Bonaire because it wasn't the Caymans. Its a laid back, quiet relaxed place. The thought of having the same number of people as places like the Caymans make me sad. I think Bonaire would lose what makes it Bonaire - at least what makes it Bonaire to me :(

I know that increased tourism would be good financially for the locals, but I wonder if it would really be worth all the changes.

Darryl

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker on Thursday, December 12, 2002 - 11:21 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Darryl, don't fret, you have a lot of company in the way you think. It is good, (the ratings) but it concerns us, as well. We received our Interval Inernational Resort Directory last week and opened it up to page 339 to see Bonaire...well, surprise! It's not there! It is Tortola. No Bonaire in the book....I thought "gee, this is not good at all" and then in a flash later I thought "gee, this IS good...don't want too many people to "discover" Bonaire"! I don't think we have to worry about Bonaire turning into another tourist trap attraction...mark my words. But, we do think alike! Carole

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Snorkelguy {Scott} on Thursday, December 12, 2002 - 11:42 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

An interesting conundrum, we want it to stay the beautiful unspoiled place that it is, but we also would like to see people make a good living, have jobs, food etc. I’m glad it still isn’t the most convenient place to get too for two reasons. It really feels like your getting far away from home and you really got to want to go to make it there. And the amazing thing is we’ll put up with almost anything to get there. I guess if you’re willing to schlep all they way down there, you should be welcomed.

I feel the same way about Provo in the Turks and Caicos, only it’s well on it’s way to becoming a Cayman Island, the big resorts are filling in the space on Grace Bay. Don’t think I’ll want to go back there in another 5 years, I hope Bonaire doesn’t grow quite so fast.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Marc @ CrystalVisions on Friday, December 13, 2002 - 5:07 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I think Bonaire has enough room for further growth, without really effecting its character or the environment. And with the increased airlift, that growth is sure to come. One aspect that can be enhanced is activities outside of diving. Not only to broaden the possibilities for those that don't dive, but also for those who do... thereby lifting some of pressure on the underwater world.
I think Bonaire has its priorities straight; it will not take on more tourists than the island can handle.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ida Christie on Friday, December 13, 2002 - 9:59 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Carole, That was my first thought when I read it. Glad to see I wasn't the only one.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jake Richter - NetTech on Friday, December 13, 2002 - 11:07 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Keep in mind that places like Cayman, Aruba, Provo, etc. all have something that Bonaire doesn't - beaches with lots of nice sand. The sort of tourism they are attracting are not the same sort of tourists (in terms of interest distribution) as what Bonaire attracts. The percentage of divers and devout snorkelers going to the Caymans and Aruba is a drop in the bucket compared to the beach-oriented tourists. For Bonaire it accounts for a significant majority.

Marc - I wouldn't agree with you about Bonaire having its priorities straight. The might dollar or euro speaks loudly here as well, and the government does what it thinks it can get away with to get more investment capital here (witness those houses at Punt Vierkant / Angel City for example). However, there are limits of what's acceptable, and creating large sandy beaches falls into that category, fortunately.

Jake

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Glen Reem on Friday, December 13, 2002 - 5:22 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jake,

Did you say that 'creating large sandy beaches' is a government priority or no???

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jake Richter - NetTech on Friday, December 13, 2002 - 5:36 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Given half a chance, and lots of money, the government would probably want to add sand, but the eco efforts on the island would block that.

Jake

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker on Friday, December 13, 2002 - 8:53 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Wow, we will definitely support on-going eco efforts...if we want all that white sand, we will return to Aruba, just as you said. We took our last trip to Aruba in 1998....don't plan on returning now that we have "experienced" Bonaire and her people and all that she has to offer. It is such a wonderfully unique place on earth. Carole

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Sawyer on Friday, December 13, 2002 - 9:37 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Sorry to dissapoint all you selfish people who want her all to your selfish selves, but We intend to discover Bonaire in just 13 short days. In addition to the lack of great expansive sandy beaches, Bonaire is hard to get to. Unless, of course you are flying direct from Detroit on the Nomads' "flying clubhouse" Super 727 :) Who is jealous?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker on Friday, December 13, 2002 - 11:21 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Have to admit I am, for sure! We're not "selfish" when it comes to folks who really appreciate Bonaire and you sound like you do, already, Dave! You will discover the best place on earth in 13 short days, you lucky dog! I am certain you will understand our "dilema" (only joking, of course) when you return. Have a great trip and please do tell us all about it when you return. You will start your return trip plans before you even leave the island...that is for certain, as well. 13 days....oh, you are sooo lucky!! Carole

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wally and Eva on Saturday, December 14, 2002 - 6:20 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I'm trying to remember how me and Eva heard about Bonaire. I dove around in the Carib in the late 80's and early 90's but haven't been south since Caymen in 92. Eva and I married 2 years ago. No one was certified but me in the new family so last summer Eva and her son, my daughter and her fiancee(sic), took their class. I joined along in this mini family class so it was pretty cool and brought all the kids together. Our poor instructor was newly certified (we were his first class) and so nervous that everybody felt sorry for him.

Anyway, seems like I was doing the internet gear shopping, review reading guy thing...

..guy heaven...old enough to finally have the money and with wife's blessing do major gear buying for 4 people, actully 5, just had to buy for me too :)

...and read about Bonaire in one of the Rondale reviews.

So, there you go...more tourist AND riff-raff boatbuilding bums too ;)

We will be dicovering Bonaire in 11 days YEE HAA

 


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