I am a little confused about the BT get togethers at Gibi's. Is there one every week, or just once a month? We will be at Belmar June 20-27 and wanted to make sure to get to one if we could. Is anyone else at Belmar at that time?

Also, I understand that the labeling in the grocery store is mostly in Dutch. Could someone help us out with a few key words for things like
Chicken breasts, ground beef, ham, turkey. I think we can probably recognize things in cans and frozen by the pictures, but I don't want to end up with iguana or the much maligned donkey balls.

One bonus question. Is there any place where you can get Mexican food on the island? We're from Houston and may die of withdrawal in a week!

Ann,
At the suggestion of Diver Debbie, and the encouragement of Josie, we started the "Come to Gibi's on Tuesday evenings and see who shows-up" for every Tuesday during February and March two years ago. We reinforced the practice this year and now its extended to every Tuesday at approximately 6:30pm year-round. The get-togethers are meant to be rather informal; stop-by for a drink, dinner, and/or just conversation and a chance to put faces to BT'ers. Just remember, Gibi's is a small operation, so if a large number of people show-up, it will take awhile to fill all dinner orders (but it is totally worth any wait).

Hi Ann,

I was wondering the same thing about Gibi's myself so I can't help there.
As for the grocery store, don't sweat it. There is a mix of products form all over the world, including a lot of stuff with lables in english. The Cultimara (one of the larger grocerys) has a fairly nice meat department with behind the counter help. They do work in metric for weights so if you can't work in kilos, it might be helpful to brush up on the metric system. If you want fruit and vegs, go to the fruit/veg market on the water frount. You may have to point if your spanish in not very good but its still fun.

The only prob I have Ann, is at Warehouse when I buy packaged Dutch product. I like the O'Lacy whole wheat pancake mix but the directions are in Dutch..LOL..I always find someone in the aisle to help me.

There is also a line of Indonesian condiments from a company called Conimex. I have NO idea what the stuff is but I buy it to bring home. (I am weird, but I collect hot sauces and jams ect...)

Could someone tell me what to do with Ketjap Asin??

Ann,
Meeting at Gibi's is a treat....I highly recommend the local food (goat stew...yummmm). It's great to put faces with names. Of our two weeks in April we were only able to make one dinner due to a schedule conflict and we were sorry, later, that we had missed our second Tuesday night dinner! Don't be shy...go to Gibi's!
Regarding the grocery shopping.....no worries. You'll be surprised at how many familiar American brands are carried in the stores and most items are in English, anyway. Although one year we picked up some Minute Rice, which I don't usually make at home, and I couldn't read the directions (Dutch, I think) but we just "winged it". It's part of the adventure! ;-)
I highly recommend the Dutch Butter cookies at the bakery within Cultimara.....I had to walk them off every morning!!!

I am going to have to stay out of Cultimara's bakery when I am there for an extended time. The almond cookies are divine..and the pastechis..ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Ann,

At Cultimara, many meat products are in cases as at an American market, so you can point. Also, the staff there, and I am sure at other stores, both speak at least a fair amount of English and are happy to help. You will not have a problem.

Now, Tex-Mex is something else! I do seem to remember some of the items you find in US military commissaries at Cultimara but would not swear to it.

Thanks for all of the information. We will plan to be at Gibi's at 6:30 on June 24. We had been considering bringing a cooler with frozen meat along with us, but it looks like that would probably be unnecessary baggage. Now if I can just talk my husband out of bringing everything else we own "just in case..."

Ann, try to convince him that you are actually kind of "somewhere" when you are on Bonaire, they have stores to buy clothes and whatnot, all kinds of dive equipment from a variety of shops, hardware store,fastener store, several food markets, jewelers, All kinds of stuff. I mean it's not NYC by any means, but hauling a lot of stuff for extras? Nah. I would go for things like fin straps if yours are odd, ditto on mask straps, and essentials. Two shorts, three shirts, shoes, sandals.

We will also be on Bonaire, as of June 21st, for almost 3 weeks. Unfortunately, we are not picking our car up until Wednesday, the 25th. How far is Gibi's from the Divi or the Dive Inn? I have never been there. I would also like to be there on Tuesday the 24th.

Hi James,

I am also car-less and staying at the Dive-Inn that week.

Maybe we could share a taxi? It would be fun to have a BT dinner at Gibi's.

Lisa from Montreal

Annie - Ketsap Asin is regular soy sauce.

The Gibi's nights do appear to be continuing every Tuesday night - I'll be at the one on the 24th for sure - not sure about the 17th.

It's probably about a 20 minute walk from Divi - head due East past Lisa Gas. Or call me at 717-6773 at 5:30pm, and I'll be happy to pick you two up on my way over to Gibi's at 6:30pm on the 24th.

Jake

Thanks Jake. Sounds like a plan. Lisa, Kathi and I will be in Studio 2. Looking forward to meeting you. Au Revoir, Jacques.

WOW!!! That is just way too nice!!!!!!!!

Sincere thank-you!

Lisa (packing extra bagels...and if you need anything else from a unicycle to art supplies I can bring that too!)