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Everything Else Bonaire: First-timer questions
Bonaire Talk: Everything Else Bonaire: Archives: Archives 1999 - 2004: Archives - 2003-04-30 to 2004-02-25: First-timer questions
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lori Curtis (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #4) on Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 1:07 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Will be in Bonaire Aug. 1-8, & in the name of trying not to overpack, just wondering if there is any need for long pants or light-weight jacket etc. for the evenings. From what I gather from lurking here for awhile now, it sounds like casual dress is the norm, but just didn't know if it gets cool enough in the evenings to need more than shorts.

Also, how much of a necessity is insect repellant? Are there certain areas that are more "buggy" than others?

I just want to say that I love this discussion board -- it has been immensely helpful in planning our vacation! Thank you!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Corney Ann Carter (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #172) on Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 6:55 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I have never used long pants or a sweater or even a long sleeved shirt. Of course, we are coming from cold NH in March. It depends on how easily you chill. Insect repellant is a hit or miss thing. We have been there when it is really buggy just before dark and other times there have been no bugs at all. It seems to depend on how wet it has been. We still always take it with us. Under tables in open restaurants is a great place for bugs to hide. Enjoy your trip.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Marcus L. Barnes (BonaireTalker - Post #50) on Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 7:35 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

We travel to Bonaire every October from the Midwest so we wear a pair of long pants going down and coming back. While in Bonaire we never wear long pants or coat be it day or night. This includes 2 females with our group. We have never had problems with bugs on Bonaire. We don't even take bug spray with us. Casual dress is the norm; however, swimsuit in restuarants or bars is not exceptable. Have a great dive!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Marcus L. Barnes (BonaireTalker - Post #51) on Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 7:37 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Sorry! That should read "acceptable."

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By gregg brewer (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #286) on Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 8:28 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

we never wear anything except t-shirts, shorts, bathing suits while in Bonaire...even December/January... August is a no brainer. However, I would not consider the trip without insect repellant. Take it with you! If you don't need it great... As Corney says, they tend to hide out underneath tables in the evenings. Although it doesn't rain much in Bonaire, if there is a shower, you will get a fresh hatching of mosquitos

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John P. Wahlig (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #110) on Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 8:33 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Lori:

We go every August and never wear anything other than our swim suits or shorts. So the only long pants I bring are the jeans I wear on the plane (which I wish I could change just before landing in Bonaire).

In Aug, the only bugs we've every had were some small mosquiotos under the table of a restaurant. It was open aired with trees above and walls around it. Had there been no walls, the breeze would of kept them at bay. The restaurant did provide bug spray for us. So, we never pack bug spray, you won't need to either. Unless where you stay is an issue. We've stayed at the Divi and Lion's Dive - neither seem to have bugs in Aug.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim Willoughby (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #7) on Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 10:53 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Lori,
Take bug spray. It is quite expensive on the island and you just never know. The last time we were there in August, I nearly got eaten alive and I'm not normally bothered by mosquitos. Just a freak thing I'm sure but why pay the island price and have to suffer through a night with out it if you need it. I think I paid $7 for a little bottle of repellent that I could have got at home for under $3

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Greta Badstebner (BonaireTalker - Post #53) on Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 11:41 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Very casual dress is the norm in Bonaire.

Definitely take bug spray. We made it to Bonaire with our repellant in our checked baggage. However, they confiscated it when we left Bonaire. It was an aerosol can and they said it was flammable. I hope they put it to good use.

As for long pants & sweaters....We went to the movie theater with Jake & Linda two years ago and it was freezing in there. Luckily, they thought ahead and brought extra sweatshirts for us. I was pregnant at the time and had a tendency to be warmer than everyone else; however, not that time. Then, just a couple of weeks ago, we went to the movies and didn't need the sweatshirts that Jake & Linda kindly provided for us. But they wore their sweatshirts & long pants! Go figure! And they're originally from NH!

Sometimes, capris are nice so you don't have to douse all of your legs in bug spray, just your feet & ankles.

If you guys are divers, don't forget to pack your "C" card and other important stuff in a carry-on bag. If you have a prescription mask, carry it on too. Research this discussion board for things you should put in your carry-on luggage and why, especially since this is your first time to Bonaire.

Have a great time!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Glen Reem (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1441) on Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 4:12 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

John,

On winter trips to Bonaire, I change from slacks and shoes to shorts and sandals in the john just before the first tropical landing. A bit cramped but it has always worked for me. And vice versa on the way home.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Julia Graves (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #179) on Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 4:19 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Take the bug repellant, my record is 83 bites from a long wait for luggage in the airport but I know I have competition from those of us that are irresistible to Bonaire bugs.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wally and Eva (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #181) on Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 8:01 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

9 Days in December...3 shorts and 4 short sleeve shirts, flip flops, hat....I'm from the hot humid swamps of south Georgia

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Linnea Wijkhof-Wimberly (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #523) on Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 9:39 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I always wear a pair of light weight long pants and a long sleeved shirt over a t-shirt on the plane. The shirt comes off before I get off the plane, but is usually needed on the plane as the so-called blankets are worthless unless you can snag two and double them up.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lori Curtis (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #7) on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 2:00 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks for the info/advice everyone! Linnea, I agree about the plane! The pants, long sleeved shirt over tank top is what I wore on the plane when I went to Jamaica last summer. I'll probably repeat in some way for this trip.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chet Wood (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #385) on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 7:14 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Also, the pants with zip-off legs work really well, you can zip on/off while on the plane on in the waiting area at the airports.

 


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