Thanks everyone for the congrats. Now for a newbie update...We (Mom, Dad, and brother) just returned from Key Largo last night. That sure was a butt numbing ride--880 miles. We camped & dove at Pennekamp Park. The viz could have been better, S. Fla has had lots of rain lately, but it was still the best I have seen so far!! On Thursday the water was kind of rough and I got a little queezy after my first dive (The Binwood Wreck) so I begged off the second dive for the day. Note to self: Do not eat a bacon & egg sandwich before going on a dive boat. Friday the water was alot smoother and had no problems doing both dives (The Statute and The Minnow Caves). I acquired my very own new BCD while in Key Largo, I found the prices are alot better then at home. Hummm, now it's time to plan the next trip.....

Sounds like you had a nice trip overall....I love key largo. The bacon and egg sandwich doesn't go well with diving.

Am going to Bonaire week of thanksgiving for the first time. I'm thinking about getting certified. Any suggestions on the best place to do this? Any instructors, more helpful than others? I'll be doing this solo, since my husband has no desire to scuba, just like snorkeling. Levon

Linda,

Where are you staying? You may want to check with Serge at the Divi or Sandra at the Dive Inn.

I had a wonderful experience finishing my certification with Bon Bini. I'm a real scaredy-cat and they were very patient and affirming, and made it possible for me to do something that was a major challenge. Francie and Manunita were both wonderful, and have my unqualified recommendation. I also can't pursuade my husband to do anything other than snorkel, but had no trouble getting a buddy on the Bon Bini dive boats (when there wasn't an extra person, the divemaster buddied with me).

Kay: I'm staying at the Plaza.

Josie: I'm a real scaredy-cat, too! Patient and affirming sound great. I need a confidence booster!

Thank you both for the suggestions!
Any other advice welcomed.
Levon

Linda...house dive shop at Plaza Resort is Toucan Diving...great staff...go to their web site
http://www.toucandiving.com Great bunch a of folks...Enjoy your trip, Karen & Rog

Linda, you really want to finish your course and pool work before you leave for Bonaire. You don't want to waste valuable vacation time reading a dive book. Find a local dive shop, take the open water class and do your open water dives in Bonaire. If it's possible to finish everything locally then you'll have even more diving time in Bonaire.

Linda, by all means get the bookwork and confined water (pool) dives out of the way. That way, you can make your 4 open water checkout dives upon your arrival in Bonaire, and be certified within 48 hours. Otherwise, you will spend 4 mornings in a classroom, when you could be diving.

Our dive shop here in Ohio teaches the whole thing (classwork and pool dives) in one weekend (you have to study the book beforehand).


Steve

Roger, & Cecil, Thanks for the advice. I was trying to find a place to do the bookwork & pool dives around where I live. The only place takes about six weeks. Not enough time before we leave. As it doesn't start right away. I think I'd be in the 3rd week of the course.

Steve&Sandy: As above, near my house the shortest course is 6 weeks. What is the name of the place where they teach the classwork & pool dives in a weekend? I live right across the river from Detroit, Michigan. Maybe they have a comparable course, there. Levon

P.S. Where do I purchase a "dive" book? Levon

Linda,

Unfortunately, this particular dive shop is in Akron. It's D&M Sport Diving,(330) 784-1414. It's about a 4 hour drive for you, but it still might be worth it. There are plenty of inexpensive motels in the area.

Keep looking around...I would think you would be able to find something in the Detroit area.

Steve

I second Bon Bini! I dove with Mananita-she is an absolutely WONDERFUL instructor, who taught me a lot more than is required for open certification. I can't say enough good about the her or the shop. I did my coursework in Ann Arbor, doing a 2 weekend cram. It was tough, and my instructor there was very militaristic and just plain obnoxious. Thank goodness Mananita helped ease that trauma for me!

Thanks everyone! I'm going to keep looking for somewhere close to do my coursework. Mary, Militaristic & obnoxious!! Not what I need!! Good thing you went to Bonaire to finish, or diving would not have been a good experience for you. Steve, I'm going to call D&M. See what's what. Thank you, Linda

Searching... I went on the PADI website, and searched out all the dive sites in the state of Michigan. I'll checked each one for distance, and see which ones offer the weekend or two format. I'm printing them out now, and then I'll get on the phone. Mary, which dive centre in Ann Arbor houses the obnoxious one? I would like to avoid thatone! Linda

Linda,
I too am a scaredy-cat.. I did my certifying dives a month ago at Toucan. They really are GREAT! If you can, try and get Sylvia as your instructor. I was terrified of taking my mask off in open water and she practically let me hug her before and after as reassurance while I was doing the exercise, she was very gentle and patient (tell her Frank and Ana say hi)

ALSO - you say the only local dive training place would have you at the 3rd week before you leave for Bonaire. How about taking the 3 classes anyway? That's half the training, and you'd have the book so you could study ahead of time. Personally I thought the first 3 the hardest, I'm glad I did them in a pool. I know my dive shop offered me that option when I signed up.
Good luck!

Ana, Thank you for the tips. Actually, the place nearest to me is going to open up a course for me. I would've only had time to take 2 classes, but pay for them all, plus extra dives. I'm getting the book to study, and if everything goes as planned, I'll do my classwork here, and my dives in Bonaire.
Something disturbing arrived in the mail, yesterday. It was a summons for jury duty for my husband. Hopefully, he can get out of it. He not only doesn't get paid on days off, but we would miss our trip to Bonaire!! Hopefully, the judge will be sympathetic, and let him postpone his duty. I'll let you know how it goes! Linda