My lady and I will be in Bonaire from Jan 5th - Feb 5th. We are renting a condo and plan to do a little boat diving but plan most of the diving to be shore diving. We were there about a year ago but only for a week so diving is not the only thing we want to do.

I have researched quite a bit about the diving and it is the main reason for being there. I've also made contact with Captain Don and plan to meet him while I'm there.

However we would like to mix with the locals and find any out of the way places to eat that are good. Also would welcome any suggestions about what to bring, other things to do, etc.

I also understand this is a very open ended question which could require a long answer. I do not expect that. Just a suggestion or two would be much appreciated by those that know the island well.

thanks in advance

El Fogan Latino for one.

Bill..Check out last week's issue of the Bonaire Reporter..They just listed the top 5 snack bars as a result of their own personal experiences.

Here's the URL...Was too fast on posting
http://www.bonairereporter.com/

Vince, that's great, but unless you subscribe to the Bonaire Reporter, you won't be able to access it online. Maybe just list them for all to see would be good. I am making dinner right now or I would gladly list the places the BR had in that issue.

Vince thanks for taking the time but looks like I can't get in without a subscription.

Debbie thanks for the lead.

Appreciate everyone's time

Ok..As I'm having my nightly cocktail before din din..here we go from the Bonaire Reporter Snack Bar Detectives. in order from best..
1. Spanhoek Bar & rest
2. Sisys Bar (Rincon)
3. Mi Banana
4. Kos Bob So (Rincon)
5. Donde Papi Kushina Krioyo

Bill, here is another thread with places that might interest you. http://www.oldbonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/31/304233.html?1164415559

Bill,

Here is your token loooong answer.

You mentioned mixing with some locals....here are a few of my Fav's. Some are Americans who have moved to Bonaire and have made it their home. I consider them "locals". These people have given me loads of "who, what, when, and where" information while I am on the island. I mention their business names because if you ask many folks on the island they can tell you how to reach them. I do not in any way have an interest in their business...

Lisa & Joe - Pasa Bon Pizza. Yummy Yummy food. Knows the value of finding a “good” Bourbon.

Michael - Chat and Browse. Very cool man and the best person/business to contact for ALL your communication needs. He also KNOWS everybody.

Susan P. - "Bonaire Shore Diving Made Easy" editor. She knows the dive sites and is just plain FUN to hang with.

Annie P - Caribbean Wind & Sun Vacations. Another fun person to hang with. She knows the local restaurants like the back of her hand. She is also an awesome windsurfer.

Jake and Linda R (sorry Jake) - Cinnamon Art Gallery. Very pleasant and easy to talk to and they are both great artists.

Bas T. IMHO the best person to dive with you on an adventure dive to the east side. What can I say...He made my east coast diving with a broken foot so EASY.

Gibi - Opens his home to all Bonaire Talkers on Tuesday evenings for food, drinks and sharing your dive stories with others.

Renee - Renee Snorkeltrips. I refer to her as the snorkeling "QUEEN" of Bonaire! Another easy to talk to person.

Joke B - Bonaire Partners. Another easy to talk to person!! I met her at the Cultimara (grocery store) she helped me with some Dutch translations on food labels. We ended up chatting for about an hour (her lunch) and now I look her up every time I get to Bonaire.

Other things to Do:
Land Sailing on the East side.

Vince and Yana girl thanks so much for the information. This is the kind of thing that is hard to find in a travel guide

Since we will be there a month maybe our paths will cross.

Hey Yana,

Just FYI - Linda and I pulled out of the Cinnamon Art Gallery in March. We're working on putting an extension on our home which will house our own exhibit space for our art however.

Jake

PS And if you or any BTer are on-island January 1st, please come by for our annual January 1st potluck. Starts at 3pm at our house in Belnem.

Jake & Linda,
Thanks! We will see you on the 1st!!!

Susan Porter is coming out with an updated version of BSDME, of which, will have new sites and other wonderful additions. Much of the text has been revised/added/redone, so I would imagine she would consider herself the "author" at this point I can't wait to get my new copy and see all of the changes

I also wish I were going to be there Jan 1