No, this isn't a thread about BSDME.... 8^)

Unfortunately, Bas will be off-island during our visit 20 Dec - 27 Dec. Based on the posts to this board, not having the opportunity to dive with him will be a real loss for us.

Are there other folks you would recommend? I've done the random divemaster-hire at other locations and feel like that might work out...but I'm also interested in hearing from you experienced Bonaire-folks about particular individuals you've dived with or heard of...

Thanks in advance...

John

which Bas ??

we have used Sherman from the Plaza for guided dives,,,

Sorry - Bas Noij...didn't think to include his last name since that's the only Bas I think I've seen mentioned so far...8^) Thanks the recommendation.

try bas tol. i don't have his phone number or email but i'm sure other BT'ers do

Moderators....

Moderators? Why on earth does this thread need moderator intervention Menno?

i don't think it needs a moderators input...they don't get overtime for working after 9PM i don't think. so...let's see....john w said you, bas n were going to be gone. i threw out the name of bas t. now it's up to the moderators to take over...i can't figure it out either. oh well, that's why they make the big bucks i guess. (yes, i am kidding)

John W,

I have Bas T's phone numbers. IMHO he is the best guide for diving the Northern sites and the East side of Bonaire and known as "adventure" diving. I will see him next week.

We (my husband and I) will probably be attached to his hip for 15 days. lol

Bas N is also known as OB1. I like diving with him for finding seahorses, frog fish and general info on underwater photos.

John, If Bas T isn't available cause Yana and Craig have him attached to their hips, Ebby is also great. I don't remember the shop he is working for now, but I have his contact info at work. I've done two guided dives with him in the past, and he takes it SLOW, and finds the coolest stuff!

Menno, question (not as a moderator, but as a diver) do you also do guided dives for folks not staying at DBV?

In regard to "calling out the moderators"...no one has broken our terms of service, which you may read here:

http://www.oldbonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/25/152184.html?1206553898

Everyone is simply answering John's question.

John, have a great trip

Bas..you are taking a vacation? What's up with that? hehe.
Taking the clanger with you?

Love that last message from JSN...what in the world would count as a vacation from Bonaire??? Tough life, I guess, leading dives in some of the most beautiful water in the world...8^) [From looking at Bas N.'s website, maybe the Savanna or desert would count...what's the old saying, "any change is a vacation..."]

Thanks for the tips so far...

Peace,

John

Lol...yeah Kristi...the clanger is going in the Christmas tree...LOL

Ok Bas since you personally insist I will clarify why I asked for a Mod;
Because you and Bas T. have no license to offer guided dives on a commercial basis.
In previous conversations between us about this topic you kept on denying that you offered guided dives on a commercial basis, but, after Freddies (Mod Freddie) posting a while back stating what kind of services you offer including the amount you charge for a guided night dive it's clear now that either meanwhile you did obtain a license for offering guided dives on a commercial basis or that you have lied then. I notified the Mods in a private email about your probably still illegal status and asked them to prevent promotion of illegal operating guide(s) on BT. That's all and that's why I asked for the Mods on this one.
If you have purchased or obtained a license for offering guided dives on a commercial basis I do owe you and the Mods an apology for misinforming them. If you did not obtained one it's time that everybody knows about that including the eilandsontvanger, de landsontvanger and DEZA.
Anything else I can do for you monsieur Noij??

Hmm..Bonaire has a regulation that a Dive Master doing guided dives for compensation must have a commercial license?


If he does have a business, Menno, does he take business from you?


To my Knowledge, Bas has never self promoted..


Menno, are YOU with a licensing agency???

Geez Menno....axe to grind?

I'm fairly certain your last post could have been done PRIVATELY, or not done at all.

You would think they must have a list of authorized dive guides for Salt and Town Piers somewhere. So I can see a small licensing fee needed to administer that.

But any other licensing fee reeks of governmental interference, IMO. In the modern day, we tend to look for word-of-keyboard references to vouch for doing certain types of business...

Sigh...In my opinion this kind of discussion does not belong on BT Menno. You have made these accusations already via email to all the dive operators on Bonaire after which it was clearly communicated that nothing illegal whatsoever is going on. I work for Blue Divers which is a licensed dive operator so your posting here (and the email that you sent to CURO) is downright slander. I think that this time it is YOU who is clearly breaking the rules on posting on BT and as far as I am concerned these postings should be removed.

So people...do not worry...diving with me will not get you (or me) arrested :-)

To my Knowledge, Bas is authorized to do guides at those places Tom.

Wait...that is a "governmental agency" right...

hmm...


Wonder if the sirens went off the last time he was there...


OH WAIT the clangers!!MDAO!!

Hey Bas. It's Jim. (Jim and gary this past summer) I'm really sorry I am going to miss you. I'll be down with Kathi on the 27th of December.

OK everyone, In a letter that was sent to the moderators on Nov 13, Bas Noij is currently working for Blue Divers..

Menno please now drop this vendetta. If you were not cc ed on this letter please contact the chairman of CURO, Bruce Bowker. He can show you Suzy Webers reply..

I still luv ya Bas(s)

Ya get more with honey, than ya do with vinegar...at least that's what my granny told me

Thanks for the support guys....nice to have some honey to wash away the vinegar taste

Jim...sorry I'll miss you this time around...let me know when the first full 2009 trip will be

I did not know about Bas working for Blue Divers. I was also not Cc'd in on that particular email from CURO. In that private email to the mods I stated "to my latest knowledge"...... I just asked for the mods in this threat without making accusations and still no update and neither a private mail about the status of Bas....... Shoot me for answering Bas' question if you want or just let it rest just like I will.

Oh, a small ps to Bas: I did NOT send any email to all (or a few) dive operators. I Cc'd the CURO in on the email I sent to the mods. That's all. I got 2 replies; Freddie stating not to know and CURO stating that they will look into it. Enjoy working at Blue Divers and be careful, there are moonlighters out there ruining the market.....(joke ok)

Everyone will have their favorite dive guides that they recommend. I personally adore both Bas's, but that is my choice. However, that being said, if I didn't have a preferred dive guide, I would probably chose someone who appears to be a little friendlier, and someone a little less confrontational. I'm pretty sure there are enough dive guides to go around! If you don't personally like someone, for whatever reason, BT is not the place for it. That's how this appears to me. Making comments like these, frankly, will probably get Bas more business than not.

I would dive with either Bas, regardless of dive shop affiliation, licensing, etc. This is because they are friendly, knowledgable, hilariously funny and someone I truly enjoy spending time with diving and socially as well. I'm sure that's why most people chose their guide when they have a choice.

Menno, you may be a great person and dive guide, and I hope to meet you in person to verify that, but people get the wrong idea about you when you behave that way.

Wishing sunshine and happiness on those who need it today.

hi kelly, i'm happy today and have sunshine...we also have about 8" of snow....so that makes me look forward to bonaire even more. also, one of riley's future girlfriends (callie from charlotte) will be here tuesday night for thanksgiving....i'll show her pictures.

Hey Kelly. After 5 days of rain, rain and more rain we finally got some sunshine today. Looks like your wish has worked!

Menno...do you really think that a "liscense" makes for a good dive guide...you must be a moron..the only way you can judge what service will be provided is by the references that you can find find on this site!!!Both Bas's have impecable references!!!You are correct Kevin,please keep this conversation civil



(Message edited by modfreddie on November 30, 2008)

Thanks Kevin and Freddie. You are both right. I am a moron and love every single minute of it!

People...please do not do this. You may not like what Menno has written but there is no reason to let this go out of hand. Just like myself, Menno is trying to do good for the Island. I agree that this time he has not done this in a very nice way towards me but I am sure it was done with good intentions. Menno runs a quality business on Bonaire that I would recommend to anybody. Me and my wife have stayed in his Bed and Breakfast for 3 weeks on our last vacation before we moved to Bonaire and had a great time. So let's please all step over this issue which is not worth all this negative energy and go back to enjoying Bonaire.

Following on Bas N's post, and not to spoil the fun, I sure wouldn't mind it if anyone could add something to this thread on topic...I don't appreciate the way my request got hijacked. As a professional, I'm just as concerned as the next person about quality control, legality, and so forth - but there are times, places, and manners of dealing with those issues - none of which happen to coincide with my original topic...so.....back to my thread, if anyone is still around who wants to play...8^)

I do appreciate the 2-Bas advice...any other thoughts? What do y'all think about approaching my dive operator? Would a 'regular' divemaster do? My concerns are very, very touristy this time because this is my wife's first open water diving experience - would love to see a sea horse, frog fish, flamingo tongue - you know...all the things newbies (and oldbies) crow about on their way to learning to love the little stuff (that is, once they've calmed down enough to actually see stuff and developed buoyancy skills sufficient to the task of hovering)...

So, thanks in advance to anyone who might help steer this back on topic...


Peace,

John

John...where are you going to stay? Which dive operator do you use? Maybe someone can then give you a name at that place.

Sorry, Bas, I completely left that out of my post...oh well, it's Monday...

We'll be at the Sand Dollar using BDA. Thanks!

Peace,

John

I needed a bit of help with shore diving on one occasion and I got a dive master from the dive operation to come with me. She helped with entry and exit and we certainly saw far more with her than we would have done at the level of diving we could do at the time. Money well spent.

The only people I know at BDA are Waldo and Wietze. They are great guys but I don't know whether they go on guided dives from shore (I think it is more boat diving). It never hurts to ask of course.