Hello all. This board is Great! We are arriving in Bonaire June 2. We are staying at Divi Flamingo. We both snorkel, but only I dive (at least if I finish my course in the next few weeks). Any suggestions for snorkeling? I saw in a picture somewhere while browsing that the beach at the Divi looks like sand? What are my best bets to find a buddy to dive with? I'll only be going a couple of times so I don't leave my wife high and dry. I'm planning on renting a car just for a day or 2 to explore. Is this feasible for where we are staying? How far to the webcam? :) Any suggestions or info on what to do, where to go, what not to miss, etc will be appreciated.

thanks
Ken

oh yea... anyone living there need anything (not too big) from New England??

Re: Snorkeling suggestions, take a look at some of the trip reports, there was one that focussed heavily on snorkeling a week or so back. The snorkeling is nice at the Divi (try a night snorkel there also!).

Re: Getting a buddy. I wouldn't think you'd have a problem, from what other people have said. Talk to the folks at the dive shop.

Re: Car: definitely! Bonaire is fascinating and you'll love exploring, seeing the flamingoes, visiting Lac Bay and watching the windsurfers, watching the waves break on the east side of the island. The Divi is close enough to walk into town to other restaurants, etc, but you should have a car for at least part of the time. You'll need it to get to the webcams. The reef cam is a boat dive: it's at the small wall dive site.

Re: Don't miss: Sunday afternoon at Cai for the "beach party". It's a fun, family oriented afternoon, and a nice way to while away a couple of hours, people watching, listening to music, and eating!

I'm envious, I'd love to be going June 2 -- have a great time.

Ken,

Live Maine Lobster? Should be the right season for the softer shells too... :-) However, if you can't manage that (don't buy them at the airport though - too expensive), no problem. Either way, give us a shout when you get here.

Take care,

Jake

Oh, and the location of the WebCams can be found at:

http://www.BonaireWebCams.com/FAQ.html

Jake

We stayed at the Divi last February. The location is awesome. You can walk to a ton of restaurants that are nearby in town.
It is a sandy beach entry and has excellent snorkeling right in front. To the right of the cement pier and a little bit out they have a little sunken boat with a lot of sea and coral life on it. Under the dive dock also has some great snorkeling.
Renee sails the Woodwind out of the Divi and I highly reccomend it. Renee does guided snorkels with some trips having one stop and some having two stops, depending on the day. The all day bbq and snorkel is a really fun day!!! Renee also does a night snorkel that is a lot of fun. We had a large tarpon that was almost as big as me stay with us the whole night snorkel. Have a great time!

Thanks Josie,
I've been waiting for someone to mention Cai; to give me an excuse to post a couple more pictures:

jake: checking on the logistics for getting lobsters... how many? I'll have to get 'em friday, will they be ok til sat. night?


What's the story with jellyfish in the area? Common? What do most people wear for wetsuits? I tend not to get cold. Who else is going to be there june 2-9? anybody looking for a dive buddy... new diver looking to go in the morning while the wife sleeps in.
thanks
ken

If you're serious about willing to bring lobsters (oh stop my fluttering heart!), as many as you feel comfortable bringing, and yes, any local lobster place, if you tell them you're taking them on a plane, should be able to pack them in cool containers with seaweed, and they should survive easily for a day that way. If customs asks you what they are for, explain "personal consumption". Of course, to make that true, you'll have to join us for a lobster feast :-)

In terms of jellyfish, they are not particularly common - I see them on maybe 1 dive out of 10 or 20, but I've been told by someone who knows quite a bit about jellyfish that they are much more common at night, 10-12 days after a full moon.

I usually wear a 3mm shorty during the day and a skin and shorty at night for dives. But I also have thin blood :-)

And, Linda and/or I would be happy to go on at least one dive with you.

Jake

Ken,

From many lobster carries to Bonaire from New
England (my daughter and granddaughter won't talk to
me unless I bring lobster).

When you bring the lobsters home, wet their
gills(underside) by running cold water briefly then wrap
in a wet bathtowel (not sopping--so air can circulate)
and put in the refrigerator--not the freezer!!! They will
live two or three days if their gills are moist so they can
breath. They were 'designed' to live through out of
water tide cycles. Did that back when there were so
many in New England that the indians (and early
settlers) walked out at low tide and picked them up.
Been a while since then!!

To carry, in a store lobster box or a carry-on bag, wrap
the bugs in the damp towel --keep it damp. Put a plastic
ziploc bag of ice cubes on the bottom of the bag on top
of something insulating, then a folded towel (so the
lobsters don't freeze on the bottom from sitting on the
ice!) and then the wrapped lobsters. Then Jake can put
them in the refrigerator on Bonaire so he doesn't have
to have a midnight feast. I know he can easily wait until
the next day. Let air circulate a little in the bag so the
lobsters have some oxygen. Don't check this bag!!!

As I said at the top, I have done this a number of times
with no loss. Good eating, all.

Ken we'll be at the Divi then too,You'll love it there, the dive staff are great ,I'm sure they can help hook you up with a buddy or go with the DM on the boats. Our suite # is 712, See you there!!! Sounds like a bar-b-que in progress!!

Oh by the way, cann't wait to go back to the Sun. party at cia, Masha danki for pic. Fun, fresh food and fun people! The music and the people are an event we look foward to whenever we're on Bonaire. after 3pm. on Sundays.

Glen;

I can't help but smile at the image in my mind of the airport security folk looking at the x-ray image of your lobster in a box.

COULD be a weapon. The diabolical, trained attack lobster sneeks up the aisle between the passengers feet... taps on the cockpit door with one stealthy claw...

Joseph, I love that!!(lol) I was peeking to see Glen's patented Lobster Tour, accomodations provided the beasties etc. And you made me giggle and nearly drown in my tea.

Joseph,

You have been watching that beer ad!!!

You must be firm with the airport security and customs
people who try to take the lobsters for 'security' or
'import restriction' reasons. Somehow I have never
believed that they would 'properly destroy' the lobsters
except by steaming and eating at home. Actually I have
never had any questions.

I love to bring them as a treat, never had a problem. NY steaks go great with them, how about some Coney Island hot dogs for the barby?

My hubby and I will be next door at the Carib Inn starting June 2. Maybe the Divi folks and us can do a BBQ and talk about the great diving. This will be our 6th trip. We'll be in room #1 - come by any time. Enjoy your trip.

Hi, Ken (and everybody else). My husband and I
will also be at the Divi, arriving June 5. We're
relatively new divers, too, having only been
certified since last summer. We've only been on
one dive trip, to Jamaica, and it wasn't really a
dive trip at all, but just "a trip with some
diving." This is our fist "dive-intensive" trip,
and we're so looking forward to it. We'll
probably see you there!

Bonnie

Sounds like we have party forming here:)your staying right next door,Mary and Bonnie you'll love the divi, so casual great diving, can never say enough about the place and staff, terrific diving right off the pier, anytime, we'll be in 712 I'm sure I'll see you, love to through impromtue barbques and whatch the sun come down, cann't wait to meet you all, Ken too.Maybe invite some people and sit around the pool, but keep in mind we'll all be on "island" time:) cann't wait!!

A party it will be - Maine lobster, NY steaks, Coney Islands hot dogs. The Jersey corn should be ready by then....Only thing missing is the beer. Luckily Bonaire has lots of that. Can't wait to get there and blow some bubbles. Looking forward to seeing everyone. 32 days and counting - Yipee!

Okay, if everybody's bringing stuff from home,
what can we bring from the Midwest? I'd say prime
beef, but that'd just spark the old Kansas City
vs. New York steak controversy. : )

Kansas City is famous for barbecue, so we can
bring the barbecue sauce!

Bonnie (34 days and counting)

Hi ~
What a super friendly group you all are! I'm (almost) sorry our trip is only 9 days and counting ... My guy and I, and another couple will be in Bonaire for a week. They're all experienced divers, but I'm just now getting my course & pool work done and plan to complete my open water certification at Buddy's. Any thing I should know about scheduling before I get there? Also, I'd like to get flowers for our friend's room, any recommendations on local florists? And finally, even though I won't be in town for the newly planned lobster fest, I'd be happy to bring a bottle of California wine .... or perhaps some Mickey Mouse ears?? ;D
~ Sandra in Long Beach

How can you pick just one? Rosedales,Gates,Masterpiece,Bryants,Smokestack, Zarda,Olahoma Joes,Haywards....the list goes on and on......

I'm sorta partial to Smokestack myself, but I can
bring a selection...

Tony, where are you from? You're obviously
familiar with KC, or at least with KC barbecue.
But you forgot Li'l Jake's. : )

Bonnie

Bonnie,
How could I forget my favorite BBQ brisket sandwich place..Makes me think I'll get one for lunch today.
I live in Overland Park but work downtown...a few blocks from Li'l Jakes...

Tony!!! It really IS a small world, isn't it? I
also work downtown, just a few blocks from Li'l
Jake's! In the Commerce Tower, to be exact. I
live up north in Kearney.

So when are YOU going to Bonaire? They've got
good American Airlines fares during the month of
June, flying through Dallas and San Juan, of all
places.

Bonnie

Bonnie..Believe it or not but I work at Commerce!
We'll be there last week in May and leave Bonaire the day before you get there. We're using TWA through St Louis to Miami.

The thing that will make the party are the guest that will attend!!It will be fun to meet some faces from here, I'm sure whatever we cook up will be grand!! I hope Linda & Jake & Michael will be able to make it too. I have some experience at this and love to entertaine, so all you newbee's, don't you worry your little heads and come and enjoy the bubbles, Cann't wait to connect faces with names and hear your impressions of the diving on Bonaire!!and what you've seen.30days but who's counting :))!!!

Tony, I hate to bore everyone else on the board
with our little KC-based chat, but I can't seem to
access your profile to get your e-mail address.
Mine's
bonnie.sharpless
@valrad.com. I'd love to
hear from you about your trip in the minutes
between your arrival home and our departure! Is
this your first trip there?

Bonn