By Gary M Catlin on Wednesday, July 25, 2001 - 7:46 pm: |
We just returned from our first trip to Bonaire (July 2 - 12). We went to snorkel, not to dive, and selected Bonaire because we hoped it was one of the top snorkeling spots of the world. We had a great trip, and have many great things to say about the island, people, etc.
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By Dave Krause on Thursday, July 26, 2001 - 4:07 pm: |
Nice report. I to went to Bonaire about a month ago for snorkeling only, and had similar experiences. Our favorite spots were very similar to yours... Andrea I/II, Thousand Steps, Ol' Blue, Oil Slick Leap... all in the same general area that you mention.
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By Niki Harris on Thursday, July 26, 2001 - 9:37 pm: |
Thanks for writing this very useful and frank report, Gary. This will be valuable for new travelers to know what to expect. Now if I could just step outside and go for a snorkel (or a dive) right about now... sigh...
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By Gary M Catlin on Friday, July 27, 2001 - 12:16 am: |
Dave, we did not try snorkeling anywhere further south than Windsock. Once on the island, we made a point of chatting with as many people as possible about the best snorkeling spots. Both locals and visitors that had tried various spots, gave us the impression that there was nothing to be gained by heading further south.
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By fred Brown on Friday, July 27, 2001 - 9:25 am: |
I thought your snorkelling report was excellent Gary. What did concern me in reading your second submission, though, were the remarks about the frequency of car break-ins. Do any resident Bonaireans, ex-pat, ex-res or otherwise have any comments to make about this?
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By Kelly on Friday, July 27, 2001 - 9:45 am: |
Fred, I think we have, in numerous threads, done the car break-in issue to death.
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By mary pequinot on Friday, July 27, 2001 - 12:51 pm: |
One of the other difference we noticed was that there was a patrol car cruising through the dive sites-we saw him twice, just making his presence known and waving to us. I think is an excellent idea, and I hope it is kept up. We didn't lock our doors and left nothing of value-and there were no problems, even way up in Nukove, which is pretty isolated. In fact, that's where we saw one of the patrols.
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By Corney Ann Carter on Monday, July 30, 2001 - 9:57 am: |
Two other very good snorkeling sites are Karpata in the north and Margate in the south. Snorkel south when entering the water at Margate. Karparta usually has small turtles.
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By jeff on Monday, July 30, 2001 - 5:50 pm: |
I always leave my windows all the way down, car unlocked and empty except for water, oranges, etc. Last trip I returned from a dive and all my windows had been rolled up and the door locked! Good thing I always dive with my keys in the BC.
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By Sarah on Monday, July 30, 2001 - 6:06 pm: |
Gary, I have always been the snorkeler in our party... I would have suggested that you snorkel off the back of the BelMar.. particularly under the pier.. there's so much to see.. also,I would have suggested the Plaza.. every year the snorkeling has been fantastic.. it was there that I saw my biggest Barracuda.. I have just returned from the Cayman Islands and have to say that the snorkeling on Bonaire is better.. As for the break-in issue, we never take anything but ourselves and the gear we wear in the water.. my partner pops the keys into his zip pocket.. and that's about it..
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