Well, after a little over a year of suffering with terrible episodes of PBD, resorting to Bonairetalk to ease the pain and living vicariously through the trip reports, WE ARE RETURNING!!! My wife and I will be arriving this Sunday via AJ from Newark, NJ. We will be staying at Divi's with the crew from Scuba Network. We will DEFINITELY make it to Gibi's this time. I'm just curious to find out who else is going to be around. Just say "Aye". I was also wondering where I could get those neat flamingo hats. I can already see my loving wife shaking her head at the sight, but she loves me as is, goofball and all. I will bring a couple of friends. Looking forward to meeting you all. Oh yeah, I can already smell the sweet breeze... Gahhh! Coach Izzy

Izzaria,

Let us all know how the flights went with AJ. My fingers are crossed for no delays or cancels for you.

Carl

We land 3/24 so will mis you at dinner. I think the flemingo hats are Kelly's. Not sure if the hats are on the island or whether she took them home.

Thanks fellas! I will definitely keep you posted. My stomach still churns whenever I think about flying AJ tomorrow, but I'm remaining optimistic. Just get me to the Island, the rest is gravy. We are already mentally prepared for the returning portion. I'm packing 3 books with me, along with cliff bars. I wish I could find Larabars in my local Vitamin shoppe, but oh well. I met Liz and Ed Ginocchio at the Beneath the Sea convention. What a lovely couple! They are full of energy and life. She gave Gibi's great reviews and told me how fun it is, so I'm looking forward to it. Almost there... Coach Izzy

Coach, Wishing you a trip free of hassles and full of fun.

I wrote an article a while back for Fiery Foods Magazine that featured Gibi's & others on Bonaire. If you would like to read it, log on to:
http://fiery-foods.com/dave/bonaire.asp

Well, thanks again to everyone who wished us (yours truly and my beloved wife) a joyful trip. All your good wishes and energies materialized into a great trip (with the exception of AJ of course, but that's another story), so thanks again. As far as Gibi, what can I say... the man ROCKS!!! My wife and I were there on Tuesday 22nd. We joined the caravan of Renee (from Renee's snorkeling) Ann, and a couple more people whose name I can't recall (please forgive me). I brought my diving buddy Tom, and did we have TERRIFIC time or what. Seating arrangements were Bonarian style, with a deep sense of community, with a joyous menu including salad, fresh bread with garlic butter, Goat stew, Conch in Garlic Sauce (amazing!) Chicken stew, Bonarian Fried chicken, and I can't remember what else. Of course, sides of white rice, rice & beans, fries, and funchi were part of the menu. Add to that the Polars, and the Flan for dessert... all for one of the best prices you can find in the island. What an experience! And yes, Gibi makes an amazing Pika. Thanks for recipe Patrick. Oof, I'm starting to enter PBD. Coach Izzy

Patrick, Thanks for the recipe. I know what I am going to make this weekend - Pika:-{)} Even if I can duplicate it, it won't be the same as enjoying it at Gibi's, it would be missing his laughter.

I enjoyed the link to your site as well.

Izzy, glad you enjoyed Gibi's...he is a WONDERFUL host Currently, one of the flamingo hats is in my posession (don't know where the other one is)...here it is a Gibi's with Sarah, Martin, Josie and Michael...


and of course, Sarah getting her dive orientation from Martin...


If you are going down, and want the hat, let me know and i will mail it to you ;-)

I believe that Liz G has the hat on Bonaire....Is that correct Meryl??

Cynde, you KNOW I want one of them hats! I will keep this in mind when we return to Bonaire (we ARE definitely returning). We will probably stay at Liz G's place (we met her at the Beneath the Sea convention, what a sweetheart) or back to the Sand Dollar, but either way, we'll be at Gibi's again, with the hat. Thanks! Coach Izzy