26 divers from our local dive club are coming to the island on April 9th. Boy are we excited!!

A a recent Amstel and Heineken party held at a local pub to prepare for the trip, there was much debate over the dress code for dinner at local restaurants in town.

Would appreciate it if some of you
friendly regulars would enlighten us once and for all. Don't want anyone to miss on a great meal because of the way they are dressed.

Thanks,

Bob

Hi, Bob (oh, no...another Hi Bob line! LOL....shades of Bob Newhart Show)...anyway, dining on Bonaire is very casual. No ties, no suits. Comfort is the key. Shoes and shirts required, be they Tees or polo or whatever. Some folks wear long pants when dining outside to cut back some of the insect bites at certain times of the year. Some repellent will suffice, too, if you wish to wear shorts instead. I don't know the current mosquito situation but I'm certain it has improved since the rainy winter season seems to be over. (had more rain than normal this winter).

So, comfort is the key for ladies and gentlemen. Nothing too shabby or tattered...just casual, comfortable and fairly neat in appearance and you should do just fine!

Have a great time on Bonaire...sounds like a great bunch of folks will have the time of their lives...especially if it is the first trip for all or most of you.

You might want to call ahead for reservations if there will be a bunch of you dining out together. Some of the spots (like Casablanca) have become very popular and after 6pm you should make a reservation to be certain you won't have to wait for any great length of time.

Tons of great places to dine on Bonaire....so many it is difficult to decide where to go and when.

Can't wait to hear (and see) all about the trip when you return. Bon Voyage! Ayo. Carole

The locals do not appreciate swimsuits being worn in town as they are a fairly modest people on the whole. Decent,clean, casual shorts and shirts with shoes are acceptable thru out the island.
Andy

Hi Andy and Carole,

Bob, welcome to BT! I have to say for women for dinner a nice pair of dress shorts and a nice tee or shirt, or summer type dress (casual) and for guys if the mosquitoes are not bad something like a pair of khaki shorts and a polo or golf type shirt or pressed plan tee shirt. Ladies, don't do the high heel thing, too much for Bonaire for dinner, try nice comfortable sandals, something with a small to no heel is fine. Guys dress shoes not required, maybe a nice pair of sandals or a nice pair of Dockers.

Liz

For 'shoes' read 'not bare feet'. Sandals of all sorts are fine. :–)

Can't think of any place that you'd feel out of place dressed in anything from sandals/shorts/t-shirt to very casual summerware. As most people on this board suggest, pack as little clothing as you think you might need, then discard half of that before packing. There is absolutely no need for anything dressy. I cannot think of any establishment on Bonaire that has a "dress code" that is any more involved than "no shoes, no shirt, no service"! If it's important to YOU to feel dressier, go for it, but dressing up is definitely not required anywhere on Bonaire.

Sounds like my kind of place! Can't wait til July!

for me, wearing shoes is formal!

LOL Michael!

Hi Michael! See you in September/October...save me some of your mosquito salve

Cam

Michael

I will be catching more wahoo....best tasting fish I ever had...we will be having a BBQ...you should join us

Michael,

The nurse in me says...keep those shoes on!!!!! LOL...We will be there on or about the 5 May! Can't wait to see you.

Liz

Cam dear,

We will have to make a reservation at Karpata! This is going to be GREAT! I'll make the slaw and potato salad, ok?

Liz

Liz

Your slaw is in my dreams...waitaminute...moderators...is it OK to say that? Karpata, beer, wine, wahoo, steaks, slaw, potato salad....this is Heaven, right?

Cam, It is okay to say "Your slaw is in my dreams", provided the cook-out is scheduled while I am on Bonaire;-{)}

Michael, come to think of it I don't ever recall seeing you with shoes on your feet....that is the best way to live!! My feet are "happy" feet when they are naked, too. Fins don't count as shoes, right?! LOL. Carole

Hi, Dizzie Lizzie!! Are you on island now?? You lucky dogs!! I hope to see you in a few weeks, OK? Hugs to Ed and Chris, too. Carole

Hey Carole!

Still in NJ, getting new little house together. I thought I downsized a lot already... geeeeezzzzzzzz I STILL have to much stuff. Thank goodness it's in the mid 80's today, B - U - T Ful...

ETA on Bonaire is 5 May. My car needed a new rag top (the one going to Bonaire) and the guy originally said that he could have it overnighted, then it was a color they didn't stock so it is taking a week longer... So it puts off the container a week, so we are put off a week. I'm sending out of Port Newark so I have to be there to deal with customs since a vehicle is in the container...oh boy. Can't wait to see you guys either...Hugs to Joe too!!

Liz

(Message edited by dvrliz1 on April 20, 2005)

Good luck with everything, Liz...see you soon! Oh....where is the little house in NJ? Ayo. Carole