Hello everyone,
I'm new to this sight and a group of us are going
to Bonaire in April and I have a few questions
about critters I found the one about the scorpions and that is good to know, thanks. But we would like to know if there are any poisonous snakes, spiders,or things of that nature to watch out for since we are going to be doing alot of shore diving.
Oh and to satisfy my own curiosity I would like to inquire about roaches, rats, and any such critter. So if anyone has any information please let me know.
thanks susan

Hi Susan:
You know about the scorpions, ie shake shoes and don't leave clothes on the floor. There are roaches a small brown and a large black model. Neither is seen a lot( as in less than in Florida.) There is one small and very rare harmless species of snake. But I have never seen one. There are rats as in the rest of the civilized world, but once again can't say that we have ever seen one. There are lots of harmless species of lizard that are a hoot to watch as they rid the world of as many insects as they can. Hope you all have a great holiday and don't worry there is very little creepy stuff in Bonaire. Its too darn hot! By the way the scorpions are also hard to find so don't feel you have to go on any great bug hunts to rid your dwelling like I did on our first few trips!
Frank

Susan, you will rarely see it mentioned here, BUT there is some form of parasite in the water. You would think that since it is so pure (made from the local sea water) that is could not be a possible source of pathogens, but it is!

The exact ediology is not known, but currently it is believed the eggs hatch upon perceiving a pressure gradient that has declined and then risen back to ~15lbs/sq inch. Much like what you would experience in a plane trip incidently.

The parasite multiplies with various rates of speed. In some hosts the symptoms do not manifest themselves for months. Others, the symptoms can commence within hours of the 'hatch'.

Like the swallows in Capistrano (sp) the parasites want to return to their birthplace. So symptoms of infection manifest in the host as the same longing.

The local Tourist Board has known of the problem for years and even has encouraged sufferers to refere to infestation as PBD (post bonaireian depression).

Alas, no one told me of this problem back when we first came to the clear waters of Bonaire. I wish you only the best and advise "bottled water", if only someone had done the same for me years ago.

p.s. how many days til April?

Thanks Frank, I was a little concerned that there might be a ton of poisonous snakes and spiders. Where we live in northern California, rattle snakes are a big deal. So thank you for relieving some of my concerns.


And thank you Dean, and to answer your Question a group of us are going to fly out on April 25th. There will be five of us and none of us have ever been to Bonaire. Last year we did the Black Beards live-aboard. That was fun, and I am sure that we will have just as much fun there. From what I read
in this sight I am sure we will want to go back.
I will be sure to let you know if I got the BUG.
THANKS FOR EVERYTHING SUSAN