By Jim Thompson (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Monday, April 12, 2004 - 1:17 pm: |
Just returned from a week @ the Sand Dollar and my wife and children could not have been happier. The 2 bedroom unit we had was great, the maid did dishes and keep the unit clean. The only thing we felt was not worth the money but had no complaints from the kids was breakfast @ Mangos. We were on a package, I think the breakfast worked out to around $14 each (we were 4) there was no change in the menu from day to day but it was very easy to get up in the morning have something to eat and continue your day. Diving as always was great, the dive shop at Eden which is "Wanna Dive" was very helpful with telling us were we could enter and how to get to the "Confidence". This was my sons first dive trip, he just received his Jr. C-Card (12 yrs.)he could not have been happier,saw three frog fish on Bari as well as Moray's, octopus,rays,tons of fish and on our very first dive we saw what looked like a chicken without a head that had what looked like turtle flippers. He was walking in the sand to the south of the dive dock. Jerry from the dive shop, told us it was a Batfish very rare. He continued to say only 1 in 10,00 Reef Surveys had seen this Batfish. It was a fantastic first experience for my son, now I have to figure out how to top this.My son also spent two days with Caren of Sea n Discover, he never stopped talking about her and what they did. See would pick up the kids @ Sand Dollar around 8:30 and return them around 12:15. They did some work in a classroom environment and then out to snorkel. For $30. per day less if you sign them up weekly it was well worth it.
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By John Matheson (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #9) on Monday, April 12, 2004 - 6:43 pm: |
Thanks for the post Jim. Our group will be heading to Sand Dollar for two weeks in November on our first Bonaire trip. I will have my 10 year old with me who should have his Jr. card by the time we get there. Planning on having him spend some time with Caren as well as I have heard so many great things about her program. Did your son do all his diving right there at Sand Dollar and Bari or were you able to hit some of the "road" sites with him as well. If so, how did that go?
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By Jim Thompson (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #4) on Monday, April 12, 2004 - 8:01 pm: |
We did most of his dives at Bari. He was very happy there. We did manage to do Andra, Windsock, Tori's Reef and Capt. Dons house reef (for the wreck). It was just so easy to dive Bari plus then my wife and 10 yr daughter, both do not dive were very comfortable snorkling there and spending time in the pool. I believe Caren's web site is www.seandiscover.com. One day she rented a boat to take the 6 kids snorkling.He enjoyed it so much. I cant say enough about her and the program she runs.
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By Robert Fishman (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #125) on Monday, April 12, 2004 - 8:23 pm: |
Jim,
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By Robert Fishman (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #126) on Monday, April 12, 2004 - 8:28 pm: |
And if you didn't happen to see his face:
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By Carole Baker (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3359) on Monday, April 12, 2004 - 11:04 pm: |
Wow! Now THAT's a face!! Great shots. Carole
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By Jim Thompson (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #5) on Tuesday, April 13, 2004 - 7:47 am: |
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By Belinda Z (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #117) on Tuesday, April 13, 2004 - 8:01 am: |
Robert,
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By Chet Wood (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #478) on Tuesday, April 13, 2004 - 1:04 pm: |
During the couple weeks we were there in Feb/Mar, we spent a couple hours looking for that Batfish-and never did find it!
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By DIVER DEBBI (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #373) on Tuesday, April 13, 2004 - 9:29 pm: |
Nice pics Kadushi Bob ! we were able to find the batfish three times and one time snorkeling...you just have to be patient and keep looking on the southern side of the dock in the shallower waters..be still and wait for the movement of the fish..good luck, as it is a once in a lifetime chance to see this unique fish !
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By Frank Johns (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Tuesday, April 13, 2004 - 10:24 pm: |
Hey Jim - glad you had a great trip. My wife and I sat between you and your wife and family on the flight from Montego Bay and enjoyed your sons enthusiasm for his up coming experience. I am sure he is beside himself with these experiences, especially now you have the excellent photos that Robert posted. We tried to make it to the "confidence" but never found our way. Did you end up diving it ? Is the rigging still in tact. Oh by the way remind your son the Red Sox are going to beat the yanks this year (hope springs eternal). Take care, check out our trip report. Bucky & Liz
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By Kelly Lott (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #957) on Wednesday, April 14, 2004 - 8:43 am: |
Hi everyone, I thought I would share my batfish picture, however, it was taken in Panama City Beach, Florida, where apparently these are very rare sightings! I was very lucky!
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By Ron Edison (BonaireTalker - Post #17) on Wednesday, April 14, 2004 - 3:40 pm: |
We stayed at Sand Dollar in September and had a great time. For breakfast anywhere, $14 per person is very expensive. Breakfast was included in our package. (They give you little tear-off coupons for each day.) It was included in almost every dive package at every resort I've seen on Bonaire. We had no complaints on the variety--choice of eggs, sausage, cereal, fruit, pancakes, waffles, potatoes, coffee and juices every day.
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By Jim Thompson (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #6) on Wednesday, April 14, 2004 - 5:40 pm: |
On our trip the choice for breakfast was eggs, cereal,fruit & potatoes, no waffles or pancakes. But the kids were happy and thats half the battle. I just can't figure out how to add pic's, any help?
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By Igor van Riel (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2362) on Thursday, April 15, 2004 - 4:01 am: |
Jim,
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By Marge Lawson (BonaireTalker - Post #12) on Sunday, April 18, 2004 - 3:06 pm: |
Sounds like you had a lot of fun! We just returned from Bonaire (plan on posting a trip report in a week or so), and did quite a few dives off the Sand Dollar pier since we enjoy Bari Reef so much. In fact, we ended up buying a 2 bedroom townhouse at Sand Dollar for our future trips.
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By Jim Thompson (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #7) on Monday, April 19, 2004 - 8:13 am: |
If I may inquire, what does a two bedroom townhouse at Sand Dollar go for. I don't need an exact amount. Thanks
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By Ruth van Tilburg (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #206) on Monday, April 19, 2004 - 8:56 pm: |
I can only speak for myself, but, given the option to not serve breakfast is one I think many resort restaurants (not owned & operated by the resort, like at Sand Dollar) would take. Most resort breakfasts are in the +/- $10 range, and have to include local sales tax (5%). Perhaps a service/gratuity (10-15%) is also added on. And let's not forget the travel wholesaler, and the resort itself, who will take hefty commissions to sell the "included" breakfasts, and so, yes, things can seem expensive (did you also figure all the hotel taxes, sales tax, per-person/per-night tourist tax, safety locker charge, etc, that were probably also included in your package?). From the restaurant owner's viewpoint, to serve breakfast, you need an entire full extra shift of employees to cover all those hours (+/- 7am - 10pm, 7 days/wk), and days off, sick leave, benefits, etc. And if the staff doesn't show up, you have to. And there goes any profit. (Sanity left long ago.) It's not like in the US, where if it's slow, you can send people home and make them punch-out to cut costs--if they're on the schedule, that's it-they're paid whether there are customers or not. At Mango's, since we are so not morning people, and since Sand Dollar insisted breakfast be served, this meal is actually catered by Eddie's Gourmet, served from our restaurant property. Eddie and his wife are very popular locally, and we've had no complaints. The pricing to the customer for that package is something we have no control over-really.
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By Jim Thompson (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #8) on Tuesday, April 20, 2004 - 1:27 pm: |
Thanks for the info on Mango's and Sand Dollar apt's. That answer's my questions.
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By Carol at Sand Dollar (BonaireTalker - Post #55) on Tuesday, April 20, 2004 - 1:59 pm: |
Just to set the record straight, the amount Sand Dollar charges for the breakfast buffet is $12.50 per adult, including the government tax and gratuity. Children 6 - 12 pay 1/2 price, and children under 5 get the breakfast for free. It was included in our packages in response to client demand, not so we could earn "hefty commissions". It is at best a break even proposition for us, but we did not look for it to be a money maker for Sand Dollar, simply a service that we offer in response to requests by guests and the travel professionals. It is not a mandatory part of the package, but based on the feedback we receive from our departing guests, most thoroughly enjoy it and glad they purchased it. We consider ourselves very fortunate to have Eddie and Sonja providing our guests with this meal service.
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By Rita Daggett (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #138) on Wednesday, April 21, 2004 - 10:57 am: |
Speaking as someone from the UK, I'd say that not having breakfast included is an American 'import' and was almost unheard of in UK until the US chains came to town. Bed and Breakfst was just the standard minimum, and I still find the concept of a hotel which doesnt have b'fast facilities (as some US places) strange! More usual in UK (for holidays) was full board, or, more recently half-board (almost invariably breakfast and dinner).
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By Ruth van Tilburg (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #208) on Thursday, April 22, 2004 - 6:26 pm: |
Nevertheless, commissions do contribute to the ultimate cost to the customer, in any business, and especially in the travel wholesale industry. Carol, sorry for the wrong impression--what Sand Dollar receives is minimal-especially considering the children's rates; but I would not say that what the wholesaler receives to book the meals is. There's a limit to how many 'break-even' situations every business is willing to accept, which is why Eddie & Sonja are catering breakfast at Mango's. I don't think any of us should have to excuse ourselves for wanting to make money; breaking even all the time won't keep anyone around long. The prices that Sand Dollar charge are totally within line of what resorts charge for breakfast here, and not $14 per person, including children, as was first mentioned at the top of this thread--which was really an unfair and potentially damaging comment to both Sand Dollar and Mango's, due to miscalculation.
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By Israel A. Sanchez (BonaireTalker - Post #23) on Friday, April 23, 2004 - 5:11 pm: |
I think the breakfast issue is being blown out of proportion. I don't think the island resorts have to be so apologetic about their breakfast rates. I do not think $14.00 is expensive, let alone $12.50. The issue should not even be discussed when we take into account that the price includes tax and gratuities. Let me put a breakfast in NJ/NY area:
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By Ruth van Tilburg (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #210) on Saturday, April 24, 2004 - 7:56 am: |
Thanks Coach--Many times I want to know where people are eating out in the states, when I hear complaints about prices here. Denny's & Olive Garden? And warm & friendly service from a couple like Eddie & Sonja? You're right there too--that's near impossible to find off-island.
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By Israel A. Sanchez (BonaireTalker - Post #25) on Saturday, April 24, 2004 - 5:20 pm: |
Ruth, that thought also crossed my mind! Where in the States can you get a breakfast as varied and generous as the one catered by Eddie and Sonia and get away with paying less than $12.50? Even breakfast buffets offered by hotels charge at the very least $11:00, and that is only standard "continental breakfast" items. If you want an omelet or egg whites, you have order them and that will cost you at least $4.00 extra. The only time we paid less than $10.00 was when we were road tripping to visit my in-laws who live in NC. We stopped to have breakfast at this Virginia diner. $8.00 per person, not bad we thought. We received plates served with food-resembling, almost-edible, kind of looks like scrambled eggs thingies. You get what you pay for. It also took me by surprise that you mentioned people complaining about the price of drinks. I have not read many posts, but you are right when you mention how the prices in the island compare to those in US cities. Martinis for $11.00? Not bad! Same for black label drinks and top-shelf liquors. I think the ones who get "shocked" by the prices of drinks are the newbies to the island who came without researching enough. A lot of them are probably used to the "all-inclusive" kind of thing, where you go to the resort bar and order a drink without having to pay for it. Even when they tell you they use "top-shelf" for their drinks, I don't believe them. The taste buds cannot be fooled. I have yet to see a frequent Bonaire visitor posting here that he/she found the prices of dinning and drinks "exorbitant". In fact, many of them who reply to the annoyingly repetitive postings of "Hi I'm new! How's Dinning in Bonaire?" (that's a different issue) can testify that the prices for Dinner and drinks in Bonaire are well within reason, if not better, when compared to good dinning in the US (that means scratch off franchises and anything with pictures in the menu). Then again, if somebody does still have a problem with the prices, Cultimara is pretty close and the rooms are equipped with Kitchens. Well, enough said! You guys keep running your business the way you have. You must be doing something right to keep getting repeated business and referrals. Best of luck! Coach Izzy
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