By B&M (BonaireTalker - Post #32) on Thursday, November 18, 2010 - 5:19 am: |
We are first-time visitors to Bonaire. So glad we are here for 2 weeks instead of just one week. Our experience with Woodwind yesterday was wonderful. Their staff is extremely personable and tended to our every need, making sure that we were enjoying ourselves from the moment we set foot onto their pier. They were very professional and were ever diligent for our safety. Can't believe how many "creatures" we were missing now that Dee has pointed them out. The lunch was fantastic too!
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By Vince DePietro-www.bonairebeachcondo.com (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3321) on Thursday, November 18, 2010 - 7:30 am: |
Indeed, absolutely correct. We've taken them on several occasions and always had a wonderful trip. De and her staff are amazing. And yes, two weeks on Bonaire is MUCH better than one week!
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By PatsyJones (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Thursday, November 18, 2010 - 9:02 am: |
My husband and I agree. We went out on the Woodwind last week and would do it again if we came back to Bonaire. People often talk of how you can take the water taxi to Klein Bonaire and snorkel on your own, but why bother? This is well worth the money and convenience. We saw many people who came without any equipment and were outfitted entirely by Dee and her staff, including prescription masks. We made our reservation on the internet before we came.
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By Chris (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #328) on Thursday, November 18, 2010 - 11:35 am: |
My husband and I loved our trip on the Woodwind in April! It is a mix of a marine biology and snorkeling class, accompanied by great people, good food and an amazing photographer, who captures everything on her camera. This on the beautiful island of Bonaire is the perfect adventure. Even for diehard divers!
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By Just little ole me with a (*) (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6148) on Wednesday, November 24, 2010 - 7:18 am: |
are cameras permitted on cruise to get shots of turtles
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By Chris (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #329) on Wednesday, November 24, 2010 - 9:19 am: |
Yes, you may take as many pictures as you wish.....But it is a great memento to see yourself in the professional picture CD after the cruise....
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By nestor kopko (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #139) on Wednesday, November 24, 2010 - 2:12 pm: |
Remember, take pictures, leave with memories. Glad you had a great trip
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By DARLENE IN MA (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2747) on Thursday, November 25, 2010 - 10:05 am: |
I am a Huge fan of Woodwind! Just check out my most recent trip report in October. The beautiful corals and the turtles were taken while out on Woodwind as well as a few others. The ones with me in them were taken by the photographer on board and I agree 100% that it is a great memory to see yourself captured when you are in paradise! Even with the hundreds of photos that I take, I always get her DVD! Well worth it!
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By DARLENE IN MA (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2748) on Thursday, November 25, 2010 - 10:11 am: |
I should also say that I love to do guided snorkels with Renee from www.Rennesnorkeltrips.com. Same as Dee,she knows which fish that I want to get photos of and makes sure that she finds them for me! The one difference is that I get to go to a lot more sites.
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By Michael Carvalho (BonaireTalker - Post #36) on Saturday, November 27, 2010 - 4:31 pm: |
Both Woodwind and Renee come highly recommended by me as well! Check out my trip report (see the thread labeled "trip report in blog form" ) in the Trip Report section.
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By Mellen (BonaireTalker - Post #26) on Saturday, November 27, 2010 - 5:17 pm: |
I have a question about the Woodwind. Is there any real shade on the boat? Unfortunately, I cannot deal with hours of total sun---no matter the am't of sunscreen and sunscreen clothing. Thanks! mellen
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By Wlliam Pontin (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Sunday, November 28, 2010 - 5:00 pm: |
No shade to speak of on the deck. If you spoke to Dee I am sure she would allow u to take stints downstairs to avoid the sun when you needed to. Or but a full very lightweight skin. I use mine all the time, fantastic for snorkeling too
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By Mellen (BonaireTalker - Post #27) on Sunday, November 28, 2010 - 5:46 pm: |
Thanks William! mellen
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By Vince DePietro-www.bonairebeachcondo.com (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3330) on Sunday, November 28, 2010 - 7:36 pm: |
Mellen..A lightweight lycra skin and a hat is the way to go. No need to take it off and you'll be completely protected. Wear SPF 50 on your face.
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By Mellen (BonaireTalker - Post #28) on Monday, November 29, 2010 - 9:14 pm: |
Thanks Vince! And, again to William. I am a "special case" when it comes to the sun. I have lots of issues with skin cancer from sun damage when a child---before sunscreen. I wear Neutrogena 70 spf with heliaplex to block both UVA and UVB "rays". And, because I have no shame, I even wear zinc oxide on parts of my face! I should own stock in Coolibar sunscreen clothing!!! Hats, long sleeved lyra shirts and long pants AND gloves that I wear to snorkel. Even have permission to snorkel with them (gloves) from the Bonaire authorities--STINAPA? Something like that anyway. So, why do we vacation on Bonaire? Well, c'mon! YOU all know the answer. We love it!!! I'd just like to snorkel more this next vacation. Mike just goes from shore or takes the water taxi over to Klein. I'd like to do more snorkeling with him and we've never gone on the Woodwind---hence, the question about shade. We stay for a month----no envy please! We're "oldies" and worked hard for this time in paradise!
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By Eric M. "CamMan" (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1465) on Tuesday, November 30, 2010 - 12:58 pm: |
Columbia makes a sun suit that is awesome for people who want to be out in the sun but need to stay out of the sun. It is a lightweight UV protective shirt and pant set that keeps the sun off but keeps you cool as well. It has slots in it to allow air flow and you can wear it in the water. Then when you get out, the water increases the cooling effect of the garment. I've never used it for snorkeling, just sailing, but I'm sure it would be very good for that as well.
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By v.cioffletti (BonaireTalker - Post #93) on Saturday, December 18, 2010 - 6:37 pm: |
Just returned a week ago from our now annual trip to Bon, and had once again an AWESOME time on the Woodwind with Dee and her friendly crew! Seeing Dee again makes me so happy - she is one of the most lovely people I know, inside and out! Our trips were lovely, saw lots of turtles, some lovely coral viewing off Klein on a drift snorkel! Wow, I could have stayed there all day! Picture perfect! It would be so lovely to be wealthy enough to do that day in and out, in my dreams! <g>
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By elaine sculley (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1902) on Saturday, January 22, 2011 - 4:29 pm: |
patsy jones
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By Mellen (BonaireTalker - Post #31) on Saturday, January 22, 2011 - 10:18 pm: |
Thanks for all the "sunscreen" info and so happy to see that many folks are aware of the need for protection. We head for paradise in mid Feb. for a month. I think I just need to email Dee/Woodwind. My "skin" will be extra vulnerable this year. It is old, childhood stuff---but! it sure is rearing the ugly head! I've had four surgeries since mid October---many over the past 11-12 years. Yes, I use mega sunscreen (UVA/UVB), sunscreen clothing---including for snorkeling! I even have permission to use protective snorkeling gloves from the Bonaire authorities. This year will prove to be a bit more ?? I've had a skin graft to my right hand from the underside of my right forearm. Obviously, all this is going to be very sensitve to the sun. But, I have been "cleared" to snorkel and use the pools, etc. during out stay. Again, thanks for all the ideas!!! Enjoy paradise!!! I'll try to email Dee and see if I could get a bit of shade.
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By elaine sculley (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1915) on Wednesday, January 26, 2011 - 3:34 pm: |
patsy
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By PatsyJones (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #7) on Wednesday, January 26, 2011 - 4:28 pm: |
Elaine S: I did write a trip report here. Regards to you and your family...Patsy
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By Beverly Weigand (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Thursday, March 24, 2011 - 1:59 pm: |
I will be in Bonaire on March 31 with Princess. Woodwind is already booked. Has anyone used Compassbonaire? Does Renee supply snorkeling equipment or flotation vests. I can't swim but I snorkel with vest. What is Windsock? Any suggestions will be appreciatd. I will be departing for my cruise this Sunday March 27.
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