By Mike Sollins (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #9) on Wednesday, January 30, 2008 - 11:02 pm: |
My wife and I will be in Bonaire (first time, my 60th birthday present!) for 6 full days in May. Main interest is snorkeling. My inclination is to rent a small car, rather than a pickup, but I understand this will preclude visiting the park. I expect the car will be cheaper, the insurance situation simpler and I expect I will be more comfortable driving and parking it around town. I'm guessing we will have plenty to see and do w/o getting to the park. Activities I have in mind are: shore snorkeling a variety of places; a trip to Klein; a guided night snorkel(not sure I'm going to get my wife to do this....); relaxing around the Black Durgon Inn and snorkeling there; seeing the flamingos at the salt flats; snorkeling among the mangroves; driving around other than in the park and seeing the sights. I've probably forgotten something but the point is, is the park so spectacular that I'll kick myself for missing it? Thanks for any and all advice!
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By lunarlab (BonaireTalker - Post #41) on Thursday, January 31, 2008 - 12:14 am: |
Many people here really love the park. But there are many other things to see on the island and a limited amount of time. If you are not comfortable driving a truck then maybe you should enjoy the other activities. The park roads are really rough. When we took our mom, she was pretty uncomfortable with all of the bumping around on the rough roads in the park. It is a long trip and was really a little too much for her.
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By Glen Reem (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2682) on Thursday, January 31, 2008 - 5:47 am: |
The park can be a worthwhile visit on a 6-day trip. You likely would give yourself a small kick if you don't go up there but the roads are best done with an off-road four-wheeler, with higher clearance and low-speed power than an on-road car. And you don't need a 'jeep' or pickup for the rest of your agenda.
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By Brian J. Walsh (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #185) on Thursday, January 31, 2008 - 9:45 am: |
I had two thoughts about your question. One is you will probably be back to Bonaire in the future so do not worry if you do not see it all.
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By pat murphy (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1409) on Thursday, January 31, 2008 - 9:46 am: |
the park should be considered an all-day excursion. i think the loop is about 40km but there are times you'll only be able to drive about 5-10kph. after the first few km's it's a one-way loop. take lots of water and some food. after the entrance there are no facilities. there is good snorkeling at wayaka, a nice secluded area at boca cocolishi, malmok lighthhouse, one of the nicest looking beaches on the island (but you can't swim there due to very dangerous riptides), pos mangele for bird watching, slagbaii, and subi branderis (the hightest point on bonaire).
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By Nathalie (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #240) on Thursday, January 31, 2008 - 10:08 am: |
Mike, for a 6 day visit, your plan, and Lunarlab's suggestions, seem perfect to me. The park is interesting and worthwhile, but it is a full day trip and most people are beat at the end of that day. I think you'll enjoy all the other things you mentioned. The snorkeling is so good from the Durgon, you may have a hard time leaving it to go anywhere else. If you like Bonaire, you can return, and do the park next time. Happy 60th!
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By Lloyd Haskell (BonaireTalker - Post #76) on Thursday, January 31, 2008 - 6:22 pm: |
I found the scenery around the park nothing short of breathtaking. The wildlife spectacular . I did a one day trip and we had two flat tires to deal with , we would of been in trouble if i did not have a lp hose tire inflator that hooked up to a tank . We didnt dive or snorkle , it was our last day before our flight . The spots looked very inviting and interesting . A 4x4 would make the trip very nice indeed .The roads were rough as described . Once again , if you like Bonaires topography , you will love the park , i did .
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By Lydia S. Segal (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #269) on Thursday, January 31, 2008 - 7:32 pm: |
Eight trips to Bonaire, usually 2 - 3 weeks and finally on the last trip we went to the park.
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By bob...no april showers) (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2489) on Thursday, January 31, 2008 - 7:45 pm: |
big difference between the actual park and the gotomeer/rincon drive around
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By Lloyd Haskell (BonaireTalker - Post #80) on Thursday, January 31, 2008 - 7:49 pm: |
Yes...I have to agree with Bob , big difference , you are right in with the volcanos , the diversity in incredible .
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By Jack Brewer (BonaireTalker - Post #35) on Thursday, January 31, 2008 - 10:32 pm: |
the scenery is amazing , the roads a challenge , the number of reptiles astounding and the drive out INTERMINABLE !!
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By pat murphy (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1416) on Thursday, January 31, 2008 - 11:21 pm: |
the lizards seemed to really like the windmill cookies you buy at cultimara. the iguanas were less than impressed but the smaller blue tailed lizards loved them...and i have a picture of my wife holding out a cookie and a chibi chibi landed on it and was eating it out of her hand.
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By Mike Sollins (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #10) on Friday, February 1, 2008 - 4:09 pm: |
Thanks to all who responded. What a great forum this is! I even got a very friendly and informative phone call from one list member who noticed we live in the same town!
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By Jennifer Parmley (BonaireTalker - Post #47) on Sunday, February 3, 2008 - 3:51 pm: |
When you say the drive is difficult how difficult is it? Is there a road or are you driving mainly on rocks? Tried to drive to the Natural Pool once in Aruba and ended up driving on a bunch of rocks and it was a bit scary. Never did make it. My mom and I are returning for our 2nd trip in June and I'd love to see the park, but not sure now about the drive.
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By pat murphy (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1435) on Sunday, February 3, 2008 - 4:28 pm: |
it is a road...sometimes in the loosest sense of the word. for the most part it's dirt and not too bad but there are areas where the rain creates trenches that you bounce thru. also, in the past they've attempted to pave parts of it where the erosion is bad. but the concrete paving has been broken up and it's a rough ride over it. we've done "roads" in colorado that have been as bad if not worse than the park road. a vehicle with high ground clearance is a must.
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By seb (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3265) on Wednesday, February 6, 2008 - 10:44 am: |
IMNSHO, one dive beats a day in the park.
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By pat murphy (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1465) on Wednesday, February 6, 2008 - 11:04 am: |
i almost agree seb...but i remember reading an article in a dive magazine many years ago which said that too many people want to see how many dives they can do on their vacations and don't get to experience the other things the dive destination has to offer.
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By Liz .... back to Bon 5/9 (woo hoo) (BonaireTalker - Post #16) on Wednesday, February 6, 2008 - 11:43 am: |
We did the park a few weeks ago on our no-dive day. We could only do the "short route" as we got there pretty late in the day. The road was extremely rough in many spots, and by the end, I was praying it would be over quickly. I wasn't sure the Buddy Dive truck was going to make it, but thankfully it held up! Perhaps the "long route" is less rough?
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By Glen Reem (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2683) on Wednesday, February 6, 2008 - 1:46 pm: |
Lots of ice, in a cooler, that becomes very cold water makes a perfectly cool 'cushion'!!! :–))
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By Deborah Bennett (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #118) on Friday, February 15, 2008 - 9:03 pm: |
You can add snorkeling to your day in the park, as there are nice snorkeling spots within the park
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By Andy & Dave Bartlett (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #934) on Saturday, February 16, 2008 - 4:30 am: |
If you don't think you have the time for the park, drive around to the windward side, go through Gottomeer and on toward Rincon but stop and look at the indian paintings in the caves, watch the waves make beautiful sprays through the key holes that have developed over the years. There are so many things to see on Bonaire.
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By Lorraine Meadows (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1177) on Saturday, February 16, 2008 - 11:21 am: |
I absoultly love going to the park , but it is an all day affair and I think for the time you'll be on Bonaire you won't want to go far from the reef at your front door at the Black Dragon or short trips around the island. But do rent a car drive around the island, the road north past Gottomeer is an excellent one to take to see the beauty of things north it is paved and you can stop a few places to snorkel, just bring provisions and water , you can stop in Rincone too,and make sure the gas tank is full. The road south past the donkey sanctuary(though you have to go off road by the airport to see them) and the flamingo's in the salt flats ,then onto watching the windsurfers on LacBay is a interesting ride too, both can be done in a few hours. All paved roads.
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By David Kaye (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #194) on Saturday, February 16, 2008 - 7:21 pm: |
Mike,
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By Teri's 1st trip to BON April 2008!! (BonaireTalker - Post #35) on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 - 11:26 pm: |
Question about the flat tires I keep hearing about....
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By seb (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3281) on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 - 8:31 am: |
Changing tires on a salty desert island can be a challenge not lightly undertaken without a can of Kroil, a tatami mat, and a stout heart. Having been there and done that without the Kroil, I now carry an "inflater hose to tire fill" adapter so I can pump up flats with my scuba tank and let Lisa gas change the tire.
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By Andy & Dave Bartlett (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #942) on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 - 8:49 am: |
Bonaire is a desert island and has lots of cactus so flats can be caused from thornes.
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By Mickey McCarthy (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #531) on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 - 10:35 am: |
Hi
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By Teri's 1st trip to BON April 2008!! (BonaireTalker - Post #36) on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 - 7:46 pm: |
okie dokie - so bring the inflator thingy (I'm borrowing one from a friend) and have a tank in the back just in case. Are y'all filling up, driving some, filling again when the tire goes down, etc?
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By Patricia Shapiro (BonaireTalker - Post #28) on Thursday, February 28, 2008 - 3:57 pm: |
Mike: Happy 60th! The park is a "must see" place plus it contains several of the best snorkeling spots on the Island. I recommend Wayaka 2 - a brief walk down some stone steps, you are on a tiny but gorgeous sand beach (a rare thing on Bonaire) and as you enter the water, the fish come to see you! They are as tame as can be, you actually wonder who is looking at who here? We drove all over the island for 2 weeks in a truck, we never had a flat tire.
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By Bud Gillan (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #282) on Thursday, February 28, 2008 - 4:56 pm: |
Mike from the 60's...
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By Roxane Mamita (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Wednesday, July 23, 2008 - 6:44 am: |
The park is very nice indeed but if you prefer not to have a bumpy ride on the rough roads of the park you can choose to do many other things. Bonaire has a lot to offer besides the Washington Park and diving. For example, visit the oldest town of the island: Rincon, or visit Gotomeer, visit Boca Onima, visit Mangazina di Rei, visit Dos Pos and there's still more! Have a look on this site for information on what can be visited on the west side of the island: www.rinconero.f-sw.com
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