Just back from our third trip, we had a great time as usual, except for minor problems with the mosquitoes. Some people had terrible luck with the bugs, legs, faces and arms covered with bites, but for us, it was only the legs during a few dinners. We flew down on AJ from Newark, no problems (the 3:30am wake up call in 18 degree weather was painful). Look into upgrading to first class if you have a special occasion like a honeymoon or anniversary, it is $125 from Newark to MB and $50 from MB to Bonaire, pp, and you get to use their lounge in MB which is very comfortable if your layover is over an hour.

Ok, so the plane was fine, got to Bonaire and you notice a new hanger has been built and lots of paving at the airport, there will be new buildings soon for bonded goods, not people. :-) Rented our little car again from Everts Car Rental, Ilka is very nice. We have never had any car problems (knock wood) so I can say it is an easy week if everything goes well! Had a Daewoo Matiz, about the size of a Yugo, with four lawnmower tires. :-) Standard shift did not make Patty happy.

Stayed at the Divi this time (both previous trips were at the Plaza). The resort's amenities are very nice (not quite as nice as Plaza but it is considerably cheaper), but DO NOT rent the gardenview rooms. We took a shortcut to save money and paid for it - mosquitoes in the rooms- the screens on the windows had holes- and it smelled badly of mildew, it was small and dimly lit. They said we could not upgrade, the facility was full, but talking with some staff later we found this was not the case. Oh well, we will rent a house in the future.

Meals - No bad meals this trip, Casablanca was the most reasonably priced meal for the portions, and the food was very good at Capriccio's, Garden Cafe, Chez Lucille, Chibi Chibi, Tipsy Seagull and one other place I have forgotten, but the service and food were fine, all restaurants could satisfy at least a vegetarian if not a vegan (Patty). We tried to get down to Kon Tiki (had a great meal there last year) but that road down the coast, in the dark, scared the heck out of us last year, and we tried the opposite road this time, on the other coast, we took a wrong turn and ended up with rough water on each side of the car, about 10 feet away! We were so happy to see the lights of town again. There are no lights on the coast road, and on a moonless night, its a bit offputting.

We snorkeled quite a bit, Patty was supposed to be certified for her open water scuba, but a case of nerves put her off til next time. We snorkeled off Tori's Reef, and about 20 minutes in I noticed it was raining, looked up and literally we could not see the shore, it was so windy and pouring so hard, wow, I'm not a great swimmer so I was happy to put my head back under the water where things were calm.

Stupidly, I left the car unlocked while we snorkeled Ol' Blue and left my driver's license &
$20 bill in the front console. Well, I was relieved of the $20 bill, the glovebox was opened, but that was all they took, left my driver's license. Which I am grateful for! So don't do what I did (if you leave your car unlocked at least hide your cash).

Thanks once again to all those who contribute here, it makes each trip better and more comfortable.


Carl and Patty

Hey Carl, $20 is cheap to keep your drivers license.

Hi, again, Carl and Patty! Sounds like it was a wonderful trip, but only too short a stay. Sorry to hear about the room you had at the Divi. Joe and I are on the timeshare side and they have done a nice job over there. I understand the hotel rooms over the water are very nice, too. I know where you will be staying next year! I just hope we don't want to book the place at the same time...we'll have to flip for it! LOL.

The only cure for your PBD (Post Bonaire Depression) is to book your next trip immediately upon your return home. Get those calendars out right now! LOL.

I hope you can post some pics for all of us to enjoy.

I look forward to seeing Patty at work again shortly, too. It's a small, small world indeed....turns out Patty and I both work for the same government entity and did not know that until we started "talking" via email as a result of the Bonaire Talk forum!~! How wonderful is that!!?? We did get together briefly before their trip and I hope to chat with Patty at work soon to hear even more about it in detail.

Thanks for sharing your experiences with all of us. Welcome back. Ayo. Carole

Boy, wish I were back. Curious about Divi, not sure what you mean by gardenview rooms? We had a first floor room overlooking the pool next to the dive shop, with a screened in porch. Mosquitoes were minimal problem if at all (and I loathe the things!) and it was delightful to sit out there at night and watch lights twinkle out in harbor. I would be willing to try Plaza also someday, though the distinct appeal of Divi to me and my friend was the easy walk to town at all times of day and night.

The walk to town from the Plaza isn't much longer than from the Divi. You can go out their service entrance and are almost at the Divi. Seems to be raining a lot in Bonaire. Hope it gets out of there before I arrive.

We had the 2nd floor Studio apt #722 at the Divi in January, very nice. Right next to the dive shop. Very convenient, never ran late on a boat dive departure not even close. No problem with bug bites either, except one night when we wore shorts to the Cassablanca. This time we did 3 boats a day and didn't rent a vehicle. Didn't really miss the shore diving option. Well maybe a little because Divi Dive wouldn't do Karparta that week. Other than that the dive operation took us anywhere, majority ruled. Divi is tops in our book.

Hi, a couple of further notes to you guys: The gardenview room was a room surrounding the full size chess board and bocce court, by the fitness room. There were many rooms which had screened porches, and then the door to the room. Wish we had one of those, like I said they wouldn't let us upgrade. Other than the room, we liked the place.

$20 was cheap to keep my license, Seb, and Patty joked it was like paying a parking garage for the spot for a couple hours!

Sidenotes: we used to go to Cultimara for goods, but we found the Warehouse this time (by Lisa Gas) and it is airconditioned and a little cleaner. Cultimara is great for breakfast pastries etc. but we liked Warehouse better for package goods. Don't forget - bring your own bags to the market although Warehouse did have boxes we could use. Also - this time we noted that there is a Lexus dealership on the island, saw two or three driving around, as well as two BMWs and a Mercedes. Mmmm... what does this mean?

Aww, you missed the H1?

Now that you mention it, Seb, I did back into one of those. It wasn't yours, was it? ;-)

With the Santa Barbara Development Company in place (Sabadeco) the Lexus dealership could not be far behind...nor the H1......kinda sad to me.....Carole

There is an H1 owner up north. I'm looking into getting the Batmobile for easy divesite security. Up shields!

And there's an H2 down in Belnem... (I think) - could also be in Sabadeco.

Jake

We saw the same Hummer (i can't tell an H1 from an H2) at Lac Cai both Sundays.....a black one. Quite the exercise in getting it unparked amidst all the island sized cars. This guys gotta be paying a kinds ransom for gas at Bonaire prices. HiLux for this boy.

cheers
cheese

Just think, no one could steal the Hummers!