This goes out to everyone, after coming back from two weeks in Bonaire and thinking three weeks would be 50% better what's your view?

We did two weeks in Bonaire and then moved here :-)

Jake

Five weeks. You spend five weeks and you realize why europeans who take that much every year think Americans are loco. Plus, you REALLY get into the groove after two weeks when you realize you have more than half your trip left.
Really Jake? I thought you spent a few months first.

Hi Jerry,
two weeks, three weeks, ... that is a dangerous path to follow. On our first visit we stayed in the Buddy Dive for 16 days. After 16 days we thought we had seen everything. Two years later we came back for 1 week and that was far too short. One year later we rented a house for five weeks. Still too short. The year after we rented another house and stayed for six weeks. Boy, was it difficult to get on the plane back to Belgium. To make a six year stoy short, at the end of this year we move to Bonaire.

FOREVER!!!! Seriously, our first trip was for only one week and that was now where near enough time. Now my husband and I go for two weeks and then I get to go for another two weeks and it is still not long enough, but it is the best we can do.

this question cracked me up :-) no answer would be long enough, which is why we ALL want to move to Bonaire

Thanks to all who responded seems like Bonaire fever is very contagious.

We spent three days and bought a place there! The magic starts as soon as the plane lands-never long enough.

We spent 5 weeks there last fall. Not enough time. Will be leaving in a few days for 6 1/2 weeks, which probably still won't be enough. We'll look at property while we're there with the idea of spending 3 - 4 months a year there. Probably still won't be enough. Can there ever be enough diving???

Been here since 1990.......every time I think it's long enough, I travel (US/Europe) for a couple of weeks. By the end of a second week away, traffic, stop lights, everyone in a hurry, no one to wave to, schedules, appointments, etc., make me want to go home. So I do.

Ruth, sounds like you have the life...you must either be retired or wealthy... Unless you are an artist and support yourself selling paintings..

Having been here almost 20 years, I still have nightmares about being back in cold Conn. and wake up with a sense of relief that I am still on Bonairwe!

Oops....you would think I would have learned how to spell Bonaire by now!

2 weeks is all I can get off at a time from work without my bosses giving me the stink eye. ;) I would love to move to Bonaire - two 2 week trips this year just won't cure me. Can US citizens get long term/permanent visas?

1st trip - 6 days (thanks to an ALM strike)
2nd trip - 7 days (not long enough)
3rd trip - 2 weeks (the wedding trip)
4th - 7th trip - 10 days (just about right, plenty of time to unwind, and dive at your leisure without feeling like you have to rush)
8th trip - 10 days again beginning April 21 (start the countdown!!)

Who cares about number of days, months or years ??? The absolute perfect time is just enough that is leaves you sorry you left and wanting to come back again.

So far we don't want to move to Bonaire. There's so much we love doing in the US.

However, our regular two week trips are too short. We've discussed wintering in Bonaire when we retire. I could easily see three months a year in Bonaire.

I know Kathi and I will someday live on Bonaire for at least 3 months out of the year. However, like Lee said above, we would sorely miss the cultural things that we love so much in the states. I know I could really get in a groove living on Bonaire for a couple of months at a time. It would be all good.

My wife and I will be there for three weeks this year, up from 15 days last year. The extra time will be spent exploring the specifics of what will be required for us to retire there in 2008!

Stayed one week last Feb - not long enough. Stayed two weeks this Feb - not long enough.
Next time will be a month - probably not long enough!

We are planning our first trip ever to be 2 weeks long.
We usually go to the Hawaiian Islands (NOT OAHU-STAY AWAY) for 14 days at a time and only last year did we settle down for a long 9 nights in one place (South Maui). After 8 nights on Maui I was ready to go home to California. Our opinion is that 2 weeks in one place on a laid back island like Bonaire would be a good reference point to plan the length of future visits.

Oh, re-reading your original post, I guess that sounds kinda silly.

As long as you want to turn around and go back immediately when you get back home, you know that you love the place and try for longer the next time. Our first visit was 8 full days (and 9 nights), and that was not long enough. Admitting of course that we spend a lot of time under water, I'd like to go back this fall for 14-21 days (not including travel).

One week is never long enough as two of those days are "travel" days and you are just beginning to relax when it is time to pack and return home. Ten days is good but we prefer at least 14 days now. We don't have any more time than two weeks so we can't "test the waters" for a longer duration of time....I'd LOVE to have that opportunity, however!! Some day. CArole

forever and then more time

Would love to experiment with this. So far my research shows that 7 - 12 days is grossly inadequate. I'm thinking about submitting a grant proposal to the National Institutes of Mental Health to study this further. Trips will be increased by one week increments until the primary endpoint (wanting to return to NJ) is reached. At that point the study will be repeated to ensure that the results are reproducible.

Frank I think you're on to something! I remember getting off of the plane for the first time and as we waited to go through customs several people said this was their third trip that year to Bonaire. Now looking back they were some smart people.

we just got back to the states last night after spending two months there. i've decided two months is still too short so we'll try a longer trip next time. this was our 7th trip there...most have been in the 7-10 day range but now that we own a place we'll be looking for anywhere from 14 days to forever.