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Trip Reports: Richard and Sarah's trip report: Sept 17-25
Bonaire Talk: Trip Reports: Archives: Archives 2000 to 2005: Archives - 2004-08-02 to 2005-05-08: Richard and Sarah's trip report: Sept 17-25
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Richard Burdette (BonaireTalker - Post #57) on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 9:37 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I can't believe I'm here writing our trip report already. It seemed like yesterday we were counting down the days and now it's over. Well, like they say "Time flies when you're having fun".

We arrived on island Friday, September 17th and all went well. We flew American Eagle (Cleveland, Chicago, San Juan, Bonaire) and all flights were on time and all luggage arrived when we did. Went to Total Car Rental and got our little blue pick-up and headed over to BelMar. It was late, after 9:00 PM, but we were met by their security and were given keys to our unit. What a nice place!! We had a one bedroom condo on the second floor overlooking the pool and the ocean is right there. We couldn't wait so we put on our suits and went for a swim.

Next day was orientation. We got our park tags, but were not able to do our "check-out dive" ai BelMar because their docks were badly damaged due to Ivan, so we drove down the road to Windsock and did our dive from shore. We'll never get used to these waters. The beautiful blues and greens of the shallows and the wonderful clarity when you get to the drop off at the reef. Fantastic!! The rest of the day we spent getting to know our way around and buying provisions. We have to say, shopping at Cultimara was an adventure. But we got the basics for the week and now we're ready to enjoy Bonaire.

Being "first timers" we had a dive boat package along with shore diving, so the next morning it was off to the Plaza to meet the boat. We dove "Rock Pile" off Klein and it was great!! Lots of soft coral and plenty of fish life. Got down to 85 feet, but most of the "good stuff" was at 60 or above. Took it slow and easy and had fun with our new digital camera (will post a few when I figure out how). Most of the boat dives were at Klein and never was it a disappointment. Easy diving with little or no current and nice long bottom times. Our shore dives were just as nice. We didn't feel we had to cover a lot of ground, just hang out and let it all come to you.

For the most part we ate in. A little something in the morning, a nice lunch, then dinner was out or leftovers. And let me tell you about leftovers. I had heard about it many times on BT and we just had to go and have the mixed grill for two at Casablanca. Unbelievable!! I've been known to put away a lot of food and after diving all day I do work up an appetite, but the amount of food we carried back to our place that night was amazing!! For those who haven't experienced it you get two half chickens, two pork chops, four (yes, four) steaks, I think there were four large sausages, and underneath this mountain of food was a pile of ribs. On top of all that you get salad and a large portion of french fries. We had a couple of beers and I think the bill came to about $40US. We also had a great pizza one night at Pasa Bon Pizza and each night it was off to Lovers Ice Cream for dessert. I can't leave the subject of food without mentioning a wonderful evening of food and fun at Gibi's on Tuesday night with all the BTers. No need to go into detail here, just scroll down on Trip Reports to "Gibi's Sept 21" and you can check it out. By the way, in the group photo, I'm the one in the back with the white t-shirt and mustache and the one peeking out next to me is my wife, Sarah.

We had a great time, and a lot of it is due to all of you who made this first trip to Bonaire so special. I think we've found our paradise and we're already starting to plan our return. The only down side? Now we really know what PBD is!!!

Richard and Sarah

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Linda Stoltzfus (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #327) on Friday, October 1, 2004 - 12:05 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks for the trip report. Now you know why we're all hooked and start our count downs months in advance! There is no other place that keeps calling us back...it's magical.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mary Mueller (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3241) on Friday, October 1, 2004 - 9:43 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Richard and Sarah - thanks for the report. Bonaire is very special and not just for the diving. Glad to know that you had such a good time. Great description of the mixed grill at Casablancas! And of course a night a Gibi's is such a treat.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kelly Lott (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1844) on Friday, October 1, 2004 - 10:17 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Great trip report, Richard! I love checking in to "Trip Reports" and seeing new ones posted. It's one of the best parts of my day... reliving Bonaire through someone else's eyes..

Thanks for sharing!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By DARLENE ELLIS (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1196) on Friday, October 1, 2004 - 10:40 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Ditto what Kelly said. I always drift away!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4155) on Friday, October 1, 2004 - 7:03 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi, Richard! I completely understand what you mean by the anticipation of the trip and then you're there and then.....wow...how did I end up back home already! LOL.

Positively time to plan the return trip now to help curb the PBD!

Any pics you can post and share with us? We'd love to see them. You know the routine...we're all Bonaire addicts here! LOL. Ayo. Carole

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Richard Burdette (BonaireTalker - Post #58) on Friday, October 1, 2004 - 7:53 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

So, you want pictures? Ok, I'm going to give it a try. Just one right now to see if I can do it. Here goes ..........
Turtle

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Freddie Hughes (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5203) on Friday, October 1, 2004 - 7:55 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

almost there Richard.. is it too big?? has to be under 50mb..

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Freddie Hughes (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5204) on Friday, October 1, 2004 - 7:56 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I typed too soon lovely photo!! Keep em coming...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Richard Burdette (BonaireTalker - Post #59) on Friday, October 1, 2004 - 8:20 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

OK, here are a few more.......

Queen Parrot Supermale
French Angel
Yellow Frog Fish
Spotted Eagle Ray

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Richard Burdette (BonaireTalker - Post #60) on Friday, October 1, 2004 - 8:33 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Sorry. I'll try again ..........

Queen Parrot Supermale
French Angel
Yellow Frog Fish
Spotted Eagle Ray

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Richard Burdette (BonaireTalker - Post #61) on Friday, October 1, 2004 - 8:49 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I know, I know, I posted the same photo twice. Sorry. I'll get this right yet. Here's the picture I meant to post (I hope).......

Yellow Frog Fish

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Eileen Kimmett (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6607) on Friday, October 1, 2004 - 9:01 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Wonderful report and photos:-):-).

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Freddie Hughes (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5210) on Friday, October 1, 2004 - 9:06 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

great pics
we all love to see them
keep it up!!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4161) on Saturday, October 2, 2004 - 1:11 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Wow, Richard! You definitely saw some terrific creatures on your dives. Beautiful shots. Makes me homesick looking at them...I need to be in the waters of Bonaire right now!

Frogfish AND a ray...wow...fantastic sightings. Carole

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lesa Zoldan (BonaireTalker - Post #55) on Thursday, October 7, 2004 - 9:48 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Richard- I know this is late, but I have been waiting for your report! Loved the eagle ray shot!!!! What a treat! Hope it was everything & more than you expected- it was for us, for sure!
Lesa Z
Boardman, Ohio

 


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