I've been a member of Bonaire Talk for quite a while now, although I don't get a chance to post as often as I'd like. My husband and I enjoyed our 7th trip to Bonaire last month, and brought along his daughter, Laura, making this her 3rd visit. It's taken longer than I'd planned to put together a Bonaire trip report, and this one is way too long (and started out even longer!) I've broken it into several parts and (if I've done it correctly) there are some topside photos inserted here and there.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 - Getting to Bonaire:

We dragged ourselves out of bed and left the house at 5:45am. Air Jamaica’s website says to check in 2½ hours before the scheduled departure time –it’s best to do this; we were inside the international terminal at BWI by 6:30am (two hours before departure) and there were many people ahead of us. Checking in with Air Jamaica is often a SLOW process. Just try to relax and get into “island time.”

The Air Jamaica representative at the counter specifically told me that Air Jamaica allows ONE carry-on bag AND a purse. Every other resource (including AJ’s website) says ONE carry-on bag, with no mention of purses, camera bags, laptops or other personal items. I overheard her tell someone else that a child with a ticket and his/her own seat can have ONE carry-on bag, but a “lap child” cannot - except young lap children may carry on a diaper. (Just one?!?!)

Now that checked luggage is being screened with super-strong x-rays, we know that film should go in carry-on bags. But cumulative exposure to the carry-on x-rays can harm film as well, so a hand-check is advised. I carry two rolls of ISO 1600 film that I’ll never use. This makes it easy to get a hand-check at security checkpoints, since very high-speed film has always warranted a hand inspection. I’ve had problems before I started carrying the ISO 1600 film with reluctant to downright surly TSA inspectors. Now, when they see the ISO 1600, they don't bat an eye. The TSA guy at BWI International Terminal security said that next time, to facilitate hand-checking film, I should use a lead film bag. Has anyone else heard this advice? I thought lead film bags specifically were NOT permitted now. Do they just run the film-filled bag thru the x-ray after opening and checking that it’s film? Because wouldn’t it raise a red flag if it was in your carry-on bag, unannounced, going through the x-ray?

Before going further, I should say that yes, I do realize I could avoid hassles by using a digital camera underwater. Eventually, that'll happen. I have a digital SLR, but still shoot slides underwater because I'm trying to decide whether to spring for the housing and strobe, or buy a different, additional digital camera for underwater use.

The TSA personnel recognized our dive regulators when our carry-on bags went through the x-ray, and nothing had to be opened. We’ve never had a problem with this at BWI’s International Terminal, but have had our carry-on bags opened and regulators, dive computers and even dive log books inspected at several domestic airport departure security checkpoints. Maybe so many divers use Air Jamaica at BWI now, the TSA staff has been educated by experience.

Our flight was nearly full, and a little bumpy to MBJ because of skirting Hurricane Frances (which was visible at times in the distance… a massive wall of thunderhead clouds.) Breakfast was choice of a cheese omelette (cold) or French toast with ham. The plane’s video system didn’t work for the movie; in our seats, the audio didn’t work either.

MBJ airport has been spruced up a little since we last saw it in 2002, and now has jetways for most gates. Their PA system is a little better, but not much. The ladies room in the gate hallway is still dismal… avoid if at all possible.

Our flight from MBJ to BON left 1½ hours late – as often happens, they waited for planes to arrive from the U.S. (from Atlanta and Chicago, perhaps others.) As happens often, only water and juice were available on the flight to BON to go with the dry chicken “choker” sandwich. Oh, and AJ serves Pepsi products - no Coke or Diet Coke.

It felt great to land in Bonaire - like coming home. All of our luggage arrived, and the officials weren’t using the machine to screen checked luggage, so we made a quick exit. Our usual transfer to the Plaza Resort with Tropical Travel was pleasant.

At check-in, we were surprised to be upgraded to an ocean front grand suite, and found a nice fruit plate and a card in our room from the Plaza’s management, welcoming us back.

A few changes since September of 2002 included the activities/towel hut in the middle of the beach. While the old hut at the north end of the beach (a better location that doesn’t block the view) is still there, it’s empty. Toucan Diving is handling the activites and towel transactions now – very efficient and always with a smile.

The Plaza Resort Casino is still closed. The sign says it’s closed for repairs, but I heard there’s just no one available to manage it. Kind of a shame, but the Divi's Casino is close by for those who indulge.

There’s an ice machine – at last!! Just on beach side of the lagoon bridge, to the left near the first junior suite. There’s also a soda machine here, as well as one outside the Caribbean Point restaurant entrance. The soda machines don’t have Coke products and accept guilders only. We noticed a weird looking box on the wall outside the Caribbean Point as well, with an Amstel ad on the front. No, it’s not a beer vending machine, but it does sell cigarettes. Never saw anyone using it, though.

The Coconut Crash 2-for-1 happy hour still runs from 5 to 6pm daily (it’s extended for an extra hour on Tuesdays, when the beach barbecue is held. We enjoyed our Amstel Brights - sure wish we could get them here at home!



Part 2 is next...