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Trip Reports: Divin' & Ivan - Part 7 (and The End)
Bonaire Talk: Trip Reports: Archives: Archives 2000 to 2005: Archives - 2004-08-02 to 2005-05-08: Divin' & Ivan - Part 7 (and The End)
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Deborah Campbell (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #103) on Wednesday, October 6, 2004 - 12:45 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2004:

Breakfast at Caribbean Point again, then a morning boat dive. (Once again, Petrie’s Pillar was occupied.)

1,000 STEPS – A nice dive at a familiar site, surrounded by schools of wrasse, jacks and chromis. Max depth was 55 feet; dive time was an hour and nine minutes.

On the way back to Toucan Diving, Eddy noticed spinner dolphins up ahead of us. He slowed down, and they played in the boat's wake for quite a while. Then we came alongside a Dutch couple in one of the Toucan’s rental Boston Whalers. Their outboard motor had stopped working, and they needed to be rescued. Carolis went aboard the Whaler and got the outboard working again, but it again conked out when the couple decided to resume their little cruise. We towed the Boston Whaler to the Plaza Resort, and the dolphins again joined us for part of the ride back.

The 1,000 Steps dive was my 94th dive to date, and turned out to be our final dive for this trip, since I couldn’t rustle up any interest in an afternoon shore dive. So then it was time for the somewhat sad ritual of rinsing our dive gear extra-thoroughly, checking out at the dive shop, buying a couple of T-shirts, and putting our gratuity envelopes into the box inside Toucan Diving’s front door.

As always, we found Toucan’s staff to be professional, skilled, safety-conscious and fun to dive with - these super people are the main reason we tend to do mainly boat dives, as well as the main reason we will continue to return to the Plaza Resort Bonaire.

Back in our room, we again reconfirmed with Air Jamaica. Never can be too careful, right?

SNORKEL 18 PALMS - This time Mike joined me. We saw a small hawksbill turtle a huge lobster under a coral ledge, five squid, a gigantic porcupinefish, a golden moray, a sharptail eel and the usual scores of tropicals.

While we snorkeled, Laura went to the Plaza’s pool where she spotted a lumpfish that had apparently escaped from a two-year-old’s diaper. (!#?%!)

A final happy hour and another Tuesday beach barbecue at the Coconut Crash rounded out our last full day on Bonaire. Still no green flash... better luck next trip. Christian did his “fire show” again. I had too many Brights.

Final Sunset


WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2004: Going Home
(Boo...hiss!)

The usual breakfast, followed by a couple hours of packing. Then we checked out at noon and waited for out transfer back to Flamingo Airport.

At the airport, we were pleased to find the new departure lounge – quite a change from waiting in the old pink “hot box.” However, the flight from Montego Bay was really late, and soon we were fretting about possibly getting stuck overnight in Jamaica. Gary and Crystal were leaving too, and we ruefully laughed together about "déjà vu all over again."

We didn’t depart Bonaire until an hour and a half after the scheduled, but flights bound for the United States had been held in Montego Bay. As we were landing in MBJ, an announcement was made that Air Jamaica's management was “begging” us to hurry to our gates as quickly as possible. We rushed, but I was pulled aside for a thorough carry-on inspection... even had to open my dive log book and show the filled-in pages. Then my purse was checked, and everything from chapstick to car keys was scrutinized. So much for hurrying. The plane to Baltimore was about three-fourths empty, but those on board didn’t seem at all thrilled about waiting for us.

After an uneventful flight (the best kind) and a forty-minute drive, we arrived home in Annapolis around midnight.

The Post-Bonaire Depression set in as expected the next day, but we know the cure is to begin planning our next trip as soon as possible!

Since BT has been an invaluable resource for us in the past, I'm hoping this report will be of use for newcomers and Bonaire repeaters as well. If anything, you've probably figured out that (1) we're lazy once we settle in; (2) we're carnivores; and (3) we prefer boat dives with Toucan Diving. Yet this is the beauty of Bonaire... it offers so many choices, you really can't go wrong!

Best regards,

Deborah

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lisa Amidei (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #498) on Wednesday, October 6, 2004 - 12:54 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I can only say wow!!! and thanks for such a great trip report!! It's too bad you got stranded a few extra days, but what better place to have that happen than Bonaire. Love the pics, would love to see more (hint, hint)!! :-):-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lisa Barclay (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #279) on Wednesday, October 6, 2004 - 1:14 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I am with Lisa. Great report and you can never post too many pictures for us!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Marabeth Owens (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #172) on Wednesday, October 6, 2004 - 1:56 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Great report Deborah! I agree with your family too - I'd rather be stuck on Bonaire for another day than chance it in Montego Bay. I've already had that happen where we WAY too many hours late and had to overnight in MOBAY. Besides - who is that much of a hurry to leave unless you are having a family emergency.

OH - and I hate to tell you but I have seen a green flash in Bonaire. So it is possible.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Barbara Soucy (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #4) on Wednesday, October 6, 2004 - 2:06 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hey Deborah - Super report!! I sat here wondering daily. I e-mailed friends on the island until the power went out. Friends here in Maryland called me to say they heard the word "Bonaire" on the TV. Aside from coming from me, it is the only other time they have ever heard of the place. We would tune in to the Web Cam for a look. (Furniture was gone. They are securing the beach! Oh my look at the fronds on that tree - but you only get a glimpse.) Thanks to your wonderful report we all know better how things really went on the island with that nasty guy IVAN. I am so glad your trip had lots of great diving, an exciting adventure and a happy outcome. Super nice photos. I hope one day we will meet - I am out in western Howard County, Maryland with my family of divers! I did a hearty chuckle at the BWI information. (wink-wink, grin-grin!) Thanks for brightening my Bonaire depressed day. We are t-minus 9 months for returning to the island and all our friends there! Once that Bonaire sand got into our shoes - it has had to be a minimum of a once a year annual return - or we are all very unhappy c-card holders!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Sally Belknap (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #338) on Wednesday, October 6, 2004 - 2:36 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

What a terrific report, Deborah! Well written and full of the details we all love...

Now we want the photos!

Sally

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Brian (bcj.) (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #135) on Wednesday, October 6, 2004 - 2:48 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

The report I read had photos throughout...are they not displaying for you?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Belinda Z (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #198) on Wednesday, October 6, 2004 - 3:19 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Deborah,

Thanks so very much for such a wonderfully detailed report. I felt I was enjoying your trip right along with you (and suffering through Ivan with you too - what a great first-hand account of its impact).

And I will be absolutely thrilled when you get some underwater photos posted (no pressure but can you do it soon please?) :-)

Only 171 more days for me!

Belinda

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Deborah Campbell (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #105) on Wednesday, October 6, 2004 - 3:36 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Many thanks to everyone for your nice comments about my trip report. Writing it was fun - like taking a pseudo-trip back to Bonaire (which is probably why I went on for sooooo long!)

Barbara, it would be fun to meet sometime (and/or coordinate a trip to Bonaire!) My sister lives in Howard County, so I do get out that way from time to time.

As for the underwater photographs - I've only just gotten my slides back from processing. It appears there are several "keepers" (even though I discovered a flooded strobe when we got home.) Right now I'm busy working on a couple of commissions (I'm a digital artist as well as UW photographer), but after I get the slides scanned, I'll try to remember to post a few pics here on BT.

Thanks again for reading my report!

--Deborah

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Susanf (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #991) on Wednesday, October 6, 2004 - 9:30 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Deborah,
This was a great trip report! It had everything: drama (Ivan), information (dives and eateries) :-)

I really enjoyed it!
Thanks!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Linda Stoltzfus (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #334) on Wednesday, October 6, 2004 - 11:49 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Great report! I especially got a good giggle going at your mention of the lizard jumping on you in the dark bathroom. That definitely would have raised my heart rate!! :-)

Thanks for the "after Ivan" photos. As mentioned above, we all were glued to the cams.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By ina seavey (BonaireTalker - Post #21) on Thursday, October 7, 2004 - 8:50 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi,
thanks for the wonderfull trip report! (I liked your lumpfish)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Barbara Soucy (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #7) on Thursday, October 7, 2004 - 1:00 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

When you want to know how lucky our lovely little island of Bonaire was...look at how badly our friends and neighbors have it over at the Caymans. Here is a link to look at some powerful images. http://66.135.34.197/ivan
May our friends, on land and in the sea, be treated to a speedy recovery.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mary Mueller (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3264) on Friday, October 8, 2004 - 9:52 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Deborah - Thanks so much for a very detailed trip report.

Look forward to seeing some of your underwater pics.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Vince DePietro (BonaireTalker - Post #54) on Friday, October 8, 2004 - 5:01 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Wonderful trip report & enjoyed reading it!
You certainly made the best under what could be considered difficult times.. I've stayed at the Plaza on several occasions & it's a wonderful place to just relax. However, you ought to get out to more of the restaurants on the island! :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Deborah Campbell (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #106) on Friday, October 8, 2004 - 9:52 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Again, thanks to everyone - I'm glad you enjoyed reading my report.

Linda, the lizard was probably more freaked out than I was... he disappeared in a flash as soon as I shrieked!

Ina, at first I thought mentioning the "lumpfish" was in poor taste, but it had quite an impact on Laura's visit to the pool, so I figured I'd include it for the sake of completeness.

Vince, we've had the pleasure of eating at other restaurants on previous visits to Bonaire. I just realized that I never mentioned in the report that we didn't rent a car during this trip. Had I been thinking, I could have blamed our eating "on campus" all the time on the lack of wheels instead of our collective laziness! :o)

Best, --Deborah

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Eileen Kimmett (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6642) on Saturday, October 9, 2004 - 7:46 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Awesome Report!!! I love the photos! My favourite part was the food. Thank-you for sharing:-):-).

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Diana van den Wollenberg (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2713) on Saturday, October 9, 2004 - 6:35 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Deborah... Great report.
We were on the island around the same time as you
It looks like a long time ago, already...
Can't wait to see the UW pics!

 


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