Well after months of business on Bonaire, this trip was relaxing! Unfortunately I was unable to dive, but Ed did. I was able to snorkle and it was WONDERFUL!

We arrived via Air Jam, everything went fine as usual. Got our truck from AB then off to our place!

Let's see aquatic highlights first.

Ed dove with Larry's Wildside Diving, Blue Hole the Sunday after we arrive. He said it was AMAZING. Now Ed usually has problems with seasickness (so do I!) Anyway he was VERY impressed with Larry's operation. Martin, his first mate was wonderful! No seasickness! Larry's new 33' rib really helped as it was a little "rough" in the water. He saw huge sea fans, Tarpon galore and Eagle rays.
Jan Huckaby and I decided to snorkle the "fisherman's pier", where Larry's boat launches. It was really cool. Saw a green turtle and something I've never seen before. Upside down jelly fish! They actually look like anemonies on the sandy bottom, but then they started to swim, so you could see they were jelly fish, cool!
Renee from Renee Snorkle Trips and I snorkled in front of Yellow Submarine. It was terrific! I didn't realize there was so much to see. We saw five octopus, too many juvenile French Angels to count (one cleaning a soapfish!), a large black spotted eel, oh and a rare yellow spotfin juvenile about the size of your thumbnail!
Renee, Darlene Ennis, Ed and I snorkled the Red Slaves in hopes of seeing the lone dolphin. The soft corals were incredible, we saw so much! Ed didn't dive much this trip as I did have some work for him, but he found a new passion (not to replace diving of course), fishing!
Ed went out fishing "bonairean style" with Chago, Gibi's brother in a small local boat with line, etc, no fishing poles. They caught their bait, then fished. Ed landed a 3 foot barracuda! That's it, he was hooked. He went fishing 5 more times!
We were happy to have our family visit us too! Ed's daughter, son in law and our grandchildren arrived this past Sunday and left with us yesterday. The first thing Christine said was she made a mistake, she should have come the whole 2 weeks we were on Bonaire! Ed, Chago and Gibi took Michael (3 years) fishing for the first time. They caught "mas bangos" (sp?), a small fish that you eat whole (especially fried). All Michael kept on saying he didn't want to go home. Our granddaughter (1 year) is cutting all 4 teeth in front top so she wasn't that happy, but was an angel of course...loved sucking on ice which numbed her gums. It was a wonderful relaxing time, me it was my most relaxing trip, but I worked...that's just me (though I made a few more trips to Lovers then I usually do!)

Landlubber stuff:

Great dinner at Bob Bartikowski's with T-Shirt Divers (excellent fish!, thanks Bob!)
Cinnamon Art Gallery Showing... If you are on the island, you have to make a point to stop and see it...Ed made me leave my purse home!
ReMax 1st anniversary party Where I met my new American sister (HEY FM1...I'll be back soon)
and last but not least...

Gibi, Chago, Ricki and their wife's and daughters to treating us to a wonderful send off BBQ to wish me well on my upcoming medical procedures. Bonaireans are absolutely amazing. That is why we love it so much.

You hear about the crime, etc., but when it comes down to it, Gibi and the MAJORITY of Bonaireans are loving, giving, caring people. That is what Bonaire is all about. Sometimes we forget that and we shouldn't focus on the 1-2 bad things that happen (not that they are insignificant, something DOES have to be done), but we need to remember what we love so much about this precious island.

Ok, enough preaching. It was a wonderful trip. I will keep all posted as to my progress. Hugs to all!

Ed and Liz Ginocchio

Ok, I know I'm going to hear about this I meant 1-2 things a month....I'm not a statistician, just trying to say we need to remember all the good people on the island too.


Liz

What a great time you had, Lizzie! So nice to hear you enjoyed yourself and were able to relax this time around.

You are correct about the folks on Bonaire...they are the greatest.

The best of luck with your procedures...please keep us posted. You will be in our thoughts and prayers. Ayo. Carole and Joe

What a great trip report, Liz!!!!! It was so good to see you and Ed again at Gibi's!!! You are so right about the good people on Bonaire! They are nice, friendly, and caring people! We got back late Wednesday night and I already miss Bonaire!!!! We are planning to go back at the end of January or the first of Febuary...if we can wait that long! We would have liked to go to Gibi's again on Tuesday night...but we just HAD to do our last night dive at Buddy's!!! Saw a HUGE green moray swimming...Just Beautiful!!!!! We need to get together for a dive when we are all in Bonaire again!

Liz I am glad to hear you had a good relaxing trip, you were WAY past due one.
Now Ed has the best kind of boat to use - SOMEONE ELSES!

Glad you had a great time.

Hi Liz,
Happy you had a great time! You deserve it. Wishing you good luck with your procedures and hugs sent out to you. After all of that is taken care of, we will have to do dinner and I can finally meet you. You've seen more of my hubby than me lately!

A long overdue great vacation ! I'm so glad you got to enjoy it this time, the snorkeling sounds fantastic. And that Gibi... what a doll to do that for you. It's people like that who will keep me coming back.

Thanks for the positive report, Liz! And of course my thoughts (and hugs!) are with you.

Liz - what a great report and I so glad that you did get a chance to relax.

The snorkeling sounded heavenly and you must tell me all about it when we talk.

I know what you mean about the Bonairean - they are a kind and open hearted people who make you feel welcome. As Kelly said they keep you coming back!
Hugs to you and Ed!!!

Great to see your trip report Liz and hoping all goes very well with your next medical outings! Hugs, Barbara & Alison

Good luck with your procedures. Enjoyed the trip report. Hopefully you can get back to the island soon. Andy

Good luck Liz. Get rid of that golf ball before is morphs into a tennis ball. Thanks for the great burger and good conversation.