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Trip Reports: Scott, Wendy, Jourdan Part 4
Bonaire Talk: Trip Reports: Archives: Archives 2000 to 2005: Archives - 2004-08-02 to 2005-05-08: Scott, Wendy, Jourdan Part 4
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Scott Huffman (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #6) on Friday, October 22, 2004 - 12:05 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

SUN OCT 10

We had booked the 5 hour snorkel/sail on the Woodwind so we went back to the Lions Den for breakfast. The food was very good, served quickly,
and we really liked the staff at that restaurant.

We drove on down to the Divi to meet up with who we expected to be Dee and Ulf, owners of the Woodwind. We soon learned that Dee would not be sailing that day, seems even glamorous dive guides from the tropics have to do laundry too. We were a bit disappointed at first but immediatly liked Sue when she introduced herself as Dee's substitute for the day. Also aboard was a nice lady from Boston, Darlene. And two other couples, one from Holland and one from Israel (can't remember all the names, sorry folks). The whole group was enthusiastic and Captain Ulf and Sue soon had us underway.

Our little sea voyage took us first across the channel to Klein. We entered the water and did the drift snorkel to No Name beach. Ulf said it was about a mile. Loads of fish (you guys know how it is) and big purple tube sponges in shallow water. It poured rain in buckets while we were in the water. So hard it stung your back. I could'nt even see Bonaire from Klein. We were met at the Woodwind by a barracuda and some large Bermuda chub, climbed the ladder, and the sun was shining with blue skies.

Sue was an excellent guide and really knows her marine life. Her talks before and after each swim were great. Next we sailed across to Petries pillar. Sue told us it was recently re-opened after a 12 year closure. It was fantastic! Great visibility. Everybody found interesting critters. Two turtles, a blue coronetfish, a huge midnight blue parrotfish, a scorpionfish, flounders, sand divers,coppersweepers, bristleworm... Everybody was having such a great time, Sue finally had to urge us toward the boat (something about a plane to catch)! Happily, once on board she served a nice lunch and made some powerful rum punch as we motored quietly along the coast. The scheduled trip was from 9 - 2 but it had to be after 2:30 when we got back to the Divi. Thanks for the extra minutes Ulf, they were some of the best we ever spent.

After some pool time at the villa we returned to Pasa Bon Pizza to try that fish pizza. Wendy liked it more than I did said it was really good, I give it an OK. The salads were very fresh, the dressing delicious. The man there (we assumed he was the owner, he was doing everything) was very nice, but needed to change his shirt he was sweating so much, poor guy. We bought another pepperoni to go. What can I say? We're Americans.

Another very quiet night at the villa.

Memorable quote "I'm a bit of a fish voyuer" - Sue on the Woodwind

MON OCT 11

Up early again, breakfast at the villa. Off to the Nat'l Park (this time packing that pepperoni pizza). Took the scenic one-way road north to Gotomeer (saw about 30 flamingos) and on to Rincon. Beautiful drive past Indian caves, overlooks. Turned off for the park in Rincon. The cactus fences were really unusual. Spent the whole day doing the long route. Been to a few Nat'l Parks, this place was amazing. Amidst this fascinating landscape we encountered goats, donkeys, exotic birds, and lizards. Blue lizards, brown lizards, green lizards. Large, small, short, and long lizards. Plus more incredible views than you could photograph. And lots and lots of cactus!

Snorkeled at Playa Benge (large grouper, giant brain coral,and a very curious barracuda), Playa Funchi (beautiful setting but mostly storm damaged), Wayaka II (excellent,the friendliest French Angel we ever met) and Boca Slagbaaii. Our favorite scenic spot on the entire island. Swam with a school of bonefish and found the 2 cannons in 10 ft on the south side. Tricked Jourdan with some "doubloons I found" but was later busted when we saw the same "old coins" in the gift shop in town! The ranger was waiting in his truck nearby so we headed back to civilization, sure we were the last visitors in the park that day.

Dinner was Jourdan's choice. She picked Donna & Giorgio's. Great food, very good red wine (Wendy said "instant buzz"),fun menu is a large chalkboard brought round to your table, service left a little to be desired though. However, we would certainly go back.

Memorable quote "They should call this Jurassic Park" - Wendy under lizard attack at Playa Benge

To be continued

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Eileen Kimmett (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6729) on Friday, October 22, 2004 - 5:55 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I really have been enjoying your report!!!!:-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By ina seavey (BonaireTalker - Post #22) on Friday, October 22, 2004 - 6:13 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

thanks for the report(s). The "memorable" quotes are a nice touch!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kelly (Lott) Baum (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1933) on Friday, October 22, 2004 - 8:32 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Scott, I am LOVING your report ! I, too, love the memorable quotes. Can't wait for more !!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Elvira M. Bolanos (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #730) on Friday, October 22, 2004 - 4:46 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Scott, have enjoyed very much reading your trip report. And I am with the rest "love the quotes".

Thanks!!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By C Poteet (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #235) on Friday, October 22, 2004 - 6:21 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Scott -

Thank you for taking the time and going to the effort to post such a detailed, interesting report.

It allows many of us to remember what our first time on island was like.

Your report is the perfect way to repay Bonaire Talkers for all the information they shared before you went. Now you are the one doing the sharing.

Masha danki.

Charles Poteet
Dallas

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4233) on Friday, October 22, 2004 - 8:31 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi, Scott, I, too, am really enjoying your reports! Makes me feel like I am right there with you. Where was the villa? It sounds very similar to one we stayed in on Kaya Turkesa up in the hills. After a few trips up and down the hills we eventually were able to make it without having to turn around or go down another street to find our street! That's part of the fun, tho....getting "a little" lost and finding your way home. Do you have any pics you can post?? Ayo. Carole

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Scott Huffman (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #8) on Friday, October 22, 2004 - 9:35 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hello Carol,

Glad you are enjoying my report. Finding our way around the island and thru the hills was a blast. We laughed so much. That doll's head on the fence of an antique shop cracked us up every time! The first night I think it took us 3 times to find the correct street. The villa was on Kaya Topaz and I think thats in the same neighborhood. I'd have to go back (in daylight) to be sure. I have 4 or 5 maps of Bonaire and even the best one shows the streets but no names in that area.

and Charles, the report really is a labor of love. I had dreamed of visiting Bonaire for a long time. I only wish it was gonna be 2 weeks long. Your posts about the snorkeling at Plaza were remembered when we chose to go there. In fact, we almost bought a package there when we booked the trip. Thanks.

Scott

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4238) on Saturday, October 23, 2004 - 12:24 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Scott...I do believe Kaya Topaz and Kaya Turkesa are in the same area. We used to look for the Deep Blue Inn and the water towers and we knew we were going in the right direction! LOL. I think Kaya Turkesa is just about the last street up on the hilltop. Gorgeous views up there but we felt a little "vulnerable" with the layout of the house we were in...the bedrooms were attached outside OFF the main house...in order to gain entry/exit the bedrooms you actually had to go outside by the pool and then gain entry into the "main" portion of the house via different locked doors. No connecting doors between the main house and the bedrooms. With the activity of late on the island I don't believe we would consider this particular house/villa again even though the house, itself, was absolutely gorgeous and the pool was luscious. It had a separate structure in the back of the pool area you could climb up the spiral staircase to a platform with a roof which overlooked all of the western side and southern/nortern sides of Bonaire and Klein Bonaire. It was breathtaking.

What type of setup did the house on Topaz have??

I can't wait to get back to Bonaire in May...it seems so far away.....Ayo. Carole

PS I know the doll's head you're talking about! It was down by the curve/fork in the road that leads up to the hills! It is pretty funny! Love the two elephants with the cannons on the lawn up further as well. There are some other quite unique items on display at some of the homes, too. I just love Bonaire! cb

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Scott Huffman (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #10) on Saturday, October 23, 2004 - 5:23 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Carol, now that you mentioned it we did notice a lot of old cannons being used for decoration. I'm sure Kaya Topaz was the lowest street on the hill because it was all green below us almost down to the coast. I could see Sand Dollar grocery with my binoculars. And I land-marked those water tanks more than a few times also, don't remember seeing the Deep Blue Inn though. The villa you described, I remember seeing it online, and we had considered it, may not have been available, I can't recall.
Turns out the layout on the Kaya Topaz property was somewhat secure. There was only one approach to the front door from the street. All along the sides and the back decks was a 10 ft wall fenced at the top creating quite a sheer drop-off. The bedrooms and living areas were in one large C shaped dwelling with the pool in the center. Really a nice set-up. Scott.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Marabeth Owens (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #287) on Saturday, October 23, 2004 - 5:43 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Carole,I know the exact house you are talking about. My friends rented it last New Years so after dinner at Lion's Den we headed over there for the fireworks - that structure was PERFECT for viewing the fireworks all over the island AND over in Curacao. But it is very strange.

Mara

 


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