We just returned from our 2 weeks in Bonaire. My report will be in 4 parts sans photos since I do not dive and our snorkeling photos were not good.

Getting to Bonaire was easy except for the last part. We took A/A from Atlanta to Miami and then A/A to Curacao. All these flights were on time. However BE had problems in Curacao. Our 5:00 PM flight was cancelled and delayed until midnight. BE was very informative and assured us we would get to Bonaire if we were patient. The return was uneventful and all flights were on time or early. While on Bonaire I read that BE is merging with another airline and has hired a new maintenance company. This will give tem more planes and they reported their on-time performance would improve.

Our accomodations were in Divi time share units. The Divi property has recovered very nicely from the hirricane damage. Both pools have been retiled and painted and the entire property has been landscaped beautifully. Dive Dock 2 is progressing and they completed the iron work last Friday. The decking should be done very soon and the new shack installed. Alvin and Serge said February 1st is the goal but I think March 1st is more realistic. Our diver friends said that going from Dive Dock 1 is not an incovenience and the boats were full most days.

We ate at many local restaurants and the following is most noteworthy. Monday is lobster night at the Tipsy Seagull at the Plaza. this is very good and worth a visit. We had 2 dinners at Blue Moon and both were exceptional. We had the catch of the day, dorado, and the combination platter. It Rains Fishes has improved if that is possible. Our table had ribs, rack of lamb, fresh fish, and each meal was perfect. I recommend reservations for it was crowded every night. Dinner at Le Flamboyant was also great. We had a large party of 12 and they accomodated us with ease. Everyone said their meal was very good and the tuna special was especially tasty. This restaurant is the most reasonably priced of all we tried. Our meal for 2 was $38 including a glass of wine and dessert. Finally, Richards was as usual a treat. All of us had great meals but the highlight was the wahoo with a delicate sauce.

We ate at Calabas for breakfast 4 times and this is always a good choice, especially, if you plan a long day of snorkeling or diving. Our meals at Chibi-Chibi were not as good as the past but our dinner the last night was superb.

We heard glowing reports from friends who ate at Casablanca, Cappricios, and Chez Lucille's new restaurant at Harbor Village.

Activities for us was daily snorkeling. First, the house "reef" at Divi suffered some damage from the hurricane and there were not as many fish and little coral. We did 2 Woodwind trips with Dee on the Woodwind and both were super.On the Klein drift snorkel we saw 3 hawksbill turtles both times, baracuda, queen angels, french angels and all of the usual characters. The visibility was good and the snorkel easy. We went to Small Wall and Andrea also with Dee and both were excellent. With good vis. and good coral formations. We saw a free swimming eel, many super male parrots, large truck fish and an assortment of other small fish.

Snorkeling a Windsock and Salt Pier was not good due to rough water and poor vis. Also, there was evidence of coral damage at Windsock.

The night snorkel with Dee was a highlight. We saw 3 free swimming eels including an 8 foot moray. Also, squid, octopus, turtles, and again a free swimming octopus. A snorkel trip with Renee to Sorobon was excellent. There were eels, many angels, lobsters, and the highlight was a large spotted ray. Renee said it was the first time she had seen a ray on Bonaire.

All in all it was a good trip and we are looking forward to our return in 2006.

thanks for the trip report, bonaire is an unusual place, an island vacation where a large part of the memories are the dinning experience.
thanks for the info on BE we are booked cur-bon in a month and are a little curious about what is going on with them.
thanks for sharing,
mh

Thanks for the trip report. I'm really hungry now. LOL.

Hi, All:

We tried something different this year: although we are Divi timeshare owners (in Aruba) we decided to try renting a house. It was on Abraham, a couple of blocks up from the Divi. We had lots of room, including our own PRIVATE PATIO. We snorkelled every day, most of the time with Renee, but we also finally worked up enough nerve (I'm not a good swimmer) to venture out on our own a couple of days. Tori's Reef has a really easy entry, and the current wasn't too strong. Plaza is also terrific; you can park in the dirt lot at the end of Abraham and walk onto the property and snorkel from the beach. Two GORGEOUS scrawled file fish followed us around the whole time we were in the water. We ate out at La Guernica (used to be Amadeus in a previous incarnation) one night and Rains Fishes, where the food was good but the service was rotten. We also went to the BonaireTalkers Tuesday night dinner at Gibi's Terrace, which was fantastic. It's at Gibi's home, and he and his family do the cooking. The food was terrific, and there was TONS of it; best frites I've ever had. My husband had goat stew(I couldn't do it)and I had grilled wahoo. We were the only people there, along with Renee, but Gibi said that he frequently has quite a mob, so try to go. It's every Tuesday night. Didn't get to see the donkeys this time because all the rain (more rain than in the past 80 years) had flooded the road into the Sanctuary, and we didn't have 4-wheel drive. Hope Marina and all the "kids" are doing well; we'll see them next year. Connections to/from Aruba via BonairExel were good; you no longer have to get off the plane and go through Transito if you have to stop in Curacao. Be sure you confirm your return flight; ours was changed from 11:00 to 1:00 on the 15th, which got us into Aruba at about 1:45, in plenty of time for the 4:15 flight back to the US. Other people hadn't bother to check in advance and were quite miffed at the extra 2-hour wait. Interesting about the merger with another airline. Any more info?
Anyway, we had a terrific time and have already booked for next year.

Donna, are you booked for next year at the same house rental or elsewhere? Could you post under Accommodations about the house rental - who you rented it through, good points about the house and location, and any concerns if appropriate to mention. Or if you prefer email me regarding this. We usually stay at the Divi but are interested in other choices nearby as well. I do love the Divi though :-) thanks dkacavas@maine.rr.com