BonaireTalk Discussion Group
Trip Reports: Smack's little adventure
Bonaire Talk: Trip Reports: Archives: Archives 2000 to 2005: Archives - 2004-08-02 to 2005-05-08: Smack's little adventure
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John"Smack"Anderson (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #622) on Tuesday, April 5, 2005 - 1:32 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Let's begin with the flight down. I arrived in Newark as planned, but found Caminology waiting for me:-) The connection to Aruba was over sold. Thinking that being an employee of the airline with a revenue ticket and traveling alone(one seat) would give me an edge, I did not worry that I would make it on the flight. Caminology rule#2...The # of seats on a 757 is inversly proportional to your chances of occupying one of them. The plane left with only one denied boarding. I quess Bonaire will have to wait another day:-) The airline helped in every way they could from that point on and took care of all my overnight needs. The next day proved more fruitful and landed me on island in time to get my rental truck, check in at Eden, and head for Gibi's to say hello.

Gibi's was great. He really does open his home and his hospitality to you and the food is just as I expected. My first time having goat stew any I loved it. I finally got to meet Renee who is a wonderful person to talk to. She gave me her latest site reports for me to plan my dives and her knowledge of the island kept me always attentive. Josie stopped in to say goodbye as she was leaving the next day. I loved the way Gibi's kids giggled when I thanked them for the fine job they did as servers and hosts:-)

The diving began with a showup at the reef cam. As you have seen already, I don't have to explain. From there I just winged it, grabbing a tank and going where I wanted, when I wanted, with no care as to time or day or anything else. No Caminology came into play(knock on wood):-)

Then there was Wally and Eva. Eva is a very nice person and fun to talk to, but that Wally guy...what a bumb! He can't dive, sponges off the locals, couldn't build a boat to save his ass, and has absolutely NO personality. What a bumb! HA! HA! HA!:D:D Ok, I may have lied just a bit. Wally took me on a scooter dive at Bachelors Beach and we had a blast! Flying over the reef is a wild ride that I hope I get a chance to do again. Wally and Eva, THANK YOU! You were the highlight of my trip! I can't wait to see the both of you again.

The boat ride. I was at Bongos Thursday night and ran into Bart. He told me to take off my sandles and follow him. He was going to show me the "real Bonaire"(beer may be involved). His skiff was tied up at the dock, and upon boarding he said cast off. Not to question the captain, I did as I was told(engine is off). At this point we encounter Caminology rule #3...The chances of a boat engine NOT starting is directly proportional to the distance from the dock:-) The conversation goes something like this:
(sound):click,click,click.
(smack):Hey Bart, very funny!
(bart):Smack, we may have a small problem.
(smack):You're just fooling around. Start the
engine.
(bart):The guy just fixed it yesterday. Good
thing I have a cell phone.
To make a long story a little shorter, we went adrift between Eden and Klein as Bart called for "a little help!". I laughed the whole time as Bart continued to appologise and a boat called the "AquaScape" came to our rescue with a tow back to the dock and a free ride with beer and a personal tour of the boat. I got to see the illuminescent light show of a lifetime! No one could have planned a better ride, and Bart laughed when I told him I was glad his boat broke:-) Apparently, Bart may owe big time in beer over this, and the story was wide spread among the locals at the time of my departure.

Best dive.
Andrea 1 with Bart. Thank you, Bart!

The rest of the trip went as planned and I went to all the places to eat that I had on my "must do" list. Rib Factory, Lost Penguin, Gibi's. I really enjoyed Henk's hospitality at Bongo's as well as all his staff. Just nice people!

The last appearance at the reef cam was not the best of my efforts. Bob wanted to make an apperience along with my last sign, "Smack Was Here!". Sarge had other plans, as he hit me several times to let me know he was guarding eggs and would not let me that close without taking the brunt of his wrath. I have the scars to prove his determination as he hit me time and again. No Caminology here, just respect for Sarge.

Notice: Lost, one thong, Property of Smack. Bright green and slightly used. Last seen in luggage bound for Aruba. If you see this thong, do not try to apprehend as it may be armed and potentually dangerous. Notify thong authorities immediately if you see this thong so proper precautions can be taken to ensure safety messures are implemented. :-):-)

Smack



 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Denise Kacavas (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #968) on Tuesday, April 5, 2005 - 2:32 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

:-) good report Smack. I am glad to read that you had such a good trip! Did you take uw pictures? see anything unusual? did you say hello to the moray eels for Tom? Denise

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kelly Baum (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2475) on Tuesday, April 5, 2005 - 2:58 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

uhhhh yeah, Smack.... pictures???

GREAT report !!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tom Cousino (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1730) on Tuesday, April 5, 2005 - 5:58 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Smack, Welcome Home!!! Now wake up and answer your d#*%ed phone.

Glad to hear you had a great time once you finally arrived.

Whatcha talking bout Sarge beat you up? I wondered what was up on Sunday.

Sorry to hear you lost your thong. Think you might have received a phone call about it this afternoon. ROTFLMAO!!

In case you hadn't noticed, the lake is starting to open up. Ready to wash the salt out of your gear;-{)}

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Josie (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1055) on Tuesday, April 5, 2005 - 6:37 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Smack: I'm glad I had the chance to meet you. I had a loonng trip home (weather in Chicago, what a surprise!), but me and the pussycat got home and she's curled up at my feet now. She and her brother are just all wore out from playing...what a joy they are.
Josie

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Gail Thomas (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #566) on Tuesday, April 5, 2005 - 6:45 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Great report Smack - all's that's needed is photos!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John"Smack"Anderson (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #623) on Tuesday, April 5, 2005 - 7:59 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I'll work on some photos, but I actually did not take as many this trip. Why? I don't know. For those wondering about the package for Bart, I delivered it to him with a Amstel at Bongos. The moment and his reaction was a hard one for both of us and one I will never forget. Bart, from the bottom of his heart, thanks all of you for your caring and concern and generosity, and wanted to make sure I passed this along.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cynde (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #13389) on Tuesday, April 5, 2005 - 8:37 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

OK Smack, I'm crying...thank you for delivering the plant...have me choked up thinking of the delivery...thank you again for personally delivering it.

On the DBIW (dead boat in the water)...we had a similar experience when we did our boat dives with Yellow Submarine...got all loaded, took off, and almost clipped a sailboat...Chili (dive master) looked up at the skipper and was like, what the?? Apperantly there was no hydrolic fluid to the motors...so we had no stearing! As we were floating...I looked at Martin and began to put my dive suit on figuring if we got too close to the shore, or the big ship docked I could bail...LOL! They called the shop, another boat brought out some hydrolic fluid and then we were on our way...however, we didn't have any brights on board (that would have been more reassuring)...LOL!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cheryl B (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #176) on Tuesday, April 5, 2005 - 11:38 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

LOL, Cynde, I can just see you pulling on your kit! I'm with you, even at 80 degrees, that water can feel COLD!

So, where are the pics from THAT adventure? ;)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Babs (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #8286) on Tuesday, April 5, 2005 - 11:57 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Just as I suspected Smakers, stealing my dive buddies! (even that slob Wally! :-) ) Looking for ward to pics of you all...and yes, that means you too Seaborn! :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Eileen Kimmett (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #7701) on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 5:36 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Great report!!! (Pics please:-)!)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cecil Berry (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3984) on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 8:30 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Great report, Smack but you get no score without pictures.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John"Smack"Anderson (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #627) on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 9:37 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

My buddy, Bart at Andrea I.
m

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John"Smack"Anderson (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #628) on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 9:48 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Too big, I think. More editing will take time.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mary Mueller (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3894) on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 9:54 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Smack - great report!!! And please pictures!!!:-):-):-)

It will be fum to look at since I am stuck in Miami on a long layover!!! I only wish your trip was a bit longer then I could have met you in person!! But there is always October!!!

Thanks for taking the plant!! We really appreciate you buddy!!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Denise Kacavas (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #969) on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 10:37 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

So many people are talking about going in October. Is there a list of October visitors started? I know it is way early, but I am curious :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wally and Eva (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #773) on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 6:37 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Scubby Doobby Smacksters Scooter....Rut Row

ss

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wally and Eva (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #774) on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 6:42 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

ss

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wally and Eva (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #775) on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 6:45 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Grrrrr......

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Trunicate (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #910) on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 7:27 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Double Grrrr....

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kelly Baum (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2486) on Thursday, April 7, 2005 - 9:30 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Denise, Steve and I are going Sept. 30th to October 12th !!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wally and Eva (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #778) on Thursday, April 7, 2005 - 11:06 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

ss

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wally and Eva (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #779) on Thursday, April 7, 2005 - 11:11 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Triple Grrrr... jees I must be getting stupider....Mods WTFO

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By seb (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2129) on Thursday, April 7, 2005 - 11:49 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Send it to me if you want wally and i'll try
seb

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Yana girl (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #242) on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 10:21 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Kelly
I am GREEN with envy! You will be spending OUR Birthday on Bonaire.....Steve is a GREAT man indeed to give you such a wonderful B'day Trip.
Yanagirl

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kelly Baum (JATCCM) (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2504) on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 11:00 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi, Yana! I will hold up a sign for US on our birthday! :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Yana girl (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #244) on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 12:06 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Kelly,
You are SO worthy to wear the Tiara!!! I wrote it down on my calendar.....that's like carving it in stone. "Oct 11, Look for Kelly on the Beach Cam"
Yana

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kelly Baum (JATCCM) (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2508) on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 12:07 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

ha ha ha.... I'm dying laughing!!! I might actually have to find and bring a LARGE crown to wear. ;)

So far, the husband is a no-go on the tiara, but I'm still working on it.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Yana girl (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #245) on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 12:19 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Kelly,
"Burger *ing" Gives LARGE crowns out for free. Would The Husband wear one at his GDB coronation in front of the web cam?
Yana

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kelly Baum (JATCCM) (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2511) on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 12:23 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

ohhhh Burger King... I hadn't thought of that !! They would pack well too... GREAT IDEA !!! (and a good excuse to have a burger, too).

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tom Cousino (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1740) on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 12:48 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Smack dropped of a disc of photos from his trip. Hopefully I will have a few on-line for him this evening.

Kelly, You said you will hold up a sign which is good. Now going back a few months I must ask:

Will you do it wearing a Tiara?
Will you do it wearing a Thong?
Will you do it wearing a Flamingo?
Hurry please answer, I don't have long!
:-{)} :-{)} :-{)} :-{)}
Sorry for all the smileys, it just feels good being able to post them again;-{)} Oops another one snuck out.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mare (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #738) on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 12:59 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Tom!
I got it! I got it!
How very Dr. Seuss of you!

LOL
Mare

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tom Cousino (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1741) on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 1:13 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Mare, It only seems proper that Ms. Baum answers "Yes". Am I right?

Gotta go, trying to Seussify something for "Kitten" while I work. Maybe you could assist on this? If my memory is correct, you were able to convince a boy from a cabin, deep in the woods of Canada to wear one:-{O}. LMAO!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wally and Eva (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #782) on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 6:59 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

ss

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tom Cousino (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1742) on Saturday, April 9, 2005 - 8:48 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

eel
flounder
donkey
shark

Here are a few for Smack

(Message edited by vtscuba on April 9, 2005)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cynde (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #13431) on Saturday, April 9, 2005 - 11:31 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Cool! Wally, ain't them scooters a hoot!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wally and Eva (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #784) on Saturday, April 9, 2005 - 5:31 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

They are a real ball....flying over the reef doing 8 point rolls and barrell loops. I'll try to post again the shot of Smack (clean register first)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wally and Eva (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #788) on Saturday, April 9, 2005 - 6:31 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Now lets see if I can post the Scubby Doobby Smacksters Scooter....Rut Row

ss

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wally and Eva (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #792) on Saturday, April 9, 2005 - 6:47 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

ss3

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tom Cousino (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1744) on Saturday, April 9, 2005 - 8:08 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Wally, I am glad you persisted in posting the photo of Smack. He and I were talking Thursday, when he mentioned your shared scooter dive, he was as animated as I have ever seen him:-{)}

Unfortunately when he first got into diving was the same time I sold my Torpedo. Might be time to look into getting another scooter, now that I have a dive buddy who enjoys them.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John"Smack"Anderson (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #632) on Monday, April 11, 2005 - 8:42 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hey, Wally! Thats a good one! Thanks for the pic and the great dive! Gotta put that one on my profile. I hope we hook up again on Bonaire for some more diving and Jake's beer:-).

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John"Smack"Anderson (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #633) on Monday, April 11, 2005 - 9:13 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

One thing I forgot to mention. There are leftovers still in the water from the art exhibit at Eden. Several blocks with PVC pipe frames tied to them in shallow water just north of the cam. I was surprised to see them and should have asked why they are still in the water since they look as if they could be easily torn up if another storm should pass by the island. It seems to me they should have removed all of the items that were place in the water and leave it as they found it. If some one knows anything about this, please post any info you have.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John"Smack"Anderson (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #634) on Monday, April 11, 2005 - 9:53 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Second thought. They also look like a buoyancy practice course for training. Now I'm not sure what they actually are. Maybe a note to Bart will give me the answer.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cam (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #156) on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 1:12 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

John

Caminology sucks, doesn't it? :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cam (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #157) on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 1:20 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Great report John....how did you like staying at Eden??? Do they have a dive shop?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cam (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #158) on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 2:30 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Speaking of Caminology....NEVER, I say NEVER take the window seat of row 13 on a 757....THERE IS NO WINDOW!!! I found this out the hard way on a gruelling 13 hr flight to Fiji...the rows were so tight that if the guy in front of me reclined his seat I could taste his shampoo (shudder)....I typically like window seats as I can be somewhat claustrophobic (sp ?)....consider being crammed into this cattle car plane, in the window seat with nothing to look out at for 13 hours! I hate 757's. You've been warned :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mare (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #750) on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 4:01 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Gee Cam, you could have checked for dandruff flakes.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cam (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #161) on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 7:12 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Like sprinkles on the ice cream Mare (shudder shudder)....make mine a brunette with a side of Head and Shoulders...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bart Snelder (BonaireTalker - Post #19) on Wednesday, April 13, 2005 - 12:42 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Smack, hope all is well. yep those "left overs" are in fact........... left overs. From the old pipes of the exhibit we made three diamond shaped squares placed in slightly different depths. They are ideal and fun training aides for buoyancy control. You know, feet first and all that.
Bart

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John"Smack"Anderson (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #643) on Wednesday, April 20, 2005 - 9:16 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Bart, I had a feeling that was it. It makes sense now. I'm well here and looking forward to seeing you again in October(Tom and I already have our tickets). Be well, buddy.:-)

Cam, I know what you mean. I have to have a window seat. Kinda still a kid that way, always wanting to see what I can see.
Eden is great, WannaDive(dive shop) is there and is the best! Caminology in reverse!:-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cam (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #243) on Wednesday, April 20, 2005 - 9:53 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Smack

If you come by Don's on the 30th, I'll buy you one or two or three...I may need Tom to decipher my new dive computer...

 


Visit: The Bonaire WebCams - Current Bonaire images and weather!
The Bonaire Insider - the latest tourism news about Bonaire
The Bonaire Information Site, InfoBonaire
Search Bonaire - Search top Bonaire Web sites


Topics Last Day Last Week Tree View    Getting Started Formatting Troubleshooting    New Messages Keyword Search Contact Moderators Edit Profile Administration