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Trip Reports: On-Island Trip Report
Bonaire Talk: Trip Reports: Archives: Archives 2006-2008: Archives - 2006-08-31 to 2006-12-31: On-Island Trip Report
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Goodwin (BonaireTalker - Post #78) on Sunday, October 29, 2006 - 11:53 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Well, I'm sitting here at 11:30PM after our first full day on Bonaire, and I just need to "send" my/our enthusiasm to someone. I think - who better than the folks on BoanireTalk??

I will try to post a daily update (not that anyone cares or will read it, but because I just want to.) It probably won't last past the third day, but here goes...

Flights on Air Jamaica out of Chicago went fine. The connection from Montego Bay to Bonaire left about an hour later, which meant that we arrived at Bonaire about an hour late. No big deal –still got here at about 3:30 in the afternoon. Talked to some guys today who came in on the American Eagle flight last night. It got in three hours late (midnight), and half the people didn’t get their luggage. These two guys were two of them – they were hoping that their dive gear would arrive this evening on the 8:30PM flight. Dare I say "Thank God for Air Jamaica?"

Got our luggage, the rental car, and went to the condo. A little story…. the folks next to me at the rental car window weren’t happy with the Bonaire map that was provided. They asked for a different map. Now, we all know that it is unadvisable to go out side the lines on Bonaire. Use the map that is provided and make do. Asking for something that is unusual or out of the ordinary is a waste of time. Example: After the lady told these guys that it was the only map she had, they still wanted a different map. She got up from the desk and went out the back door and sat down on a bench. Those guys were still standing there when I left.... Obviously first timers.

Went to the grocery store. Everytime I’m there, all I can say is “Wow - I'm glad there's an Eagle near my house!” Stocked up on food, snacks, drink.

Got up this morning and went to orientation. We were being goofballs and asking stupid questions for some unknown reason. “Is that the same moon we see in Illinois? “, “If I go deep enough, can I see under the island”, “ Why is the ocean near the shore”, and my buddy Walter’s favorite: “Can I smoke underwater”. Well, we FINALLY got through orientation and were cleared to dive. Two hours later, after Leslie did her “I'm (not) the Master of my Domain Routine” with her camera, we went on a nice check-out dive on Bari Reef.

Again, things just don’t change. It was a very expectable dive – it was great to be in the water. Looked for a seahorse that was suppose to be in 35 feet on the edge of this barrel that was between the two boat moorings, blah, blah, blah. Couldn’t find it.

We did additional dives at the Lake and Withes Hut/Weber’s Joy. Visibility is good, water is warm (82 degrees), and the sealife is abundant and active. I put my finger down by a banded shrimp, and he cleaned my fingernail. Now he smells like a Midas shop, and all the fish that want free estimates and free work come to him. We wanted to take a boat dive out to Kline Bonaire to see the four Black Tip Reef Sharks that had been hanging around out there lately. However, some local fisherman got wind of the sharks, and they are now the sharks are in small bundles in someone’s freezer. Apparently, the fisherman called some of the diveshops and expressed that they had “made the diving safe again” by getting rid of the sharks.

Air temperature is HOT – mid 90’s and direct sunlight. It rained for about 15 minutes this afternoon, then the sun came out. Ruth missed the rain because it occurred at the same time as one of her twice daily naps (man I gotta trade my Midas shops in for some KFC's).

I made a great egg and ham breakfast for Leslie this morning. Lunch was turkey dogs and chips in the room while chilling out. We ate carry out from BobbyJans for dinner (ribs, steak, fries, slaw) while we watched the Amazing Race (God I love the Blondes).

Another dozen Brights and I'll I’ll be off to bed. Tomorrow is Margate Bay & Tori’s Reef in the morning, then Oil Slick Leap and Karpata in the afternoon. Then of course we’ll stop at the Rose for a couple of Brights and check on our picture.

I know all of you were here with us (Ha Ha Ha).

Look for more tantalizing Bonaire Trip Reports in the near future…… only 12 days left (about 36 dives…..)

Will you please leave my air on,

Dave & Leslie.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cyn (GH) (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #19973) on Monday, October 30, 2006 - 12:21 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Dave, thanks. doesn't help PBD at all, not one bit! Have a great time and dive safe. Hope you can check in again and give us some more on island news:-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Debbie Babcock (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4602) on Monday, October 30, 2006 - 9:32 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Dave, great report! Thanks, now my PBD is full blown! Will be there in a day and a wake-up myself!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mara Mara on the wall (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1177) on Monday, October 30, 2006 - 10:27 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

OK - when can I come back to Bonaire!!! Thanks Dave and keep em coming won't you.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bas (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #374) on Monday, October 30, 2006 - 10:37 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Dave, great report! I'm very upset and sad to read about what happened to the sharks. That, and some other very disappointing things I came across diving in the last few weeks made me angry and sad at the same time. So I called Ramon @ BMP this morning to talk to him about these issues.
He told me they are working with the fisherman to implement no-take zones and look into the idea to put Sharks on the protected species list like the Turtles and Conch are. Which is great! I really really hope they can work that out.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Brian - BBDME (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2428) on Monday, October 30, 2006 - 10:57 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Bas

Good idea, how about adding Goliath Grouper to the list as well.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jerry (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2405) on Monday, October 30, 2006 - 11:29 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Keep on there backs Bas. We thank you for your effort.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ruth van Tilburg (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #643) on Monday, October 30, 2006 - 12:21 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Slight correction--I got in only one nap Sunday. Probably because the only chocolate ice cream left at Lover's was the half-gallon size. I find it hard to sleep knowing there's that much chocolate ice cream in the house, hence only the one nap. I'm going to have some now, for lunch, so maybe it'll break my cranky mood caused by missing one of my naps. I'll eat a banana with it, so I'll have my servings of dairy & fruit. The pepperoni pizza I had last night counts as dairy, carbohydrate & protein, right? These things are hard to keep track of.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jerry (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2422) on Monday, October 30, 2006 - 12:27 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Ruth, I have to ask, how much chicken do you eat in a weeks time?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Brian - BBDME (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2449) on Monday, October 30, 2006 - 3:46 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jerry not sure if Ruth will eat it in a weeks time, more like tonight.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Brian - BBDME (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2450) on Monday, October 30, 2006 - 3:47 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Sorry Ruth only kidding and playing with Jerry's english

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mara Mara on the wall (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1192) on Monday, October 30, 2006 - 4:14 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Ruth - you need to be a bit of a Soup Nazi and tell the boys - NO CHICKEN FOR YOU!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Vince DePietro (Bellevue Condos # 9) (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #498) on Monday, October 30, 2006 - 5:57 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I really hope they get the no fishing zones implemented soon & then are able to enforce it.
I still would like to know where all the lobster have gone!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ruth van Tilburg (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #644) on Monday, October 30, 2006 - 7:01 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

It wasn't me...no point in eating a lobster w/o claws.

I test at least one of our products every week, randomly, and including "mystery shoppers," quality assurance you know, yada yada....someone's gotta do it. On that day I skip one of my bowls of cereal. Anyone up for the mystery shopper job? That and painting my living room--anyone?
;-)

PS-we'll be in biz 12.5 yrs Nov 1. Whopee. Now, almost time for Seinfeld-gotta go!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John"Smack"Anderson (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1203) on Monday, October 30, 2006 - 7:42 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Smack is sad, Bas! :-(

R.I.P.

1
2

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Becky (back to PADI spy) Hauser (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #889) on Monday, October 30, 2006 - 8:31 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Great report, I have to agree, it doesn't help the PBD though :-(

I too am very sad and disturbed at the killing of the sharks. I hope Ramon and the crew at STINAPA are able to educate the fishermen that these sharks are NOT dangerous, and that divers LOVE to see them!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Sarah (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2059) on Tuesday, October 31, 2006 - 6:07 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Agreed Becky. Education is the key.... Good luck with your efforts Bas. Do keep us updated if you can.
ps. Hope you are well?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Angela de Weger (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #141) on Tuesday, October 31, 2006 - 6:33 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Ruth, Martin volunteers for the mystery shopper job. He will be there soon and knows his chicken.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ruth van Tilburg (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #645) on Tuesday, October 31, 2006 - 10:13 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Angela, it's not an either/or proposition--sorry if it came across that way.....so he can mystery shop AND paint (the painting can be done at night, around his dive/social schedule, in total airco; the walls are 6m high-he's not afraid of heights, is he?). Meanwhile, you and I can supervise. He'd like that, I'm sure.
;-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Martin de Weger (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4419) on Wednesday, November 1, 2006 - 1:43 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

No, I don't... :S

You know what, I'll mystery shop anyway, just won't tell you... :-)

btw: Is your dive gear ready for use??

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Angela de Weger (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #142) on Wednesday, November 1, 2006 - 2:35 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Ruth, I think the hardest part for him is the two of us supervising......

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ruth van Tilburg (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #647) on Wednesday, November 1, 2006 - 10:52 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Nonsense--the more women that pay attention to Martin the better! (Or at least pretend we're paying attention)

Re: dive gear. A friend left his entire set-up, the deal being I provide storage between his trips, and get to use his stuff whenever I want. Of course, this could all be a joke, since I haven't opened the suitcase yet. It hasn't started to smell, so at least it's clean, and/or not a body. But I've heard the water's down to 82 degrees. That's pretty cool, it being almost winter and all.
;-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Martin de Weger (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4420) on Wednesday, November 1, 2006 - 4:52 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

OK, I do like female attention, I must admit... :-)

Re diving, it's a deal then, I can rub you warm and dry afterwards...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ruth van Tilburg (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #650) on Wednesday, November 1, 2006 - 7:58 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Uh, isn't your wife one of the moderators??????

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By seb (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2969) on Wednesday, November 1, 2006 - 8:05 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hey, you're both married, right?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Martin de Weger (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4421) on Thursday, November 2, 2006 - 1:27 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

So am I, Ruth... :-)

It must be the difference in native language... I don't know what I said wrong here... :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ruth van Tilburg (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #652) on Thursday, November 2, 2006 - 11:00 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Oh yeah, I am--but my husband would love time off from being supervised--he's more than willing to let me out to direct someone else! (Hey, my job title is "Director").

;-)
Martin--it was the part about rubbing me warm & dry that may be misconstrued...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Martin de Weger (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4422) on Thursday, November 2, 2006 - 3:47 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I knew that, I was just goofing around... :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ruth van Tilburg (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #654) on Thursday, November 2, 2006 - 8:02 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

You, goof around???????? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

 


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