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Trip Reports: Debbie's Live Bonaire Report
Bonaire Talk: Trip Reports: Archives: Archives 2006-2008: Archives - 2006-08-31 to 2006-12-31: Debbie's Live Bonaire Report
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Debbie Babcock (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4625) on Tuesday, November 7, 2006 - 12:13 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Everyone! Sorry it took me a while to get a posting since I got here, but here I am, live from Bonaire! Feels so good to be back on island, flew AA, on time, no problems, all luggage arrived, picked Gregg and Brandon up on Saturday, same for them, had some yummy Bobbejan's ribs and sate waiting for them. I had already enjoyed some with several Brights earlier.

Weather is just the best, sunny and hot, water is so nice, fish are plentiful, sunsets are gorgeous, who could ask for more?

Diving & Food: All good, hooked up with Sue Porter for a dive, enjoyed that a lot, then we had dinner at Pasa Bon Pizza. The pizza was great! Plan on going back again mid week.

I also tried a new place talked about here a lot lately. El Fogan Latino. Was pleasantly surprised when we were given a menu in English. Made it so much easier to order. I had garlic shrimps, Gregg had the fish of the day, Brandon had tenderloin. You didn't even need a knife to cut the steak, it was so tender. Enjoyed it very much and very inexpensive as well. A very nice experience and the beer is ice cold too! :-)

Went to Lion's Den tonight, was super! Three of us had tenderloin and shrimps, grouper with some pasta and scallops, and a great white sauce of some kind with little shrimps, oysters, and wahoo with creole sauce. All were good and Gregg had no problem polishing off what Brandon and I couldn't finish.

Brandon got to do his first East Side dive with Larry today and came through with flying colors. His first boat dive and back roll off a boat. Did great, so good, I think he may be ready to go there with Bas in February. We didn't see any eagle rays or nurse sharks that Brandon was hoping to see today, but still saw sea turtles, tons of green moray eels, some free swimming, lobster, tarpon and big groupers. He wants to go back again, think he is addicted now! :-)

Oh, finally got internet at my house this trip, so I can chat from home, only problem with that is, I have to be home to do it. Tee Hee...

Annette's Bakery: For those of you who have not stopped in there yet, she has these humongous cinnamon rolls with raisens that are 4 guilders. Bet you can't eat the whole thing!!! Awesome bakery.

After midnight here, turning into a pumpking, so nighty night, will check back later!

Judy, if you read this, Congrats on being Supremette! :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mara Mara on the wall (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1325) on Tuesday, November 7, 2006 - 10:52 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Debbie - thanks for the updates. I wish I were there too. Hey - we have a question for you. Did we capture you on the downtown cam yesterday afternoon? It kind of looks like it might be you.

Enjoy your time on island and keep us updated.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jerry (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2686) on Tuesday, November 7, 2006 - 12:09 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Lucky you Debbie.
Thanks for the updates.
Enjoy!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By DARLENE ELLIS (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2276) on Tuesday, November 7, 2006 - 12:17 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thank Debbie!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tom (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3699) on Tuesday, November 7, 2006 - 12:57 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Nice report, thanks Debbie.

I will take you up on that bet.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Judy Trafford (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2544) on Tuesday, November 7, 2006 - 6:15 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Debbie - thanks for your "live report"! Glad you & Gregg & Brandon all had non-eventful flights & baggage arrived with you!
Brandon must have been absolutely thrilled (along with his parents) to dive with Larry - he's progressing very quickly. Please pass along our congrats to him :-)
Thanks for the congrats on my becoming a "Supremette" - it was a lot of fun.
Tara (Boom) made it today!
Have fun & good diving :-)
Hugs to all
Judy & Les

(Message edited by judytraff on November 7, 2006)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Debbie Babcock (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4629) on Wednesday, November 8, 2006 - 12:39 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

O.K. Tonight's report: Tried the Old Inn as they have new owners and a friend wanted to try it and I went along for the ride. Well, I had a very good dinner there. They have lots of variety to choose from, some idonesian, German, Italian, some seafood, but I was in the mood to try something different and my friend said to try Snitzel (sp) They had this prepared many different ways and was a bit leary, but went for it. We both ordered different versions of it, but is a type of breaded beef, very tender, with ham and cheese on top of mine, that is Milanese style, I think if I remember correctly. Had some sauted vegs with it and a side dish of your choice off the menu. Not expensive at all, mid range I would say. My friend said they had versions of it that she has never seen prepared before, she had it only plain, so a new experience for both of us.

Mara, yes, you guys did capture me downtown. Not very flattering pic, but I just got done diving, went to the dive shops in town, had to get some new booties as mine were a tad bit too worn. Still
had my suit on under the cover up, I looked really fat in that pic! Ugh! Wasn't even looking at the cam, there was this person waving to me a few blocks away and I was trying to see who that was and well, yes it was me.

Diving today: Had a dive at 1,000 steps that turned quite wrong for me. I have been playing around with my weights as I have gained a little bit of weight since my last dive and needed to get some more weights as the weights we brought down to our house here were not enough for all three of us, so I go to the dive shop and asked for two three pound weights to add some different combinations to my existing ones, the girl hands me the weights, numbers are worn off, but says they are three pounds. They feel about right, so I leave. Before the dive, I had been using 12 pounds, was going for just 13 pounds this dive, as the other dive, I found 14 a bit too heavy. I get in the water, fin out to the dive buoy, all is good, so I descend and when we get to about 50 or 60 feet and we just are in the process of less fin action, I notice that I am really buoyant, keep going up and up, o.k., let out some air in the bc, seems to be better, about 1000 psi in the dive, it just isn't working, now, I need to tell hubby that I need to roundabout and abort dive. I forgot my slate, so it is a sign language thingie going on and miscommunication is going on big time under the sea, hubby misunderstood and then pulled out my weight belt and I shoot way up, me totally frustrated and Brandon looking at me like what is up? I nosedive down and am talking like a bangee to hubby, but he doesn't get it and I just kept going up and up, so lite bulb goes off and he puts weight belt back in and had to hold my hand all the way back till I got back to shore. Moral to the story, always remember to have a slate with you in water and always make sure your weights have a legible number on them. Took weights back to shop after dive, inquired as to their weight and found out that the weights I had were actually two pounds, not three, so when I thought I had 13 pounds, I had only 10. Really messed up that dive, but lesson learned. BTW, first thing I did when I got home was get my slates out for next dive. Doing charades under the water can be frustrating, slates are so much easier...

South side today: Yellow Hut, viz terrible, lots of particles in the water, hard to see much. It is the time of year for more particles in the sea. I believe it is plankton? Was just a bit too heavy on that there. Site between Red Beryl and Margate, excellent: saw eels, flounder, french angels, gobie city (lots of them) puffer fish, ect., coral is good shape there and really enjoyed the sealife.

Thinking of Oil Slick Leap for Wednesday to start the day.

Tom, I forgot to mention the chocolate cake I saw there too. Now, that one, I can eat the whole thing! :-)

They are really going through a huge building craze on island. It is the most building all at one time I have seen in all my years here. Kinda scary to me. Taller buildings too. Not sure if it is a good thing or not. :-( I know Bonaire can stand to grow a bit and understand that and the need to, but it looks like an explosion of new construction everywhere to me. Now, I haven't been on island since February, so maybe an over reaction, but where are all the car/trucks going to come from if they fill all of them? More traffic, ugh.



 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John"Smack"Anderson (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1207) on Wednesday, November 8, 2006 - 9:05 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Enjoy, Debbie!

I too noticed the large amount of construction going on when I was there in Sept. Let's hope the traffic doen't get too bad.

Smack

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Debbie Babcock (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4630) on Wednesday, November 8, 2006 - 10:26 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Wednesday's report: Diving was great today. I got the weights issue resolved and enjoyed Angel City and Andrea 1 today, never made it to Oil Slick, had some friends to meet up with and one thing lead to another and another Bright, well you know how that goes. Lots of turtles today, all un-tagged. Oh, and Brandon spotted his first eagle ray! Good day it was.

Oil Slick is on for tomorrow to do, Pasa Bon Pizza for dinner, and we will fill in the blanks as the day goes on. Queen is on island, lots of folks around and about with that.

I went to find Lucille's place today and found out she closed up. Shame, I never made it to try out her food. Visited Lutty's new gift shop and relieved him of two long sleeve shirts so I can feel close to Bonaire when I get back. :-) Denise, if you read this, mission accomplished.





 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Denise Kacavas (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1347) on Thursday, November 9, 2006 - 7:56 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

thank you Debbie.

I am wearing one of those long sleeve shirts to work today :-) I am really enjoying your reports!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Judy Trafford (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2562) on Thursday, November 9, 2006 - 9:14 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Debbie -

Liked your "downtown" street cam appearance!
Thanks for keeping us updated on your adventures & glad you got your weight problem resolved

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Debbie Babcock (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4633) on Thursday, November 9, 2006 - 11:31 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thursday Report: Did a little of the south and north today. Did Red, Beryl,Tori's Reef and Oil Slick Leap, OSL had a bit of stronger current this time, but a good dive as was the others. The men found a southern ray on the reef's edge at Tori's.Brandon was pretty happy as this was the first one we saw this trip. Lots of drums this trip and green morays. Saw a nice size turtle with a shark sucker on it. Ocean triggerfish, scorpion fish, queen angels, french angels, chubbies, and I have to admit, I spent quite a bit of time in about 35 feet where it seemed most of the action was. All the turtles, rays, most varieties of fish were in the shallower depths. Enjoyed just floating in one spot and found that way the fish just come right to you. Had a few yellowtail snappers just follow along side our face masks one dive. Curious little fish, I enjoyed have a conversation talking through my reg with one, he was quite amused and kept going at my mask. All the plankton in the water has viz down a bit on the south side, but didn't stop seeing all that was there, just not out as far. Tomorrow is our last dive day already, time sure has flown by this trip!

Anyone coming to the island soon, bring lots of bug spray as I got attacked the first few days even with bug spray. Glad no one is going to see my legs when I get home!

Had dinner at Pasa Bon for the second time this trip and bought an extra pizza for lunches the time left. Pizza was great! Bobbejans tomorrow night for ribs and sate'.

This island is a very magical place. Where else can you get off a plane, frazzled from travel and a fast paced lifestyle and evolve into an easygoing individual whose only thing on your mind is "Where are we diving next"? All worries are left behind once you go hit that wonderful and awesome underwater aquarium. Wish I could keep that feeling with me forever.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Denise Kacavas (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1349) on Friday, November 10, 2006 - 11:57 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Debbie, I too can't beleive your time on Bonaire has gone by so fast !! And I am feeling pre-PBD for you ... What a great experience for Brandon. And how great that you saw an ocean trigger fish. I've only seen them a couple of times on Bonaire and then too far to get to take pictures at the end of dives. Aren't we fortunate to be able to have time uw in the world of fish and coral?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Babs (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #11289) on Friday, November 10, 2006 - 7:22 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Debbie! I'm jealous! Wait, I'll be there soon too! Thanks for the reports! :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Debbie Babcock (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4635) on Friday, November 10, 2006 - 11:47 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Friday's Report: Diving on the South Side: Well, today was our last day of diving, bummed out, but we had a truly awesome dive at Hidden Beach this morning. We we under for over an hour! Nice! :-) The coral and fish were just overwhelming and our deepest depth was 50 foot for a short time, the rest at 40 or 30 feet. Words just can't subscribe all the beauty and all the fish we saw big and small. I will say we were just coasting along and a whole stream of almost a dozen baracudas came shooting down like bullets. Tons of all kinds of schools of fishes, eels and everything. Then we went to Yellow Hut, another nice experience there as well. Saw a couple of octopus, one which was guarding this big shell with it's tentacles. Just absolutely great diving for our last day, so sad it has come to an end. Going to snorkel like heck tomorrow as you can still see a lot doing that too. Anyone coming to the island soon, take advantage of the south sites, you won't be disappointed! :-)

Met up with Sue P. and had dinner at Bobbe Jans for some of their ribs and sate tonight. Great company, good food, great way to end the day. While we were there, Jake, Bas, Angela, Martin, Seb and Mare stopped by to say Hi! , they were picking up take away. Finally got to meet Angela and Martin! Wish I was still diving now... Oh well, there's always the next time. Really enjoyed meeting up with them and Mare had her camera and took some pics, so that was nice. :-)

Going to make the most of tomorrow to hold me till February when we return.

Denise, yes we are very fortunate, I sat outside tonight and just listened to those little bitty frogs and just stared at the sky. The sky at my home in the states cannot compare. Love looking for all the star constellations up there. Did have a hard time finding the big dipper though.. never did find it.

Babs, glad to hear you will be on island soon! Hope we get a chance to meet up sometime down the road! I know quite a few folks coming after I get back I would love to meet! Darn work obligations get in the way of all the fun...

Late here, got to get up early to see how much fun I can cram in my last day, so I will bid you all good night.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Debbie Babcock (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4636) on Saturday, November 11, 2006 - 9:00 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi, last night on island. Did Ribs Factory tonight for Brandon. Here is a pic of us downtown today that no one caught
brandon and I

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Debbie Babcock (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4637) on Saturday, November 11, 2006 - 9:05 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Had a great last day on island. We went to LaDania's Leap and jumped in with mask and snorkel and then had a lovely snorkel from there all the way to Karpata! Was beautiful there. Turtles, and all kinds of fish, too many to name. Couldn't dive, but was the next best thing as it was like a shallow dive doing that. The to Invisibles and saw a huge lobster and free swimming green moray just snorkeling! Great way to end our vacation. See you all back on the other side Monday!

 


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