Trip report:

My husband and I recently returned from 2 great weeks in Bonaire. Thanks to all of you for providing lots of information to help with our vacation. This was our 3rd trip to Bonaire and we can’t wait to return again.

AIRLINES: Continental Seattle—Houston, Houston—Bonaire. What a breeze compared to the previous route through Atlanta on Delta, and then Air Jamaica. Cut our travel time in half.

ACCOMODATIONS: Golden Reef Inn. I know there are a lot of fans on the board as I did a lot of reading before deciding where to stay. Two years ago we stayed at the Black Durgon Inn and really liked it. My husband likes to cook, and he wanted to try a place with our own kitchenette.

What we expected: clean, simple, basic
Our impression: clean, bare bones, worn

If anyone wants further details feel free to email me.

We checked out a number of other places similar price range for our next trip. All were, in our opinion, in much better shape than GRI. Looking at room/bungalow alone Holiday Happy Homes was the stand out. We looked at 3 of their bungalows and all were lovely. (High quality furniture and beds, full kitchens with everything you would need, craftsmanship evident in woodwork/tiling, super clean, new dive lockers, Internet WiFI, and cable in each bungalow) Next year will be a hard choice for us between Black Durgon (nice rooms, ambience, communal kitchen, and being on the water) vs.. Holiday Happy Homes. (Beautiful bungalow with full kitchen)

CAR: Truck through AB rentals. We had a flat, which my husband changed, and learned that tires are not covered by the rental agency. Our “tubeless” tire actually had a tube, which had previously been repaired. Thanks to Lisa Gas we were able to buy a new tube, which they installed. One hour later, for only $26 NAF, we were off diving.

DINING: We made our own breakfasts and lunches, then alternated making dinner or eating out. Had great meals at Garden Cafe, Cactus Blue, Donna and Giorgio’s, Bobby Jan’s, but the excellent rating went to Wil’s Tropical Grill. Biggest coup (for me) was asking for, and getting the recipe for the pumpkin kibbe at the Garden Cafe.

DIVING: 36 dives, all shore, Wanna Dive: what terrific people, great service.
We took Jerry Ligon’s (Bonaire Dive and Adventure) fish ID course and cannot say enough good things about the class and the dive with him. We learned so much and plan on taking his 6-day course on our next visit.

Thanks again to all who encouraged me to try photographs with my basic Nikon Coolpix L4. The fantasea housing worked great. We were able to get some decent photos, which I will try to post. And we were able to get some great videos. Highlights were seeing eagle rays (feeding at 22ft at Tori’s reef on two different dives, 4 on one occasion, 2 on another, spotting my first sea horse at Oil slick, seeing our first frog fish (thanks Jerry for pointing it out, we never would have found one on our own), free swimming moray eel, 2 big lobsters out in the daytime at Tori’s reef, BIG grouper on Quicktime but no good photo. I will definitely be getting a new camera before our return in 2007.

Thanks again to all of you.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Nell

Sounds like a great trip. We are going in three weeks.We are staying at Sand$$ and diving with Bonaire Dive and Adventure. How were they when you took Ligon's Fish ID course? What was the water temp?
Paul & Debbie

I'm really excited now. We're booked at Happy Holiday Homes and was happy to hear of your comparisons, rating their bungalows so high.

Nell..Thanks for the trip report. Your posting indicates something which I've long advocated. When you are on vacation on Bonaire, take some time out from diving & personally visit the other resorts on the island. This will pay off in spades the next time you return (which most of us do).
You'll then have first hand knowledge as to what's available, what you like & what will be the "best fit" for you.
Plus I think you'll find it to be very enjoyable and interesting activity between dives. Personally, I love to look at real estate.

Nell, Thanks for the trip report. Check again with AB regarding the flat. We have had several flats in the past. But when the tube needed replacement, the rental agency covered it.

Nell,
I was sorry to hear that you did not like GRI, Liz and Ed are really nice people. They have not had the GRI that long and it was really run down when they took over. They have done a lot and have more planned. Next you are on Bonaire give them a look again.
Andy

Paul--

all the staff at Bonaire dive and Adventure seemed very nice when we took Jerry's course.

water temp was 82-83