Hi all! First time poster here on Bonaire Talk. We just returned from our second trip to Bonaire, last one in 2003. We flew Continental down from Cleveland via Houston on the Friday night flight. This works fine for us as you will read my parents were already on island and had a place for us to stay until 3p.m. when our unit was ready. My wife and children and I had a great time. This time, the kids were age 9,8 &7. We stayed at Buddy Dive in a 3 bedroom unit overlooking the water. My parents stay there for an extended period each year to escape the Chicago winters. They were excellent guides. Each bedroom was air-conditioned and we opened the doors on the first level for ocean breezes during the day. My wife and I did 10 dives all from shore locations with rental gear from Augusto at Buddy Dive's shop lead by my 66 yr old father. We were able to do this because we put our 3 children in Buddy's kids program called "Buddy Rangers". From 8:30 a.m. til 12:30 p.m. each day the kids were with a certified leader of this program which ran the range from snorkeling on the reef in front of Buddy to painting drift wood and other found objects at the activity center. Their fish identification skills went through the roof as did their skills as snorkelers. They looked forward to the class each day M-F and made us feel great about dropping them off. The also went kayaking in the mangroves where my wife went along. We ate at Cactus Blue (excellent), Ribs Factory (Very good), Rum Runners (good barbeque and view), Lions Den (Very good, great view), Bella Vista (fun & good)and pasta in the room.

On Friday afternoon we chartered the Mushi Mushi, a 40 foot Endeavor Manta catamaran, for a 3 hour snorkel sail north up the coast of Bonaire and over to Klein Bonaire's "No Name Beach". We had a great snorkel for our party of 11. We saw a baracuda, midnight parrot fish, chain moray, yellow tail damsel etc. There were 3 others on board from Oregon who blended nicely with our group. Soft drinks and snacks were served on board as well as beer or rum punch for the adults. Very stable and no seasickness worries. Highly recommend you see Captain Bob and Inge who are moored right downtown off the red brick road across from It Rains Fishes. That is all for now. Enjoy Bonaire.

Welcome to Bonaire Talk Michael, It's sounds as if you have fallen in love with our mushi island. You Sir are not alone. Thanks for the report and we hope that you took photos of some sort to share with us..
thanks for choosing Bonaire Talk

Thanks for the great report. I happen to think your parents are some of the smartest people in the world. Current temp in Chicago - too cold with snow! Ugh!

Thanks for the trip report. I was hoping to go a trip on a catamaran and hadn't found anything on the web.. Now I know. 9 days and counting.....

I know that Violette at Buddy Dive can book this for you...Catamaran...Mushi Mushi. They are a very busy operation, particularly on cruise ship days. You might call or e-mail ahead of time so as not to get shut out.

Have fun.