Yesterday morning found us riding the waves and surge kicking our way out to the buoy at Margate Bay. To us, this is a spectacular dive and we usually find ourselves at Margate Bay multiple times per trip. This dive site has always been a good producer for us in regards to aquatic life.

Yesterday was no exception – we were blessed with an entire potpourri of wonderful sightings. The headliners were: a spotted eagle ray; three rainbow parrot fish; two baitballs; a school of horse-eyed jacks; and two turtles. We will visit this site several more times before the end of our trip. The coral and aquatic life is sensational.

After lunch, we decided to give the Windsock site a try. Upon entering the water, we encountered a small turtle. For the trip, the turtle count stands at eight sightings. We also found a large green moray crouched between a couple of large rocks. Beautiful soft corals decorate the shallow depths of this wonderful dive site.

We did a late afternoon twi-light dive at Old Blue. What a wonderful site. I still think that there is more sea life and fish movement at this site than at most other sites. Two things happened on this dive. Well, one of then happened during the dive, and one actually occurred after the dive. After the dive, I noticed that the walk to the truck was COLD! That’s right, boys and girls, I admit right here that I actually got chilled on Bonaire. By the time we waded out of the water, it was late and overcast. The wind blowing across my wet dive suit caused enough of a chill for me to stand up and take note. It has never happened before, and I hope that it doesn’t happen again. If I want cold, I’ll go home. And eventually, I will have to go home, and the word “home” right now is synonymous with “cold”. I proclaim not to be chilled anymore. I choose NOT to be cold!

During the dive, I became VERY hungry. While I was trying to focus on finding a sea horse in the soft corals and shallows during the second half of the dive, my stomach was grumbling and wanting more attention. As I was trying to appease my growling stomach, I found my sub-conscience making an underhanded deal. In order to quiet my stomach and let me concentrate on my desire to find the elusive sea horse, I had to promise to my stomach that I would reward it for it’s cooperation by having another Pasa Bon Pizza for dinner. The compromise worked. After my promise, my stomach ceased it’s growling rampage and I was allowed to concentrate the rest of the dive on my continual search for a sea horse. Although the sea horse - as frustrating as ever in his ability to elude my pursuit - was never found, the pizza tasted magnificent. I fear that having set the precedence, more of these back alley deals may be made in order to complete our late afternoon dives...

My brother Geoff and his promised one, Gretchen, arrived this afternoon for a week of diving and fun. Before they arrived, Leslie and I did a couple of dives. First, we headed up to Weber’s Joy – there was a crinoid that Les wanted to get a picture of. But of course, we spent an hour looking at everything else. We found the crinoid, and she got some excellent pictures.

The second dive was at the Lake. Another enjoyable dive. Our goal now is to take a 24 hour off-gas segment. We will dive with Geoff and Gretchen after they finish their orientation session tomorrow morning. With repetitive dives over a two week period, we feel that taking 24 hours off adds a level of safety for us. Plus, it was nice spending an afternoon being dry.

Welcoming Geoff and Gretchen to the island is a double edged sword. On one hand, it is nice having my brother here and I am confident the four of us will have a wonderful time this week. But on the other, it signals the fact that Leslie and mine’s vacation is half over. In a way I envy Geoff and Gretchen. They are full of excitement and enthusiasm about the start of their vacation. Don’t get me wrong, Les and I are still over whelmingly enthusiastic about being on Bonaire – we still have six more days of diving! Unlike our first week though, we have now been hit with the realization that our trip will soon be winding down.

A pessimist would say that our vacation is half over, whereas an optimist would say that we still have half of our Bonaire vacation left. Which one are we?

I would say we are optimists – WE STILL HAVE SIX MORE DAYS OF DIVING LEFT ON BONAIRE, BABY!

Dive on Friends.

Dave and Leslie.

Was wondering if the brothers had been re-uinted! Glad they made it to BON safely. Enjoy your time together.
Yes, having 6 more days of diving is wonderful. Thanks for allowing us to share in your daily joy

Only six more days--boy time flies when your having fun. Sounds like you guys have been having great luck in finding the fishies. Don't let Geoff scare them away--we all know who the good looking,talented Brother is. To bad HE couldn't make the trip Dive on boss and bosset

good stuff...

one will get cold but only until drying off a bit...

one will get hungry and stay that way for awhile waiting for pizza (have leftovers)

it is why two weeks are better than one, can take a day off for safety and alternative activities...can also actually observe 24 hours no fly more easily as well

margate bay is nice - should consider entering the water a dive's length or two north of the standard entry point - even nicer

sounds like you got a handle on things

You know how it is . . .
The worst day divin' is better than
the best day at work!!!

Thanks for the update!

once again ... i feel your pain , im cold and hungry so im going for a beer and pizza , thanks for the appy!

I would like to proclaim Dave Goodwin as the Bonaire Trip Report Laureate. Do I have a second? Keep them coming Dave.

I'll second that motion Jim.

Thank you Jay. All in favor of making Dave Goodwin Trip Laureate say Aye. All opposed say Nay. Thank you. The motion has carried. Dave, congratulations on being our official "Trip Report Laureate."

Wish I knew what "Laureate" means....

laureate
Main Entry: lau·re·ate
Pronunciation: \ˈlȯr-ē-ət
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, crowned with laurel as a distinction, from Latin laureatus, from laurea laurel wreath, from feminine of laureus of laurel, from laurus
Date: circa 1529
: the recipient of honor or recognition for achievement in an art or science; specifically : poet laureate

Thank you MZ. I shall try not to be so academic in the future. I would like to proclaim Dave as the best damn trip report person on the board. LOL

Jim (and all),

I appreciate the accolades, but I fear I am not worthy.....

In my opinion, the real credit should go to everyone that takes the time to read my incoherent ramblings.

I thank all of you for your support.

As hard as it is to believe, the trip reports actually make my vacation that much more fun. Between looking at Leslie's pictures every evening, and me scribbling a trip report, it is a very enjoyable way for us to re-live the day's events.

Again, I thank all of you for reading.

and Leslie's photos are where???????????

You Rock!! All of you!
Happy Diving.
Fish