BonaireTalk Discussion Group
Trip Reports: Sand Dollar February 2008
Bonaire Talk: Trip Reports: Archives: Archives 2006-2008: Archives - 2008-03-01 to 2008-07-31: Sand Dollar February 2008
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Alan & Joan Zale (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #470) on Wednesday, March 5, 2008 - 8:34 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Our President’s week visit to Bonaire marked our twenty forth visit to the island. It included many special moments including a total lunar eclipse and also being honored by the Bonaire Tourism Board.

We are totally hooked on the Continental non-stop from Newark. This was our third trip on Continental and it has made getting to Bonaire very easy for us. Fast Track Parking just outside the airport is a very convenient place to leave your car for a week.

description

It’s always so peaceful returning to our two bedroom condo at Sand Dollar. With so many friends down on this trip we only cooked dinner once in our unit. We ate all our breakfasts and most of our lunches on the screened in porch.

The biggest, and nicest, surprise of the trip was being honored by the Bonaire Tourism. We were recognized for the work we have done over the years including circulating our Bonaire Suggestion Sheet and other island information. Ronella Croes, Director Tourism Corporation Bonaire, presented us with medals, a piece of local art, and a CD collection of Bonaire folk songs.

description

Once again we did all our diving on Bari Reef right in front of Sand Dollar. We did find the water a little cooler on this trip.

Alan has become very comfortable using his Nikon D200 in an Aquatica housing. Last October The New York Times travel section used one of his photos in their fall Caribbean travel section.

Here are a few of Alan’s photos from this trip:

description description description

If you would like to see more of Alan’s work from this trip go to Bari Reef Bonaire Gallery.

Joan is also doing quite well with her Canon PowerShot SD700 Digital Elph in an underwater housing. Alan shot this over/under water photo of Joan with her camera using his Nikon 200 with the 12-24mm f2.8 lens and Aquatica 8 inch dome port:

description

Here are a couple of Joan’s photos. Let us know whose eel photo you like better:

description description

If you would like a copy of our suggestion sheet that list grocery stores and other little pieces of info just send us an e-mail.

We are looking forward to our summer trip, which besides be our 25th visit to Bonaire, it will also be our 25th wedding anniversary.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron Gould (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1471) on Wednesday, March 5, 2008 - 8:54 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Congrat's on the BTB Metal, and thanks for the pictures of our favorite Island... Ron

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Sue from NJ (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #740) on Wednesday, March 5, 2008 - 11:09 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Alan - nice report. Good to see you on the flights!

When was the lunar eclipse? That was one event we missed.

I would have to say I like Joan's eel better, because the angle makes it appear more threatening to the camera and I can see the upper fangs.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Alan & Joan Zale (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #471) on Wednesday, March 5, 2008 - 1:25 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Sue, you made Joan very happy with your choice. The lunar eclipse was on Wednesday night at 11pm, did you follow the link to the photo gallery, there is a photo of the eclipse posted.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Brad (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #517) on Wednesday, March 5, 2008 - 1:30 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I sure did follow the link! Thanks for sharing your great report, and pictures. And thanks for you contribution to Bonaire!

I concur, I like the fangs too.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kobi in Virginia***Bonaire in May (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5011) on Wednesday, March 5, 2008 - 9:34 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Wonderful pictures!!!
Congratulations on your tourism honor. Also early congrats on your 25th anniversary AND your upcoming summer trip.

Thanks for sharing and thanks for being YOU!!!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lise (BonaireTalker - Post #95) on Thursday, March 6, 2008 - 8:11 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Alan and Joan, Congratulations on your award from the tourism office....it is well deserved. I know from personal experience how much help you are to those of us coming to visit Bonaire. I remember how easy you made our first trip and how nice staying in your condo was. Your photos are wonderful!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By YucatanPat (Sand$ A3) (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #143) on Thursday, March 6, 2008 - 1:08 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Alan and Joan, thanks for the report and pictures. Glad you had a nice trip and congrats again on the much deserved recognition by TCB. The fish on Bari must know you and your camera by know. Congrats early on the 25th trip and 25th wedding anniversary, nice to hear in this day and age people can make it work!

I look forward to speaking with you soon.

Patrick

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Terry Armour (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #126) on Friday, March 7, 2008 - 1:14 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Congratulations! Thanks for sharing the pics.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Andy & Dave Bartlett (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #957) on Saturday, March 8, 2008 - 5:11 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Congratulations on your anniversary and your award from TCB. Used your packing list in the past and will probably use it again on the next trip, sure makes it easy to pack when you have a check off list. Thanks for providing it. You two are great ambassadors for Bonaire.
Andy and Dave

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Alan & Joan Zale (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #472) on Saturday, March 8, 2008 - 9:54 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

What packing list? We offer a Bonaire suggestion sheet with tips on finding things on the island. Would be interested in the packing list you are talking about. Joan & Alan

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Freddie (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #9804) on Saturday, March 8, 2008 - 10:24 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Alan and Joan, I think he is referring to Chet's packing list

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By April (BonaireTalker - Post #58) on Saturday, March 8, 2008 - 10:36 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I'd love to see that packing list too. :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By R J (BonaireTalker - Post #31) on Saturday, March 8, 2008 - 12:20 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Wally and Eva have posted a good list, which can be found here:
www.oldbonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/27/Share_Pack_List-272219.xls

I think you need Excel to open.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chet Wood (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #792) on Saturday, March 8, 2008 - 1:18 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I too believe the reference should be to Wally & Eva's list; we too have a packing list, but it's hand written on a paper plate!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Boat Chick************** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4585) on Saturday, March 8, 2008 - 1:28 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

alan and joan, great report, and congratulations on the award. I think you both look more relaxed and younger than your years:-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Andy & Dave Bartlett (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #959) on Sunday, March 9, 2008 - 2:13 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Alan and Joan,
Chet is right it was Wally and Eva's list. I am sorry to get the two couples confused. Had worked a long night and was very tired.

Andy, the female half of Andy and Dave

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Freddie (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #9811) on Sunday, March 9, 2008 - 8:43 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

OOPS all lists look alike??? Chet I thought it was yours on the paper plate..LOL Now I realize it was Wally who wasn't wearing any underware !!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chet Wood (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #793) on Monday, March 10, 2008 - 3:35 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Freddie,
Ya, those topics are easy to confuse; I've now crossed-off spare underwear on our paper plate!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cheryl ..... 2 weeks away....... (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #400) on Monday, March 10, 2008 - 3:54 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Alan & Joan, congratulations on the award and best wishes for your 25tth visit to Bonaire on your 25th Anniversary!
Wow to both!
As you know we are planning to stay at the Sand Dollar this year, thank you for your suggestions regarding accommodations.

Thank you Wally & Eva for the packing list ... it is very timely indeed .... 13 days until we're in paradise!

Also looking forward to Continental out of Newark!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wally and Eva (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1064) on Friday, May 30, 2008 - 8:32 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jeez...that packing list is from like 2004. Now the whole world knows I travel for a week sans underwear. Who posted this...Kelly...Mare!!!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mare (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2198) on Friday, May 30, 2008 - 11:00 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Wally,
not me!

 


Visit: The Bonaire WebCams - Current Bonaire images and weather!
The Bonaire Insider - the latest tourism news about Bonaire
The Bonaire Information Site, InfoBonaire
Search Bonaire - Search top Bonaire Web sites


Topics Last Day Last Week Tree View    Getting Started Formatting Troubleshooting    New Messages Keyword Search Contact Moderators Edit Profile Administration