(Message edited by modfreddie on April 7, 2008)

well that sure was frustrating...spent more time trying to reduce photos for BT than waiting in San Juan for the AA layover !
anyone would like to see some photos of the large mural I did while on Bonaire can let me know or email me, and I know how to send as iphoto...good grief !
anyway...Hartford, Ct to San Juan on FF miles with American. Took the time this year to use the locked storage room for luggage, hard to find door, but it's there if you ask, and stored our roll on with dive gear, and took taxi ( $20 ow) into Old San Juan and saw beautiful fort El Morro..and had lunch at Bombadarros ,well worth the time spent..remember it's warm out there and dress accordingly, take off those hot jeans and turtlenecks !

arrive Bonaire late evening , look for Bencho car rental with our pickup..got a good deal and got what we paid for..a " beater "divemobile for shore diving!

Sand Dollar condo unit..clean and cool..I spent 30 hours painting a mural on outside wall, and still had time for 24 dives...if you would like to see the mural from start to finish as I said email me and I can send the photos. Nice to see familiar faces on the Sand Dollar dock( got BT button from Jean & Chet..thanks )


diving was a challenge this year with high winds, full moon tides, making entry and viz difficult. Got in our favorite spots Ole Blue,Oil Slick and Witches Hut ( I still call it Weber's Joy)
and tried " The Rock " site thanks to tips from BT divers.. Bari Reef continues to have the most fish ever and I can't believe I found a little yellow frog fish on my own ! saw seahorse at Witches Hut ( thanks Marsha for the location ) and glad we did'nt bring the underwater camera this year with all the sand in the water..OH! lots of jellyfish one day, did'nt sting, but "in your face"...seems like alot more turtles, which is nice Get our air package from BDA and always nice to see friendly faces there on the dock and in the office
was interesting to see two divers with rebreathers getting in the water..I wanna try one of those in the future

we ate out at Bobby Jans..great ribs and good price..Den Lamen needs more attention to service, but BBQ night was a good value. We love the hamburger plate at Zee Zight , and of course lots of Lovers Ice Cream. Shopping at all the stores to find what you need for cooking in , is always a challange, but fun..

we too find the accellerated pace of building in Bonaire worrysome, but then again we are only visitors and hope Bonaire residents will know what is best for them and their sweet little island..we remember the island of 15 years ago, but then again the same can be said of Vermont and loss of farmland and culture here.

we enjoy sunsets from Sera Largu, watching the waves at Bocca Onima, sitting on downtown dock and watching the huge cruise ships leave the port..
I am in love with the colors of Bonaire and its friendly people..can't wait to return. Read excellent book, The Highest Tide while there..check it out..can't remember the author

hope that departure tax does'nt go up much higher..YIKES!
not enough time to even stand in front of any of the webcams..where did the days go ?

Debbie Please walk us through the photos!!!
Your painting is fabulous!!

Debbi!

WOW is all I can say....that just looks awesome. I'll be there in Sept. and would love to see it in person....it's in a public place I assume? (I'm not staying at sand dollar). Would love to see more of it!

p.s....I'll be emailing you for photos from start to finish!

more diver debbi mural images.........

thank you to everyone who has helped me upload the photos to share on BT..the mural is on the outside wall of patio at Sand Dollar unit D19..I don't think the owner would mind people
taking a look from the walkway..bought most of the materials at Kooymans, acrylic paints and brought some materials, brushes from home...was interesting to work in the warm breeze and temps of Bonaire...paint sure drys fast ! the close up shot is of the hummingbird at aloe plant..a mockingbird actually tried to land on the sill in the painting, giving me a true compliment, it thinking the painting was realistic..the dive pic is us at Ole Blue..fav dive site

Diver Debbie, we arrived at SD March 23 and could not believe our eyes when we saw the mural. It's a mirror image of the view from the condo. It is fabulous. You are an incredibly talented lady!

Wow, Debbie, that is a fabulous mural! I can see why the bird tried to land on the painted ledge.

Beautiful mural!! We'll go by to see it on our next trip!

WOW - really - WOW!!! That is wonderful. Such talent on this site - such talent. Thanks for sharing

I am in awe of your talent!

The Highest Tide
by Jim Lynch
http://thehighesttide.com/

Diver Debbie......that is AWESOME work!

You did good, girl!!!!!

LaDonna

thanks for adding the author of this book..just found it to be a refreshing read and like to recommend anything like that...just had lunch today with a couple that we meet on the dock in Bonaire and never have time to socialize with...was fun to talk about Bonaire and our diving spots

THAT IS BEAUTIFUL!! I am sooooo impressed, it looks so real, like you could just walk right out there and look at the fish in the water! It's amazing what you can do to a small space and make it so much more!! BEAUTIFUL!!

My first thought was "How many people will walk right into that wall" LOL!!!! It's amazing!!!
Just don't have too many Brights and then make a wrong turn - Ouch!!

Thank you so much for sharing!

Diver Debbi, I love your work. I need something painted at our entrance way at the front door. :-)
Great job!

Debbi, wow, absolutely magnificent! it looks so real, and I bet folks will walk right up thinking it is real. Stunning, well done

Very nice mural! Thanks for the pics of it!