This past winter was a tough one here in the northeast and our February trip to Bonaire was a welcomed relief from the cold and snow. It also marked our 28th visit to the island. These two photos were taken a week apart, what a difference seven days and 2019 miles can make.



Once again we flew the Continental non-stop from Newark, which has really spoiled us. There is a lesson to be learned here in booking flights; if you see a good fare, don’t wait, take it. In booking our trip for this August we were slow in making the reservation and the air fare shot up over $400 per person over night. Lesson learned, he who hesitates will pay an increased air fare!

Returning to our two bedroom condo at Sand Dollar is like coming home. During our two week trip we ate breakfast and lunch in everyday and almost all our dinners. It’s a great way to save some money on a vacation.

Also on this trip Joan completed her mural project that she started in August. When we planned for the project in August we did not realize how big the wall was and did not bring enough fish stencils. We also could not find a nice Angelfish stencil and this is where things get interesting. Our solution was to have one of Alan’s photos converted to a stencil. Here is part of the project including Alan’s original Angelfish photo, the vector separation and the first layer of the stencil.



If you would like to see the entire project and how it was done please visit our mural project website. We explain how the stencil was made and a link to the stencil company that made it for us.

The diving, well, we just jumped off the dock to what we feel, and many people agree, is the best reef in the Caribbean, Bari reef. Bari is less than a two minute walk from our condo and we do all our diving right there. In the first photo you can see our condo in the background; the others are a trumpet fish and banded coral shrimp in a tube sponge.



If you would like to see more of Alan’s photos from this trip please visit our Bari Reef Bonaire Photo Gallery.

Karnival also coincided with this trip and is great way to experience another element of Bonairean culture.



As always, we updated our Bonaire suggestion sheet again. It is a continuing work in progress and contains information about the different grocery stores, their hours and directions. It also includes some restaurant suggestions, things we found fun to do, and other useful island information. If you would like a copy just send us an e-mail.

And remember, if you see a good air fare, book it!

Nice report. Love how you worked the pics in with it.

Went to the website. What a fun project (although I'm betting you're not wanting to look at a can of paint or a brush for awhile!)

We stayed at Sand Dollar and really loved it. We were in B7 which is bottom floor. I was curious how you deal with scuba equipment with a top floor apartment? It was so easy for us to go in the porch entrance and drop off our stuff. That apartment has a peg rack with a drip catcher below it so you can hang up wet gear. With upstairs accomodations it seems you'd have to drag wet gear through the apartment to put it up? Or are the arrangements different up there?

We frequently dove outside of BDA's tank pickup and return hours so often had tanks to bring in with us. (Although sometimes we were lazy and left them in the back of the truck. The security there was pretty good and apparently tanks are not high on the theft item list.)

e.

(Message edited by herk_man on March 30, 2010)

Great report. Enjoyed reading it. Thanks for the photos , they are really nice D

We rent B6 from Alan Zale. The layout is the same in all the condo. We do almost all our dives at Bari Reef and leave our wetsuits and BCD's in BDA's gear room most of the time. When we bring stuff back to the room it has been easy. We can set stuff on the tile by the door or bring it into the shower in the main bathroom to rinse off. Or straight through and hang on the pegs on the patio. Because the patio is screened in and on the second floor, it is safe to leave it there and won't be stolen. Can you lock the porch area in B7?

Some drips are easy to wipe up off the tiles and the breeze dries things up fast. I think being on the second floor has advantages. We have less mosquitos than we had when we rented on the first floor. I think the mosquitos hang out near the doors on the first floor, there just aren't many hanging out at the higher level. And we definitely have a constant breeze in B6. I think the higher level helps with that and the view is great.

We left air tanks in the back of our pickup, too. Never had a problem.

Jean..I'm not surprised by your observation on mosquitoes. Definitely mine also. The higher you are, the more breezes you'll get resulting in far fewer mosquitoes (if any). They just love low lying areas with vegetation.

Alan and Joan great report as usual. The Zale's condo has a special place in our hearts..we stayed there on our first trip to Bonaire in 2001. It is very nicely appointed and has everything you could ask for!

All I can say is that regardless of height the skeeters find me lol

Just checked out the mural beautiful!

Great job.

Hmm, good info. Our experience with the gear storage area though when we were there in December was that it was a major mosquito hideout. So between that and having built in storage in our unit, we chose to keep it with us.

Thanks for the info. Wish we were in the position to buy our own too.

e.

It does not surprise me that mosquitoes find Cynde. Bats do too. LOL

A most excellent and fun report to read.

Great report Alan and Joan. Also enjoyed looking at your website. Fantastic job on the mural Joan. I will give it an up close inspection soon. Three more days then it's wheels up for two weeks on island. Can almost taste the BRIGHTS now

Thank you for sharing Alan and Joan. Makes the wait bareable. dfw we are probably on the same flight. Redeye out of Houston Sat, two weeks for us also. Yeehaa

Vince,
I would think that if height is a factor with mosquito bites, then only the top part of the body would be immune.
The bottom part would still get bit.
There is a theory that the mosquitos are attracted to the CO2 we blow off. Many shorter people have more CO2?
:>

Jim, LMAO...yes, all Bonaire flying insects and bats love me...omg...i can still hear me screaming "are those BATS?????"

Lisa, I'm short so that would make sense...lol...

Hi Lisa...I got an idea...Here's a science experiment to try next time you're on the island. DO NOT use any insecticide. Sit at an outside table at a restaurant oh at about 7:00 pm at a table next to some pretty plants (the more plants the better). You must be wearing shorts and sandals.

Then do an official count on how many bites on your feet and legs (under the table) vs how many bites on your arms and face over the next 90 minutes.

As a word to the wise, it does help to consume significant quantities of adult beverages when performing this "experiment".

PS..My sincere apologies to the Zales for side tracking your thread. It was unintentional.

(Message edited by vini85 on March 31, 2010)

Vince,
Oh Vince, I've done that. Not only are my legs and feet bitten, but my arms, back, neck, etc.
Then again, it may be because I'm barely five-one, which would bring us back to your initial theory.
But, since my mama didn't raise no fool, it was the one and ONLY time on Bonaire I didn't use insect repellent. Tink, I think the sweeter you are, the more they bite. Yeah, that's the ticket.
:>

Alan, Very nice report. It was a pleasure meeting you and Joan this past February. We are going back in June and can't wait.
chris

Chris, it was nice meeting you as well. Enjoy your trip and send us an e-mail if you would like an updated copy of our Bonaire suggestion sheet. Alan

Nice report and love the photo presentation.