I'll try to finish this quickly cause it simply can't stand up to those awesome pics!!! Wow!! Another find for a meal or snack is Dragon City, just north of CPR. Volume!!! And, very tasty too. You'll have leftovers for sure. Cold beer---I mean there was ice in it. Great. They have nasigoreng and bamigoreng too. Don't be fooled by the appetizer listed as "shrimp cocktail". It is actually awesome sauted garlic shrimp. Just order some rice with it and you are set. Of course, the other folks dining with you will need to have a bit just to protect themselves from the garlic! Love it!!! A great spot on a windy day is out at Lac Bay at the Beach Hut. Feet in the sand, shade, cold beer, and really good food. Plus, fun folks all around and those amazing people who perform their daring tricks on the kite/sail boards. It is my second favorite beach bar in the world! (First is in MX, lost my heart there in 1986) We managed to find ourselves out there three afternoons! Just enjoying the water, the views, the food, and the beers. Very laid back and so fun. We were also introduced to Lac Cai and the Sunday fish fry and music, cold beer (I think there is a theme here). Again, a great way to spend an afternoon. Eli's Deli has wonderful sandwiches to eat there or takeaway. I favor the brown baguette. Mike and I would split one and there was plenty. Or, again, leftovers are always good! We ate breakfast a couple times at Eddy's and had hamburgers one day too. All good. It is wonderful to see Sonia and Edy's dream coming true. A nice refreshing spot by a pool situated to catch the breezes. Fun to visit with Sonia again! We had some cookouts at Coral Paradise thanks to our "hosts". Check out the pics on their website. We're there---Mike helped with the grilling one night. Very fun to spend time with the people there!!!

I'm sure I have missed some spots---and yes, I know it sounds like all we did was eat! (and drink) But, really, Mike snorkeled a ton and always came back with stories of what he had seen. A "nobbly octopus" at night with Renee. He spent about half an hour just floating with an eagle ray. Drift snorkeling off Klein---one of his favorite sites, along with the snorkeling within walking distance from our spot, and Bari Reef. He saw tons and is already missing it so much!

As for shopping, we really didn't do much! The cruise ships make "downtown" a bit cumbersome for driving around much. We found the Chinese Grocery next to Dragon City very well stocked, lots of fresh fruit. Went to Culitmara once---decided it wasn't really worth the hassle. The store, Hato Market, by the Chat 'n Browse has great baked goods now. Awesome!! Found some fairly priced wine---one bad cork during the whole month--and the store gave us a new bottle the next day! The Chat 'n Browse has lots of things for those gifts needed and it wouldn't be Bonaire without seeing Michael. Brush up on your 50's and 60's TV shows and try to stump him!! Found a new laundry closer to the north end that does a super job! The "Alpha and Omega". Quick turnaround, the clothes are really dry and folded so nicely and smell wonderful! It was HOT while we were there, so yes, we did need to use their services a couple of times.

I think that about covers it----or at least---that's all I can bear to type. I'm ready to head back right now! Have fun everyone!! Take your smiles and manners with you and you will find the people to be very helpful and friendly. It's a sign of a great vacation when you can joke around with the locals and you ALL are laughing! Peace. mellen

Great trip report. A whole month Jealous.