Just returned from another wonderful trip to Bonaire. This was our 15th trip there, and I consider it to be one of our finest since around 2010.
First let me say that the view flying into the island is now breathtaking. All the new luxury high rise hotels are just awesome sights from the air. I was really impressed with the 3 new high rises near Lac Cay. The folks at Raddison,Breezes, and Sandals have outdone themselves with the stunning visuals they have created with these. Gleaming steel, and glaring glass as far as the eye can see. Truly amazing sites. The cascading pools they have created are also something to behold. Whats even nicer is the fact that they have hidden the large garbage dumps from view by erecting 20 foot high fences all along their properties. A very nice touch indeed. The armed security people were more than gracious also, as we only had to be strip searched twice during our entire stay. They said it was due to the fact that we were driving a lowly BMW and not the usual Mercedes that most rental agencies offer. Our fault I guess since I tried to "skimp" a bit on the rental car costs this trip.
The food was fabulous as usual everywhere we dined. Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, and Carlos and Charlies were our favorites. McDonalds was a nice touch as was Wendy's and Burger King. I was glad to see that KFC is still there, even though it is getting quite old now. The new shopping mall was a wonderful experience also. So many designer outlets to shop, and so many wonderful eateries also. Felt just like being back in the USA. Never once did we feel homesick for the amenities of our usual daily life.
There were only 16 cruise ships that docked during our stay, so the crowds were minimal. It actually only took us 45 minutes to travel from The Chat and Browse to Pasa Bon on most days.That was a pleasant surprise, since last year the travel time was about an hour. So many interesting cruise ship passengers to look at too....all sporting wildly colorful Hawaiian shirts and dresses. I love the fact that they have stuck with the tried and true clothing staples of black socks with sandals. Oh...and the straw hats are still wonderful to see also.
The diving this trip was outstanding, as we actually got to see 6 Sargeant Majors, and about a dozen other Damsel fish while diving. The Lionfish population seems to be thriving also as we spotted almost 50 of those cute little guys.
The most wonderful aspect of out diving was the fact that we only got "spooged" by poo once from a sewerage pipe leading into the reef. It's a shame that the new sewerage plant still isn't completed, but I do realize that these things take time. I suppose you could say it was my own fault since I did venture inside of the no dive zones that have been placed around the island. It was silly to think I could get to within 50 yards of shore without having sewerage dumped onto me. Live and learn I guess. I did manage to get in 3 dives during my week there, so it was a successful dive trip, as the ocean was only closed because of bacteria for 4 of our 7 days there.
The new man made beaches are wonderful, and I saw so many people enjoying them. The beach bars and cabana boys were also a nice touch. It was truly gratifying to see so many cruise passengers enjoying themselves. Makes me wonder how Bonaire ever survived when it was only a divers destination.
So....thats my trip report for this year, and I'll be sure to post one after my next visit there,....if there ever is another trip there.

Ebenezer, there's still time to change !!

I hope you all realize that this was posted "tongue in cheek".....but sadly, this may be the normal trip report posted in the not too distant future if the government of Bonaire has its way and opens Bonaire to cruise ships year round. A sad fact indeed.

You did a great job as the Ghost of Bonaire Future. Just like the Ghost of Christmas Future in a Christmas Carol, you are showing us the future if we don't change now.

Tongue in cheek duly noted. Thanks, Don.

Don that was awesome! I started out thinking WTF?! Since 2010? Then I just started to visualize all that wonderful progress. I can't wait for our Bonaire 2020 vacation!

Pretty much nails it , love the trip report . I hear the big casinos are a sight to behold themselves . The lineups to the buffets are only an hour or two .
Do people still dive there ?

C'mon, do you REALLY think it will take until 2025 for Bonaire to become yet another cruise ship anchorage/3rd world toilet?

I am certain that Bonaire officials and citizens can continue their present course and make all that happen in far less time.

Cruise ship cultural destruction and unabated sewage pollution are not unlike lionfish invasions. Once they start, there is no stopping them. And THEY do not take 'island time' to accomplish their tasks.

Awesome post Randy.

I did read the time line wrong since the post was meant to be from 2020, not 2025, but a recent road trip with my daughter from San Diego to Chicago saddened me with how difficult it was to tell even what part of the country you were in due to all the exact same crossroads buildups. Fast Food, Cracker Barrel, Super 8 and some gas stations.

All made of ticky-tacky and they all look the same.

I would not be surprised if after a while ALL cruise ship destination islands seem that way to the pod folks.

This is not new, uncharted territory with unknown results. Bonaire is simply following a well established process demonstrated across the Caribbean.

Very creative!

And here's hoping that your gift of prophecy is WAY off...

Why would anyone want the island to improve? I would think it already over built. Wouldn't it be nice if you had to fly into some other island or main land and then have to take a boat to Bonaire, stay in a grass hunt close to the beach and shore dive.

And to think that you once called me great storyteller, Don. Tee hee.

Very creative Don. I certainly hope the cruiseship explosion is not a harbinger of your writing above.