Well, here it is mid- September and we did not post a trip report from our August trip. A few of you have reminded me of this fact 
So let's see...
Ken and I caught the CO red-eye out of Newark along with the Travelling Richters. We caught up with them in the airport after they had flown in from the New England MM. It was nice to see them after having met them briefly in April this year. The flight was uneventful and I think I even managed to get a little bit of sleep. We arrived and got all our luggage without any problems. Then it was off to AB for our truck and from there to Carib Inn for a quick nap.
After we got up, we got our tanks and weights taken care of then headed off for groceries and a visit to our favorite Bonaire ambassador...Michael  We had our typical goodies to bring from New York for Michael and I'm pretty sure he enjoyed everything! Then it was off for our check-out dive.
Dinner was at BobbeJan's...MM with Karen and Roger Huff and the Richters. Wonderful company and it was fabulous to finally meet Karen and Rog!
When we got back to our room, we got the news that my mom had broken her femur a few hours prior and was in the emergency room and being admitted for surgery the following morning. Talk about putting a tailspin on a vacation! I'll share now that she came through surgery fine, spent a few more days in the hospital, a week in a rehab center and then came home. She is now free and clear of all home care and is doing great! Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers during that time. It was greatly appreciated and felt!
So, back to our week...Monday, Ken and I took a buoyancy course with Gary at Carib Inn and learned quite a bit to help both of us. We are still new to diving and every little thing we learn is wonderful. Gary was patient and checked back in with us throughout our week, constantly giving little tips that helped us both improve our diving skills. I would go back and take a course from Gary ANYTIME!!! He is a wonderful asset to Carib Inn.
Dinner Monday evening was spent at Karen and Roger's place for bbq. While we were there, Karen mentioned her brother and SIL were missionaries in the Philippines and her brother had been the principal at Faith Academy. My parents were also missionaries there when my brother and I were little. My first four years of school were at Faith Academy. I asked my dad later in the evening if he remembered the name and don't you know, they were the family that live across the rice patty from us in our subdivision. On top of that, when we moved back to the US, they acquired our housegirl, Rosie, and she worked for them for the next 15 years! Talk about a small, small world!!! I meet Karen through BT and it turns out we have had an unknown connection for years! One more reason BT is so special!!! I know we have found life-long friends in these special people
We continued our diving through Friday. Tori's Reef, Something Special (with Karen and Rog), The Lake, Front Porch, Bari Reef, Windsock and the house reef at Carib Inn. We kept our dives fairly easy, but saw lots and lots of favorites. Hawksbill turtle and juvies at Front Porch, Eagle Ray at Tori's, just to name a few special sightings I was really happy with how much time we were able to stay down this trip. We averaged about 50 minutes at the beginning of the week, but by the end of the week we were able to stay down for almost a full hour each dive. The water temps were warm enough that I was only diving in a skin (and for those of you that know me, that is UNUSUAL!!!)
Dinner's were wonderful as well. Besides Bobbejan's and dinner at Karen and Roger's place, we spent one wonderful evening at Bistro de Paris for a fantastic meal! Ken had lamb and I had Chateau Briand. There was a little mix-up with my dinner and it was served to another patron. Ken was done with his dinner before mine had even been served. The owner/chef was appalled and came out to apologize...more than once! Even though we ate separately together, it still was a fabulous meal, and we will go back! To make up for the mix-up we were given a dessert that was super fantabulous...chocolate mousse that I still can taste if I put my mind to it! On Thurday evening, after a wonderfully relaxing time spent at the Richter Art Gallery and then watching the sunset and enjoying some wine together from the Richter's rooftop, It Rains Fishes was enjoyed with Karen and Roger and the Richters. WOW! Service was fantastic and the food was out of this world! We will definitely be going back there on our next visit. Friday evening, Ken and I ate at Brisa del Mar ( I think that is the name) at Eden Beach, which was a disappointment. The atmosphere was wonderful, the attitude of the owner fantastic, but the food, while prepared specially for each patron, was over done. There is no written menu, the owner recites whatever the specials are for the night which is all fine, but prices are not mentioned either. It was one of our more expensive meals. I was upset that we didn't have as good an experience because we had heard good reports. Our last night was dinner at Donna and Giorgio's. Let me tell you, if you have not had a meal there, you are missing something! Ambiance, service, food...all great!
Lunch. I have just one thing to say about that. Eli Deli!!! Fresh baguettes and wonderful sandwich meats. We enjoyed more than one lunch sitting outside under the canopies and bought lunch to take with us to the park on Saturday. I can't say enough good things about this place! The owner is especially caring and takes time to talk to the customers as well. It was a pleasure to frequent Eli Deli!
We also had a special lunch with Michael at Antriol Catering. Ken had goat stew there, and after tasting it, I would have had it as well. It was delicious! The best part of the meal, though, was spending the time with Michael. This being our 5th trip to the island, we were so happy to finally share time with Michael outside of Chat-n-Browse. Thank you for a very enjoyable afternoon my friend! We look forward to many more times on island with you in the future! I miss our daily stops to get a hug and sit and chat. God bless you and keep you in the palm of his hand, my friend!!!
We spent our last day in Washington Slagbaai National Park, as has become our custom. We headed straight for our favorite spot...Yup...you guessed it...Wayaka II. It was great...as usual We went in for a snorkel for about an hour or so and then came out for lunch (the aforementioned Eli Deli baguettes) and then headed back in for another swim with the midnight parrots and all their friends. Ken is meandering along trying to get some shots of the midnight parrots, and I'm busy trying to catch up to him because there were 2 small green turtles just hanging around. We swam around with them for about 10 minutes. What a nice memory to end our trip with!
One other thing we participated in, was a lecture that was given by Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire. They gave a very informative presentation on the various sea turtles that inhabit the waters of Bonaire. They talked about how we as divers can assist them by not chasing or scaring the turtles when we see them. It is one thing to swim with them and enjoy sharing the same space with them, as we did on our snorkel at Wayaka II. If you are ever on island and see that there is a lecture being given, take the time to go. It is well worth it! These people are doing so much to bring awareness to the community at large about sea turtles. The lecture we attended was right at Carib Inn, so it was easy access for us, but all the lectures are open to the public from my understanding. If anyone is interested in learning more about this group, their website is: http://www.bonaireturtles.org/ Please take the time to look at their website as it is very informative! Neither Ken nor myself has any financial interest in this group. In fact they are completely non-profit.
I would be remiss if I did not mention what a wonderful staff there is at Carib Inn. Bruce runs a first class operation. Everyone of his staff is on top of whatever needs doing, whatever that may be. A smile is on everyone's face and you are quickly made to feel like family. I truly enjoyed our time there and am so glad we had the opportunity to stay here.
We had one incident while at Carib Inn that had NOTHING to do with them whatsoever. Ken went out one morning to move the truck into the driveway so we could load the gear. It was taking a while, so I wandered out front with some of our stuff, thinking he had just gotten to talking with someone. Well, it turns out that our gas had been siphoned the night before and we weren't going ANYWHERE! Bruce and his staff to the rescue...they helped Ken check out the gas line to make sure it hadn't been cut and then gave him some gasoline to make it to the gas station. So, even though we thanked them at the time, THANK YOU to Bruce and his wonderful staff! You went above and beyond the call of duty for us. We truly appreciate everything you did for us during our stay.
The trip home was uneventful as well. As hard as it is to get up so early for the CO flight, it is wonderful to have 7 full days on island! We were able to bring home Gouda from duty free shop in the airport waiting area. We are enjoying it a little at a time...in fact I'm snacking on some right now! So GOOD-a
The only thing truly missing from this trip were friends that we missed seeing BB I and II...you know who you are!!! It is always a relaxing time on island and we once again were blessed to have such an enjoyable week on a gloriously, special island that has become like home to us.
Have I missed anything? Diving, dining, accommodations, friends new and old...No I think I pretty much covered everything...
Ahhh, what's that you say?
Pictures?
Well, that is Ken's department, and he has been hard at work putting together the Flickr page. I promise you there are good pictures along with bad, but they are NOTHING like Dixie's or Rick and Susie's You can enjoy our humble album here.
We can't wait for our next trip, although we are not sure just when that will be. Grandpa Ken has promised the grandkids a trip to Disney next...Can't we just take them to Bonaire instead, Honey? They need to learn the art of diving, don't they?
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By "Barbie"Ruth******Ken's forever love (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4997) on Sunday, September 19, 2010 - 7:58 pm: 
