Weather here is turning cold again...so what better time for a trip report!

On island Jan. 22nd to 29th...first time we booked for the month of January, but the weather was great, first night was a bit “brisk” at 79 (it was 9 degrees back home!)

We scheduled our trip (as we always do) with our favorite travel agent Annie Phelan, who puts up with all our last minute requests and changes...bless you Annie!

When Belmar started doing repairs 2 years ago, we tried a few new places recommended by Annie.

Playa Letche, Residence Bonaire were some of her recommendations from the last two years and we enjoyed both places. But this trip she recommended Eleganza Del Caribe.

All of these facilities are located in town with Residence Bonaire being farthest down the strip. All were very nice but Eleganza Del Caribe was just what the doctor ordered!

Located right in front of Yellow Submarine dive site we could walk right out the door and gear up. Steve just underwent his second hip surgery so the convenience was great, as was the view and room!

We flew Delta from Philly to Atlanta. The connection time between flights is about an hour and Atlanta is a large airport.

On arrival,our plane from Philly was on the Tarmac for 15 minutes as a disabled plane was at our gate. Steve made sure I was out of my “xanex coma” and aware that we could miss the connection.
Smiling, I reached for my carry on and took another little blue pill

The plane pulled in and we dashed to the new gate for our departure to Bonaire…to our surprise the plane was still there and pretty empty!
Flight crew let us spread out once the flight took off and next thing I knew we were looking out the window at our approach to paradise!


There is something about walking down the stairs on arrival at the airport and smelling and feeling the warm air on your face, we were back!
All luggages made it and they were about the fifth to come off the belt! We picked up our rental at Budget and greeted by our escort that Annie set up to take us to Eleganza.
The ride there was eye opening as Bonaire looked so “lush” since our last visit in August of 2009, and there is even a new “round-about” by Lisa gas station (now under a new name).


We unpacked quickly and headed to Captain Don’s Habitat for dinner, drinks and a wonderful first sunset!

We dove with Buddy dive... we wanted to dive with Captain Don’s but since we did not stay there, they could not assure us space on their dive boats.
Buddy’s is easy as you can do the drive thru for tanks, but we would like to dive with Habitat one of these trips.

Steve did one boat dive a day and together we fit in two additonal shore dives. We kept to the ‘easy peasy’ sites as his surgery was just the end of August.
We did Buddy’s as our check out dive, then Captain Don’s, Hamlet #5, Tori’s (with George and Freddie!),The Lake, Coconut Beach at the Plaza, Windsock (with George and Freddie!), Yellow Submarine (a few times), Weber’s Joy…

It felt so good to be back in the water!

With his two new titanium hips, Steve tends to be a bit “heavy-legged” (is that a word?) in the water, so I swam behind him trying my best to keep his fins up! He did very well considering…

Many of the South dive sites are now marked with entry and exit yellow rocks, which I think is a wonderful idea… keeping unexpected coral bashing to a smaller area.


This is the Lake dive site (Lots of new construction going on here as well!)
The Lake and Angel City are my favorite dives, these new entry’s really make diving them that much easier.
I am not sure I like all the construction going on right here though.
A few cruise ships on island but if you are in the water most of the day, which we usually were, we did not notice any difference and though we heard other’s complain of the mosquito’s but our Deet perfume kept them at bay.

Here are some pictures of the condo, I would recommend this place highly, it is new, convenient and has every bell and whistle, walking distance to places to eat, a pool, lockers, an elevator, and a fantastic view.


Living room and glass doors are to first bedroom,


Looking toward kitchen

And the porch was the best!

We had our BT flag flying!

View from street, there are three buildings with a little bridge that takes you to the street over the pool.

On Monday, we were still looking forward to a full week on island, but it seems we blinked and it was Friday! One week is never enough but we used every minute, we got to see the good Captain and Janet, delivered some things to new friends, saw Michael (briefly!) and felt very guilty when on the plane home that we had not stopped by to say goodby, “See ya soon!” Love you Michael!

Visited the animal shelter and brought home our new Kitty Leo!

He is the best…our second Bonaire adoptee…he has finally adjusted and is getting along marvelously with his new brothers and sisters!

The flight home with him was fine, but I was surprised that they make you take them out of the carrier to go through the checkpoint! Thank you again to The Animal Shelter and its wonderful staff!
We toured the island and again…very surprised at how much vegetation and water there is around….at Goto we had to drive through water across the road.

Went to see the flamingo’s but they were all down south… and we saw them in flight many a day!

Overall, it was a great trip, we finally got our Ambassador badges (Silver!) 4 years and we can get the gold! Saw rainbows on three days, dove with friends,(Freddie and George thanks again!)
visited some of our favorite people and animals.

Last but not least, on two occasions we were reminded how honest the Bonairian people are, first during happy hour at Divi on our last day we/I walked away from the beach and left the camera. When Steve asked where it was, I ran back in a panic and one of the locals walked up to me and said, “Are you looking for this?” I was very relieved…and very proud.

When we went to the airport that same day to pay the tax we looked through our ID and could not find our driver’s licenses. (Steve left them at Budget when he checked in the first day) We drove by budget to see if they had them and the woman returned them to us WITH our credit card that he also left there….

It was a wonderful end to a much too short week…So with Leo tucked under our seat we waved goodbye to Bonaire, but we were already planning the next trip in our minds as we slept on the flight home!




He got your chair George!

Underwater shots to follow in a day or so!

What a wonderful terrific trip report! Enjoyed reading it. After the winter we've had in the northeast, can't wait to disembark from the plane @ Flamingo on Sunday morn & feel the warm moist air once again!.

What a FANTASTIC report. Will be there very soon. Thanks

great report. leo is very handsome. so glad u were able to bring him home. apartment looks beautiful. so glad u had a wonderful week
hugs

Nice report and best to Leo in his new home.

Leo is beautiful, Good luck and thanks for the report. So happy that you adopted

Meryl...what a nice report Can't wait to see your underwater shots!

Hope Leo continues to do well and kudos to you for adopting him!

There is a rule that anyone who adopts a needy furkid from Bonaire eventually goes straight to heaven with the other angels...

Enjoyed reading about your trip and your new kitty baby!