By Dinah Alan-Smith (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Friday, March 10, 2006 - 3:48 pm: |
I am looking forward to my first trip to Bonaire in six weeks' time. I am staying at the Bonaire Oceanfront Apartments. I am not a diver, and I haven't windsurfed for over 25 years (but want to cycle, swim and run). I don't plan to rent a car; I'm only staying a week. I've been reading the threads about the places to go - eg. can I walk to Gibi's by foot (alone? in the dark?) from where I'm staying? Also, I read in another thread about a sandy beach (think it was Plaza) - can anyone tell me if that's a long walk from the area of Oceanfront apartments? Last of all, if I get into the water out the front of the apartments where I'm staying - will I need shoes? It is sharp underfoot? Is there a lot of movement of boats just there? Sorry for all the questions, but not only am I a Bonaire 'virgin'; I've never been on a talkboard before either!
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By MONTY FORBESS (BonaireTalker - Post #34) on Friday, March 10, 2006 - 4:37 pm: |
really need to consider renting a car, it would be a shame to spend the money to go and stay for a week and not have trans around the island, it is definitely worth the extra $
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By Randy P (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #438) on Friday, March 10, 2006 - 5:14 pm: |
If you want to be mobile and save some money,in town there are a couple of places that rent great little scooters for the week. Plenty of power to travel all over the island, easy on fuel. Just a quick cab ride away.
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By Tom (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3153) on Friday, March 10, 2006 - 5:21 pm: |
Randy, go here: http://www.sunoceanfront.com/
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By Lilian Markgraaf (BonaireTalker - Post #11) on Friday, March 10, 2006 - 5:23 pm: |
A scooter would be nice at least!!
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By Randy P (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #439) on Friday, March 10, 2006 - 5:25 pm: |
Ah!
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By Grasshopper (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #17348) on Friday, March 10, 2006 - 8:32 pm: |
OK, trying to figure out in town where these are. Are they the one's that are at the North end of town?
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By David Kaye (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #144) on Saturday, March 11, 2006 - 1:55 am: |
The Bonaire Oceanfront Apartments are on Kaya Grandi, which is the second street in from the waterfront. If the apartment complex goes through the block, then the "back door" is on the oceanfront drive. According to my map, they're in the same area as the Hotel Rochaline, maybe just a bit north of Chachacha Beach. Chachacha is just south of Town Pier and in front of Dive Inn; it's what I'd call a city beach. There's a 2004 comment on BT: "ChaChaCha beach, in front of the Dive Inn (where we stay) [is public] but it's small and is by the south pier and usually gets a lot of children." Farther south is the Divi Flamingo beach (how welcoming to the public?) and about a mile from the Oceanfront Apartments is the Plaza Resort Beach, where my wife and I were tolerated as snorkelers, but I don't know how they would have felt if we plunked ourselves down on the beach.
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By Susan Taft (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #610) on Saturday, March 11, 2006 - 6:47 am: |
Dinah, to answer your question about getting into the water -- I would suggest some sort of footwear even in the area where you are staying. Sandy entries are rare in Bonaire. There are many folks who wear full foot fins but find a way to deal with shoes for the entry such as clipping them to a belt. Also, in answer to your other question there will be some boat traffic and dinghy traffic where you will be so use caution.
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By ceestoosmiekesuizanne (BonaireTalker - Post #66) on Saturday, March 11, 2006 - 3:18 pm: |
Dinah,
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By Dinah Alan-Smith (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Sunday, March 12, 2006 - 4:35 am: |
Thanks for the helpful comments and suggestions for making the most of my (brief) stay. I think a scooter is going to be just the solution for getting around, and then as Toos says - maybe a vehicle for one day, and then a normal pedal cycle if I want to do some training (I'm doing a sprint triathlon in May - will look for a jogging buddy on another message board). I will pack some snorkelling stuff and get a bit of tuition before I get there! Ferries to Klein Bonaire, David? I thought I would be able to swim! It's .25 of a mile, is that right? [It's only my second post but I am already enchanted by this talkboard, BTW].
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By Andy & Dave Bartlett (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #445) on Monday, April 10, 2006 - 1:02 am: |
Dinah You will be able to walk to a lot of the restaurant in town as you will be less than a 1/4 of mile away. But you will need some kind of transportation to get to Lac Bay it is probably 4-5 miles from where you will stay. enjoy your stay!
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By Vince DePietro (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #278) on Monday, April 10, 2006 - 5:48 am: |
Hi Dinah.. Personally I'd recommend AGAINST trying to swim to Klein. I swim at least 3/4 mile twice a week (in a pool) & wouldn't really consider it. Also, good hard sole boots are in my opinion a must. Good luck & have fun.
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By michelle dannelley (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #7) on Thursday, April 13, 2006 - 2:44 pm: |
The beach at Eden Beach Resort is super soft sand and no one seemed to mind us sunning and snorkeling/diving there.
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By Dinah Alan-Smith (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #4) on Thursday, April 13, 2006 - 5:56 pm: |
Vince - are you the legendary swimmer that I've been reading about on another of these threads?
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By Vince DePietro (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #284) on Thursday, April 13, 2006 - 6:13 pm: |
Hey Dinah...So sorry but I am not him. Ain't no way I'd attempt to swim around Klein (not even in my dreams)!!!
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By Ron Gould (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #494) on Thursday, April 13, 2006 - 8:51 pm: |
Dinah,
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