|
|
July 3, 2004, Saturday
Up at 4:00 am for a 7:30 am Air Jamaica flight. Changed planes in Montego Bay. The airport is now painted blue, so the purple imprint of
Sandra's butt from last year is no longer there. They also installed chairs along the wall. Finally, a place to sit instead of leaning up against the wall! We arrived in Bonaire about 2:45
pm. Our luggage was just about the last to arrive, but we finally got it all, rented our Avis truck and drove to Bruce Bowkers Carib Inn www.caribinn.com , AWSOME place to stay, Bruce and his crew do a great job with everything!!! It's great being back! Temperature is in the high 80s. We got the keys and put the luggage in the house. We registered to dive and then went to Cultimara to buy groceries. After unloading the groceries, we had dinner at Pasa Bon Pizza, which proved to be an excellent choice. Joe, the owner, came from a family restaurant in New York. Great local place and great food. Mona Lisa Restaurant owner, Hans, was there with his family on his day off. He took a photo of us. We also met Larry, who does dive trips on the windward side of the island. We were there last year at Lac Bay to watch the windsurfing. Very very rough, but Larry said he has a custom boat that makes it easier. www.larryswildsidediving.com We're considering it, but doubtful. Back at the Carib Inn, we took our drinks out on the dock. The moon is full and awesome. 9:30 pm, we go to bed. Tired, but it's wonderful!
July 4, 2004, Sunday
Happy Birthday, America! We're up at 8:00 am, and out at 10:00 am to dive off Carib Inn, so that we can refresh our skills. Water
temperature is 79 degrees. In at noon for lunch, and then off to the art festival downtown. Bought a painting with saying to put on our breakfast room wall. In Portuguese, it says that how you
are when you go to bed is how you will be when you wake up. In other words, go to bed happy and you will be happy when you wake up. Artist is Mayra de Jongh from Curacao. Drove to Karpata, over
to Rincon and back. Kralendyk is dead. It seems that everything closes down on Saturday and Sunday because that's turn around time for guests.
At 4:30 pm, we're in the water again at Carib Inn. Alana and Sandra have ear problems, so stayed at 25-30 feet. We went in search of an
octopus that someone told us about and found it in a hole close to shore. It was reddish brown striped. We'll try to photograph it tomorrow. Went back and showered, then took snacks to the dock
and watched the fabulous sunset. We tried to call to see how Lady is, but can't get through on the outside phone at the Carib Inn. At 7:45 pm, Lance is cooking his famous spaghetti sauce that he made
last year. We're listening to The Eagles CD. Cool! In bed by 10:00 pm.
July 5, 2004, Monday
6:30 am. Lance is up. We have coffee on the upper deck. Birds chirping everywhere. Ocean is beautiful and calm. 8:00 am,
Lance opens Alana's door, and she's up by 8:10 am. We're going to Ol Blue, which was our last dive last year, where we saw the turtle. We take 2 sudafed every day to keep our ears open.
The drive through town was very busy. People driving and walking everywhere. Much different from the weekend. Ol Blue, Sandra's most
favorite spot. Tons of colored fish, tons of babies. Waves on entry, but made it out into the water fine. Lance had to help us on exit. All the equipment can make it difficult to navigate
the rocky coral shoreline. Coral wall is steep and beyond is a huge blue expanse of nothing. Scary, but beautiful to look at.
We think we found Gary and June's new lot, up on a hill with large homes, then back home for lunch. We're surprised that donkeys aren't wandering
around and in the streets like last year. We've seen a few parakeets flying, but no parrots to speak of. Also, there seem to be a smaller number of iguanas.
2:00 pm, we head to Andrea II. Entry looks too rocky for Alana and Sandra. There were already about 6 divers, so we went to Oil Slick
Leap. A platform is now built that the ladder is attached to. Great easy entry. We have a nice dive out and on the way back, we saw a HUGE turtle! We told Kitty (at Carib Inn) about
it. She thinks it might be a lagerhead. The platform made it clean to take off gear and wetsuit. No sand! Alana's doing great with her diving!
Back at Carib Inn, we got into the pool (which we did just about every night) and visited with other guests. We decided to try the 2 bedroom at
the front for next year. It's usually booked several years in advance, but someone canceled and we got the only available week from July 30 – August 7. It has a full kitchen, huge patio looking
out over the ocean and dock.
Now it's clean up time, and then we're headed to Don's Habitat Rum Runners to see Moogie, an entertainer we got off the internet. Kinda hazy
today, so no real sunset. Moogie was off at 7:00 pm. Dinner was pizza and BBQ buffet for $21 per person, so we went to Mona Lisa for a great meal of mahi mahi, tuna, snapper and steak. Nice
atmosphere, but not as energetic as Don's Habitat would have been. But did say hi to owner, Hans, who remembered taking our photo the other day.
Back at the hotel, Lance called Gail to check on Lady. We miss our puppy! Lady still has wheezing, but is doing ok. We sat on the dock
for awhile and in bed by 9:40 pm.
July 6, 2004, Tuesday
Up at 6:30 am. Coffee on the upper deck. What a way to wake up! Dove Margate Bay. Easy entry once we were past the rocks.
50-60 feet visibility. Saw barracuda. A group of squid passed us, then stopped to look at us. Funny to see. Alana swam down to get Lance, who was taking a photo, but they turned and swam
off before he could see them. Exiting was a little difficult because of the waves. Lance really takes care of Alana and Sandra. Most of the time, it's Lance putting our gear and tanks into the
truck. He always carries our gear down close to the water. It can be difficult for us because of the rocky terrain. He helps us put on the gear and then walks us out to the water. He's
always the first out, so he can help us out with our gear. If Alana and Sandra had to do it all, we would probably only be diving a couple of sites with easy entry/exit.
The truck is loaded and we're heading back, when Lance asks Alana if she wants to learn to drive. She was surprised and happy, and did a great job
learning how to shift! Back at the house for lunch, and out on the 1:30 pm Carib Inn boat dive.
Frank took us out with a couple from San Antonio to The Forest at Klein Bonaire. At 65 ft., there is a forest of black coral. We stayed more
shallow than the others. Sandra wore her electric bracelet out and back. It worked! She did not get seasick. Saw flying fish on the way back.
Went to Cultimara for chicken and beef tender. Lance made stir-fry. Sandra made French fries and green beans. Alana set the
table. At 7:00 pm, Alana crashed for the rest of the night. Once dark at 8:00 pm, Lance and Sandra did a short night dive. 11 minutes under water. The darkness scared Sandra. We did
see the octopus again, but he didn't get out of his house. We sat on the dock awhile, then came back to the house and sat on the upper deck. In bed about 10:30 pm.
July 7, 2004, Wednesday
Up at 7:40 am and Alana is still asleep. Coffee on the deck. Alana finally got up about 8:00 am. We loaded everything and dove
Webber's Joy. Huge coral heads. We saw the large tail of an eel, but could never find his head in the rock. Large staghorn coral. Easy entry and exit, always thanks to Lance's help.
Once up, Lance said something must be wrong with his stage one. The depth gauge kept fluctuating from 400-800 pounds, and he was having a little difficulty getting air. Turns out, he never turned his
air on. It was open enough for a little air only. Easy fix!
Stopped for Lovers Ice Cream and back home. Now for lunch, then SHOPPING! Shopping was great! Jewel of Bonaire designs their own
jewelry and it's gorgeous. Prettier than Littman's that is double the price. Atlantis is the other store and is ok with a few nice pieces. Thinking on it, but Sandra is interested in that ring
from Jewel of Bonaire.
Afternoon dive was The Lake. Lance decided he could make the pothole drive entry, but guess what? One of the tires got stuck in a pothole
and there was no getting out. A construction truck driving by saw our dilemma and came back to help. He put a strap on and pulled us out. We tried to give him money, but he wouldn't take it,
the locals are very very friendly folks! Dive entry was easy. The scenery was great. Turtle, 2 eels, and just a nice dive.
We're seeing more donkeys, parakeets, parrots, and even large iguanas. Guess you just have to get out and about to see them.
Dinner at Don's Habitat. Japanese shrimp, baby back ribs, cheeseburger. Then went to the bar for a drink, where we met Jack and Karen
Chalk. Jack is Don's General Manager. Karen is the dive master. Both from San Antonio, and have lived on Bonaire for 16 years. They ride Harleys and invited us to Biker's Saloon Friday
night. Jack will be in Houston in October for DEMA, a trade only show. Jack will be staying at The Hilton downtown. We'll try to catch up with him then.
Back on the dock at Carib Inn, and then to bed by 10:00 pm. 3 dives tomorrow!
July 8, 2004, Thursday
Out at 9:00 am to Oil Slick Leap. We're the only ones in the water for a nice, uneventful dive off the platform. We saw a super male parrot
fish, which was huge. One the way back in, we saw a small spotted snake. We still had air, so explored the exit area. A gorgeous spotted ray glided by. What a sight with the deep blue
ocean behind him! Then Lance found an octopus that inked him. It was great watching him move around and instantaneously change colors. About 10 divers came in, so we exited. We went to
take photos of Gary and June's unfinished house. We met their neighbors, David and Bonnie from New York. They have a gorgeous home with web cams, so they can check on things from New York. They
only come down about 3 months of the year, for 2 weeks at a time. Also met Albert, who lives in the large home with columns that is seen in the distance. Bonnie said he is one of the mayors.
Stopped for Lovers Ice Cream and hit a little rain on the way back. Had lunch, and then headed back out to The Lake. Saw peacock flounder, small turtle as we were going out and then as we came back
in. He didn't run, so it was fun to watch him foraging and floating. Saw 2 spotted snakes, a couple of very large fish. Also, saw a spotted eel out in the open. Saw the peacock flounder
again. Came back to the house and was in time to shower and get to Jewel of Bonaire before closing, so Sandra could buy a ring. Then on to Cultimara to buy chicken for dinner. We took a short
late afternoon dive at Carib Inn. Saw school of squid. It was cool how they come up and stare. Saw snake and eel. Came in for dinner, then sat on the dock and visited with couple from
Massachusetts. Husband was from Amsterdam. In bed by 10:00 pm.
July 9, 2004, Friday
Out at 8:30 am for last shore dive at Ol Blue. Saw barracuda, free-swimming eel. Not as many fish as in the past, but still nice. Saw
lots of silver fish at shoreline exit. Last dive of our trip is with the Carib Inn boat at 1:30 pm. We had a full boat. Went to South Bay on Klein Bonaire. Sandra wore the electric
bracelet again and didn't get seasick, even though it was rougher. Yeah!! Frank knew where to find the black seahorse, about 3-4 inches tall. He was wrapped around the bottom of a piece of
black coral. Saw a huge blue parrotfish and eel. Nice end to a wonderful dive trip. Sadly, we turned in our equipment. Showered and fresh, we are going for Lovers Ice Cream. Alana's
favorite is Cappuccino. Lance likes the Vanilla Caramel Pecan. Sandra like that, too, but the chocolate is also tasty.
Went to Don's Habitat for dinner and then to Biker's Saloon. Jack wasn't there yet, so we had a mint, rum, sugar drink at the Latin Bar across the
street. Owner only plays blues on vinyl – no CDs, no tapes, only 78s. Visited with the Massachusetts couple from Carib Inn. Jack finally showed and so did 8 Harleys. Orlando was
there, too. He's the owner of the HD shop. They all wore Bonaire colors. Sandra tried to buy one, but only one per member is allowed. However, Albert, the secretary, gave Sandra a Bonaire
2003 pin for their September Bikefest. He said bikes come from all over for it. Sandra gave him Lance's Cut N Shoot cap. We were invited to ride with them next time we're here. They ride
every Sunday from 5-9 pm. We went back to the house and decided to walk to the Divi. It was 11:00 pm and everything was closed. We came back to the dock and sat for a while, and then to bed.
July 10, 2004, Saturday
We're sad. Last morning for coffee on the deck. We're packing and then going into town for more shopping. Our plane leaves at 3:10
pm. We took the luggage to the airport, checked out of the Carib Inn, then downtown to buy a few gifts. Alana got a sparkly flamingo t-shirt. We had lunch at the Italian place across from
KFC. The Scientology cruise ship is in port. We drove to the salt domes to let Alana drive again. We past windsurfers with parachutes. Very cool to watch. We went back to the
airport and checked in the car. Thank goodness we took the luggage early – about 10:30 am. There is now a huge line. The 3 of us had a great time on the plane, synchronizing our earphones
and lip-synching to Tom Petty. We had an easy time going through Customs in Houston. We picked up Lady, who was very excited to see us. We were very happy to see her, too. She sat with
Alana in the backseat that was full of luggage. We finally made it home about 11:00 pm.
Until next summer, Bonaire!!!
|
