Pictures at the bottom!

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2006
We arrived at the airport about 8:00 pm.  Check-in went easier and faster than expected.  We had dinner at Pappadeaux and then waited until our Continental flight at 11:30 pm.  This is Continental's once a week flight direct to Bonaire.  It was brutal, only because it is impossible to sleep comfortably. 

SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 2006
We arrived at 5:15 am local, which is Eastern time.  Avis opened at 6:00 am.  It took awhile for the luggage to be collected, so we only had to wait 5-10 minutes for Avis to open.  We were given a large pick-up with a nice roomy backseat.  Most importantly, it had air-conditioning. 

We arrived at Gary and June's home about 6:20 am.  We had the whole downstairs area, which includes a larger kitchen than the one they have upstairs.  We unpacked and set up the laptop on the table in the downstairs living area, where Lance downloaded the photos we took every day.  Of course, office email was checked daily as well.  After a 4-hour nap, we were up about 11:00 am visited with Gary and June, until we all had an afternoon nap. 

That evening, we went to Bobby Jan's, picked up their specialty of BBQ ribs and chicken satay, brought it back home to eat.  We sat out on the upper veranda to continue visiting with the gorgeous Caribbean as a back-drop.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 27, 2006
Up about 9:00 am.  Gary explained that he's retired now and really likes staying at home, so we should just go and do whatever we want.  We bought groceries at Cultimara, then went to Carib Inn to rent tanks and get our park pass, which allows us to dive.  Bruce Bowker runs a first class operation.  We were able to reserve two tanks each, which is especially important to Sandra, who needs a 60 lb. tank, instead of the larger 80 lb. tank that Lance uses.  Carib Inn was our first dive, so we could get comfortable with our buoyancy.  We then dove Oil Slick Leap.  Lance and Sandra went to Pasa Bon Pizza, then to Don's Habitat for a drink at the bar over-looking the water.

MONDAY, AUGUST 28, 2006
Up and out to Ol Blue about 9:00 am.  Sandra put on a dive skin, which made it much easier to pull on the wetsuit.  Every time we went to the south side to dive, we always drove the road through town that took us by the water.  Back to the house to eat.  June went with us to the Wholesale Market, where we bought more groceries for the week.  Afternoon dive was The Lake, where we saw a free swimming green eel, about 6 ft. long.  We also saw a small tarpon.  Had leftovers and drinks out on the veranda at sunset.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2006
In between each dive, we went back to the house to eat.  After every dive, we also drove to Carib Inn, where tanks were always ready for us to exchange.  First dive is Andrea I.  Second dive is Sweet Dreams.  Visibility is only about 60 ft, but this is one of Sandra's most favorite dives.  Huge variety of coral…..turquoise, blue, green, orange, yellow, red, all in one area.  GORGEOUS!!  Lots of fish, small and medium.  Easy in, but the current changed, which made it difficult to get out.  Late afternoon dive was Invisibles.  Lance cooked his famous chili for dinner.  We all sat on the deck to watch the sunset.  It was clear and we hoped to see the emerald green flash as the sun went below the horizon.  We saw Curacao 35 miles away right in the middle of the sun as it went down, which prevented us from seeing the flash, although Lance and June did see a flash of blue off to the right of the island.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2006
Went back to Oil Slick Leap, where we saw a small turtle.  Pink Beach was the early afternoon dive.  We saw an octopus in a hole on the shelf at the entry to the beach.  Late afternoon dive was Alice In Wonderland.  Lance and Sandra went downtown to have Pinchos de Brazilian at Coco's restaurant.  Grilled mix was delicious.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 31, 2006
Went back to Sweet Dreams, where we saw another small turtle.  The current was strong again, but much easier out this time.  Early afternoon dive was to Margate Bay, where we saw another free swimming green eel and a group of large squid.  Gary and June joined us on our late afternoon dive to Witch Hut, which had easy short stair steps down and was easy in/out.  The first thing we saw was two very large free swimming green eels, which were together!  Nice dive.  We all went to Cactus Blue for dinner, which has only been open about 7 months. 

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2006
First dive was Red Beryl, where we followed a small turtle for a good ways!  Nice coral, too.  We always have the best luck seeing cool things in the shallow water on our way back in.  This time it was a scorpion fish.  June told us that she likes to see them spread their "wings" because the wings are so colorful.  So, Lance used a piece of coral to tickle it until it spread its wings and glided off.  They ARE colorful!  We continued our exit over rocks/coral, when we suddenly startled a spotted eagle ray in the sand.  It took off, right in front of us.  Lance was able to get some great pics.  After a quick sandwich, we went back to Witch Hut for a short shallow dive.  We saw more squid and another turtle.  Our last dive was short and shallow as well at North Belina, where we saw more squid.  Back at the house, we rested a bit, and then went to Don's Habitat for our traditional last drink/dinner at sunset before leaving this beautiful island. Went back to the house for a last night drink on the veranda with Gary and June.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2006
Up at 4:30 am for our 7:30 am flight back home.  This flight is much easier during the day.  We watched two movies and landed back in Houston at 11:15 am.  As always, we vow to try harder to get back to Bonaire more than once a year.  It is such a fabulous place and always a bit sad to leave.  THANK YOU, Gary and June for your wonderful hospitality!  We had a FABULOUS time!