Maine Diver
Contributor
Down tot he single digits! Bonaire here we come:bounce3:
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DiveMaven
Contributor
Are you flying Continental or Delta? When do you get in?
OP
Maine Diver
Contributor
Continental from Newark. We get in at 5:30 AM.
keithdiver
Contributor
I remeber the first time i went to Bonaire, i had the same flight from Houston, i was so tired that i backed the pick up truck into the owners of the Golden Reef Inn's truck. Ed being the bice guy he is said, forget it no big deal..
Have a great time, you will love it!!
I forgot where you're staying so it may not apply, but a lot of accomodations won't be available that early for check-in and practically nothing else on the island is open. If you can at least stash your luggage somewhere safe like a hotel lobby (probably not a good idea to leave it unattended in the back of the pickup truck 
), City Cafe serves a good breakfast starting at 6 a.m. and the mini-market next to Chat & Browse opens at 7 a.m. IIRC.
Also: even though it's hard to bring liquids on the plane, get some bug repellent wipes or something in a contained small enough to carry-on with you so you can apply it just before you deplane. You often end up waiting for your luggage as the sun starts to rise and that brings the new dawn's worth of mosquitos into the open-air baggage claim area, well-rested and hungry for new blood. If you think you're already tired after the miserable 4-hour red-eye, long enough only for a fitful nap, you'll be exhausted after Bonaire's national insect drains a pint or two.
), City Cafe serves a good breakfast starting at 6 a.m. and the mini-market next to Chat & Browse opens at 7 a.m. IIRC.Also: even though it's hard to bring liquids on the plane, get some bug repellent wipes or something in a contained small enough to carry-on with you so you can apply it just before you deplane. You often end up waiting for your luggage as the sun starts to rise and that brings the new dawn's worth of mosquitos into the open-air baggage claim area, well-rested and hungry for new blood. If you think you're already tired after the miserable 4-hour red-eye, long enough only for a fitful nap, you'll be exhausted after Bonaire's national insect drains a pint or two.
DiveMaven
Contributor
We pay for an extra night so we can get into our room right when we arrive. Usually we're there by 7am, giving us 2 hours to nap prior to buying our Park tag and checking in at the dive shop. Then we go to the 9:30 briefing and we're typically in the water for our first dive by 10:30am!
Even though the flight is a redeye, make sure you drink a LOT of water if you're planning to dive the first day. Remember that Bonaire is warm and you'll start sweating the minute you get off the plane, losing even more water. The last thing you need is to be trying to play catch up with your hydration, so unless you're sleeping, keep sucking down the water on the flight.
Even though the flight is a redeye, make sure you drink a LOT of water if you're planning to dive the first day. Remember that Bonaire is warm and you'll start sweating the minute you get off the plane, losing even more water. The last thing you need is to be trying to play catch up with your hydration, so unless you're sleeping, keep sucking down the water on the flight.
Jersey
Contributor
Yes - drink drink drink water. The climate sucks it right out of you... I remember the year we went with a group of first timers. They thought they were going to a TROPICAL island. Haha! What a surprise when they stepped off the plane!! I can only imagine expecting 50' swaying palm trees and finding only 5' scrub cactus and donkeys plus arid brown earth!
We need either on-island updates or a trip report as soon as you return!
We need either on-island updates or a trip report as soon as you return!
DiveMaven
Contributor
I vote for on-island updates!!!
And speaking of water, I've been chewed out in the past (albeit in a nice way) for showing up from my early morning shopping trip with a case of bottled water. The water on the island is drinkable and used plastic bottles are very difficult for the island to deal with, so you might want to start off with re-using your water bottles saved from the flight by filling them from the tap and buying new bottles sparingly when necessary - best yet, squash the bottles from your trip and take them back home with you to recycle properly, as they won't add much to your luggage weight.
Keep Bonaire Green! (or, uh Brown! - it's a desert island after all
)
DiverVince
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And speaking of water, I've been chewed out in the past (albeit in a nice way) for showing up from my early morning shopping trip with a case of bottled water. The water on the island is drinkable and used plastic bottles are very difficult for the island to deal with, so you might want to start off with re-using your water bottles saved from the flight by filling them from the tap and buying new bottles sparingly when necessary - best yet, squash the bottles from your trip and take them back home with you to recycle properly, as they won't add much to your luggage weight.
Keep Bonaire Green! (or, uh Brown! - it's a desert island after all
MM..Well you're spot right on with this one. Any first timers to the island, the water is made by a reverse osmosis process from the ocean. It's is quite drinkable from the tap.
Absolutely no need (plus a waste of money) to buy a carton of bottled water. Buy one large bottle and reuse it during your stay. Yes it helps if you crush it and take it home. The plastic containers NEVER dissolve. The island doesn't want them and as far as I'm concerned the sale of said items should be banned. (on the subject of banning, also don't order grouper at any of the restaurants).
Additionally it's greatly appreciated that you also take home any used batteries for proper disposal at home.
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