Den Laman, Bonaire

[Fish mojo]

Just got back from DL. Awesome accomodations. Stayed in the Tarpon Room top deck, facing north. 2 bedroom, 2 bath. Staff was incredible. Nice having th dishes done each day!. Totally safe, great view right over the BDA dock.

Wish I could say something good about The Reef Restaurant downstairs......

Good restaurant was the Blue Cactus in town. Go for the chocolate cake dessert!!

 

[herman]

Welcome to the board mojo.
Rumor (likely true) the restaurant is closing soon and will reopen under the management of a pretty well know chief on the island.
Haggin and Corinna do run a nice place- Cactus Blue, good food and nice host.

 

[jpdunc]

This will sound like a dumb question and perhaps it is. Are there any restrictions on taking your dive gear into the units because they are so new and well equipped? Probably just an internet misinformation, but I heard or read that there were some restrictions on taking wet gear to the units.

I don't like the idea of leaving it in the "community" storage room.

 

[ClayJar]

This will sound like a dumb question and perhaps it is. Are there any restrictions on taking your dive gear into the units because they are so new and well equipped? Probably just an internet misinformation, but I heard or read that there were some restrictions on taking wet gear to the units.

Doesn't sound dumb at all. From the "Trip Information" PDF (coloring mine):

Gear Storage & Gear Considerations: Gear storage is available free of charge. The dive shop will assign your storage space. The Gear room and tanks for shore diving are accessible from 8:30 AM – 9:00 PM. It is important to remember these hours if you plan to do a night or a dawn dive, so you can secure your tanks in advance! External lockers can be used to store gear and tanks outside of these hours. Because of the sharp coral at the water’s edge booties and open heel fins are necessary for off property shore diving along the iron coast. Full foot fins are adequate for boat diving & shore diving on property. We respectfully ask that you do not wear damp wet suits to your room.

So, no damp wetsuits, and since gear storage is available elsewhere, I imagine they would appreciate it if you only brought the necessities to the room (eg. computers and regs to rinse).

I don't like the idea of leaving it in the "community" storage room.

I wouldn't leave my computers or regs just anywhere, but my "damp" stuff can stay locked up in the lockers for the short periods between the end of my diving night and the start of my pre-dawn-dive morning.

 

[TravelDave]

I would definitely leave BC and wetsuit in the storage room. I also kept my reg there, but you could easily bring it up to the room. Everything else goes up to the room.

The rooms are all tile, so wet stuff isn't much of an issue. We left most things on the patio each night instead of in the unit. No place to hang wetsuits in the units.

I think their bigger concern is people slipping on wet floors and stairwells.

 

[DiveMaven]

We're now on Bonaire, staying at Den Laman. ZERO complaints! We're in a small 1-bedroom that's considered a studio and have a nice view of the ocean (though we're not ocean front). The entire unit has A/C, which has been very nice since the weather is quite warm and muggy. I'd recommend that you bring spices (salt/pepper), paper products, and coffee filters for the kitchen. Internet connection has been very good thus far.

We're finding the dive op (BDA) to be very good for us, the only complaint being the short hours they are open, but with planning it's easy to get around it.

Bari Reef is a very nice wall type dive with lots of critters, though we were up at Andrea II today and saw everything from a Nurse Shark to lettuce slugs...and everything in between. We definitely like Andrea II better than Bari, but I'm not complaining about Bari, it's a great house reef and super easy to dive.

 

[Rescue Diver68]

Thanks for checking in. Glad everything is meeting your expectations. We are booked for Oct.

Enjoy the rest of your trip!

 

[twashowich]

Man I just missed you..I was at the Sand Dollar, but they use the same lockers and dive shop...

Say Hi to Eddy and Sonia - the breakfast people.... Tell 'em Todd said Hi....!! just left on the 28th...

Go eat at Loves Ice Cream out in front in the Supermarket..Let me know if the owner is still building the shelves along the wall.

He and I had a big debate about US politics, Iraq, and Soccer..!

I suggest the Cherry Brandy Ice cream.

 

[Rescue Diver68]

Man I just missed you..I was at the Sand Dollar, but they use the same lockers and dive shop...

Say Hi to Eddy and Sonia - the breakfast people.... Tell 'em Todd said Hi....!! just left on the 28th...

Go eat at Loves Ice Cream out in front in the Supermarket..Let me know if the owner is still building the shelves along the wall.

He and I had a big debate about US politics, Iraq, and Soccer..!

I suggest the Cherry Brandy Ice cream.

WHat is the name of the dive site the picture of the Longlure Frog fish was taken in your 2008 Bonaire album? Mi Dushi?? Gesundheit!

 

[twashowich]

Mi Dushi - Its at Klein Bonaire...all the DM's will take you there and show it to you...

Waldo took us over there...

Mi Dushi means "My Sweet"