First Bonaire trip report 3/22 - 3/29

[Jersey]

Lloyd - sorry to hear about your Dengue fever. Just got back Sunday morning and while we have NEVER seen the island this lush, green and rainy it made the mosquito situation a living h_ll. There is a wooden sign posted at the stadium talking about Dengue, but as I don't read Dutch I can't tell you what it said. My trip report will be "Jersey and the Curmudgeon at the Battle of the Mosquito" as every day it was literally a battle! My BC had 50 - 75 sitting on it Thursday morning... The first 2 things packed are Deep Woods Off and 50 sunblock. Everything else I can live without. The Off is always carried. Depending on the wind, we keep the doors and windows open during the day to let them blow through, but as soon as the sun starts to dip and the winds slow, we shut everything down. I place a rolled up towel under the door at night to keep them out of the bedroom. I must not have been so tasty this trip as I got only 2 bites, the Curmudgeon maybe 5-6, but we saw other people who looked like they were used as pincushions!

Crime happens all over. Luckily it has not happened to me on Bonaire. Be street smart - don't leave stuff outside overnight - would you leave your laptop on your front lawn at home? Lock up paperwork, keep doors locked, leave NOTHING in car - that's common sense. I had my car window broken in Philly to steal my lunch bag w/ an apple at 4:00 in the afternoon. A crime of opportunity as I'm sure they thought bag was a purse. Dive the more populated sites - Andrea II had 3 other cars when we arrived and people sitting on the beach, Tori's had 2 other cars, people arrived after us and is highly visible from the road, 1000 Steps had a bunch of divers coming and going. We don't even have the save a dive kit in the car, just a towel or 2 and pair of ratty dry shorts.

 

[chauncy19]

Just to add to the mosquito theme and yes sorry Lloyd hope you're over it soon. just returned on march 18th. mosquitos the worst i'd ever seen on my 6 trips to Bonaire. used a lot of off after discovery of bites on the ankles
after day two. definately be prepared for the buggers as it rained most everyday or should I say morning. woke up and the patio was always wet.

 

[DiveMaven]

Wow, I guess we were lucky to have zero mosquitos during our July trip last year....or is it because it was "dry" season? Regardless, I'll be packing the Cutter again, just in case.

 

[billmosel]

I guess they don't like me. While I used Off Deep Woods in the evening I never got bit once. My wife had 1 or 2 on her leg but forgot to put it on the first night. Whenever in the tropics ALWAYS put it on especially in the evening. Its like not turning your tank on before you jump in!

 

[chauncy19]

lesson learned

 

[seawave]

Hi! Glad you enjoyed Bonaire. Just a "fish ID" note: I don't think there are any "sea snakes" on Bonaire....probably a "sharp-tail eel," which looks like a cream-colored snake with big tan spots.

 

[billmosel]

Thanks seawave, you are right it was a sharp tail eel

 

[scubadobadoo]

No problems with crime in Bonaire for me either. Honestly, I am starting to get offended. What? My caps not good enough to steal????:depressed:

But seriously, that's the attitude you have to go with. Make a game of it. Try to have your smelly sandals and crappy dive t-shirt from the Stuart Cove trip of 1988 stolen. We all have one and know how bad it needs to be stolen. How about some rules...rule #1...first person robbed is owed a beer by every one in your group!!! You win!!!! Don't be a victim, be a winner.

Den Laman is great! Nice, clean, comfy. Ditto on the tank storage in the lockers. Heck, we even just throw extras in the back of the truck the night before we dive so we don't have to do it in the morning. Anytime you are returning tanks from your truck, just put more in while you are already at the tank room.

Boy is that first Den Laman dive briefing LOOOOOONNNNGGG!!!!! GREAT if you are a first timer but HELL if you have been there before or if you have researched here on SB or other Bonaire web pages. I fell asleep during it the last time...flight arrived at 4:45am...9am briefing lasting 90+ minutes....no thanks. I am a super respectful person too but 90+ minutes is insane. Who wants to listen to divers ask if they can dive with gloves and a three foot knife again and again....or my favorite was the lady who asked if it was free to shore dive from the front of Den Laman where she was staying...in Bonaire........................no more for me please. Just when you think it's over, Jerry starts talking, lol.

I'm just being silly ya'll! I actually highly suggest taking Jerry's classes. Super good time and educational in a local way! Made our dives over the years on Bonaire more enjoyable and enhanced our trip. Think DeLoach's books but specific to Bonaire. Nice!

We are trying to plan another trip there in June maybe but this time we will be traveling with our infant....hmmm...we shall see, lol.

Thanks for the trip report OP!

 

[driftin' by]

So true; the only crime in Bonaire are the Mosquitoes stealing your blood! My poor wife is like a mosquito magnet especially here in swampy Houston and Bonaire was no exception. I rarely get bit because I'm so sour she says but not sour enough for the little blood thirsty vampires in Bonaire. We'd been avoiding going to Roatan for the last couple of years because we had heard they are real bad there... Can it be any worse? FWIW, It doesn't bother me much to offer my body as a buffet line for the little buggers... It's kinda part of the experience. Besides a little itchy, red bump to remind you of your trip in the weeks that follow is the gift the keeps on giving. My biggest fear is what else they may leave behind including dengue fever and malaria. This becomes of bigger concern when traveling with a toddler hence the reason for not subjecting her to anti-malarial medications to go to Roatan.

Someone mentioned about it not being a problem on their trip last year. No two seasons/years are alike. From everything I'm reading, it is uniquely different this spring. Although during our stay the first week March, it was bone dry in terms of precipitation until our second to last evening which noticeable lessened the onslaught the following day. However, if the breading habits and behaviors of mosquitoes are anything like they are here, the bloodbath generally begins 24-48 hours after a good deluge. Which is a good time to spary some chemicals to retard or prevent the incubation of unhatched seedlings.

Now I know Bonaire is pretty eco-friendly, at least on the surface so I'm not sure this is allowable protocol on the island. Both here in Houston and I know Cozumel and the Yucatan Peninsula it is SOP and noticeably makes a difference. If it becomes too problematic to actually effect tourism, they'll have to resort to extreme measures if not spray eucalyptus oil!?!?

 

[billmosel]

No problems with crime in Bonaire for me either. Honestly, I am starting to get offended. What? My caps not good enough to steal????:depressed:

But seriously, that's the attitude you have to go with. Make a game of it. Try to have your smelly sandals and crappy dive t-shirt from the Stuart Cove trip of 1988 stolen. We all have one and know how bad it needs to be stolen. How about some rules...rule #1...first person robbed is owed a beer by every one in your group!!! You win!!!! Don't be a victim, be a winner.

Den Laman is great! Nice, clean, comfy. Ditto on the tank storage in the lockers. Heck, we even just throw extras in the back of the truck the night before we dive so we don't have to do it in the morning. Anytime you are returning tanks from your truck, just put more in while you are already at the tank room.

Boy is that first Den Laman dive briefing LOOOOOONNNNGGG!!!!! GREAT if you are a first timer but HELL if you have been there before or if you have researched here on SB or other Bonaire web pages. I fell asleep during it the last time...flight arrived at 4:45am...9am briefing lasting 90+ minutes....no thanks. I am a super respectful person too but 90+ minutes is insane. Who wants to listen to divers ask if they can dive with gloves and a three foot knife again and again....or my favorite was the lady who asked if it was free to shore dive from the front of Den Laman where she was staying...in Bonaire........................no more for me please. Just when you think it's over, Jerry starts talking, lol.



I'm just being silly ya'll! I actually highly suggest taking Jerry's classes. Super good time and educational in a local way! Made our dives over the years on Bonaire more enjoyable and enhanced our trip. Think DeLoach's books but specific to Bonaire. Nice!

We are trying to plan another trip there in June maybe but this time we will be traveling with our infant....hmmm...we shall see, lol.

Thanks for the trip report OP!

They brought us to the pier to show how to check out tanks when a snorkeler in the group said " the water is boiling". The briefer said " no that is just another diver. You better get used to it". LOL