First Bonaire trip report 3/22 - 3/29

[scubadobadoo]

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

Too funny. Thanks for sharing that.

Mosquitos...we have been really lucky over the years in Bonaire. Sometimes around 7pm/getting dark time at the northern sites (Karpata always seems bad) we hit some crazy mosquito messes but that's about it.

Traveling with an infant...hmmm...yeah, no Roatan for sure, lol.

My wife and I promised we would stay active and continue to travel even when we had kids. 17 years later, and now we have one. SO, we are going to maybe try Bonaire again in June and have some possibilities for babysitting lined up. My preference would be to travel with another family with kids but so far we have no takers. I certainly don't want to be selfish but I think it's important for my wife and I to continue to (once a year) do the things we loved doing together before our wonderful daughter arrived. Heck, I would love it if my daughter learned to love the ocean as well. But I digress. Sorry to hijack this thread. Back on topic now...

 

[Pembina]

We also did not have any problem with theft while there although all we left in the vechicle were t-shirts, hats, towels and water.

During our "down day" we toured the island and visited 1000 Steps (never did dive it though). My husband had a great idea as we climbed back up and saw a person suiting up to take the plunge. He joking said that for $10 he would haul the dive gear down and up and keep watch over the vechicle during the dive. The guy was just about to dig in his wallet when my husband told him he was joking. It gave me a great idea for our next trip though. 1 or 2 days we will hang out at 1000 Steps and should be able to collect enough to pay for the rest of the vacation.

 

[scubadobadoo]

I just want to let everyone here know that I hold you all responsible for the trip I just booked for June 20th, 2009. Why did I visit this forum? I swore off it for some time and it sucked me back in. Reading Bonaire trip reports gets expensive!!!

We were trying to book our old fave Den Laman but we decided to go with a new place. We'll be at GRI and besides the wonderful price and special they are running now, the thing that sold us was the fact that they (Liz) have cribs, high chairs, and baby sitting services and she wasn't afraid to offer them to us. For some reason, when we called or emailed other places, they just seemed either reluctant or just plain not kid friendly or couldn't give us straight answers. By kid, I mean baby to be fair. I'm sure many places have some nice 3+ programs but infant and Bonaire don't always go together. All that said, I got a good feeling talking to Liz and we visited some friends last year who were staying there so away we go! We have always stayed on the water with a house reef but I'm sure I'll meet people for those extra dives I like to do when my wife is done for the day and just wants to chill at the pool with the baby or nap.

This will be our first international travel with a baby but Mom and Dad just can't wait to dive in warm water again! No dry suit for us this time thanks!

Anyone gonna be there around that time?

 

[tiggrr]

I just want to let everyone here know that I hold you all responsible for the trip I just booked for June 20th, 2009. Why did I visit this forum? I swore off it for some time and it sucked me back in. Reading Bonaire trip reports gets expensive!!!

We were trying to book our old fave Den Laman but we decided to go with a new place. We'll be at GRI and besides the wonderful price and special they are running now, the thing that sold us was the fact that they (Liz) have cribs, high chairs, and baby sitting services and she wasn't afraid to offer them to us. For some reason, when we called or emailed other places, they just seemed either reluctant or just plain not kid friendly or couldn't give us straight answers. By kid, I mean baby to be fair. I'm sure many places have some nice 3+ programs but infant and Bonaire don't always go together. All that said, I got a good feeling talking to Liz and we visited some friends last year who were staying there so away we go! We have always stayed on the water with a house reef but I'm sure I'll meet people for those extra dives I like to do when my wife is done for the day and just wants to chill at the pool with the baby or nap.

This will be our first international travel with a baby but Mom and Dad just can't wait to dive in warm water again! No dry suit for us this time thanks!

Anyone gonna be there around that time?

You are going to have a great time and I wish I was going again!!

Golden Reef Inn rocks!!

You will love Gibi's Sunday BBQ and his lovely breakfast's.

 

[billmosel]

scubadobadoo, how old will your little one be when you are in Bonaire? I have some friends from across the Pond who want to come to Bonaire but are not sure what the services for babies will be like when they are diving? Any additional info might help me persuade them to make the trip. Thanks, Bill

 

[scubamickey]

Not to be argumentative but I question the validity of such stories. Why on earth would someone take an old T-shirt or a towel? In 12 trips (13 weeks on island) since 99 with groups ranging from 2 to 24 we have had zero problems. So far as best as I can tell, no one has even looked in our stuff. I put my glasses (old pair) in a hard shell case and into the BC pocket. The salt water will not hurt them , just rinse them with water after the dive and go.



6 tanks each... whew what air hogs.

Hardly. We both have .45 SAC rates. But we are also the ones who do all 5 dives on a liveaboard.

I don't have pockets in on my BC/W so I will just leave my glasses back at the condo. It will be my excuse to have hubby do all the driving .

I've always wondered about the dirty t-shirts too but that is what I have seen people post. Thanks for the positive thoughts. I'm sure it will all be fine.

 

[MikeSK]

Other than the mosquitos, the only problem i had with Bonaire were the GANGS of Dogs running around. I won't say PACK, cause these were more organized than that. I was working to the little store that was/is next to Sand Dollar and was actually so nervous at them staring at me i had to cross the road. Just a vibe they gave off..i swear i heard one of them smacking their jaws in anticpation of a meal.

This was back in '97 i think, so they might not be as organized. I'd definetly go back someday, as soon as i get some other destinations done.

 

[scubadobadoo]

scubadobadoo, how old will your little one be when you are in Bonaire? I have some friends from across the Pond who want to come to Bonaire but are not sure what the services for babies will be like when they are diving? Any additional info might help me persuade them to make the trip. Thanks, Bill

She will be about 10 months old or so when we are there. From my research you have a few options for sitting services. I am of course a little nervous as a first time parent but what can a parent do but check and reference.

Liz (owner) at GRI offers to set up sitting services with a young woman that she employs and who has apparently been sitting for guests for some time now. Liz is of course infamous/well known (in a good way) here and on other boards like bonairtalk.com and is also a parent/diver so she understands the drill. Also, Michael, the owner at the Chat and Browse in Bonaire is another good reference for ANY AND ALL info on Bonaire. He pointed us to a reliable lady who used to run a daycare for many years and who now sits part time and she comes with many glowing recommendations as well. Michael has helped my wife and I out a few times. Once he even helped with a medical emergency by arranging a last second doctor's appointment for myself.

If the child is 3+ then places like Buddy and others have (from what I have heard and seen first hand) nice programs where they do everything from swim, snorkel, play, arts and crafts etc...

It's the below 3 yrs old crowd where you have to search for the sitter. I even read a thread where one person used the local daycare but that may have been for an extended stay if I recall.

If you aren't staying at GRI then I suggest starting your search by emailing Michael over at Chat n Browse for some solid recs. Heck, Liz is nice so I am sure she would be willing to give you some info as well.

Good luck!

Jason

 

[scubadobadoo]

You are going to have a great time and I wish I was going again!!

Golden Reef Inn rocks!!

You will love Gibi's Sunday BBQ and his lovely breakfast's.

We have heard some good things about Gibi's cooking since we started going to Bonaire but we have not yet sampled any in person. This time we'll make sure we do that very first night we are there!