Thank you for sharing your trip report! Your animated writing style and descriptions are getting me all pumped up for my Jan trip. For me those underwater B-slap scoldings sting and certainly resurrect memories of young catechism days. However, chances are unlikely that you will make that mistake again
Have fun planning your return visit.
No, I will never forget to watch the depth on my computer again! I was totally surprised at how completely one can get scolded underwater! Then he did it again on the boat, several times. The guy who organized our trip is also the dive shop owner where we do most of dive-buying and where we are continuing our dive education. He was very unhappy with the way the situation was handled with me and with others. However, I needed reminding about being more mindful of my depth. Now, I am keenly aware of depth.
---------- Post added December 4th, 2012 at 09:57 AM ----------
It is interesting that you got comments on your gear like that. My wife and I were at Plaza last January, we dove mostly with Jackson and Pieter. We have halcyon BCDs, so we look a little more technical than some of the other people we dove with (accept the one guy who dove doubles every day). Granted, when we were there there were only 7-8 people on the boat every day.
In any case, like you, we had a great experience with Toucan diving and we are looking forward to the next time we can get out there!
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We loved Jackson!!!! He is the most terrific guy. Made sure I saw seahorses! He is the only one we left a tip (as a group). I left one for Erica (she is native to the island) - she helped me immensely with my buoyancy and was thoroughly nice. Did not meet Pieter. We did have Dorte (she's very new to Toucan), Ger, Hans (the dive shop manager) and Eddie. There was one young, blonde guy who was extremely rude on our last boat dive.
We will definitely dive with them again, as we'll probably go back to the Plaza. The overall experience was really good. They always looked for good sites for us and did go out of their way to accommodate the less experienced (there were 5 of us) in the group. The problems were discussed with Hans before we left and he seemed very receptive to the feedback he was given.
I can't wait to go back to Bonaire!
---------- Post added December 4th, 2012 at 10:10 AM ----------
Bonaire is now just a memory - but, oh, what memories we have now. It was the first dive vacation my husband and I took together. We got to share the wonder underwater -- he had tried to describe his experiences. Now I know that it is something you can't describe. I could just kick myself for wasting 6 years I could have been diving! What a beautiful thing to share with someone you love.
Here are some useful tips for Bonaire. Some of you may know these already and some just can't be emphasized enough:
*If you use washcloths when you bathe or shower, bring your own. They do not have washcloths. Helpful if you bring some of your own beach towels, as the floors get wet and are extremely slippery.
*Don't let them put your wristband on too tightly if you are doing all-inclusive. Hubs got quite the blister after the first dive.
*Can't take too much bug spray - the higher the DEET, the better. I'd take some form of bug spray for the room as well. Those no-seeums are everywhere.
*BullFrog sunscreen is the best. Don't forget to go heavy on the neck and back of the hands. If you are a bit thin on the roof, coat that very well or keep a hat on as much as possible.
*Don't overpack. I actually underpacked and it was okay.
The rooms are nice and spacious (Standard Junior Suite). Anything else, in my opinion, just isn't worth it.
*If there is a good amount of rain, the whole island tends to lose power. This means anything in the safe is not available to you for a bit.
**Relax and enjoy!! Bonaire is beautiful!!!
