Heading to Bonaire

[jjach]

I finally pulled the trigger and made our reservations for Bonaire. We will be there from April 27 to May 4th. Staying at Den Laman. I decided to spend the extra money to make sure we could get into our room as soon as we get there. We are taking the red eye out of Newark, gets to Bonaire at 4:36AM. Hopefully we can get in and take a little nap before the check out dive. I have been doing some reading on here about Bonaire, but any suggestions on what to bring and not to bring. Anything we should have to help with cooking some of our own breakfasts and lunches. All advice is appreciated. I have the book "Bonaire Shore Diving Made Easy" so I'll try and read some of that before we go, plus picking out some other favorite dives from people on here. Does anyone bring some dry food,such as packages of pasta dishes with or is that prohibited? Should we bring a few spices? Is there a blow dryer at Den Laman?

Thanks
Jeff

 

[herman]

I don't recall a blow dryer at DL...but then I just set on the deck and let the wind do the work
If you like you can bring most any food product you want but we rarely bring more than maybe a pound of coffee, some limited spices and little else. Unlike days gone by, most of the time you can find pretty much anything you need and with the airlines getting snotty about luggage weights its cheaper just to keep the list short and buy when you arrive. I highly recommend you contact DL for the "checkin" procuedure for you early arrival....if I recall correctly there are some specifics you need to know before hand. If you are using Boniare Dive and Adventure, the biggest tip I can think of is when ask at the dive orientation if you have been there recently SAY YES. You will miss an hour or more of unnecessary BS and get the quick, all you need to know version.
If you or your party has never been here (I am on island now) it would help if you get a road map before hand so you can figure out how to get from the airport to the hotel in the dark. Shoot me a PM with your mailing address and I will send you one if you like.

 

[drrich2]

...any suggestions on what to bring and not to bring.

1.) Sunscreen. Tropical sun can be brutal. And get your ears & the back of your neck with it.

2.) A small, water-proof case for your driver's license, truck keys & some paper money might be nice.

3.) Some people mentioned that some places don't have the wash cloths we're used to in America; tend to have more what we'd call hand towels. If you want one, bring it.

4.) Scuba boots with medium or thick soles, because if you walk on that rough, jagged iron shore while bearing the weight of scuba gear on shore, you can do a number on the soles of your feet in those thin-soled 'booties' a lot of people start out in. I like SeaSoft Sunrays for this purpose; they look & function a bit like a sneaker, and the soles are thick enough for me.

5.) A surge protector for your electronics. You can get small ones. I don't know about Den Laman, but not every place has a lot of outlets. And surges can happen.

6.) Some people take those little flavor packets (e.g.: Crystal Light, or Wal-mart's answer to it) to mix with water there. I don't, but if you like those...

7.) Flight's pretty long. If you get indigestion sometimes on flights, and acid reflux can be quite painful, a small pack of Rolaids or Tums (or generic equivalent) could be nice to have in your pocket.

Richard.

 

[TXreefer]

X2 on hard soled booties. We have the short top tusa booties and they worked great last year.

I wouldn't waste packing space or weight on food items- just buy when you get there. There is a big supermarket over by the airport that has all you will need.

 

[uncfnp]

We use to take some of our food favorites but with the new Van den Tweel Supermarket and the baggage restriction we only take coffee and a few other can't live without snack items.

I think Richard has covered most of the other must haves. I might add insect repellent to the list.

Someone years ago suggested carrying a photocopy of drivers license and passport separate from the originals in case (heaven forbid) the originals are lost or stolen.

And don't forget a supply of cash. Not everyone on Bonaire takes credit cards (for example-the 25 dollar park fee is cash only).

Some good SB threads are

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ab...e-shore-dive-site-would-insert-drum-roll.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/abc-islands/443482-general-questions-first-timer-bonaire.html

 

[T.C.]

I have been doing some reading on here about Bonaire, but any suggestions on what to bring and not to bring. Anything we should have to help with cooking some of our own breakfasts and lunches. All advice is appreciated. I have the book "Bonaire Shore Diving Made Easy" so I'll try and read some of that before we go, plus picking out some other favorite dives from people on here. Does anyone bring some dry food,such as packages of pasta dishes with or is that prohibited? Should we bring a few spices? Is there a blow dryer at Den Laman

I took my family there last year. My parents didn't have any problems finding decently stocked grocery stores in town. I think it'd be easier to purchase your food there. Leaves more room for dive gear.

If your room is complete with a kitchen; you'll probably find everything you need. I'd suggest emailing your resort directly to confirm that they have the cookware you need (like pots/ pans or a pasta drainer...or whatever it's called. Hey, I'm a single guy- I call it by what it does.)

My favorite sites: 1,000 steps, Hilma Hooker wreck, Bari Reef, Karpata....or just anywhere we dove. Trust me, you'll love it all.

When you go shore diving, only take what you'll need for that day. Nothing more, nothing less. About the only thing you'd want to leave in your truck is your towel.

Things you'll want for diving: Cash- doesn't matter if it gets wet. Realistically, same goes for the driver's license and the truck keys. Get a small money clip and put it in a pocket in your swimsuit. Who cares if any of that gets wet?
Tough dive boots. You'll want them.
Surge Protector for the electronics.
If you use batteries for a camera/flash, bring enough for the trip. I miscounted on my trip, and had to buy a set of 4 AA Batteries for my flash....for $12. Bring your own.
Fish ID books and guides. You'll see cool fish you'll want to look up.

What you don't need....hmmm....Your dry suit?

 

[DiveMaven]

Den Laman has blow dryers. And when you take cash, keep the denominations at $20 or less...they don't like the big bills.

 

[gbf]

Put a couple of those little insect repellent wipes in your carry on. The airport is open air, and at 0500-0600 you're in prime mosquito time, especially if it has been rainy.

Get a stainless quick-link (looks like a link of chain, but screws closed) from Home Depot/Lowes. Put your keys on it when you get there, and hang on a d-ring while diving. Pockets are for that stuff you no longer want.

Pack your clothes, then take half out and leave it at home.

If you have equipment malfunctions and need repairs/replacements, see Bruce at Carib Inn.

Lay your "going home" clothes aside when you arrive. Wear and re-cycle everything else.

 

[Jersey]

Bugspray - some folks get really bitten up and scarred. Take out your clothes to pack, now put 1/2 away. Pack more bathing suits - I bring 7 for 2 weeks.( I change suits between dives whn possible). I do pack a good bit of food, it takes up the weight that Delta is charging me for anyway. Yes to spices, last year we almost had a catastrophe as we couldn't find garlic salt in anything smaller than a half gallon (the other half really likes his garlic salt, what can I say). If there is a particular food item you cannot live without, I'd suggest you bring it. My pantry is very well stocked, so I just raid it at packing time. We have Idaho brand instant mashed (just add water), basmati rice, micro popcorn, pepper and olive oil triscuits (great with Gouda), dried pasta, spices - montreal steak, italian, sea salt, garlic salt, small bottle really good olive oil, small bottle good balsamic vinegar, small jar Dijon mustard. We pack and carry on frozen in a small lunchbox size cooler - couple steaks, chicken breasts, homemade meatmalls. The grocery stores are much better stocked than the days of Cultimara, but still adds up quickly.

Bring Crocs shoes for bathroom, wet tile floors and dive boats, they are non slip.

 

[drrich2]

On the insect repellent issue, much of the need is based on eating out. In the outdoors by day, steady breezes help you tolerate the eat, and presumably keep the bugs off more or less.

But a number of restaurants have their eating section outdoors, in town, where walls block wind, and it's evening. Some people even wear long pants to reduce their vulnerability.

A pump sprayer (non-aerosol) version is what I used. Especially get your legs before you eat out.

Richard.