We were pondering Bonaire for our next trip in a few months and were chatting with several people who had been there recently. What they said was disturbing!
First, the crime rate was way up. Every person or couple said the same thing: when you did a shore dive you had to leave your car/jeep empty with the doors and trunk unlocked because thieves checked out unattended parked cars regularly. The one couple who did not do this had their towels, dry clothes and some scuba gear stolen!
Second, the dive masters used public humiliation to chastise divers who so much as touched a piece of coral. One person I dove with was a photographer who was a "perfect citizen" on all the dives that we did together. Occasionally he used one very carefully placed finger to balance for at photo. He was publically humiliated on the boat after having done that on Bonaire. While I was with him he did not once hit a piece of coral with a fin or a console. He kept all his gear tucked into his BC and was very conscientious.
I got this kind of response at both Truk and Hawaii from different people who have dived there in the past six months. What have others using this web site EXPERIENCED (as opposed to heard)?
Joewr
First, the crime rate was way up. Every person or couple said the same thing: when you did a shore dive you had to leave your car/jeep empty with the doors and trunk unlocked because thieves checked out unattended parked cars regularly. The one couple who did not do this had their towels, dry clothes and some scuba gear stolen!
Second, the dive masters used public humiliation to chastise divers who so much as touched a piece of coral. One person I dove with was a photographer who was a "perfect citizen" on all the dives that we did together. Occasionally he used one very carefully placed finger to balance for at photo. He was publically humiliated on the boat after having done that on Bonaire. While I was with him he did not once hit a piece of coral with a fin or a console. He kept all his gear tucked into his BC and was very conscientious.
I got this kind of response at both Truk and Hawaii from different people who have dived there in the past six months. What have others using this web site EXPERIENCED (as opposed to heard)?
Joewr