The 2002 Bonaire Trip

[Natasha]

Hello Divers:
If you are already on this trip, please sign on for updates. Maybe we can all get to know each other a bit before the trip too.
I'm not sure what you know about me, so I'll start.
I've been diving since 1997. I have now dove in 11 countries.
Both my sons and my husband dive.
I started putting together dive trips after I became a diver, because at that time I was a single diver and didn't know anyone else that was a diver. I did all my classroom, pool work, and open water alone. I figured there had to be other women like me out there, so I started 'looking' for women to travel with and came up with trips. This wasn't hard since I had already been a travel agent for several years.
Now we invite men to come along!
OK what's your story?
PS. There is still space on this Bonaire trip if anyone wants to jump on last minute.

 

[Walter]

I'll play.

I've never been to Bonaire, so I'm really looking forward to this trip.

I've been diving for a short time. I've only dived in 7 countries (one of which no longer exists) and only 4 states.

I'm certified in nitrox and enjoy many types of dives. I participated in the Wreckmania trip where I made many good friends.

I'll be returning home early, so I intend to dive as much as possible while in Bonaire. Catnaps and quick meals between dives is my plan. See you there.

 

[sea nmf]

I've been diving since 1991, certified through PADI Rescue. (Although that was long ago - I should re-take it).

I am single, in my 40's. I've been diving in 5 countries.

I take photos while I dive. Notice that I did not say I was a photographer. Anyway, whoever dives with me needs to know that about me - I'm not a very good buddy. (Should I not have admitted that?)

My first intention was to dive, eat, sleep, and nothing else in Bonaire. I've rented a truck so I will be doing some shore dives.

However, I've been lurking on the Bonaire Talk message board and now I have so many other topside things I want to do as well. I highly encourage you all to visit that message board before we go. We have to dive Small Wall and wave to the U/W camera, okay? Also, we have to book a night dive with Toucan at the Town Pier (maybe more than one). It is a shore dive but it requires a local guide.

I live in the Seattle area and do as much diving here as I can. I dive using a drysuit and about 32 lbs. But I love the stuff we have up here. Canada is even better (70 - 90' vis in the winter).

I'll be flying through L.A. so I'll probably hook up with those of you flying from there. However, I'm a bit worried. My flight from Seattle gets in about 2 1/2 hours before the flight to Jamaica. So nothing can go wrong. I plan on visiting Alaska airlines a few weeks prior to make sure there aren't any schedule changes.

We have to stay the night in L.A. on the way back as there are no flights back to Seattle that late.

I am traveling with Sue (married 40-ish) who is a relatively new diver. I am also traveling with Renee who was certified PADI O/W a year ago and has a few dives under her belt. She's a natural, though. We have to do a night dive here once before we come so we can assess her comfort level. Oh, and Renee is single and in her 20's and very cute. (For those single guys out there.)

I'm looking forward to meeting all of you and know we will make some unforgettable memories.

I don't have too much room in my luggage, but does anyone want anything from Seattle? Magnets? Key chains?

OK - was this too much information?

-becky

 

[Natasha]

Thanks Becky. Great info on all. Don't worry about the flights. All will go as planned! Just wear the Bonaire T shirts and we'll find you in LAX and Montego bay. Raphael and Beverly are also leaving from LAX.
And since you mentioned it some of the group did do the night dive at Town Pier. I'll ask Steve what day he wants us to do it. I think it was Tuesday last time.
And we didn't dive the Small Wall last time, so that's a great idea for this time. Jake is the owner of the web cam and lives right behind it. He also runs the Bonaire talk board I think you are talking about. So we'll give a special wave to him.
Hope to hear from everyone else soon!

 

[Bob]

This is my first trip to Bonaire. This is also the first time Beth, my bride, has gone with me on one of my diving excursions. She is excited as I am. What she wants is a week of R&R away from the office. I've been diving about about the same length of time as Walter. I'm PADI Rescue and Nitrox certified and I'm still learning how to dive. I am a Wreckmaniac and look forward to seeing June, Sandy, Walter, and Natasha again, as well as making new friends in Bonaire. See all you Bonaire divers in Montego Bay. We're just over six weeks away! :tree: Bob

 

[Natasha]

A member of ours has said I can share his web site with everyone. Check it out.. it's a good one.
http://www.raxafarian.com/bonaire


PS Bob: Have a great time with Bubba in Alaska!

 

[Denton]

Hi,
My name is Denton. It's great to meet all of you. I dove Bonaire in March 2001 and yes, it's good enough to go back! I was on Natasha's Bonaire trip so if you want any unbiased info just ask. I have also travelled with Natasha and her groupies to Belize, and Cozumel (am I forgetting any Natasha?).
I hope I can help if anyone has any questions. Becky's idea for a night pier dive is great, except for one problem... every diver on the island will be there. It gets very crowded. Last Bonaire trip a group of us would meet on occasion for pre-breakfast dives; Fantastic!
I also take uw photos so I am probably as bad a dive buddy as Becky (by the way Becky, since you're coming from Seattle could you bring me about 20 lbs of salmon? (I grew up near Snohomish and miss it!)).
Ok, work is starting without me! Gotta go, and thanks Natasha for squeezing me in!

Denton

PS. I know where the best, most secluded beach is with the best body surfing ;^)

PPS. Almost forgot the regular stuff! I'm 38, been diving for 6 or 7 years, single (widower), have my advanced and nitrox, not an ultra hard-core diver (I just love the fishies!) and do some uw photography. Main goal: enjoy life.

 

[Inspector#2]

Hello Everybody,
This will be our first international dive trip and it kind of coincides with our 10th anniversary (1 Aug). We have previous salt water experience along the Keys and I have enjoyed the water around Orcas Island and at Edmonds Reef.
My wife, Jerri, has her PADI O/W and I have my Rescue also from PADI. She loves diving but doesn't really enjoy Idaho's cold and murky water so I think we will spend most of the time diving.
We are both very excited and can't wait to meet everybody. We should arrive around 7:30 pm on the 13th.

See you soon,
Dave and Jerri Henry

 

[Bob]

Natasha,
Thanks. This time tomorrow, Bub and I will be doing some serious male bonding! Pictures to follow. :tree: Bob

 

[sea nmf]

Denton -

I would be up for pre-breakfast dives. Were you talking about at the Town Pier? I thought all of those dives had to be escorted by a local professional? Or is it just night dives there? Also, what about early morning boating activity on the pier?

-becky