The 2002 Bonaire Trip

[Denton]

Me? Memory? I forgot to log the BBQ in my dive log. I remember real good food, lots of fruit, some type of rum punch and a real fun caribean band. All set against an awesome sunset. I started to remember conch ceviche and a bonfire but that was Belize. Can't you make these trip more boring?

Becky, leave it at home. Last time all the tarpon were cruising at 60+ feet and they are quite shy. There will be more than enough other fish to get. I remember putting my close up to good use. Ghost shrimp in purple anemones come to mind. We are going to have fun ;^)

Still stuck in the 20th century using ancient smile face technology,

Denton

 

[Inspector#2]

Natasha: Our flight gets in (hopefully) at 7:30pm. I figure about 35-45 minutes once we deplane until we arrive at the resort.

Denton: It was an old Browning 30.06 that was taken in a burglary and bought the little thieves 5 years when it hit the surface. It was unloaded-I checked when I found it!

Thanks for the info. Jerri has all sorts of neoprene. I guess I will have to buy a 3mm shorty before I leave-or would it be cheaper down there? All I have here is a 7mm and a drysuit.

Dave

 

[Denton]

Dave, the 7mm is WAY too much. Nancy from Boulder Co. (I don't think she is coming) is the only person I've ever seen who dives a full wet suit in the Caribean. Most people are fine with anything from a dive skin to a full 3mm suit. One person, who shall remain nameless (I call him Bruce Hanna), uses a pair of swim trunk and a t-shirt but he has been certified "crazy" (he's also a co-worker. Is he coming Natasha?).

Great job on the rifle. Did they teach you how to clear a breech in your AOW? I missed that specialty.

Denton

 

[Inspector#2]

The breech clearing in zero vis. @ 30 FFW with <100psi is a self taught specialty. Not a lot of requests for the class. I have some other specialties like regualtor freeze up @80 FFW after losing my buddy, being run over in 4 FFW by the local fire dept. river rescue boat, or the always popular dive float being stolen and dragged to the surface from 80 FFW by the thieves.
I think I will start my own certification organization, DAMI (dumb a$$ manuvers international).

Dave

 

[Denton]

Dave,
You're making me laugh so hard people will think I'm having fun at work! I need to dive with more people like you!

At least the FD was there to "rescue" you.

Natasha, do any of the names on your list belong to people I might know? Is Beverly Beverly? Hi Beverly!

Denton

 

[Natasha]

I only wore a skin. But by the 6th dive or so, I was getting cold. But I still never submitted to a wet suit. I think September will be a bit warmer then March.
Bruce still could come. He's waiting on a few personal isses to clear up.
And yes, Beverly is Beverly from our Cozumel trip. But she is a bit scuba board handicapped (LoL) and can't figue out how to get back on here, although she is a member. Denton Help her!
The only other person you will know Denton, Is the love of my life, My David. Yes, my adorable Husband is going with us to Bonaire. I had to twist his arm.. but the thought of the bidet that I love to use ( Oh God did I say that!) makes him quiver. So he is going! Oh yeah and for the diving too.

 

[raxafarian]

sadly, I won't be in Bonaire with all of you. I was there in June of 2001 and march of this year.

Somebody mentioned the night dive at town pier. An alternative is a night dive at the customs pier. No guide required. No permit required. It is the large pier closest to the Divi Flamingo Hotel... south of town. You can enter just south of the pier (50 yds or so) down some steps.

As far as good places to eat... My favorite was the Swiss Chalet.. Wonderful food, good prices. Zuni Schnatzlets was my fav... cut up pork tenderloin with mushroom sauce... side of some type of fried potato...forget the name... rosti, I think. for like 13 or 15.00. And if she has made tiramisu... it was the best I've ever had.

wave at us from the Bonaire Webcams

Ken

 

[sunshinefishy]

Becky - I rented an MX-10 for a week in curacao. I took horrible photos. You can see some of them here. I think for every 10 blurs I may get one good shot. The learning curve is definitely frustrating. But I am in no way discouraged - I will take award winning photos yet!

Natasha - My flight gets in at 7:45 pm. But with my track record I may be having my own BBQ on the plane. Save some conch fritters and ceviche for me.

 

[sea nmf]

OK - what is your real world name, please?

Anyway, I would suggest that you begin with a macro set up. You are almost guaranteed good results. And from what I understand, Bonaire has lots and lots of great macro subjects.

I still may only like one out of 70 shots that I take. Getting good shots of moving objects is not that easy. But it is a very expensive hobby.

I wish I had known what I was in for before I got hooked!

-becky

 

[Natasha]

Sandy AKA Sunshinefish:
7:45 isn't bad. The whole airport to resort thing should only take 30 to 45 minutes including the time to get your bags.
I'll bet the BBQ will still be hot and in full swing.
I will remind everyone to put idenification INSIDE their bags stating where they are staying in Bonaire with the dates.
Also everyone will need to tie the yarn I send you around your bag handles to idenify them as part of our group.
I am holding a few more rooms for this trip. But I will give them back, and close out the trip one week from today.