Home from a Long Stay in Bonaire (2/8/2002)
by franny

Seems like everyone and their uncle has been to Bonaire lately so I will keep this as brief as possible. Dec.-16th to Jan. 30th. Yikes!

The trip down was uneventful with Air Jamaica from Miami. We stayed at a friends house down there which is close to the airport and the beach.

Dive Op: Toucan Divers Plaza Resort

I had such a fantastic time with these people in March, it was a no brainer to use them again. What was really nice was many of the staff remembered me and some gave me a big hug and said "Welcome back Franny". Especially good looking Martin which made hubby's eyebrows raise a little (wink).

The Diving: Bonaire diving is Bonaire diving. No need to go into all the details as so much has been reported in the past. However, the first dive brought 3 seahorses and all the usual characters. In all the islands I have visited, I don't think I have been to one that tops the most spotted morays than in Bonaire. Especially free swimming in the daytime. On one dive I counted 7, four of which were free swimming. Lots of large tarpon and one baby turtle. It is also nice to see in the coral rubble at shallow depths so alive with juveniles. Thousands of damsel babies!

Although the shore diving is fantastic, it really is worth doing some boat dives over on Klein. Best done in the morning before the winds really kick up and visibility is at its best.

Water temps. were 79-80 +/- consistently. Visibility was much better the first 3 weeks before the rainy season really started. Over 100' at the beginning and maybe down to 60-70 on stormy days.

The ones we did over there included Rock Pile, Joanne's Sunchi, Forest, South Bay, and Capt. Don's reef. Some more than once.

Shore Diving: The reason I will name these is for people who are looking for easy shore entries. With my middle age and somewhat restricted use of left arm due to a serious past injury, trying to tackle more challenging entries are not a real pleasure for me.

They are as follows: Webbers Joy, La Machaca (Habitat House Reef), Scientifico, Buddies Reef, Bari in front of Sand Dollar, (watch for current here), Eighteenth Palm, North Blenem, Angel City and Alice In Wonderland (long swim out), Tori's Reef, Pink Beach and my absolute favorite was Ol Blue.

Many of these dives were repeated on more than one occasion. Most of these can be done in either direction. Dove air if doing single dives and Nitrox if multiples. Toucan only charges $10 per day for nitrox.

It's a good thing I love to read. Six weeks is a long time to spend there. Our friends from Dallas joined us for 2 weeks over Xmas and New Years. We went to the party at the Plaza resort for New Years Eve. I am not a fan of buffet meals, but, I have to tell you the food, presentation and selection was impressive and delicious. The party afterwards on the beach was lots of fun with fireworks at midnight and a good view of all the fireworks going on other places as well as town. The live music didn't start til 12:30 though.

Food & Restaurants: Can't spell or pronounce the new Indonesian place. Warlm Ketchen or something like that where Raining Chickens used to be. Passable ricjetaffle (pardon the spelling) :( By far, the best restaurant in my mind is still Rendezvous. With new renovations and completely indoors now, you don't have the annoying street noise. One night the special was Kangaroo! Hubby was the only one brave enough to try it. After I tasted it, I was surprised how good it was. I also was recommended by a boat diver to try the smoked marlin salad which was delicious. Cappricios and Crocantino's were 2 fine choices for Italian. Pasa Bon still hails the best pizza on the Island. Must have picked the wrong night for a disappointing meal at the Lions Den.

All in all it was a great and very relaxing trip but I am happy to be home and sleep in my big comfy bed! Even if getting home was a pain and we arrived a day late.

Todd from the board hooked up with us for a couple of days of shore diving. Great young man. His buddy was unable to join him so I had him over for dinner one night as well. Nice diving with you bud! :)

My 5th trip to this Island was just as nice as our first!

Franny, the scubadiving fool [:O]

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