Port Ghalib - Longimanus

Cross Mount - November 27th

The first thing to do when going on holiday is, as always, bringing our cats - Maja & Loeki - to their holiday address. As there regular stay is closed the month of November they now go to Cat Hotel "Cross Mount". The hotel looks quite and peaceful and our cats are at easy immediately.

All set to go to the "Schiphol" Hotel (Mercure) we booked to stay tonight, due to the early departure of the flight.

The room is good, so we can have a good night sleep. The next morning we have to catch the first shuttle at 6 o'clock.

Arke Fly - November 28th

It takes the shuttle only 5 min's to get us to the Terminal building, another 5 min's and it is our turn to check in - which is very smooth. To our surprise the diving luggage is free of charge.

The pre-ordered breakfasts taste okay. After a quick flight of 5 hrs we land at Marsa Alam International Airport, Egypt. The first holiday "stress" is as every year the Visa payments. A couple bought the Visa themselves, and not through the travel agent. They save themselves 9 Euro's, but create a lot af stress at the local staff, and obvisouly doesn't give them a stress free start of the holiday!

The hotel - The InterContinental The Palace Port Ghalib - is just few minutes drive from the Airport. We at first want to change rooms (due to a different bathroom), but quickly decide to stay in the initial offered room. The unpacking can begin. Petra seems to have forgotten to pack some items. Not nice, but little we can do about that now.

Dinner was very good, and to our surprise out side. As we didn't expected to still be able to dine outside so late in the year, we didn't pack anything warmer to wear.

Tomorrow we will have our first dive.

1st Dive - November 29th

After a long sleep and a brilliant breakfast we headed for the dive shop. "We are in your agenda" "Jos & Petra, yes you are". Checking in is quick and smooth. The 1st dive is going to be House Reef: InterContinental Jetty > CrownePlaza Jetty. A very nice and relaxed dive, as expected (and hoped) just with the two of us! No mask and buddy breathing hassle.

Lunch was jummy: Fish & Chips for me, Penne & Shrimp for Petra. This is how all holidays should be ... . This place is really good :-)

Jos: 61 [min] / 22.3 [m] | Petra: 61 [min / 20.6 [m]

No Dennis, no Snoet - November 30th

Petra wakes up not feeling well. Unfortunately she will have to skip this dive. She took 2 paracetamol and back to bed. So I am off to Marsa Abu Dabab by myself.

We are just a small group  Belgian couple, a German and a Dutch guy. I join the the last two with the guide. After 55 min's of staring at sand and sea grass we call it a day. As expected we saw the big Green Turtles and a Guitar Ray, but no Dugong. Also the Belgian couple wasn't lucky ... seems no Dugong today.

In de bus back to the hotel I sit next to the Belgian couple. They have been to Egypt now 22 times (!) and El Gouna is there favorite. Dolphins  dolphins  dolphins and with some luck a Leopard shark. They also had seen a Tiger Shark in Sharm a few years ago. Always nice to learn about other peoples adventures.

Jos: 55 [min] / 6.5 [m] | Petra: No Dive

PS: Dennis is the nickname of the local Dugong, Snoet is Petra's nickname.

House Reef - December 1st

Today a slow starting day with long breakfast before going to the dive shop. The plan is to do the House Reef. What part we haven't decided yet. At the dive shop we have a little chat with Kimo, one of guides we dived with last year. He advises us to do Crowne Plaza > Crowne Plaza. And so we do. They are out of Nitrox today (strange, maybe we should have announced our dive yesterday?), so take tank with regular air.

The House Reef is brilliant. We may not encounter any "special fish", but this house reef is soo beautiful, you can stay here for hours and hours and still enjoy it! I am sure we'll do another one.

Diving on regular air needs some attention. It has been a long time that we got so close to our none deco-time on regular dive .... being the 1st dive!

Jos: 63 [min] / 27.5 [m] | Petra: 62 [min] / 25.9 [m]

Lunch was again very good, but doesn't fall well for me. I have a strange tummy feeling all afternoon. Even at dinner it is still there. Hopefully I will be okay tomorrow as we booked to go to Elphinestone.

Weeronline is predicting a 10, and no wind. Hopefully the forecast is correct.

Longimanus - December 2nd

Yesterdays tummy ache didin't disappear, but light enough to give it a go. To our big surprise the boat is quite empty, only 9 divers (incl. us). Is there still a bus full coming from El Quseir? ..... No, we are leaving to Elphinestone! 

About 2 hrs later we are at the famous reef. We are hardly in the water when we see our first Longimanus (Oceanic White Tip Shark)! Having 360 logged dives each, and being at Elphinestone the 5th time, we now finally have the privilege to see it!! As current turns on us half way the dive, we drift back to the boat. Another 2 are cruising the area, giving us the opportunity to have a second, and better, look.

Back on the boat Petra learns these are actually very dangerous sharks (4th, after Great White, Tiger and Bull Shark). Oeps. maybe next time she will swim a little less fast towards them ..... (I doubt that).

Jos: 54 [min] / 29.0 [m] | Petra: 54 [min] / 25.3 [m]

The 2nd dive is much more relaxed as the, quite chaotic, 1st dive. We are dropped by the dingy and nice drift around the most beautiful reef of Egypt.

The dingy picks us up again and brings us back to the boat. Time for lunch. Strange ... only us two and one other diver ordered lunch?? As always, these boat lunches, after having done 2 dives, taste great.

Jos: 59 [min] / 27.1 [m] | Petra: 59 [min] / 23.8 [m]

The end of the fun part! The wind picks up and we have to return against the wind. Petra immediately gets seasick. The crew takes care of her very well - thanks guys!

Despite of the good care Petra concludes "never again on a boat!"*

The rest of the trip back is long and cold, and cold and long. Finally, back in Port Ghalib. Unfortunately my tummy picks up where it left this morning, and I have no appetite.

A brilliant day of diving ends a little in minor.

* Hardly 3 weeks home we booked to go back. Petra is confident we will go back to Elphinestone ... a few pictures and a move do miracles :-)

Seahorse - December 3rd

I hardly have any breakfast. Still no appetite. The tummy feels okay though. Today we go for Marsa Egla, the dive we last year - after Kimo's recommendation - skipped. To our surprise Marsa Egla seems to be the alternative "seacow" dive.

After an hours drive we stop, just pasted Brayka Bay Resort, at a busy bay. Seems more know about the seacow here. Next to the 3 Austrian/Swiss (?) divers that joined on the boat yesterday, we are also accompanied by a few novice divers and an older German diver. He is looking for a buddy (as he is alone) and we decide to go with the six of us.

But than, just when we enter the water, the Austrian/Swiss girl excuses her self: "we already dove with him" "he doesn't listen" "only does his own thing" "it is our last dive" "sorry ... bye". And of they went. Hmmm ... nice. Than old German guy mumbles something. He had torn his finstrap and had to return to other divers. Okay ... the two of us only than.

May may, what a lot of sand. And what a - for Egyptian understanding - bad viz. We find nothing, totally nothing! So after half an hour we head to the reef. What an excuse for reef. So we go back for another go to find a dugong .. or anything interesting. We come across the Austrian/Swiss team. The girl signals they have seen a Seahorse ... somewhere over there.

Not to long after, despite of its size and good camouflage, we find the Seahorse. Hé hé ... we finally saw something! Not long after we even find a 2nd Seahorse! Time is up, back to the shore.

Jos: 65 [min] / 15.2 [m] | Petra: 64 [min] / 14.9 [m]

At the beach we hear the - Dutch - group next to us talking excited about something big: a Dugong. We - as the rest of our group - seem to have just missed it. Pity, but we know .. it's an ocean, not a Zoo.

Scooter - December 4th

We have booked at 10:00 o'clock, so plenty of time for a long sleep and a good breakfast. When we arrive at the dive shop Mahmoud is already waiting for us. "Do you still know how it works?" Hmmm .... yes and no. The details of operating the underwater scooter are being explained. And, as last year, we do a little practice round in the shallow waters, just of the local beach.

And than, first slowly, but than faster and faster, we cruise by the InterContinental Jetty, the Crowne Plaza Jetty and beyond. What is the reef gorgeous! A hour and a bit later the last dive of this holiday, and with that the last dive of 2012, had ended. Definitely a fun dive to celebrate a good year of diving.

Jos: 67 [min] / 23.8 [m] | Petra: 67 [min] / 22.0 [m]

The afternoon passes like breeze. Time for Petra to go to the Six Sense Spa. An hour and half later she returns smiling and shining. It was soo good :-)

Temperature drop - December 5th

The last day of a very very nice holiday has started. We pack before breakfast,  so we can spend another few hours at the lovely beach. Lovely, Egyptian winter sun! The wheaterforecast predicted a drop from 29°C to 24°C, but luckily it doesn't seem to be correct.

Noon, time to step in the bus and start our trip back home. The further we go North the more cloudy it gets. During our short layover in Sharm El Sheikh it even rains!!! Five and a half hours later we touch ground in Amsterdam. The temperature is 30°C less than in Egypt .... and it is snowing!

Positano - 2012

To Positano

In the early morning packing the final items, hugging our cats (Maja&Loeki), giving them a lot of food and off to Bruxelles. At the airport all goes quite smooth, parking checking in, etc. Only eating is an issue, not much of our liking (we end up at Pizza Hut ... ).

Short, quick flight, which can't be said for the bagage handeling. It took forever. As the shuttle was late this actually didn't matter in the end (we quickly check with the B&B where we are staying - Villa Mary: "the will arrive at 16:30". Aha, they still had our initial flight details). On time it arrived. We were joined by a couple that headed for Sorento.

"To the left Vesuvio". "To the right Capri". Man, what a view!

After about one and a half hours we arrive in Positano, at B&B Villa Mary. A warm welcome and a beautiful room where waiting for us. We walk on the balcony to take in the view. Despite of it being late May it is cold in the South of Italy, and windy: did we bring the right clothes? Tiziana, the owner, arrives to give us a detailed explanation on Positano. Too much info, but all helpfull.

We are hungry, so we take the Positano "Highway" down to the center. The footpath brings us there in about 5 minutes. What a cute little town this is! After a nice salad and a pizza we return to our B&B.

At the local (in town stops only) busstops we see that it will take another 15 minutes before the bus arrives. We decide to walk (the ~300 steps up) back. Not bad, not bad at all, a good 10 minutes and we are back at B&B Villa Mary.
The 1st day has come to an end .... time to sleep.

 

Rain

The weather forecasts are bad, still the start of the day is quite fair. During our delicious breakfast the sun even tries to show her face. We decide to have a lazy first day, just strolling the streats of Positano.

After having browsed a few shops it starts to drip. During lunch, again at Caprice, we cuddle up under a nice and warm gas heater. Later, on our way back to the B&B the 'on the spot' purchased umbrella comes at handy. The jacuzzi in the room is a nice and warm welcome! Let's hope the rain will leave soon (wheather forecast say it will).

Just after six in the afternoon the rain stops and the sky clears up. We slowly stroll back to to the town center, explore another bit to left and right. Dinner we have again at Caprice (we know it sounds boring, and we normally also like to sample, but the food is good, the view is good, the atmosphere is good, the price is good ... and they have terras heaters!).

Tomorrow we will go to Amalfi or Capri - final decission at breakfast. Maja & Loeki both show up on our webcam, we can sleep w/o worry.

 

Capri

We decide to go to Capri. So we better hurry, as the boat is leaving in an hour. The weather is great, hopefully it stays like this! Despite of my running back to the room to get the sunlotion, we, just, catch the boat in time. The boat ride to Capri is nice, smooth with a beautiful view.

On arrival we ..... yes, what to do now? Hmmm ... La Grotta Azzurra is advertised as the main attracktion, so let's give it a go. To bad the harbour has just been floaded by Chinese (?) tourist .. all heading for the same Grotto. Anyway ... we go. On our boat we are joined by Japanese tourist we learn: and they are soo quiet. After having spent 26 euro to get to the Grotto, and another 25 to get in - on a little row boat - we feel a 'bit' ripped off when after 3 minutes we already depard the Grotto. It is blue, beautiful blue ..... but that (25.50 euro's a person) beautiful? Not really!

But the sun shines, the sky is blue, we're in Italy .. so who cares :-)

We take the funicolare to Capri and find it to be lovely and relaxed, with cute alleys, nice shops and breath taking views.

For lunch we decide to go to small restauran called "Aurora", an affordable good choice according our tour guide. When Petra returns from the toilet, and having seen the foto's of all the rich and famous that visited this restaurant on the walls, she asks: "Are you sure we can afford this?". We could, but just. So it was far from cheap. But okay, this is Capri, so what would you expect.

We stroll the nice little streets for an other few hours and take in many more breathtaking views before we return to Positano. Dinner at Caprice is the end of another lovely day!

 

Relax

About today there is not so much to tell as actually didn't do anything. Just relaxing at Positano beach and enjoying the nice weather. We didn't enter the sea as it was full of jellyfish. Another simple and good dinner at Caprice.

"We declined the suggestion from our B&B to try free pick-up to a restaurant up the hill. It is much too nice to be in Positano down town at the harbour and sit out side, rather than inside somewhere far away".

 

Ravello

What a nice thing to do: cruise the Amalfi Coast in a Smart. Conclusion: Positano is the loveliest town, but also Ravello is a 'must do' town, with nice parcs, gardens and - again - breathtaking views. It is unbelievable, but there isn't corner in the road nor a town along the coast that disappoints with respect to scenery. This corner of the world is truely a very beautiful corner!

"Half way stop at the Grotto Emeraldo. 2 x 5 euro, and again a small colourfull cave on a boat. At least this time the boatsmen made a show of it! The same boats man surprised us big time! "Where are you from?" "Maastricht, aha ... MVV" Where did he know such a small soccer club from? "I bed on them all the time, but always loose" Well, so do they"

 

Positano - Little beach

Today we plan to discover the other side of Positano. Just again a relaxed day strolling the streets and ending up at a beach bar on the other - small - beach of Positano. The prosciutto e melone is very good!

Petra finally made up her mind and bought a beautiful pair of earrings. We end the day with a lovely simple dinner .... by now you knowe where.

 

Back home

The last delicious breakfast. A quick stroll trough town. And off we go .... but we'll be back, some day.

Bonaire: Eagle Rays & More

February 11 - 23 KG!

After a big effort to get all clean to allow the painter to start tomorrow, and good night sleep, we were on our way to Schiphol. -13°C! Yes, it is still very cold. The whole drive (2.5hrs) it remains as cold, even at Schiphol it is still -12°C. But the snow, that completely stopped all traffic in this part of the Netherlands seemed to already have vanished.

Once at Schiphol, while checking in our luggage we had a not so nice surprise: luggage allowance rules had changed. Not the total weight of all lugage together, but the weight per item counted, making our prepaid additional weight allowance a little useless as our diving gear bag alone was at 28.8 kg .... 5 kg over weight. And additional paid beauty case was only 7kg. So weight wise we could easily bring all, but needed to redistribute the weight.

As repacking the bags we had wasn't an option as they were simply too small, and we couldn't find anything affordable as alternative in Schiphol, I decided to wear my BCD as coat, and passed through customs. After customs I found a cabin luggage trolley on sale that fitted all: problem solved.
[next time we should better prepare and read the small text on the website and booking forms!]

After the mandatory stop in Curaçao we finally landed on Bonaire. It's been a while so we doubted about the direction once, but actually drove straight to Deep Blue View. Esther is already waiting for us .... it feels good to be back.

February 12 - Kontiki

The first day will be a slow and quiet day. Relax a little, getting into the time zone and adjust to the climate. We wake up early, but stay in and sleep a little more until 7. Once at the breakfast table it doesn't take long before we meet the other guests: Esthers brother Han and his wife, Kelly and Ty from Minnesota and Laura and Roger from Ohio.

It was time to dig in to our bowl of fruit and yogurt and order the warm part of the breakfast: Pancake with bacon and apples for Petra and fried eggs (sunny side up) with bacon for me. Yummie!

At the end of the morning we drive to Sorobonne en stroll by the turquoise blue Lagoon. Lunch at Kontiki .... what a nice place this is!

We drive back over the coast road, passing Light House, Red Slave, White Slave, Hilma Hooker, Windsock ... all to do dive sides pass by.

Hunger kicks in early so head for Kralendijk. Hmmm, City Cafe only opens at 18:00, so we decide to stroll through town and enjoy a bit of the children's carnival of Bonaire. The food tasts good, and at 7 we are driving back.

In the Netherlands my brithday has already started.

February 13 - 43

We were reminded quite early to the fact that it was my birthday: Patrick and Hui Yuan at 3:00, Thei at 4:00 .... At 7:00 we called my dad and congratulated him with his birthday. Yes. my dad and I share our birthday, quite extraordinary.

Little later the (social) media are checked: Facebook & Whatsapp. Very nice to see all these congratulations!

After finishing our pancake with apple/cinnamon and bacon we leave for the marina to have our 1st dive of the holiday. Wow, Menno's boat grew a lot while we were gone! We sail towards Klein Bonaire.

First site is Munk's Haven, a nice dive site. While sticking my head under water and looking around I remember why I wanted to go back to Bonaire :-)

Back on the boat we notice that the package has been upgraded to "All Inclusive" soda and a nice fruit bite. After the 'post 2nd dive' muffins are put in the oven (in a box on the hot engine) and the caught Lion Fish are cleaned, we start our 2nd dive: Captain Don's Reef, with lots of nice shrimp.

After enjoying the fluffed-up muffin our 1st 'working day' has come to an end.

The plan is to go to At Sea tonight. Esther already attached the phone number to one of the birthday balloons on our bed.

No big surprise that they were closed, despite of the website saying Wednesday is their closing day, as also yesterday, when we passed by, they were closed. Also the telephone wasn't answered.

4 Seasons (the neighbors) it will be than. A good choice so it turned out. The bisque was good (although I had better before). The Catch of the Day (Baracuda, Wahoo and crispy Sweatbread in a white wine sauce) was excellent. Also Petra's Steak Tartare was very good. The same for the home made chocolate that companied the espresso.

Ending the day with a glass of Proseco to finish my birthday.

February 14 - Valentine's Day

Today the plan is to have a relaxed "No Diving" day, which starts with an excellent Esther made breakfast. It seems we are not the only ones with little to no plans for the day, as all stay to chat around the table. At 10 we are the 1st to leave.

Our 1st stop is around the corner at Germaine Nijdam Art Gallery. Since we are re-doing our living room, we are also looking for something new to put on the wall. The Drift Wood Art from Germaine will for sure fit our new interior. The choice is limited, as the shop in the Netherlands just 'cleaned up' the collection.

But anyway, there may be something left and if not we can always ask to make something. So we are not too worried. We will find something.

We continue to the village where a huge Cruise Ship just mored. It's the Aïda. My god, the size of that ship. The local ship owners have all set up a small stand to sell their goods. Very cozy and familiar ... so all approach us in German :-)

It's past noon, time for lunch. We return to Kontiki. It is so nice to sit there, enjoy the view and have time passing by. The local cocktail, as green blue as the lagoon, tastes very good as well.

Back at DBV we tried the 'new' jacuzzi at the pool [the jacuzzi has been there for a while now, but it was build last time we were at DBV - October 2007 - so we never saw it completed] We don't know where to go for dinner. We're not really hungry, and have difficulty finding somewhere to eat something small and light. Also no pasta on the menu (one of Petra's "con's" for Bonaire). The alternative is to try the new Super Market (Van den Tweel) to get some rolls, meats and cheese. It turns out to be a good choice.

After dinner we had a nice chat with Ty and Kelly. Tomorrow 3-Tank Dive ... so time to tuck in!

February 15 - Seasick

Today is the big day. We are going for the 3-tank dive at Washington Slagbaai National Park. At breakfast last nights nights dinner options are being reviewed. Roger and Laura ate at Cactus Blue and seemed to have had what we were looking for. Keep in mind I would say.

After again a to die for pancake we leave for the marina. Susan, who joins today to support Menno on the boat (no moorings, so someone needs to stay on the boat). After a good hour of sailing we reach the 1st site. The sea is already quite bumpy, at least for Petra and myself as we already feel a little noxious. Once in the water in noticed the plankton, the little light and hence the bad viz. We see some nice things, but due to the surge I acn't really enjoy. During the safety stop Petra is having issues with her leg (cramp?).

Back on the boat it is getting bad quickly: both seasick. Menno tries to limit the interval as much as possible to get us off the boat and in the water. The boat rocks a little too much for me and I have to get out of my BCD to hang over the side ... . We move the boat the a little calmer spot, which helps. It may not be an official dive site, but it is very beautiful. As Jolanda I decided not to bother taking my camera, which I now regret somewhat. A little further the reef is getting less interesting. And on top of that Petra had bumped into some fire coral, her hand is swelling up a little. Moving further the beauty of the reef picks up again, but I am starting to feel noxious again and feel like I am getting cold.

Back on the boat the seasickness kicks in again. Only when we arrive in the 'shadow' of the island (half an hour later?) I start to recover. Petra's hand had been treated with some vinegar. No. today was not our day. No surprise we skipped on the third dive. Tomorrow we will try again, but not so far out.

//Lion Fish: The invasion of these beautiful animals, that are not indigenous, triggers a hunt every dive. Actually we are not so fond of it, but do understand the population needs to be controlled//

Dinner at Mona Lisa. Nice, but a bit rich. The bisque beats the one at 4 Seasons. The Catch of the Day (Petra: Caribbean Pike, Jos: Baracuda) was nice. No room for desert though.

February 16 - BBQ

Program of the day:

• 2-Tank Boat dive
• Sunset Cruise
• BBQ

The day starts, as always, with a delicious and relaxed breakfast. We first check if more people join today, as we can also do a shore dive day. Roger and Laura join, so a boat dive day it will be! Ah yes, we are going to Klein Bonaire. First Knife, followed by Ebo's Reef. Two very nice dives.

The sun still didn't show after the second dive, so we are all a little cold. A good moment for Menno to try his new 'on board water cooker' and prepare us a nice mug of coffee to accompany the fluffed up muffins.

After a lunch and a long siesta it is time already to go to the marina for the sunset cruise. Daan and Monique, a couple from Nijmegen that just arrived, join us in the car. Lots of laughter and smiling on the boat, despite the absence of the sun (compensated by some nice rum inspired sundowners).

Back at DBV the BBQ is switched on. We start with a Peruvian Lion Fish entree, prepared by Erica. Followed by a grilled steak (Mean-O stile). Finishing with a dessert of chocolate filled profiteroles, prepared by Laura.

February 17 - Germaine Nijdam

Our first thing to do today is buying a nice picture at Germaine's Gallery. We saw a very nice one on her website: A 120x120 cm piece with 9 equal sections, each having a different turtle painting. When we arrive we see next to it slightly smaller painting: Swirl of Fish, with a Driftwood frame. Hmmm ... it looks very good now it is finished* and the size fits our living room much better.

We think about it for another 15-20 minutes and decide to take it. We also can't resist to buy a nice piece of driftwood, looking like a sailfish, or a crocodiles head, from the "houtzee" collection. To complete it, we also take a small saying on a piece of wood: "Dream your Life, Live your Dream".

We make a down payment of about half the total amount (the cash machine in Bonaire has its limitations).

//* We had seen this painting the 1st time at Germaine. Petra already loved it. My eye fell on a beautiful driftwood frame. These two appeared to belong together, just needed their final assembly. No .... we couldn't resist! //

Fill up the car, back for a few tanks, and than we are ready for our first shore dive. We pick the "unmarked" dive site called "Taylor Maid". Ty quickly borrows me his copy of "Shore diving made easy" (written by Susan!) to assure we can find this spot. A good idea as it was not as easy as I thought. We first take a wrong turn, then we drive past big time, but finally we find it. A good choice as it was very beautiful, especially the zone between 15 en 25 meter.

After the 'long' drive back over Rincon it is time for lunch.

For dinner we went to "At Sea". We had heard a lot of good things about this place, so expectations were high. No issue, it was even better! Really a very very good dinner ... so we immediately made reservations for the next week.

February 18 - Two Tank Shore Dive

Today, after again an o so delicious breakfast [2x pancakes, 1x with apples and cinnamon, and 1x with bacon .. and syrop of course], we head for the South. Atlantis is the plan, but we seem unable to find it? .. maybe the kite surfers removed the yellow marking stone for safety? We change our plan to Vista Blue. Wow, what a beautiful reef. As cherry on the cake a cute turtle passes by.

After the dive we start our surface interval by watching the kite surfers. Look like a lot of fun. Than we drive back to Salt Pier. Petra first refuses to go, as the site is officially closed. But after giving her puppy eyes look, she decides to join. Not second of regret: man, it seems all the fish live here! Even the tarpon. Also the drama of the sunlight between the pillars is so impressive.

The 4th time in Bonaire, but the 1st time we do a Shore Dive Two Tanker. We should have done this a lot earlier ... never too old to learn eej.

Back at DBV we see that the plan we discussed with Menno in the morning ended up on the "optional plans for tomorrow" board. Oeps, we still need to pick up our stuff at Germaine's. Esther says not to worry, she'll call Germaine tomorrow morning, so we can pick all up tomorrow afternoon.

Quickly to the supermarket to get the ingredients for our BBQ for 2.

February 19 - Eagle Rays

Yesterdays 2-tank was too good not to do it again. After breakfast, and meeting the new guests, we leave for the Hilma Hooker. Petra is afraid, being a sunday, that it will be very crowded. But we are lucky. Only one truck. But than another two trucks arrived, packed with 4 divers each, quickly accompanied by their friends .. another 4 trucks packed with divers. No, we are not in Bonaire to "crowd dive", so we decide to move to the next site: Alice in Wonderland. Just us here.

Hardly in the water I spot an Eagle Ray. The elegant ray seems to be looking for food, and slowly browses the bottom. Not taking any notice of us. Only after a good 5 minutes it's had enough and moves on.

We continue and drop to the sandy bottom at about 31 meters deep, between the typical Two Reef System in the South of Bonaire. I see a lot of Garden Eels (eagle ray food!), and yep .. another Eagle Ray! This one is at quite some distance, and due to the depth I only slowly swim there. After letting us having a good look at him/her the eagle ray moves on. Wow! Two Eagle Rays in one dive!

The rest of the dive, as well as the next dive site, Knife, we see the usual stuff.  But also that is always a good enough reason to get into the water!

February 20 - Cruise Ship

Before we start our boat dive we drop by Germaine to pay the balance and agree on when to pick up the stuff. "No problem, you can pick it up this afternoon. Everything is closed due to the Carnaval so we aren't anywhere anyway".

We hurry to be on time on the boat. But no need as Menno has 2 additional customers, so it takes a little longer. We thought we recognized them, but that was very unlikely as they - Marc & Nancy - arrived with the big Cruise Ship that moored only this morning.

Today we do 2 nice dives at the North: Bloodlet and Country Garden. After that we quickly head back to Kralendijk as the big boat leaves at 13:30 sharp! Just in time ... okay 1 minute too early ... we drop Marc & Nancy on the quay.

After lunch we go to Germaine to pick our stuff. We have a long and nice chat with her friend. For dinner we go to "It Rains Fishes". Unfortunately, as yesterday at Kontiki, the food didn't impress us. The view however, is stunning.

February 21 - Wild Site Dive

According plan we leave this morning for the Cai, to do the "classic". It's just the three of us, so Menno joins us in the car. After some flamingo pictures 'en route' we stop at the Conge Mountain. After a thorough briefing we enter the water at the mangrove inlet. We follow Menno through the mercy water and reach the ditch where the tarpons always hang. Man, they are BIG. Slowly the viz gets better and better. Even the 'hoped for' Eagle Rays pass by. But even without this bonus, this is still a very beautiful (must do) dive site!

After passing by several closed restaurants we decide to go back to Kontiki. Lunch with a view ... hard to beat!

To our surprise Kelly & Ty join for tonights night dive (they had been planning to do Diana's Leap to Carpata night dive), as well as Esther. It is a boat dive at Klein Bonaire. The dive site is Knife. I enjoyed the night dive, but Petra still doesn't really like to do night dives. She also feels sorry for all the fish and other creatures that get disturbed and blinded by the many dive torches. 

Back on the boat the hot chocolate, optional topped up with a shot of rum, is waiting for us. Super!

February 22 - Salt City

One of Petra's teeth wasn't feeling well, so she wanted to have relaxing, no dive day. After the breakfast she changed her mind ... a diving day it was!

//Ty ordered Hash Browns with an egg on top. It smelled very good, and Ty assured us it tasted even better. Half of the breakfast table (incl. me) made a pre-order for tomorrow morning.//

Let's do one dive .... but let's make sure it's good one! We decide to go to the South. The plan is Tori's Reef. Kelly & Ty head for Alice in Wonderland to check if the Eagle Ray we spotted a few days ago is still around. We drive past them, and re-plan to do Salt City. Petra already wanted to go here a few days ago .. and what a brilliant change of plan that was!

Once we hit the water it already felt good. De reef edge was beautiful ... "beng" "beng" ... unbelievable, the Eagle Ray is there as well and Petra spotted it. For almost 10 minutes we could follow it browsing the reef. Finally, totally out of breath, we had to let it go.

We continue the dive following the reef. The water is soo clear and blue, the sand soo white. Almost magical. I doubt it can get any better than this dive. It is the kind of dive you hope can last for ever. But as always there is a point where the pressure gauge is telling you you're getting low on air and need to get back to your own world.

What a plan: "let's do one dive ... but let's make sure it's good one"!

Back to DBV for lunch, logging the dives and a relaxing afternoon nap. Dinner at At Sea .... delicious!

February 23 - Seahorse

Today our 3-Tank Dive is planned. Actually to our surprise, but since we didn't complete the initial planned 3-Tank Dive, Menno felt an obligation to re-try. And who are we to disagree with Menno.

On the boat we meet the mystery guest joining the trip: Charles Vos, the neighbour. Our 1st dive is at South West Corner. A nice dive, with a cute and curious Octopus as bonus. Back on the boat Petra says she rather do 2 dives today and 2 tomorrow ... well let's inform the captain later. First the 2nd dive. On Ty's request: Jerry's Reef. As both buoys are occupied, Menno takes the boat around and we jump of while sailing. We do a drift dive (on Bonaire!). It was a very nice dive. Interesting Jelly Fish at the start, followed by 5 or 6 Turtles, topped up with a big Stingray cruising by (Thanks Ty!). Wow.

Back on the boat we tell Menno we leave it at 2 for today and will get of the boat with Kelly & Ty. First lunch (it was packed and ready any way).

Than, after telling Charles we had seen it all this week ... except Dolphins and a Seahorse, he says: "I have been told where to find a Seahorse". Oeps ... change of plan. "Menno start the engine!" And there we go. Andrea I is where we should be looking. At about 20m depth just below the buoy, close to an orange Frogfish, we should find it.

We looked and looked and looked, but after a good hour we had to give up. It was a very nice dive, but the bonus wasn't home. Maybe Charles' story was too good to be true ... .

February 24 - Donkey Sanctuary

Time goes fast ... . Last dive day has already arrived. As we eventually did all three dives yesterday, we agree to only do one today. The plan is Tori's Reef. The sea is quite choppy today. At Salt City we drive past Kelly & Ty, who are aiming for Eagle Ray luck.

Arriving at Tori's Reef we see a big truck and a few piles of rubbish, the sea doesn't appear to have good viz either. We decide to return to Angel City. Viz is not as super as the days before, but beautiful it was anyway. When we stick our heads above water at the end of the dive, we see a rather large German group arriving on the beach. Just in time in and out I would say!

In the afternoon, for the first time despite this being our fourth visit to Bonaire, we go to see the Donkey Sanctuary. $7 to enter and $3 for a bag of carrots and there we go. They are soo cute! They run with the truck, head sticking through the window opening, begging for another carrot. After 45 of skiting and sliding the parks slippery, muddy roads (yes, sometimes it rains in paradise), and stopping at the wooden tower to look at the few Flamingos on the neighboring lake, we return to the DBV.

It's time for Rum Punch Sun Set Cruise and BBQ (#2). Despite the dark skies, and some rain during the day, the evening is dry and the sunset is beautiful! The BBQ that followed was very good, lots of talk and laughs. After already having eaten way too much, Esthers Apple Pie, with Ice & Whipped Cream, is served. Jummy.

Time to say goodnight.

February 25 -Time to say Goodbye

Slowly getting up, and already packing before joining at the breakfast table, we here the other guest leave. The new guest dug in the prepared fruit a little too enthusiastically. Also our bowl is already finished. Erika quickly prepares a new one. Followed by a Pancake with Apple and Cinnamon, and Pancake with Bacon.

We spend this last lazy day by cruising around the island, stopping at many dive spots and end up on the terraces of Kontiki for lunch. En route we saw little flamingo's, the Goto Lake seemed empty. (Jolanda's FB post was too late for us ... and retrospectively, as it was fake, it stopped us from making a fool of ourselves).

At Kontiki we hear that KLM had been overbooked yesterday (15 persons weren't allowed on the flight), and today it was expected to repeat. So after lunch we quickly returned to DBV to check in on-line, assuring ourselves a flight back home. It was already on their website that the flight will be delayed by about 2 hours.

The afternoon passes slowly, and it starts to rain again. How to get our stuff to the airport dry? It is way to much to get all in the cabin of the truck! Luckily Esther offers to join us, and that works out perfectly. At the airport we nervously await the next 'hurdles'.

Yes, the flight IS overbooked. They are looking for about 15 volunteers who agree to return a day later - hotel is provided). Our seats are confirmed, so no issue here. Next the luggage ... the 1st suitcase is too heavy (27kg) and also the 2nd one is too heavy (also 27kg), the 3rd, our beauty case, is only 5kg. After asking kindly and being friendly and patient, the girls behind the counter decide today is not the day to be strickt. And luggage is accepted, without repacking.

Than the hand carried luggage, including a 120cm driftwood log and a 120x90cm painting. We better check at security. A little explanation about what it is (art for a local artist) and trying whether it can pass the X-Ray, we can take the driftwood log on board as hand carry, but the painting can't pass the machine, so can not. So back to the check in desk.

The lovely girls behind the desk ask the local manager, and to our big surprise the answer is: "No problem, just put it there with the other Odd Size Luggage". No extra charge! After attaching some, provided, red "Fragile" tape on it, we leave the painting at the showed spot.

Now it's time for hugs and kisses, to say goodbye to Esther .... the journey back home can start.

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Dives logged:
[Day // Dive site // Jos:time:depth // Petra:time:depth]

13 feb // Munck's Haven // J:60m:28m // P:59m:25m
13 feb // Captain Don's // J:61m:28m // P:60m:26.3m
15 feb // Boka Bartol // J:60m:27m // P:60m:23m
15 feb // "no name" // J:62m:23m // P:61m:18m
16 feb // Knife // J:61m:28m // P:60m:27m
16 feb // Ebo's Reef // J:27m:61m // P:60m:24m
17 feb // Taylor Maid // J:60m:27m // P:60m:24m
18 feb // Vista Blue // J:62m:27m // P:62m:25m
19 feb // Salt Pier // J:65m:18m // P:65m:15m
19 feb // Alice in Wonderland // J:59m:31m // P58m:31m
19 feb // Webers Joy // J:60m:24m // P:60m:22m
20 feb // Bloodlet // J:64m:28m // P:63m:25m
20 feb // Country Garden // J:60m:24m // P:59m:21m
21 feb // Cai // J:76m:22m // P:76m:19m
21 feb // Knife // J:66m:17m // P:65m:16m
22 feb // Salt City // J:63m:24m // P:63m:23m
23 feb // South West Corner // J:58m:29m // P:58m:24m
23 feb // Jerry's Reef // J:69m:24m // P:67m:20m
23 feb // Andrea I // J:61m:25m // P:61m:25m
24 feb // Angel City // J:68m:25m // P:68m:25m

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