January 24th - Radisson Blu - Schiphol
Not too much to report about this day. Packing our luggage and cleaning the house. Hugging our 2 cats. Dropping off our house keys at Natalie. Drive to Schiphol airport.
When we arrive at the Radisson Blu the Swedish guy at reception tells us they are fully booked and hence we are upgraded. Nice.
January 25th - Hmmm
We had trouble sleeping. The bed and pillows were too soft. The air too dry. And the room too hot. The breakfast made up for it. Delicious.
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Drop the car keys and shuttle bus to Schiphol.
Arriving on Bonaire all went smooth. Picking up the car at AB and then to our B&B (5th time, so "our"). My navigation (Petra) tells me to tutn left. Stubborn as always I move straight on. Luckily, are better due to fools luck, we end up at the main road not lang after. From their we arrive soon quickly GooodResort.
Esther is already waiting for us. A hug and a kiss. We have a drink and have a chat with her. Some other guests also show their faces.
We are tired from our trip, and although we exactly know what to expect, it needs some mind adjustment being at a small B&B after our previous holiday.
// The B&B's name had changed, from Deep Blue View to GooodResort. The set-up, apart from some small things, is still as it was. //
January 26th - Kontiki is really closed
We are, off course, up quite early. We decide to have another nap before we go for breakfast. The guests: Arron and Darleen are from Canada. Bob and Sue are from Detroit. The other 2 couples (Minnesota and Germany) leave today.
After the - as always - lovely breakfast we go for a Bonaire island tour. OMG. A lot of places are closed ... and not just because it is Sunday. City Cafe leaves a big void in the middle of town. And unfortunately, Kontiki is really closed. On the other side, new places have been opened. So some searching and discovering to do!
Lunch at El Mundo.
// Again I didn't pay enoug attention when packing. Next to bring too little short pants, I forgot to bring my SD Cards. The smallest one I have - off course - is still in the camera. Look for a new one or try to upload it will be then. //
// New staff: room maid - I ddin't catch her name yet. And dive instructor: Irene from Uruguay. //
January 27th - Andrea II
Today we will do our 1st dive. But before that we first pay a visit at Germaine. Funny how she immediately recognizes us, knowing it has been a good 2 years ago we had seen her. After some chatting and looking around we decide that we will have a blue turtle (60x60cm) without frame.
Time to dive. Andrea II, close by and easy. It is a nice dive!
Jos: 61 [min] / 26.5 [m] | Petra: 60 [min] / 23.3 [m]
After lunch (@ It Rains Fishes - nice) we try to find the famous Goat Farm from "Boer zoekt vrouw" Aletta. As we expected, and heared, it is on the road to Rincon.
Dinner @ Four Seasons (very good!)
// Yesterdays anxiety - we both experienced - is gone. All feels good now. The holidays have begun! //
January 28th - Double Reef
One or two dives today. We'll see. We bring 4 tanks just in case. After loosing our direction a little - the main road is blocked due to maintenance and the alternative road signs are not very clear or not present - we drive passed the airport towards the south. I pick "Alice in Wonderland".
When we get out of the car a Dutch couple steps out of the car next to us: "Do you see the Dolphins?". "They pass by every morning". Smiles on everyone's face.
The dive is a double reef, and my intend is to cross to the second. Obviously - as happens more often - I loose my orientation. It must have happened following the big Moray Eel when we started the crossing. Half way the dive I want to go back to the main reef (assuming we were on the second). My buddy refuses. I think "Petra, why are you so stubborn?". Somewhat later I am at a 100bar (half tank) and am getting a little agitated. Damn ... TIME TO GO BACK!
Petra starts to understand what the issue is. She smiles at me and makes a sign trying to say: "watch your compass". What? No! My sense of direction is even worse than I thought! We had never been to the second reef. Now I understand she ignored me.
Back at the surface she told me she was very surprised I wanted to start the cross to the second reef already half way through the dive. Later on she understood I was being me ... totally lost :-)
Jos: 67 [min] / 29.4 [m] | Petra: 67 [min] / 28.6 [m]
Back at our pick-up the divers next to us, who had just entered before us, also had returned. No, they didn't see the dolphins under water either. But knew they were seen here quite often. We will leave it at one dive today. Starting slowly is the better choice we learned over the years.
Lunch at Bistro de Paris (yummy).
// There is a stone on our bed //
January 29th - Two Tank
On the program today: one of our pre-booked boat dives. We leave early. Meeting time is 8:00 am at the Marina. Menno's boat is now in front of "It Rains Fishes". There is six of us on the boat: Menno, Irene an other buddy team (they rent a Villa and dive through GoooDive) and us two. Of course is Klein Bonaire our destination.
The sea is not really flat due to the wind, so we pick a spot in the wind shade: Rock Pile (according to Irene the remains of a farm). It's a nice dive.
Jos: 60 [min] / 29.0 [m] | Petra: 59 [min] / 26.8 [m]
The intend was to dive Leonora's Reef next, as the turtles seem to have moved to this directed due to the many snorkel trips from Cruise Ships. Unfortunately someone moved his boat at high speed in front of us and occupied the buoy. Well, than try Jerry's Reef any way. Which was very nice, but as expected without the turtles .... two years ago we saw quite afew turltes there!
Jos: 60 [min] / 28.7 [m] | Petra: 60 [min] / 26.2 [m]
In the afternoon we had a simple sandwich for lunch. Later that day the Rum Punch (at the resort, not on the boat as before) and the weekly BBQ. With the world famous Apple Pie as dessert. Yummy.
January 30th - Salt City
Boy, what a struggle to wake up. Yesterday afternoon I already fell in a coma. Seems I badly need my rest. After another delicious breakfast from Esther (2 pancakes with apple and bacon) we decide this will be a relaxed and slow day. So one dive only. But it than better be a goood one: Salt City.
Jos: 65 [min] / 26.5 [m] | Petra: 64 [min] / 24.8 [m]
Even without the Eagle Ray - like last time - this is still a beautiful dive site. Lunch at It Rains Fishes: Good choice. Later we drive around a bit and end up at the Donkey Sanctuary. We buy a thimble for Fatima and than drive on. Past the Mangrove Center towards Cai, enjoying the Flamingo's from the car.
I have a lot of fun racing the dirt road, but Petra finds it way too bumpy and is happy to be back on the main road. Dinner at GooodResort: Self made pasta.
January 31st - Kite Burger
The plan for today: 2-tank shore dive. Esther advises us to try Margate Bay, and so it will be. During the first part of the dive there is an odd current, and it's quite dark. On our return, during the dive's second half, and hence less deep, the light and the colors pick up bringing out the reef in it's full beauty.
Jos: 63 [min] / 29.0 [m] | Petra: 63 [min] / 27.4 [m]
We drive further South and think about doing White Slave, but there is no mooring (so difficult to navigate) and quite a long patch of sand before the reef starts. So we opt to go a little further and choose Tori's Reef. During our safety interval we watch a big group of Spanish speaking divers enter the water. After the last one goes under, we slowly start setting up our gear and enter the water as well.
Jos: 65 [min] / 28.0 [m] | 66 [min] / 25.3 [m]
Again a nice dive. The "Spanish" divers were nowhere to be seen under the water. Hungry, so it's time to check out Bonaire's latest culinary attraction: Cactus Blue on the Beach. A mini-mobile-hamburger-shack. The rumors are positive as well as the reviews on Trip Advisor. Both are right, the Kite Burgers are super!
Time to return to GooodResort. Washing, showering, logging and relaxing. Eating out tonight .... life is Goood.
February 1st - Turtle
After a restless night (I had to get up at 4 to take my medication) and a good breakfast (French Toast as Paul recommended), we go to Germaine to check the status of the painting we ordered. Wow .. she already finished it, and the turtle is beautiful!
We are not in a hurry, so stay for a coffee and a chat. When the subject diving pops up we ask one of Germaine's friends, who is also visiting, where we can find the turtles. She advises Andrea and further North. After lunch we decide to check it. As we already did Andea II we take a few dive sites further: Weber's Joy.
Jos: 62 [min] / 28.4 [m] | Petra: 61 [min] / 25.8 [m]
Again, the dive site is very beautiful. But, again, no turtles. Back at GooodResort Esther advises us to try La Diana's Leap to Karpata. Let's try that tomorrow.
Until now we have only see one turtle on Bonaire, and that one is coming home with us to enjoy a long long time.
February 2nd - North and South
The plan was: 1st North, 2nd South → Kite Burger. But okay, that's just a plan. Already at GooodResort I was think of doing La Diana's Leap to Karpata, so I check again where exactly and how we need to enter. Esther explains exactly what we would see would we pass the site .... so we must pay good attention as we can't turn around on this one way road. The clue where to stop was very accurate as well.The descent (with all gear on) to spot where to jump into the water wasn't that easy. Certainly for Petra without her glasses. Yes, as promised, and immediately when we jump in: a turtle! We see two more, the last one a very beautiful Green Turtle.
Jos: 67 [min] / 15.9 [m] | Petra: 67 [min] / 13.6 [m]
Hmmm. We have forgotten our 'in between dive snack', so back to GooodResort. Esther just prepared lunch for Menno, Irene and herself. It smells good ..... and she has a little more. One burger for me and one for Petra .... what a nice gesture. No need for a Kite Burger now.
Our second dive is at Angel City. Slowly, slowly and not too deep we swim along the reef. After almost 35 minutes we turn around to go back. No, not yet. First enjoy the stingray that cruises along. At what should be the end of our dive we fail to locate the buoy, so after more than 65 minutes in the dive we decide to start swimming towards the shore line. We pop up exactly at a dive site, but we don't see our pick-up. We are already at the Hilma Hooker, so we ended up at the next site.
Jos: 72 [min] / 19.9 [m] | Petra: 71 [min] / 19.0 [m]
Esther's hamburger filled us up quite good, so we decide to eat 'at home' tonight. Pizza or so ... .
//New guests: The one couple we already saw yesterday - they seem to shy away a little. The other couple we'll see tomorrow I guess. Paul's sun is visiting.//
February 3rd - Hospital
As planned and agreed, at 8:28 am (!?) we leave for Cai for a "Wild Site Dive". We all (4) join in our car. After a fun drive over the bumpy dirt road we are there. Menno does a briefing and then ... of we go. Going from the mangrove over the reef ledge to the ocean is easy as there is a nice outgoing current. We pass the Tarpons at their sandy pit and then see the reef. Due to the current the visibility improves fast. Only after 40 minutes we turn around, just before Petra and I hit the 100Bar mark. Slowly we go back. Just after 85 minutes we emerge. It was - again - a very nice dive. Unfortunately no Eagle Rays this time.
Jos: 85 [min] / 17.8 [m] | Petra: 85 [min] / 15.9 [m]
Esther leads the way and Irene joins us, to support Petra. I drive. We quickly register and then Irene leads us to the Emergency Help. Petra is in good hands. The doctor is friendly (I didn't catch her name). Also the nurse, Dennis, is a very friendly guy. Some tests, oxygen and a fluid drip and Petra already feels a lot better.
The final person to see her is the Dive Doctor (Dr. Hermelijn). He repeats some tests and concludes that the issue is most likely not dive related. To be sure he wants to see Petra again tomorrow for a final check and conclusion.
Man ... exiting day.
//The new guests are Sue and Mike from Austin Texas, the other couple now also have a name: Tiffany and Jeremy. Paul left.//
February 4th - Do Little Day
Sleep in late and a slow breakfast. I was think of a "Ty Special", but at the time I figured out what it was I already decided on my pancakes with apple and bacon.We called Dr. Hermelijn and left a message on his voice mail. We didn't think it was needed to have another check-up. But as we assumed to have an open bill, we decide to go and visit him. The doctor wasn't there. We were asked to come back in an hour. Okay, an hour playing cruise boat passenger it is than . Filling an hour in Kralendijk is not that easy. We go back to the Doctor. He insists on a second check. Same conclusion.
Back to the resort for some chilling and reading. Dinner at At Sea. Fair to good, but not as jippie aj yo super duper as all the reviews on TA make you think it is. Of course being from Maastricht, the Culinary Capitol of The Netherlands, doesn't help here I suppose.
February 5th - Boat Dive
After the mandatory 'no dive day' yesterday, it is time to enter the water again. The whole bunch joins on the boat today. Jeremy and Tiffany spend the day snorkeling, while Mike and Sue join us on the 2-tank dive from the boat. Menno guides the 1st dive, Irene the 2nd dive. All in all a very nice day on the boat. Really nice. Dive sites: Monte's Divi and Just a Nice Dive.
Jos: 63 [min] / 18.0 [m] | Petra: 62 [min] / 17.4 [m]
Jos: 64 [min] / 19.5 [m] | Petra: 63 [min] / 18.6 [m]
February 6th - Eagle Ray
Traveling half way around the world to "Eagle Ray City", and than haven't seen an Eagle Ray. To bad, but still two days to go. In the morning we check with Esther where our chances are highest. In the South, on the sand. Of course. But you never know.So to the South we go: Aquarius. Easy entrance, but no buoy. So some compass training. Once on the reef I want to start against the "current", as usual. Petra wants to go the other way. Okay, no prob. No more than 10 minutes in the dive she spots an Eagle Ray on the sand below us. Quickly we descent and then try to follow the ray. My air consumption increases a lot, 31 meters deep, trying to keep up with an Eagle Ray. It takes some time before I catch my breath. Checking Petra's air I see I consumed up an extra 30Bar on the chase.
When it is time to turn around, 30 minutes in the dive, Petra notices a 'dust cloud' on top of the reef. Is the ray still there? Yes! We spend another 10 minutes with the Eagle Ray, while it is digging up some food, before it 'jumps off' the reef edge and disappears. What a beautiful dive that was.
Jos: 61 [min] / 31.1 [m] | Petra: 60 [min] / 30.2 [m]
In the afternoon we are confronted with the charm of an island. Two of the three gas stations are without gasoline. Quickly we rush to the third station, at the airport, before we are out of gasoline .... as our truck is almost empty. Pfew, they didn't run out yet. A few minutes later we have filled up our truck, so we can cruise the island during our last two days.
Time for the weekly Rum Punch, and BBQ. Yummy
//Cappricio, last night, was delicious. The most expensive, but best, mail during our stay on Bonaire. !! Nothing beats a good Italian !!//
February 7th - Tolo
The last diving day has arrived. Back to the South, or another one North. The latter it will be. Esther recommends Tolo. I think we haven't done that one ever before. For shore not as a shore dive. After a simple step down it's an easy entrance. The sea is clear, the light is beautiful. It is a very nice dive to end the diving part of the holidays.
Jos: 77 [min] / 24.4 [m] | Petra: 77 [min] / 23.3 [m]
When Petra asks when we have to leave our room the answer is a bit disappointing. We had seen the room was only occupied as off Sunday and hence anticipated on being able to stay in the room until we left. Unfortunately the new guests arrive very early and the maid is off tomorrow afternoon. That means already packing in the morning. Bummer.
We decide to eat "at home". In stead of the planned pizza, we changed our plan to Sweet Potato with Harissa Chicken (a good choice).
The line up at the gas station was still very long. Hopefully we have enough fuel for tomorrow.
February 8th - Island Tour & Gooodbye
Already before the breakfast Esther had an announcement that brought big smiles on our faces. We can keep the room until the end of the day! Soo much more relaxed.
As it is the last day - so a none diving day - we decide for a final tour around the island. We start towards the North. Stops at 1000 Steps and of course Lake Goto. On our return we decide not to do the South side as well. The line up is still huge, so we better save up fuel.
For lunch we stop in Kralendijk. Remembering the super low cosmetics prices on Aruba Airport, we decided to check them out on Bonaire. Wow, really really cheap. After Petra replenished her cosmetics stock sufficiently we went to Rumba Cafe for lunch.
The afternoon we spend at the pool at GooodResort. You know the time for the bill will arrive, but it never feels pleasant. Quickly pay and back to relaxing.
Then the holidays slowly come to an end. Packing, saying gooodbye to Esther and Menno, dropping the car and checking in.
Our Turtle painting is just too big for the X-Ray machine, but after an 'off line' check by local authorities we are allowed to take it home.
Another Goood Holiday on lovely Bonaire has come to an end ..... .
