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. :thumb: 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! :thumb: 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

[Denton]

Hi Becky,
Sorry, my brain thinks better than I type (not saying much!). I'll try to make more sense this time. The pier requires a dive guide and is only divable at night. The night diving (and pre-breakfast) right on the shore at the hotel is excellent. They leave tanks out 24/7 for divers to use whenever they want. The shore diving is unbelievable. You surface swim ~100 ft to the top of the reef and can drop down to a sandy bottom @~100 ft. There is really no current so you can swim either direction for ~1000psi then bump up about 20 - 40 feet and swim back and you're right at the hotel. It's very easy diving and the fish life there is some of the best I've ever seen.
The problem with the pier is that the columns are close together and there are too many divers at one time. They swim over you, kick you and generally stir up the place pretty quick. Last time I dove Klein Bonaire at night (for my AOW, great seahorses!) and had a blast, although the best fish life was still at the hotel. I could shore dive the hotel all week and never be disapointed.
I'm getting excited about how much fun everyone is going to have! The tarpon are as big as me (6'2") and are beautiful.
Ok, enough rambling. Feel free to ask about anything. They have one really good wreck (HMS Express (aka "helma hooker")) and an endless supply of reef. I'll shut up now.
;^)
Denton

[Natasha]

Man I love it when Denton does all my work for me! Are you sure you're not a travel agent?
Hey what about when the two of us went to the "Special Counter" at Continental.. for oh wait that was another trip. hehehehe
As you can see, my past divers are very knowledgeable. I pick GREAT people to be on these trip, don't you think?
Thanks Denton. Keep up the good work.
And I love the picture you posted of yourself. Wait until you see the T shirts for this year!

[dcsc]

Hi fellow divers,

My name is Dave and my wife's name is Suzanne. I am advanced, she is open water certified. This is our second trip to Bonaire. Suzanne wasn't certified the last trip so it will be her first time diving Bonaire. We are both in our early forties.

As Denton said, the diving is great just offshore from the resort. I enjoyed a twilight dive last trip. The resort even has a light pointing into the water so you can find the exit.

I found an interesting web site on Bonaire shore dives today. The address is:

http://www.shorediving.com/Earth/ABC/

We will be looking forward to meeting all of you in Bonaire.

Dave & Suzanne

[DivingGal]

According to my staff here, I'm already there... sigh it's not for awhile.

Yes DG is showing up in Bonaire, and wanting to dive as much as she can, so please don't mind me when I whine, beg, plead to accommpany you guys to additional dives. Dang this scuba-diving disease hehehe

This will be my first trip to Bonaire (hopefully not my last), and am looking forward to meeting and diving with everyone going.

[SunshineFish]

Hi all,

I'm getting more and more excited about this trip as it is almost a month away! I grew up in NYC and currently live and work here as an event planner for a conference company. I've been certified since 9/1999 and AOW 1/2002 in Curacao. I loved the diving in Curacao and may have to buy a camera before Bonaire so I can capture all the beautiful fishies and coral, etc. I have a fascination with smooth trunkfishes and sharpnose puffers and tend to lose buddies as a result of following these cuties. (Hm, maybe shouldn't have revealed that). Last time I dove was at Wreckmania with fellow Bonaire tripsters June, Walter, and Bob. I have only dove Bermuda, Bimini, Curacao, and one dive off of San Diego (:cold: ). I am up for pre-breakfast dives as well as night dives - my favorite!

I am currently training for the NYC Marathon (Nov. 3) so will be running a couple miles every morning or late evening - absolutely no slacking for me this vacation - please kick my a** out of the water if I do! Seriously!

Looking forward to meeting and diving with everyone and having a great time!

Sandy


(Sea nmf: I just got back from a week in Seattle - I didn't realize how awesome the city is! We packed in a lot in a couple days when we weren't working: dinner at Space needle, SeaFair parade, Mariners game, Pike Market Place, Underground tour, Pioneer Square, Chinatown, EMP, Argosy cruise on Elliot Bay, Columbia and St. Michele wineries, Snoqualmie falls, Ballard Locks and salmon spawning, antique shopping at Fremont, and I ran every morning along the waterfront by the grain terminal and railroad. Only thing I wish I had more time for was the aquarium and San Juan and Victoria - next time!)

[Denton]

Ok, the intros are well underway so I'm going to hijac the thread!

First: Cameras. Those that take pics, what do you use? I have a Sea&Sea MM IIex w/ strobe and a close-up lens. I'm thinking of getting a wide angle (borrowed one in a Yucatan cenote and loved it). Any comments? I'm more than happy to share gear so if you want to try the close-up or borrow the whole setup just ask.

I know Dave (of Dave and Suzanne) does uw video and I think Natasha still has her uw point-n-shoot (unless she left it in a wreck). Anyone else?

A little more info on Bonaire... (Natasha, what is my commision for this?) The hotel is an easy (2 mile max?) walk to town. The hotel has a small but very usable weight room that is free! (mostly universals). The island is a dessert and the north 20% or so is a wildlife park that you can drive in and explore (small fee but worth it on your pre-flight day). Oh, there is a really nice market just past downtown and a few blocks inland. I also remember them speaking one of those strange languages (Dutch) but every knows enough American just for travellers like me.

I need to go home...
Denton

[neilstewart]

Hi all my future Bonaire Buddies, both in the diving and social sense

I am Neil from Hertfordshire just 40 mins North of central London, UK. I am 35 being born in the glorious world cup winning year of 1966.

Started diving in Jan 01. I hold PADI AOW and 40% Nitrox cert. I have clocked up 90 dives in 6 countries over 4 continents. I have just returned today from a 7 day liveaboard trip around the wrecks and reefs of Northern Red Sea, Ras Mohammed and Straits of Tiran, icluding a night dive on the famous Thistlegorm and 5 scalloped hammerheads at Shark & Yolanda reefs. We were even lucky enough to see 1000's of brown surgeonfish spawning for 30 mins whilst shoals of fusiliers and 20 odd groupers were feeding on their eggs and blue fin trevally were trying to catch unsuspecting fish, really awesome.

I like to take u/w video and as some of my compadres have also suggested am usually found lulling behind the rest of the group, so any slow finners buddy me. I think diving is about looking and not swimming. My set up is a Sony PC110 in a Light & Motion Mako Housing with elite lighting. Would really love to get some terrific seahorse shots.

see you soon

Neil

[sea nmf]

Denton,

I use a Nikonos V with as SB103 strobe. I think I'm going to leave the wide angle home. From what I understand, not too many big critters that would warrant one. A 35mm should do it. I'm bringing extention tubes for macro, though. Also, if I leave the wide angle at home, we should be guaranteed a whale shark.

Neil,

I am aligned with your philosophy about diving. I'm just always afraid I'll miss something. But I can watch a jelly for about five minutes and love it.

-becky

[Natasha]

Denton:
How about a beer down at the town pier @ sunset for commission? Not a bad deal huh?
Neil:
Great trip report.
Becky:
A whale shark? You promise?

[Denton]

Nice camera Becky. My dive buddy from my last Bonaire trip has the same setup. Awesome photos. I wouldn't want to talk you in to carrying extra gear, but there will be some groups of 10-20 tarpon as well as the school of several hundred small fish. And of course the whale shark.

Neil and Becky, that's what I love about this hotel. Free tanks and the easiest diving is right off the beach. You can spend all day trying to pose a pair of queen angels no more than 200 feet off the hotel. If you aren't happy they will be there in an hour. I have a few good pics of specled and green morays, 'cudas, every kind of angel and several macros of tube worms. We can camp out at 40' after dusk and hunt seahorses and only be 400' from your room!

Hey SunshineFish (Sandy right? (why does everyone have two names when I can't remember one?)),
I'll be driving though upstate NY this weekend, so if you see someone you don't know waving from a car you don't recognize, that's me.

Natasha: Umm, beer. Oops, I had a brief Homer moment.

Can't wait,

Denton

[DuckDive]

Bit late, but here I am (tadaa).

Friendly, easy-going, 37-ish, humanoid male, happily single, answers to the name of Mark ("Oy!" will also do though). Sorry no photo, I only have old ones. Working on it.

Resort course in '93, OW in '94, AOW in '96, Rescue in '02. My 50-odd dives have been quite varied, in places like the Red Sea, African Indian Ocean and African Atlantic Ocean (ahem, and a quarry in Pennsylvania).

It's great getting to know everybody already and I'm looking forward to diving with you all immensely. Let the countdown begin...

[DuckDive]

You, me, sunrise, secret bodysurfing spot... I won't tell a soul.

:D

[Natasha]

Like I said this is a GREAT group.
There are still several more people traveling ( Kevin and Kim) (Anita) ( Raphael) and they will sign in when they return.
We now have 22 divers going to Bonaire!

[SunshineFish]

All this talk about seahorses and angelfishes....I may just give in to the urge to buy an UW camera. Someone did say that diving is a credit card intensive sport (I think it was Sass). I'm not sure I'm ready to dabble with digital yet so I will most likely get the S&S MM II-EX (I think). Please PM me if you have any suggestions for set-up, accessories, strobes, etc. I'd rent one but it's money that goes down a black hole.


If you haven't read this Bonaire trip report yet, it's a must read. Check out the photo of the school of smooth trunkfish (I will be in fish heavan if we come upon this! Forget the reg, I'm just gonna breathe through a REALLY long straw so I can stay down forever. I want to reincarnate as a trunkfish...)

http://www.scubadiving.com/members/tripreports.php?s=1600

[Natasha]

That is a very good trip report. And his Pics are fantastic.
He pointed out that the dive shop will use a golf cart to bring your stuff from the shop to the shore dive. True, they have no problem doing this.
Although if you take your gear back to your room, it's not very far to the shore at all.
I will be offering 3 group dinners. It will all be on the itinerary you will see soon. In the report he mentioned the resturants we will offer. The first dinner though is not at a restaurant, but on the beach. It will be the BBQ at the Plaza Resort and it's offerend at 7:00PM on the day we arrive, only.
This has been prepaid, so I hope everyone will make it!
It's optional of course, but it is fun to all dine together.

[Denton]

Very nice dive report. Luciano was my AOW instructor. That guy is fantastic (he only had a few over 3,000 dives 1.5 years ago).

Natasha's comment about taking gear to your room is important. There is a marina behind the main part of the hotel where the dive shop and dive boats are (protected from waves etc.). They have a dive gear storage/wash area right there at the boats BUT it's locked at night. If you plan a late or early dive you must take your gear to your room. Not a big deal.

Sorry Mark, my "secret body surfing spot" is hard to get to before sunrise. I'll be lucky to find it again in full daylight. I was also planning for it to be me and all the single women, just don't tell them that's my plan. HA! I still crack myself up.

Sunshinefish, I'm no expert (nope, not even on TV) but I do know that whatever camera you choose the most important thing is light. The MM IIex is a very nice camera (not as good as the Nikonos, but much cheaper) but the strobe makes all the difference. I have the 50 TTL strobe and it works very well for me. Check out a used one (ebay?), but make sure it's never been flooded. If you're serious about it look for a used Nikonos. They are tough to beat. P.S. I like the new pic. Beats getting your leg bit off by a turtle!

Natasha, are you going to start your room on fire again? Oops, should I have not mentioned that? We don't want to scare your clients away!

Back to Mark, don't be embarassed by the quarry diving. I dove a quarry with Dave (of Dave and Susanne) where we all lost our buddies on the decent. We surfaced within 8 feet of one another. That's how muddy it was. By the way, the vis in Bonaire is usually a little better than that.

Enough for tonight,

Denton
(I hate re-reading my posts and finding all the typos. I should take English as a second language 'cuz it sure didn't work the first time.)

[Inspector#2]

:party: BBQ at 7pm? Save a couple dogs for the late arrivals!


I will bring a camera but it's the el cheapo Sea and Sea. Still trying to learn how to use it.

What should we bring for wetsuits? How thick?

Dave

[sea nmf]

Sunshine fish -

If you have not used an u/w camera before, you may want to try it before you purchase. If you check out the Toucan Diving website, they have camera for rent for 1/2 day and up. Just a thought.

Denton-

I have not had luck photographing tarpon because of their super reflective scales. If I attempt them again, I'm hoping for close to the surface so I can use ambient light. But tarpon are not enough for me to haul the wide angle down. Besides, you want to see a whale shark, right?

-becky

[Denton]

Dave (and Jerri),
Current water temp is 80.6 F (27 C).

Check out http://www.bonairewebcams.com/BonaireReefCam.php

I prefer a 3mm shorty but get a bit cold below 78 F (Yeah say it, I'm a wimp).

Denton

PS. In your pic, it looks like a 22 cal, was it loaded? I can imagine a shotgun (duck hunting from a boat) but a rifle?!

[Natasha]

Denton:
Thanks for helping me spill my morning coffee all over the computer, from laughing. I can usually do it all by myself, from just plain clumsiness between, answering phone calls and the computer. (Hard to do two things the older you get)
DaveH:
What time to do you come in? You and Sandy are the only two tickets I did not do.
The BBQ is put on by the resort. There is not a hot dog insight.
This a 39.00 value BBQ. It is very fancy with really awesome food. Maybe Denton can fill in here ;)
They start it on the beach behind the resort at 7PM, It goes on until maybe 9. Right Denton? (Since Denton is 5 years younger then me, his memory is much better)

PS I emailed Toucan about the night dive price. I'll post it soon.

[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

[SunshineFish]

Becky - I rented an MX-10 for a week in curacao. I took horrible photos. You can see some of them here (http://photos.yahoo.com/sdangit). 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.

[DuckDive]

Denton:
Ah. "Secluded". Slow, I am ;).

Natasha::peek:
That may have been just a tad too much information :out:.

Main reason for this post: I know you said we'll get to the topic of Nitrox, but I'd like to bring it up now. I don't have a cert, but if I act now it may be possible for me to get on a course before we go. If hardly anybody will be on Nitrox, or if the dives don't really warrant it, I won't bother just yet.

# Mark

[Natasha]

Maybe I should edit myself out, eh?
As for the Nitrox, actually I think quite a few will be diving it. 4 at least.. and probably more.
So if you do want to get on the road to it, I know Toucan can get the rest done with you. Let me know and I'll send the message down there.
Ken : Thanks for the restaurant list. :lunch:

[Denton]

I'll be breathing the good stuff. Probably not every time, but a man needs his oxygen!

Denton

(Ok, in reality (yes, I know where that is) for me the best use for nitrox isn't the extra bottom time, it's the extra energy you have AFTER the dive! Whose idea was it to breath more oxygen anyway?)

[DivingGal]

I'd like to be diving with Nitrox please -- to paraphrase Denton "Probably not every time, but a girl needs his oxygen!"

[Denton]

Wow, I go away for a few days and this board (and work) come to a screeching halt.

Anyway, my fun in NY is over ;^( so it's back to work. I took some time to post on my web site a few pics I took last year in Bonaire. The scans seem washed out and much less vibrant that the originals. I suppose it shows my lack of interest in using Photoshop. Any tips or suggestions (other than "give up") are welcome. If you know any of the real names of these fish let me know.

http://www.enteract.com/~wmorris/scuba.html

The rest of my site is boring stuff to keep my mom entertained and my sister mad at me ;^)

Anyone getting any new gear for the Bonaire trip?

Denton

[Inspector#2]

Just bought a new 3mm shorty on sale. I have a new Nite Rider but not sure if I want to drag it all the way down there.

Dave

[Dee]

I've been using Photo Deluxe, an Adobe program that came with an old scanner years ago. Maybe it's just because I know how everything in it works PD but Photo Shop is just too confusing.

I took your photo and did what I normally. Auto fix filters the haziness out and I darkened it just a smidge.

See what you think...

[Natasha]

Dee:
You're the best. You made my David look so new and shinny!
PS Glad to see you're following our Bonaire thread. Wish you could join us someday.
I'm going to offer this trip every fall so plan for it!
;)

[Denton]

Thanks, Dave looks even better in the photo now than in person! I don't have an eye for things like that.

With all the interest in Nitrox I'll probably bring an analyzer. I'm sure they have a good one at the shop but in never hurts, especially with the tanks left out for shore diving!

Denton

PS. Put me down for volleyball and night diving Klein, but not at the same time.

[Natasha]

I love a good list!
Here's another one.
For Tuesday night volleyball ..so far ..
Beverly
Dave
Jerri
Raphael
Denton
Sandy
For the night dive Thursday
Denton
Sandy
Becky
Bob
Natasha
David
Anita
DaveH
Jerri
Did I miss anyone for either list?

[SunshineFish]

I just want to make a disclaimer right now that I haven't played beach volleyball in....a very long time.

And can anyone tell me if there is anything particularly special about a night dive at Klein (besides that night dives are all special by nature). I'm having a bad day at work and need something to look forward to.

Sandy

[Denton]

Diving Klein Bonaire, the island just off the West coast of Bonaire, is very similar to the dives you'll do on the main island. The differences are that the boat will usually anchor in the shallower (~30 ft.) areas so all you have to do is head over the coral wall and the best part: NO PEOPLE! Since you can only get to Klein by boat most people do night dives at the pier. It is also the place where we saw the best sea horses. Night diving the beach at the hotel will also be very good (for those that have any energy left!). You will find that most of the dive sites at Bonaire offer similar diving (except the wreck of course). The boat is great for taking you to new areas. The beach is only good the first hundred times or so. :^)

Denton

P.S. Sandy, sorry to hear you had a bad day at work. My little brother is a pilot for U.S. Air. Talk about bad days. Did you by any chance see the trunk fish in the Grouper photo? Any ideas what type he is?

[SunshineFish]

Your caption hit it pretty much on the spot. (ha ha :D) It is actually called a Spotted Trunkfish. I've never seen one of that variety before. I will be on the look-out for them in Bonaire!

[Denton]

Luckily I remember exactly where he is!

Denton

[sea nmf]

Hi Gang,

I just had a stranger take our picture tonight for the profile so you can get a look at us prior to meeting us. This was just before our dive tonight. You will have to trust me that the Space Needle is behind us. I asked the stranger to try to fit it in, but I guess it was a no-go.

See you all soon. Must go now and wash out the salt from my hair.

By the way, the dive was fabulous! Great visibility for a 95 degree day. Water temp was about 53 degrees. Beautiful cathedral-like pilings covered in anemones.

-becky

[Natasha]

Becky:
Fantastic picture! Good timing. Now we can find you all in Jamaica. Also Raphael, and Beverly are on your flights.
T shirts are going out next week. So if you wear them on travel day, that will help too.
30 more days!

[DivingGal]

I am NOT looking forward to this trip. If you believe that statement I have some property I'd like to sell you.. hehehe

I've got a count down on my wall at the office... I'm playing "Caribbean" style music... I bought more film.... nah I'm NOT looking forward to the trip at all ;)

[bridgenet]

Hi all,

A bit late to the party but my wife, Kim and I (Kev), have been enjoying the Hawaiian islands since August 1st... Had to get some diving in prior to Bonaire!

Natasha please put Kim and I down for volleyball on Tuesday night, we're not very good but should be fun! :jump:

Bit about us, we spent part of our honeymoon :kissy: getting PADI certified in 1/2001 (St. Lucia), got hooked and finished AOW 8/2001 (Curacao) and will be finishing our Master rating with the Rescue course while in Bonaire. I'm 44 and Kim is 34. We are from Massachusetts but are only warm water divers (yes, wimps). Thus far have dove Grand Cayman, Curacao, Dominican Republic, St John, Virgin Gorda, St Lucia, Maui, and Kauai. Found the scuba board and hope to join a number of future trips, making new friends.

Kim is also training for a marathon in DC for October so figure she and Sandy can possibly enjoy a run or two while I sleep ;-)...

Still working on Hawaiian time...

Kev

[Denton]

Hmm, a little bit of bad news from the Chicago area. Natasha twisted my arm SO hard to get me to go on this trip that it broke! Ok, actually I broke it ice skating (that ice is hard!). Three small fractures on the end of my left radius.
The good news is that it won't stop me from going! The Doc agreed to cut this useless non-water proof cast off next week and put on the new-improved waterproof Gore-Tex (tm) cast that I just ordered off of the internet. Woohoo! Now if Natasha can sweet talk Steve into letting me in the water I'm set.
Any comments on one armed diving? I'm already trying on gear and practicing. I'm also thinking of ways to make the cast more useful like bolting on a dive light and a bottle opener. ;^) That way we won't have to wreck another chair in the airport, right Dave?
By the way, it's a shorty cast with full use of the elbow and four fingers. Getting on the boat might be tough so I might be stuck shore diving. It also looks like the camera gear stays home :^(
Well I hope everybody is having better luck preparing for this trip than me.

See you all soon,
Denton

[DivingGal]

Denton once bubbled...
Hmm, a little bit of bad news from the Chicago area. Natasha twisted my arm SO hard to get me to go on this trip that it broke! Ok, actually I broke it ice skating (that ice is hard!). Three small fractures on the end of my left radius.
The good news is that it won't stop me from going! The Doc agreed to cut this useless non-water proof cast off next week and put on the new-improved waterproof Gore-Tex (tm) cast that I just ordered off of the internet. Woohoo! Now if Natasha can sweet talk Steve into letting me in the water I'm set.

Glad to know you're still coming - despite the silly move of getting the fractures!

17 days and counting down to a trip to paradise

[sea nmf]

Now that is determination! Good for you! See you soon.

-becky

[Denton]

I've been thinking about the bouancy issues also. Another concern is my usefulness as a dive buddy. Hmm. I'm still playing with my gear to find potential problems but I think I will be ok. Thanks to Natasha's t-shirt design they may not even notice my cast (although the new one may be a different color). Pretty good camouflage don't ya think? (re: my new profile picture. hehehe)

Denton

PS. Natasha, you might want to remove me from the volleyball list :^( but keep me on the eating lists. I need my nutrition to heal!

[Natasha]

Denton:
The new picture is great. But I think you should take one more so the date shows on the T shirt. Just move your cast down a little bit.. oh wait.. would that cut off your head?
Ok to the single ladies.. this whole thing could be a ploy for sympathy .. ya know .." My arm is broken.. Can you put some tanning oil on my back?" Or " My arm is broken , Can you feed me?" Or worse yet ..oh we won't go there!
Good thing I know Denton well, ( this is 4th time on one of my trips) and I trust he would never stoop to such levels! Denton, my friend, hope the pain isn't too bad, and glad you're still going to Bonaire! Again!
:)

[sea nmf]

Denton-

This is gonna screw up your ability to take photos, huh? That's a drag.

Don't worry too much about being a good buddy. Being a photography already means you are not a great buddy, usually.

I'm sure someone with lots of diving experience will buddy with you and your bad arm won't be needed to assist them unless an unusual situation arises.

-becky

[Natasha]

Actually, Denton and I have been on the phone, (nice talking to you yesterday) and we came up with a buddy plan. I haven't ran it by his buddies yet, but since he is on the 10:30 boats, I was going to buddy him with the 'Almighty Bob', and the 'water comfortable Sandy', and let them have a 3 man/ woman buddy system. With three of them together they can't lose!
I'm still waiting for the final thumbs up from Steve.

[Natasha]

The web site now has the Bonaire itinerary on it.
www.scubamaniatrips.com

[SunshineFish]

Denton-

Yikes! Ice skating? :nono: In the midst of summer? The beach wouldn've been safer, no? Lucky it was your left hand (unless you are left-handed).

So we'll have to work out a buddy plan. As for the photography, you point with the good hand, and I'll snap away. Well, as soon as I get my camera - hopefully next week!

[Denton]

Yeah, I know. Stay away from the water when it's solid. Live and learn.

You guys are great; Natasha is setting me up with the "Almighty Bob" (how can you go wrong there?) and SunshineFish is providing the ultimate "point and shoot" underwater photography!

How does Natasha find such great people to dive with?

Sunshine, what camera are you getting? It better hold lots of film 'cuz I might be pointing at everything!

Ok, the broken arm is cramping up trying to type at this weird angle. (It did get me out of helping two people move, and off a not so good golf team!)

Sixteen days?

Denton

[neilstewart]

Blimey,

Been off board for a little while, spending so much time trying to get to grips with Adobe premiere, and the Bonaire thread has moved on 3 pages.

Natasha, t-shirt arrived today, fabulous, and I'm up for volleyball and the italian and proberbly most activites excepting the Curacao trip having been in March.

Can I be cheeky?

I would like to purchase the Super Macro Lens for my L&M housing, maybe get some cracking seahorse shots in Bonaire. It is $150 cheaper in the US than over here in England. Would anyone with a small amount of space in their hand luggage be prepared to bring it over for me if I pay for it and ask for it to be delivered to your address?

If anyone would like a look, here are some shots of my July trip to Red Sea. I saw my first Hammerhead and got close enough to see the nice sandy colour of this shark but true to my form this was the morning I left the Lens cap on the camera, still I saw another in the afternoon but just not close enough for a great picture.

www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4291528489

See you all in 2 weeks, wow.


Neil

[Natasha]

Neil:
I'm so glad you liked the T shirt. Is there anyway the lens could go in the checked luggage? The hand luggage will be tight.
Denton:
Update on the buddy thing. David and I talked about it. Since he has been your buddy in the past, he said he'd rather buddy with you, so Bob and I can buddy together. Sandy can still be part of your three way. Or part of ours.
Plus he said he likes to rise early (unlike me) and he wants to shore dive early, before breakfast, and the 10:30 dives. He said you like to do this too.
So anyway, we'll probably change up a bit, but for the beginning of the week go with this plan. OK with all?
Anyone packed yet?

[socaldiver]

Neil,

Those are some outstanding pics you took in July.

It looks as though I might have to put the Red Sea on my "wish list" :D

[Inspector#2]

I had to check out my luggage to ensure airline compliance before I get to the airport. Of course it had to be packed to really be sure, and I doubt there will be any need to unpack it in the next 13 days.
By the way nice shirts!

Dave

[neilstewart]

Thanks for the endorsement on the pics socald.

sea nmf has kindly offered a small spot in her carry on so provided I can arrange it in time, I'll have a new gismo to play with.

Three cheers for Becky!!

Neil

[SunshineFish]

Natasha once bubbled...
Denton: Sandy can still be part of your three way. Or part of ours.
Two menage-a-trois! ;) This trip gets more interesting by the second!

I have decided that if I don't get shots of the following items, I am never ever going to leave Bonaire:

1. Sea horse
2. Frog fish (yellow)
3. 52.5 puffers (minimum of three varieties)
4. Green moray

Sandy

PS - Anyone know if there is internet access at the Plaza Resort?

[Natasha]

Sandy I finally got an answer for you. It's from Steve Cywin who you know from Wreckmania and who was on my last Bonaire trip.

Basically, the rooms have standard RJ-11 (US style) phone jacks. If your ISP provider has a local phone number in Bonaire, then all you need to do is write down the number before you go and logon once you get there. You will get charged for a local phone call like you would in any hotel, but that's it.

If your ISP does not have a local number, then you might want to sign up with another ISP that does have one before going. I use attglobal.net and they have a local number in Bonaire.

Steve

[socaldiver]

Hey Mom,

Does this mean we will be receiving daily updates and pics of all the fesitvities? :D

Bon voyage to all going on the trip, hope it is a HOOT, don't forget to bring me back my T-shirt. :jester:

[Natasha]

I will not have a lap top with me. But I will visit the cyber cafe and try to post something while we're down there.
My gear is packed, but no clothes yet.
Just a reminder to everyone.. put idenification inside your bags as well as outside.
And somewhere in or out, put down 'Staying at he Plaza Resort' and the dates you will be there.
In the case that someone else in Bonaire takes your bag to their hotel, and opens it, they will know where to return it. Unless of course your gear is better then theirs.
;)

[Natasha]

If you need a copy of the itinerary please print it from the web site.
www.scubamaniatrips.com
Go to " Bonaire" and then "Bonaire Itinerary."
Thanks!

[sea nmf]

Yippee! My film was put on my desk while I was at lunch. This was the last major item I was waiting for.

I'm ready to leave now. Natasha, can you change my ticket? (Just kidding).

-becky

[SunshineFish]

Just 21 more hours before I get on my flight! Woo-hoo! Looking forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting new ones!

I finally got my camera yesterday (Canon S40 with UW housing). I meant to get it last week so that I could play with it and get familiar with its workings. Unfortunately (and I know this is pretty bad), I will not be able to even touch the thing until I leave for my flight at 5am. I am just going to pray that I have all the accessories and that everything works!


PS - sorry if this has been discussed before but do I need a converter/adapter to use the power outlets in the hotel for charging batteries and powering the laptop?

[Walter]

I'm heading out tonight. I packed last night, so I'm ready to go. I'll visit with MB & Jo tonight, then head for MIA in the morning. Natasha tells me 4 of us are departing from MIA. I'll see the rest of you in Jamaica.

[WisGal]

No doubt about that.. :)