choiahoy
Contributor
Amazing fourteen days!
- ACCOMODATIONS / TRAVEL / CAR RENTAL
We rented a studio at Bridanda Apartments. Its in a secluded complex across from Sand Dollar. Nice hosts, though we will probably stay elsewhere on future trips. We need more of a kitchen than a kitchenette as we tend to cook a lot.
We flew on the new Friday Delta flight from NYC. All went smoothly, and we were able to get our check dive in the day we arrived.
Our truck was from AB Car Rental. We actually went through three different trucks (battery then air conditioning problems) but their customer service was awesome and swapping trucks was easy and fast. We recommend getting the full insurance--last year I had a small bender and thought my credit card covered it, but most cards dont include trucks or sports cars in their coverage. Well definitely use AB again.
- DIVING
We used Wannadive again this year, and they were fantastic. Ample tanks, 24 hour access, and a wonderful, friendly staff. My wife and I got our AOW here specifically so we could be instructed by Linda. She kicks serious ass. I highly recommend her to anyone looking to certify on Bonaire. Shes fun, and youll learn a lot at the same time.
Our favorite dive this trip was the drift dive from Candyland to Taylor Made. It was initially described to us as Karpata on steroids. There are so many more fish than anywhere else on the island. Immediately upon descending, we saw a huge school of barracuda, a swarm of baby midnight parrotfish, tons of black durgons, as well as stingrays and turtles. Other diving highlights were Salt Pier, Karpata, and Vista Blue.
We did most of our night dives at Front Porch (Eden Beach)--an underrated dive spot, I think; we'd park to the far right of Spice and enter there, turning right to hit the reef. After our tanks were down to half, we'd turn around and hit the oil tank
at about 30 where there were always interesting things to see. But our favorite part of the dive was looking around the ledge near the ladder at about 6, where there were all kinds of critters out and about. Lots of tarpon hunting using your lights--some will even bump you out of their way to get a fish.
The worst (and most expensive) dive we did, by far, was a guided shore dive at Cai. Though no fault of our guide, the visibility was mud and few critters were out. It was very disappointing as we were so looking forward to the dive. Hoping for better luck on the next trip, and well likely try it via boat.
- SEA LIFE
The highlight was a HUGE manta ray spotting on Front Porch! My wife and I were doing our navigation dive for our AOW when it right swam past us (no camera, of course). I was so surprised that I nearly spit my regulator out of my mouth.
We saw lots of turtles, stingrays, flamenco tongues, spotted drums, and most of the usual suspects. But we saw only one eagle ray and one octopus. No sea horses or frogfish. We saw lots of lionfish on some sites and none on others, so it seems like the culling efforts are working well in places.
- DINING
The food was significantly better on this trip than last year. We tried to be much smarter and avoided eating at the resort restaurants. Most nights, we grilled meat and veggies from Van den Tweel.
Some dining highlights -
- Between 2 Buns great for breakfast or lunch. My wife had an obsession with The Godfather sandwich and their lattes. For me, it was the steak and cheese and the sandwich that has melted brie and honey.
- Mi Banana delicious Columbian food. We ate there twice. The owners dont speak English, but they were very kind and helpful, and communication wasnt a problem. I had the Creole wahoo and my wife had the chicken. Both were great and the beer was cold.
- Kite City this might be our favorite lunch of the trip. Every morning on Facebook, theyll list what fresh fish theyre serving. Everything we had was great. The barracuda burger was fantastic--very flavorful and with a perfect crispy skin. You really just have to try it to understand.
- China Nobu the take out lunch specials arent advertised in the restaurant but ask for the lunch special menu or find it on their webpage. For $5, we got a huge container of delicious lo mein that was enough for two people.
- Kip Tukkie Smoked Chicken truck hes parked outside the Warehouse and Van den Tweel grocery stores; check his Facebook page for his hours. Delicious smoked chicken - $13 for a whole bird / $7 for half.
- Van den Tweel good selection of food. Before, you needed to weigh your produce before paying; thats not true anymore, which makes shopping much easier. Bring a quarter for the cart and save and re-use your shopping bags, or youll have to pay for them each time.
- SECURITY / CRIME
Luckily, we didnt have any problems, but generally, the only things we leave in the car are bottles of water and spare contact lenses.
We did notice much more of a police presence on the island, which was reassuring, after reading about all the recent armed robberies. Last year, the police were like frogfish--you knew they existed but never saw any.
We love this island and cant wait to return soon for trip number three. Enjoy the video!
- ACCOMODATIONS / TRAVEL / CAR RENTAL
We rented a studio at Bridanda Apartments. Its in a secluded complex across from Sand Dollar. Nice hosts, though we will probably stay elsewhere on future trips. We need more of a kitchen than a kitchenette as we tend to cook a lot.
We flew on the new Friday Delta flight from NYC. All went smoothly, and we were able to get our check dive in the day we arrived.
Our truck was from AB Car Rental. We actually went through three different trucks (battery then air conditioning problems) but their customer service was awesome and swapping trucks was easy and fast. We recommend getting the full insurance--last year I had a small bender and thought my credit card covered it, but most cards dont include trucks or sports cars in their coverage. Well definitely use AB again.
- DIVING
We used Wannadive again this year, and they were fantastic. Ample tanks, 24 hour access, and a wonderful, friendly staff. My wife and I got our AOW here specifically so we could be instructed by Linda. She kicks serious ass. I highly recommend her to anyone looking to certify on Bonaire. Shes fun, and youll learn a lot at the same time.
Our favorite dive this trip was the drift dive from Candyland to Taylor Made. It was initially described to us as Karpata on steroids. There are so many more fish than anywhere else on the island. Immediately upon descending, we saw a huge school of barracuda, a swarm of baby midnight parrotfish, tons of black durgons, as well as stingrays and turtles. Other diving highlights were Salt Pier, Karpata, and Vista Blue.
We did most of our night dives at Front Porch (Eden Beach)--an underrated dive spot, I think; we'd park to the far right of Spice and enter there, turning right to hit the reef. After our tanks were down to half, we'd turn around and hit the oil tank
at about 30 where there were always interesting things to see. But our favorite part of the dive was looking around the ledge near the ladder at about 6, where there were all kinds of critters out and about. Lots of tarpon hunting using your lights--some will even bump you out of their way to get a fish.
The worst (and most expensive) dive we did, by far, was a guided shore dive at Cai. Though no fault of our guide, the visibility was mud and few critters were out. It was very disappointing as we were so looking forward to the dive. Hoping for better luck on the next trip, and well likely try it via boat.
- SEA LIFE
The highlight was a HUGE manta ray spotting on Front Porch! My wife and I were doing our navigation dive for our AOW when it right swam past us (no camera, of course). I was so surprised that I nearly spit my regulator out of my mouth.
We saw lots of turtles, stingrays, flamenco tongues, spotted drums, and most of the usual suspects. But we saw only one eagle ray and one octopus. No sea horses or frogfish. We saw lots of lionfish on some sites and none on others, so it seems like the culling efforts are working well in places.
- DINING
The food was significantly better on this trip than last year. We tried to be much smarter and avoided eating at the resort restaurants. Most nights, we grilled meat and veggies from Van den Tweel.
Some dining highlights -
- Between 2 Buns great for breakfast or lunch. My wife had an obsession with The Godfather sandwich and their lattes. For me, it was the steak and cheese and the sandwich that has melted brie and honey.
- Mi Banana delicious Columbian food. We ate there twice. The owners dont speak English, but they were very kind and helpful, and communication wasnt a problem. I had the Creole wahoo and my wife had the chicken. Both were great and the beer was cold.
- Kite City this might be our favorite lunch of the trip. Every morning on Facebook, theyll list what fresh fish theyre serving. Everything we had was great. The barracuda burger was fantastic--very flavorful and with a perfect crispy skin. You really just have to try it to understand.
- China Nobu the take out lunch specials arent advertised in the restaurant but ask for the lunch special menu or find it on their webpage. For $5, we got a huge container of delicious lo mein that was enough for two people.
- Kip Tukkie Smoked Chicken truck hes parked outside the Warehouse and Van den Tweel grocery stores; check his Facebook page for his hours. Delicious smoked chicken - $13 for a whole bird / $7 for half.
- Van den Tweel good selection of food. Before, you needed to weigh your produce before paying; thats not true anymore, which makes shopping much easier. Bring a quarter for the cart and save and re-use your shopping bags, or youll have to pay for them each time.
- SECURITY / CRIME
Luckily, we didnt have any problems, but generally, the only things we leave in the car are bottles of water and spare contact lenses.
We did notice much more of a police presence on the island, which was reassuring, after reading about all the recent armed robberies. Last year, the police were like frogfish--you knew they existed but never saw any.
We love this island and cant wait to return soon for trip number three. Enjoy the video!