Trip photos can be seen at: Picasa Web Albums - Fred - Bonaire Janua...#
Saturday,
We reported for our 5:45 AM flight out of O'Hare, however the plane didn't leave until after 7 which put us late in Atlanta so we missed our connecting flight. The captain said the delay was because someone got held up going through security. So they put us on a plane to Houston and then a red-eye to Bonaire. We would arrive Sunday morning in Bonaire at 6:30.
If I can get up at 3 in morning to make it on time why can't everyone? They should have left the guy. Because of this nonsense, several other people also missed their connecting flights in Atlanta. You gotta wonder what these people are thinking (or not) that make these decisions. On the other hand, if the plane in Atlanta could have waited 10 minutes and we would have made it. I cannot count the times I've sat on a plane and waited for other people. One time I'm late (because of no fault of my own) and they have to leave right on time. Thanks Delta for making what should have been about a 7 hour duration into a 25 hour nightmare. OK enough ranting. At least we'll still be in paradise.
Sunday,
We finally made it to Buddy Dive but now they couldn't find our reservation (sigh). So they put us up in a hotel room for a couple hours to shower and come back to life. We're very tired but we are here. In a couple hours the reservation issue was resolved and we were on our way to our studio, room 505. The first thing we did was get groceries while the stores are still open. We managed to do our orientation and first dive at 2:00. Since we didn't get any sleep the night before we decided to call it a day.
Monday through Friday: Eat, Sleep, (Buddy) Dive.
We did a total of nineteen dives. Seventeen where shore dives and two where boat dives. Three of the shore dives were dusk/night dives from Buddy's Reef. The reef was very active, more so than last year when we were there. According to the staff, this was due to the full moon as it was a just few days afterwards. Check out the photos from the link above to see what we saw. These were shot with a Canon 20D with an Ikelite housing and DS-125 strobe. These are unedited and no filters were used.
My wife Tammy has become quit the night diver. The first night when Charley the 5 foot tarpon followed us she was very uncomfortable. But after seeing some tarpon during the daylight hours the following night dives went much better. Now she actually lets go of me and swims independently. Oh you've come a long way. Go Tammy Go!!!
Dive Sites:
Buddy's Reef (dove many times due to convenience)
Calabas (from Carib Inn)
Yellow Submarine
Aquarius
Windsock
Mi Dushi (boat dive - Klein Bonaire)
South Bay (boat dive - Klein Bonaire)
Saturday never a good day when you have to leave. At least all the flights were on time going home.
I took a photo class one half day which was very interesting. John at Buddy's photo shop was very knowledgeable and helpful.
We ate in most of the time. Buddy's breakfast was 15.75 per person and hardly worth it. We did eat at Pasa Bon Pizza once and at Sunset Beach Bar & Grill. Both were very good.
I would recommend Buddy's Dive Resort to anyone but don't expect the Ritz Carlton. For a dive resort, it's more than adequate. The grounds are well kept and the house reef is spectacular. The people are nice and the location was good. We did see that cruise ships came in almost every day. I hope that the little island can withstand it. There was also a huge yacht called the Octopus which was formerly owned by Bill Gates. It was quite impressive. Time to go plan my next trip...
Fred
Saturday,
We reported for our 5:45 AM flight out of O'Hare, however the plane didn't leave until after 7 which put us late in Atlanta so we missed our connecting flight. The captain said the delay was because someone got held up going through security. So they put us on a plane to Houston and then a red-eye to Bonaire. We would arrive Sunday morning in Bonaire at 6:30.
If I can get up at 3 in morning to make it on time why can't everyone? They should have left the guy. Because of this nonsense, several other people also missed their connecting flights in Atlanta. You gotta wonder what these people are thinking (or not) that make these decisions. On the other hand, if the plane in Atlanta could have waited 10 minutes and we would have made it. I cannot count the times I've sat on a plane and waited for other people. One time I'm late (because of no fault of my own) and they have to leave right on time. Thanks Delta for making what should have been about a 7 hour duration into a 25 hour nightmare. OK enough ranting. At least we'll still be in paradise.
Sunday,
We finally made it to Buddy Dive but now they couldn't find our reservation (sigh). So they put us up in a hotel room for a couple hours to shower and come back to life. We're very tired but we are here. In a couple hours the reservation issue was resolved and we were on our way to our studio, room 505. The first thing we did was get groceries while the stores are still open. We managed to do our orientation and first dive at 2:00. Since we didn't get any sleep the night before we decided to call it a day.
Monday through Friday: Eat, Sleep, (Buddy) Dive.
We did a total of nineteen dives. Seventeen where shore dives and two where boat dives. Three of the shore dives were dusk/night dives from Buddy's Reef. The reef was very active, more so than last year when we were there. According to the staff, this was due to the full moon as it was a just few days afterwards. Check out the photos from the link above to see what we saw. These were shot with a Canon 20D with an Ikelite housing and DS-125 strobe. These are unedited and no filters were used.
My wife Tammy has become quit the night diver. The first night when Charley the 5 foot tarpon followed us she was very uncomfortable. But after seeing some tarpon during the daylight hours the following night dives went much better. Now she actually lets go of me and swims independently. Oh you've come a long way. Go Tammy Go!!!
Dive Sites:
Buddy's Reef (dove many times due to convenience)
Calabas (from Carib Inn)
Yellow Submarine
Aquarius
Windsock
Mi Dushi (boat dive - Klein Bonaire)
South Bay (boat dive - Klein Bonaire)
Saturday never a good day when you have to leave. At least all the flights were on time going home.
I took a photo class one half day which was very interesting. John at Buddy's photo shop was very knowledgeable and helpful.
We ate in most of the time. Buddy's breakfast was 15.75 per person and hardly worth it. We did eat at Pasa Bon Pizza once and at Sunset Beach Bar & Grill. Both were very good.
I would recommend Buddy's Dive Resort to anyone but don't expect the Ritz Carlton. For a dive resort, it's more than adequate. The grounds are well kept and the house reef is spectacular. The people are nice and the location was good. We did see that cruise ships came in almost every day. I hope that the little island can withstand it. There was also a huge yacht called the Octopus which was formerly owned by Bill Gates. It was quite impressive. Time to go plan my next trip...
Fred
