November 28th – Today is you’re Birthday! (you turkey)

I can’t think of anywhere I would rather wake up on my birthday than in Bonaire. I’m 44 today, and it doesn’t feel any different than any other birthday or year. It’s our last day on the island and we have non-stop fun planned out. We decided to take a sail on the Woodwind with Renee on do a nice snorkel on Klein Bonaire. We had the usual affordable in room breakfast and headed over to the Divi Flamingo to meet Renee and her ship. As we got into our trusty road-proven Highlux, with the bizarre alarm system, I looked up at some cactus and there several Parakeets landed just like in the postcards from Bonaire, beautiful. I just wish I had the right camera at the time to capture the moment.

We pulled into the Divi and went down to the dock to wait for the activities director to pay for our trip. While waiting we observed the most bizarre behavior of two women combing the beach. They were picking up every rock and shell on the entire beach and throwing them in a bucket and dumping them on the other side of the pier. They appeared to be guests and not employees, but I’m not certain about that. I guess that patch of clean sand was important to them as I’m sure it is others too. Of course it’s always struck me as quite an interesting coincidence of nature that one of the reasons the water is so clear is the minimal amount of sand compared to many other islands. Don’t get me wrong, I like sand on the beach, but I think I’m one of those odd ones who prefer crystal clear water to beach.

As we headed over to the boat pier we ran into Kate whom we met at the Monday BT dinner and we had mentioned to her that we were going on the Woodwind on Thursday when we ran into John and Kate in town. I’m glad she came along as it appeared as if she had a good time while John was off diving on their last dive before they returned the next day.

Renee was a real ‘hoot’ and obviously loves what she’s doing. She left the birds (sandpiper like ones you see all over town) some cat food as we boarded the tender to the Woodwind. The Woodwind is a 37 foot trimaran who at the moment was a little weathered. This of course is a constant cycle with boats; they’re a lot of work. We took this sail and snorkel as a result of the numerous recommendations on Bonaire Talk, and were certainly glad we did. The boat ride was as steady as a bus; this would be great for those who have a little fear of sailing, unlike myself who finds healing over a tremendous adrenalin rush especially when you’re at the helm. We arrived on ‘No-name” beach and we were a little worried. We had gone out here the last time in Bonaire, and it was sandy and we didn’t see a lot in the direction we previously headed.

We swam into shore and Rene properly checked out everyone swimming and snorkeling comfort on the way in, helping those out who needed a little adjusting. She then marched us up the beach towards Ebo’s reef. We walked for about 10-15 minutes and all I could think was I was glad that I had dive booties on! Renee showed us the entrance through a break in the near shore reef to get us out on the deeper side. It took about 30 seconds for me to realize that this was not the same as in the other direction of No-Name beach. It was nothing short of spectacular. There was a long reef that came quite close to the top of the water on our left and a deep drop too our right that afforded a completely different view.


Renee had previously explained that she would shot out “yoo-hoo” is she saw anything interesting that we might like to see. It was most helpful as she had a keen eye, especially for the deep stuff, and let us look over most of the shallows on our own. Puffers, Sgt Majors, Grunts, Chromis, Black Bar Soldierfish, Soapfish and Hogfish filled the shallows and Coneys, Eels, & Group lurked in the depths. We even saw a young turtle coming up for a breath of air. Rene had us keep our distance not to disturb the little fellow.




All too quickly we were back at the boat and Rene checked to see if we were all up for some more…silly question. So we went on a little further to the No Name reef that I remember, not nearly as spectacular as towards Ebo’s Reef, but we did see some more eels and some razorfish in the shallows.

We had a quick sail back as the wind was kicking up, and I spotted some flying fish on the way back. The breeze was so strong it appears as if they flew for minutes.

We headed back to our room for a quick bite and we watched our buddy Puck wiggle his butt into the wet sand next to the leaking shower and cool off.



We packed right up again for another great snorkeling adventure, probably the best yet.



I’ll tell you more about that soon!

Long winded as ever,

Snorkelguy Scott

Snork,

We are loving this. It saddened me that this part was the day before you were leaving. That means the trip report is coming to an end. More...more....thanks again for taking the time to send us on a virtual trip! It's been great.

AAaaaaaaaaaaaaaggghhhhhhhhhh,
now that's more like it: a nice cup of coffee and a TRCS (Trip Report Chapter by Scott) 2 read...
I can handle the day of work in front of me now
Thanks Scott!!!
Awesome pictures & "story"-telling. Sigh, I guess it's almost over now
Belated congrats on your birthday! We're only one day and some years appart (I'm 28 since nov 29).

Great trip report!

I don't want it to be over either!

Thank you!

Thanks Igor, and belated happy birthday to you. Just a year from the big 30!

Thanks Kay & Renee, I’ve still got a little bit more to squeeze out, but as all good things, particularly vacations, have to come to an end.

Thanks Scott...
I think I wasn't clear: I'm 28 now. My birthday is 29th nov. So I still have 2 years...

No Igor, I’m the one who’s not clear, just got to work and got some coffee. I should be able to comprehend writing in a few more minutes J

Scott,
You made my day. Felt like I was back on Bonaire. We didn't get to take the Woodwind. We will take a longer vacation next year! The bazare alarm you talked about became a big joke for us. You couldn't help but forget the procedure to prevent it. LOL.

Scott, I know the woman you are talking about at Divi beach. When I was there, it was only one woman. Older lady with gray hair. She was there every morning picking up rocks/coral and dumping them off the pier. One of the guys in our group goes to Divi every year and he said she's there every morning. I said that's the job I want!

Scott, there's no way we could be sick of your Bonaire adventures, and the more long-winded you are, the better I like it! Please stretch out the rest... and return to Bonaire very soon, to gather material for your next installments, okay? Thanks for a super PBD remedy!

Best regards, --Deborah

What a wonderful trip report. I love the mix of photos and story. The whole thing has been something I too have looked forward to each day and hope there is more to come.
Our first trip is in 44 days and counting...can't wait. Seeing all the great photos and living your story makes us look forward to it more. Thanks so much for all your hard work.

Hey, Scott, you didn't look a day over 44 when I saw you at the B.T. dinner!

And you kept it a secret from us all...

Karl

No, please don't let it end!! YOu have our permission to start all over again and we won't tell and we won't mind! Thanks again, Snork...and Happy Belated Birthday to you, too. CArole

Ida
We also had the additional feature of the brake light that wouldn’t go off. Never were sure sometimes if the hand break was on or not. What a silly alarm system too!

Kelly
That’s got to be the best job in town. Think she maybe gets a free breakfast with every beach cleaning?

Deborah
I’d love too go back soon, but that darn work thing keeps getting in the way.

Jim & Dawna
I’m sure you’ll have a great time. And thanks I’ve enjoyed putting it together.

Karl
The more birthdays you have, the more they blur together. I can’t think of anywhere better to spend it than in Bonaire

Carole
I’m counting on you to provide a report when you return this summer!

I "owe" BT about three or four trip reports.......I promise to be more responsible this time around, however! Carole

Snork....takes me awhile to get to these but worth the wait....Great reports...! I'll wait till mid March to post mine...no need yours are tremendous....

Snork, I started reading your reports before I left for my two weeks in Bonaire and now I am continuing reading your awesome adventures!!! I have saved everyone to my email so that I can read them whenever I am homesick for Bonaire!!!! Great Job!!!!!