Tom Rose's Annual Get together. Bonaire, Feb 2007

Tom Rose · 12th December 2006, 16:16

Hi Folks,

It is in the 20s outside my office window...I see my frozen fish pond and am thinking about warm tropical water....so here is the action plan..

On this, our 16th winter diving trip we are heading to Bonaire instead of Roatan...a little change of scenery. We plan to arrive on Bonaire on Feb 3 and return on Feb 10, all dived out with sopping wet gear, thousands of pictures...some of them actually photographs, video, and great memories of the fun above and below the water.

If you are not familiar with Bonaire, it is in the Dutch Antilles and is famous for its shore diving and sloping walls. The whole island is a national park. While divers usually make a few boat dives, many dive packages often include a pickup truck or a van for the divers and gear. Somewhere near 60 dive sites are clearly marked around the island. I have not been to Bonaire since the 60's...so many islands...so little time...but a number of my diving buddies swear by the place...and one of them is on the trip....I’m excited, but then if you have been on a trip with me, I’m always excited before a trip and am just bouncing by the time the plane hits the ground.

We will be staying at the Buddy resort...here is the link to Buddy

Buddy Dive Resort, Bonaire: PADI 5 Star Gold Palm Dive Resort

Buddy gets rave reviews around the Raleigh area...

Their US phone number is

1-866 462 8339

Prices are dependent upon the size of the apartment rented and the number of boat dives you do. With breakfast included you can expect the following approximate costs. This is priced with a full three bedroom apartment....6 people. It includes a van for the shore dives.

per person 835 with 6 boat dives
928 with 11boat dives
718 with no boat dives
plus required dive tag 25

Other meals, tips, taxes, bar bills, not included.

My airline tickets are costing just under 700 dollars....

For rebreather divers, oxygen and sorb are available on the island....

The resort has three swimming pools and apartments.

There is one space in our Apartment in a double room available right now. After that fills up you will need to get together with some one or as people contact me, I will give them your name and you can work it out.

There are a number of ways to get to Bonaire but here is a copy of my flight information.

AMERICAN AIRLINES 03FEB RALEIGH DUR NC MIAMI FL 140P 340P
AA 921 SATURDAY RALEIGH D MIAMI INTL

AMERICAN AIRLINES 03FEB MIAMI FL CURACAO 440P 830P
AA 939 SATURDAY MIAMI INTL HATO APT

DUTCH ANTILLES EXPRES 03FEB CURACAO BONAIRE 1130P 1159P
9H 2963 SATURDAY HATO APT FLAMINGO INTL

DUTCH ANTILLES EXPRES 10FEB BONAIRE CURACAO 200P 230P
9H 2994 SATURDAY FLAMINGO INTL HATO APT

AMERICAN AIRLINES 10FEB CURACAO MIAMI FL 405P 610P
AA 1880 SATURDAY HATO APT MIAMI INTL

AMERICAN AIRLINES 10FEB MIAMI FL RALEIGH DUR NC 940P 1145P
AA 2010 SATURDAY MIAMI INTL RALEIGH D

As usual, I am not a tour director, I collect no fees, so I handle no money....make no reservations....just get the ball rolling by making a party call.....so far we have 11 on board for the party...hope you can join us...please tell them you are with the Tom Rose party so they can put us near each other.....

Tom

So Far besides myself
Tony Eggleston, Earl Enzor, Yves and Brenda Tondeur, Scott and Janie Lofty, Bill and Patti Mills, Jim and Laura Peeler

PCDiver · 12th December 2006, 16:26

If you need more bonaire info: Bonaire Talk - The place to discuss everything and anything about Bonaire!

pabusk · 12th December 2006, 17:38

Been there in August ... first class resort .... had a great stay there

Have fun and don't forget to feed the Iguanas :-)

Pauk

***debersole*** · 13th December 2006, 02:43

Tom:

I'll be on Bonaire that same week for a diving medicine course. We'll be at Plaza Resort Bonaire. I'd love to hook up with you and your buddies for some CCR diving as our group is almost entirely OC.

Doug

4ster · 13th December 2006, 15:21

I just got back from Bonaire, my group was all open circuit so I left my Rebreather at home. Stayed in Capt. Don's next door. The reefs are in great shape and the island is really friendly. Here are some suggestions:

1) Rent a truck. We rented from one of the companies (Budget) at the airport. They are 4 seaters so you can share the cost with three buddies if you want. Cost was $200 for the week and an additional $134 for insurance, taxes and adding an extra driver. I *think* better deals may be had by renting from a place other than the airport, but it was convienent. The trucks come with tank racks in the back! A lot of the sites are accessable as shore dives and you can extend your diving by having a truck. You *almost* don't need to sign up for any boat trips in Bonaire.

2) Spend your diving day off driving around the island. There is a park on the north end of the island and the scenery was spectacular. Save the reciept from your dive permit (the tag you get to put on your BC while diving will not work) and you get in at no additional charge.

3) Check into diving on the east side of the island. Most of the diving is done on the calmer west side, the east side is less visited because of usually rougher sea conditions. At least some of the operators that run boats on the east side are using RIBs. There is a better chance of seeing pelagics like sharks. And it would be a good change of pace, the diving is very easy on the west side and the dives are great, but tend to be similar.

4) Bring a good insect repellant. My group ate at a few restraunts where we all got insect bites on our legs, and the Lion's Den at the resort was one of them. Good food mind you, but there was a can of OFF! on the bar and we made the connection why it was there only too late. The bites itch like crazy.

5) We had some great meals. The Lion's Den was good. In town we ate at Casa Blanca, Mona Lisa, and La Flamboyant - all good. There was a French bistro on the way to town that was good too (can't remember the name).

You will have a great time.

Steve

PCDiver · 13th December 2006, 16:19

There are a couple of spectacular dives on Bonaire that are excellent for rebreathers:

Lac Cai crossing: from the conch shells all the way to the shrimp farm. This is a long dive. Between 2.5 to three hours and a long surface swim if you get out sooner with possibly big waves. Eagle rays, sharks and lots of turtles.

Ol'Blue to Karpata: 2 hour dive with no exit before Karpata. Normally no waves or current. The shorter version is La Dania's leap to Karapa.

The Windjammer - beatifull wreck that sits in 60 meters at Bopec. Guided boat dive only due to new rules.

I know a couple of other 'secret dives' but for those you'll have to wait until we release our DVD and podcasts. Planned for November this year.

The French Bistro is "Bistro the Paris". Other restaurants that I can recommend: Will's grill, Capricio's (best wine restaurant in the Carribean) and Bobbejaans (only Friday and Saturday).

Bars: Bongo's - the only real beach bar in Bonaire.

Tom Rose · 13th December 2006, 17:23

Quote: (Originally Posted by debersole)

Tom:

I'll be on Bonaire that same week for a diving medicine course. We'll be at Plaza Resort Bonaire. I'd love to hook up with you and your buddies for some CCR diving as our group is almost entirely OC.

Doug

Great...my group is almost all oc....

Tom Rose · 13th December 2006, 17:24

[quote=PCDiver;83221]There are a couple of spectacular dives on Bonaire that are excellent for rebreathers:

Great information, I have pasted it into my Bonair pre trip book....
Thanks,
Tom

Tom Rose · 13th December 2006, 17:26

[quote=PCDiver;83221]There are a couple of spectacular dives on Bonaire that are excellent for rebreathers:

Thanks a lot...

If i luck into any spectacular footage...unlikley event....I'll send it to you

I have pasted your suggestions into my Bonair pre trip book...because of this forum...the book is getting really full...I may need to stay two weeks.
Thanks,
Tom

viscya · 13th December 2006, 18:36

Tom,

My wife and I are scheduled to be at Buddy that week with a group from my LDS. I'll be the only CCR diver, and have been searching for supplies on Bonaire for the last few weeks. Buddy's shop says they are opening a Tech area in March, but won't have the supplies by Feb. I believe the shop next door at Captain Don's can provide much of the gear. However, if you and your group are procuring supplies, I'd love to throw money in the hat. I was also considering sending a few items in advance. We have some friends that live there part time. Either way, I'd love to hook up down there.

This will be my first time with the video camera and CC. The dives were great last year, so I'm eager to get back on CC. My one buddy wants to check out the east side of the island also.

Dave Oldham

PS, my wife does not dive, but loves the beach.

12th December 2006, 16:16	#1 (permalink)
Tom Rose Still Learning Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Other CCR Home Build Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: USA,North Carolina Posts: 331	Tom Rose's Annual Get together. Bonaire, Feb 2007 Hi Folks, It is in the 20s outside my office window...I see my frozen fish pond and am thinking about warm tropical water....so here is the action plan.. On this, our 16th winter diving trip we are heading to Bonaire instead of Roatan...a little change of scenery. We plan to arrive on Bonaire on Feb 3 and return on Feb 10, all dived out with sopping wet gear, thousands of pictures...some of them actually photographs, video, and great memories of the fun above and below the water. If you are not familiar with Bonaire, it is in the Dutch Antilles and is famous for its shore diving and sloping walls. The whole island is a national park. While divers usually make a few boat dives, many dive packages often include a pickup truck or a van for the divers and gear. Somewhere near 60 dive sites are clearly marked around the island. I have not been to Bonaire since the 60's...so many islands...so little time...but a number of my diving buddies swear by the place...and one of them is on the trip....I’m excited, but then if you have been on a trip with me, I’m always excited before a trip and am just bouncing by the time the plane hits the ground. We will be staying at the Buddy resort...here is the link to Buddy Buddy Dive Resort, Bonaire: PADI 5 Star Gold Palm Dive Resort Buddy gets rave reviews around the Raleigh area... Their US phone number is 1-866 462 8339 Prices are dependent upon the size of the apartment rented and the number of boat dives you do. With breakfast included you can expect the following approximate costs. This is priced with a full three bedroom apartment....6 people. It includes a van for the shore dives. per person 835 with 6 boat dives 928 with 11boat dives 718 with no boat dives plus required dive tag 25 Other meals, tips, taxes, bar bills, not included. My airline tickets are costing just under 700 dollars.... For rebreather divers, oxygen and sorb are available on the island.... The resort has three swimming pools and apartments. There is one space in our Apartment in a double room available right now. After that fills up you will need to get together with some one or as people contact me, I will give them your name and you can work it out. There are a number of ways to get to Bonaire but here is a copy of my flight information. AMERICAN AIRLINES 03FEB RALEIGH DUR NC MIAMI FL 140P 340P AA 921 SATURDAY RALEIGH D MIAMI INTL AMERICAN AIRLINES 03FEB MIAMI FL CURACAO 440P 830P AA 939 SATURDAY MIAMI INTL HATO APT DUTCH ANTILLES EXPRES 03FEB CURACAO BONAIRE 1130P 1159P 9H 2963 SATURDAY HATO APT FLAMINGO INTL DUTCH ANTILLES EXPRES 10FEB BONAIRE CURACAO 200P 230P 9H 2994 SATURDAY FLAMINGO INTL HATO APT AMERICAN AIRLINES 10FEB CURACAO MIAMI FL 405P 610P AA 1880 SATURDAY HATO APT MIAMI INTL AMERICAN AIRLINES 10FEB MIAMI FL RALEIGH DUR NC 940P 1145P AA 2010 SATURDAY MIAMI INTL RALEIGH D As usual, I am not a tour director, I collect no fees, so I handle no money....make no reservations....just get the ball rolling by making a party call.....so far we have 11 on board for the party...hope you can join us...please tell them you are with the Tom Rose party so they can put us near each other..... Tom So Far besides myself Tony Eggleston, Earl Enzor, Yves and Brenda Tondeur, Scott and Janie Lofty, Bill and Patti Mills, Jim and Laura Peeler Last edited by EBT : 12th December 2006 at 16:21.
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12th December 2006, 16:26	#2 (permalink)
PCDiver Submerge Productions Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Belgium Posts: 1,002	Re: Tom Rose's Annual Get together. Bonaire, Feb 2007 If you need more bonaire info: Bonaire Talk - The place to discuss everything and anything about Bonaire!
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12th December 2006, 17:38	#3 (permalink)
pabusk Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Holland Posts: 133	Re: Tom Rose's Annual Get together. Bonaire, Feb 2007 Been there in August ... first class resort .... had a great stay there Have fun and don't forget to feed the Iguanas :-) Pauk
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13th December 2006, 02:43	#4 (permalink)
*debersole* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Dolphin Azimuth Other Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Dolphin Azimuth Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lakeland, Florida Posts: 253	Re: Tom Rose's Annual Get together. Bonaire, Feb 2007 Tom: I'll be on Bonaire that same week for a diving medicine course. We'll be at Plaza Resort Bonaire. I'd love to hook up with you and your buddies for some CCR diving as our group is almost entirely OC. Doug __________________ www.debersole.com
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13th December 2006, 15:21	#5 (permalink)
4ster Steve Sprague Current Rebreather/s: rEvo Other Rebreather/s: rEvo Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Arlington, Washington Posts: 302	Re: Tom Rose's Annual Get together. Bonaire, Feb 2007 I just got back from Bonaire, my group was all open circuit so I left my Rebreather at home. Stayed in Capt. Don's next door. The reefs are in great shape and the island is really friendly. Here are some suggestions: 1) Rent a truck. We rented from one of the companies (Budget) at the airport. They are 4 seaters so you can share the cost with three buddies if you want. Cost was $200 for the week and an additional $134 for insurance, taxes and adding an extra driver. I think better deals may be had by renting from a place other than the airport, but it was convienent. The trucks come with tank racks in the back! A lot of the sites are accessable as shore dives and you can extend your diving by having a truck. You almost don't need to sign up for any boat trips in Bonaire. 2) Spend your diving day off driving around the island. There is a park on the north end of the island and the scenery was spectacular. Save the reciept from your dive permit (the tag you get to put on your BC while diving will not work) and you get in at no additional charge. 3) Check into diving on the east side of the island. Most of the diving is done on the calmer west side, the east side is less visited because of usually rougher sea conditions. At least some of the operators that run boats on the east side are using RIBs. There is a better chance of seeing pelagics like sharks. And it would be a good change of pace, the diving is very easy on the west side and the dives are great, but tend to be similar. 4) Bring a good insect repellant. My group ate at a few restraunts where we all got insect bites on our legs, and the Lion's Den at the resort was one of them. Good food mind you, but there was a can of OFF! on the bar and we made the connection why it was there only too late. The bites itch like crazy. 5) We had some great meals. The Lion's Den was good. In town we ate at Casa Blanca, Mona Lisa, and La Flamboyant - all good. There was a French bistro on the way to town that was good too (can't remember the name). You will have a great time. Steve __________________ Steve "My problem is that I have trouble reconciling my gross habits with my net income." Errol Flynn
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13th December 2006, 16:19	#6 (permalink)
PCDiver Submerge Productions Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Belgium Posts: 1,002	Re: Tom Rose's Annual Get together. Bonaire, Feb 2007 There are a couple of spectacular dives on Bonaire that are excellent for rebreathers: Lac Cai crossing: from the conch shells all the way to the shrimp farm. This is a long dive. Between 2.5 to three hours and a long surface swim if you get out sooner with possibly big waves. Eagle rays, sharks and lots of turtles. Ol'Blue to Karpata: 2 hour dive with no exit before Karpata. Normally no waves or current. The shorter version is La Dania's leap to Karapa. The Windjammer - beatifull wreck that sits in 60 meters at Bopec. Guided boat dive only due to new rules. I know a couple of other 'secret dives' but for those you'll have to wait until we release our DVD and podcasts. Planned for November this year. The French Bistro is "Bistro the Paris". Other restaurants that I can recommend: Will's grill, Capricio's (best wine restaurant in the Carribean) and Bobbejaans (only Friday and Saturday). Bars: Bongo's - the only real beach bar in Bonaire.
(Offline)

13th December 2006, 17:23	#7 (permalink)
Tom Rose Still Learning Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Other CCR Home Build Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: USA,North Carolina Posts: 331	Re: Tom Rose's Annual Get together. Bonaire, Feb 2007 Quote: (Originally Posted by debersole) Tom: I'll be on Bonaire that same week for a diving medicine course. We'll be at Plaza Resort Bonaire. I'd love to hook up with you and your buddies for some CCR diving as our group is almost entirely OC. Doug Great...my group is almost all oc....
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13th December 2006, 17:24	#8 (permalink)
Tom Rose Still Learning Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Other CCR Home Build Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: USA,North Carolina Posts: 331	Re: Tom Rose's Annual Get together. Bonaire, Feb 2007 [quote=PCDiver;83221]There are a couple of spectacular dives on Bonaire that are excellent for rebreathers: Great information, I have pasted it into my Bonair pre trip book.... Thanks, Tom
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13th December 2006, 17:26	#9 (permalink)
Tom Rose Still Learning Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Other CCR Home Build Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: USA,North Carolina Posts: 331	Re: Tom Rose's Annual Get together. Bonaire, Feb 2007 [quote=PCDiver;83221]There are a couple of spectacular dives on Bonaire that are excellent for rebreathers: Thanks a lot... If i luck into any spectacular footage...unlikley event....I'll send it to you I have pasted your suggestions into my Bonair pre trip book...because of this forum...the book is getting really full...I may need to stay two weeks. Thanks, Tom
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13th December 2006, 18:36	#10 (permalink)
viscya Wrecking Crew Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Marlton New Jersey Posts: 138	Re: Tom Rose's Annual Get together. Bonaire, Feb 2007 Tom, My wife and I are scheduled to be at Buddy that week with a group from my LDS. I'll be the only CCR diver, and have been searching for supplies on Bonaire for the last few weeks. Buddy's shop says they are opening a Tech area in March, but won't have the supplies by Feb. I believe the shop next door at Captain Don's can provide much of the gear. However, if you and your group are procuring supplies, I'd love to throw money in the hat. I was also considering sending a few items in advance. We have some friends that live there part time. Either way, I'd love to hook up down there. This will be my first time with the video camera and CC. The dives were great last year, so I'm eager to get back on CC. My one buddy wants to check out the east side of the island also. Dave Oldham PS, my wife does not dive, but loves the beach. __________________ "There is nothing majestic or dignified about being left to silently rot and collapse under heaps of old fishing net forgotten and unappreciated in dark and unvisited waters." DrMike
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