Bonaire pics

On Dec 22, 3:39*pm, crownfield <crownfi...@verizon.net> wrote:
> In article <m5WdnQlpBMo-kvDanZ2dnUVZ_s6mn...@whidbeytel.com>,
> pugetsounddi...@gmail.com says...
> --"chilly" <slar...@shaw.canada> wrote in message
>
> -news:5u2bj.1946$DP1.134@pd7urf2no...
> ->
> -> "George Cathcart" <george.cathc...@gmail.com> wrote in message
> ->news:8634223a-b812-4a7c-8462-b49117634ab4@c4g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...
> -> >
> -> > Didn't see anybody making any claims here, scooter. Also didn't see
> -> > any of your photos.
> -> >
> -> > You are a pitiful old fart, aren't you?
> ->
> -> Obviously unclear on the concept . .not to mention, jealous as all hell..
> -
> -Trust me, jealous of a dive trip to Bonaire aint it.
> -
> -I'd sooner spend a week in Detroit.
>
> scott, you need a clue.
> PNW os one thing, Bonaire is another.

See Bob, you haven't completely lost it. PNW is great topside, and
probably below the surface too if I were ever to brave it in my
drysuit. Probably a few things to take pictures of down there,
including ugly giant octopi, ugly wolf eels, and ugly ratfish, all in
hues of browns and greens, maybe a colorful rockfish or three and some
sponges and anemones to liven things up.

But Bonaire, besides the warm water which allows for unencumbered
diving, has clear water and lots of colorful fish and corals and
sponges and easy conditions, making it far more conducive to pretty
pics. The island is practically designed for diving, with walls just
a short kick from shore, and a host of diver-friendly hotels, condos,
and resorts, many of which offer good shore diving right off their
dock. You can even drink the tap water.

The only negative about Bonaire, besides the PITA to get there, is the
rampant property crime. But I can't believe Detroit is any better in
that aspect. Violent crime is practically non-existent there.

On Dec 22, 7:07 pm, Greg Mossman <moss...@qnet.com> wrote:
> On Dec 22, 3:39 pm, crownfield <crownfi...@verizon.net> wrote:
>
>
>
> > In article <m5WdnQlpBMo-kvDanZ2dnUVZ_s6mn...@whidbeytel.com>,
> > pugetsounddi...@gmail.com says...
> > --"chilly" <slar...@shaw.canada> wrote in message
>
> > -news:5u2bj.1946$DP1.134@pd7urf2no...
> > ->
> > -> "George Cathcart" <george.cathc...@gmail.com> wrote in message
> > ->news:8634223a-b812-4a7c-8462-b49117634ab4@c4g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...
> > -> >
> > -> > Didn't see anybody making any claims here, scooter. Also didn't see
> > -> > any of your photos.
> > -> >
> > -> > You are a pitiful old fart, aren't you?
> > ->
> > -> Obviously unclear on the concept . .not to mention, jealous as all hell.
> > -
> > -Trust me, jealous of a dive trip to Bonaire aint it.
> > -
> > -I'd sooner spend a week in Detroit.
>
> > scott, you need a clue.
> > PNW os one thing, Bonaire is another.
>
> See Bob, you haven't completely lost it. PNW is great topside, and
> probably below the surface too if I were ever to brave it in my
> drysuit. Probably a few things to take pictures of down there,
> including ugly giant octopi, ugly wolf eels, and ugly ratfish, all in
> hues of browns and greens, maybe a colorful rockfish or three and some
> sponges and anemones to liven things up.
>
> But Bonaire, besides the warm water which allows for unencumbered
> diving, has clear water and lots of colorful fish and corals and
> sponges and easy conditions, making it far more conducive to pretty
> pics. The island is practically designed for diving, with walls just
> a short kick from shore, and a host of diver-friendly hotels, condos,
> and resorts, many of which offer good shore diving right off their
> dock. You can even drink the tap water.
>
> The only negative about Bonaire, besides the PITA to get there, is the
> rampant property crime. But I can't believe Detroit is any better in
> that aspect. Violent crime is practically non-existent there.

I guess the property crime is sporadic. We had no trouble at all. We
did leave the windows down and the trucks unlocked, and nothing of
great value in the trucks, but nothing was taken, and we didn't hear
of anything being taken. There was a story in the local paper about a
big bust a couple weeks before we went that nabbed a bunch of people
suspected of stealing from divers' trucks, so maybe that nipped that
crime wave.

And it was no PITA for us to get there. Air Jamaica from Baltimore to
Montego Bay, Montego Bay to Bonaire. Good planes, good service. Quick
turnaround in Montego Bay, but we and all our luggage made the
connections both ways.

I have a cousin who lives outside Detroit, and he has told me he has
hired a diver to clean his pool, but I still think I'd rather go to
Bonaire.


gc

On Dec 22, 7:07 pm, Greg Mossman <moss...@qnet.com> wrote:
> On Dec 22, 3:39 pm, crownfield <crownfi...@verizon.net> wrote:
>
>
>
> > In article <m5WdnQlpBMo-kvDanZ2dnUVZ_s6mn...@whidbeytel.com>,
> > pugetsounddi...@gmail.com says...
> > --"chilly" <slar...@shaw.canada> wrote in message
>
> > -news:5u2bj.1946$DP1.134@pd7urf2no...
> > ->
> > -> "George Cathcart" <george.cathc...@gmail.com> wrote in message
> > ->news:8634223a-b812-4a7c-8462-b49117634ab4@c4g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...
> > -> >
> > -> > Didn't see anybody making any claims here, scooter. Also didn't see
> > -> > any of your photos.
> > -> >
> > -> > You are a pitiful old fart, aren't you?
> > ->
> > -> Obviously unclear on the concept . .not to mention, jealous as all hell.
> > -
> > -Trust me, jealous of a dive trip to Bonaire aint it.
> > -
> > -I'd sooner spend a week in Detroit.
>
> > scott, you need a clue.
> > PNW os one thing, Bonaire is another.
>
> See Bob, you haven't completely lost it. PNW is great topside, and
> probably below the surface too if I were ever to brave it in my
> drysuit. Probably a few things to take pictures of down there,
> including ugly giant octopi, ugly wolf eels, and ugly ratfish, all in
> hues of browns and greens, maybe a colorful rockfish or three and some
> sponges and anemones to liven things up.
>
>
I would love to dive in the PNW. I did a couple dives in Monterey Bay
in August and was blown away by the invertebrates there. I've heard
even better things about Puget Sound and even further north. Dry suit
is my next major scuba investment.

But first I'm going to the Bahamas in May...

gc

On Dec 22, 5:24*pm, George Cathcart <george.cathc...@gmail.com> wrote:

> > The only negative about Bonaire, besides the PITA to get there, is the
> > rampant property crime. *But I can't believe Detroit is any better in
> > that aspect. *Violent crime is practically non-existent there.
>
> I guess the property crime is sporadic. We had no trouble at all. We
> did leave the windows down and the trucks unlocked, and nothing of
> great value in the trucks, but nothing was taken, and we didn't hear
> of anything being taken. There was a story in the local paper about a
> big bust a couple weeks before we went that nabbed a bunch of people
> suspected of stealing from divers' trucks, so maybe that nipped that
> crime wave.

Unfortunately the result of that story was less than satisfactory.
Apparently there aren't sufficient holding facilities on Bonaire to
hold crooks, so they let them go. They really need to do something
about the theft, but until then it's every man for himself.

We had absolutely no problems at Den Laman. There's a security door
to get in the place at night, no easy access to upper floors, and a
security guard on the premises. While we used the safe for passports
and money and Janna's jewelry, there were no problems leaving my
camera equipment and laptop in the room.

Likewise, our vehicle experience was aproblematic. The only problem
with leaving the windows rolled down at times was the rain that came
in and made the seats wet. But I'd rather sit in wet-bottomed shorts
at dinner than get blamed by the car rental place for not following
the rules and letting something get stolen. Surprisingly the truck
had a stereo with removable face-place. We removed the face-plate and
stuck it in the glove compartment when we were parked. No one stole
the face plate.

We did have a bit of a fright when I went to start the truck after we
dove Witch's Hut and it didn't turn over, but our battery was still
there and it started after I banged on it a few times and wiggled the
cables. If it hadn't started, I doubt it would have been too much of
a problem finding some divers to give us a ride back to town. I
wouldn't want to try that in Detroit.

> And it was no PITA for us to get there. Air Jamaica from Baltimore to
> Montego Bay, Montego Bay to Bonaire. Good planes, good service. Quick
> turnaround in Montego Bay, but we and all our luggage made the
> connections both ways.

Ours was a bigger PITA because we went through Newark. Newark
absolutely sucks. Our Houston experience was far better and that's
how we'll do it the next time, and the next time... But it's still a
red-eye out of Houston and that leaves you in Bonaire too early to
check in and by the time you're checked in and orientated, you're
ready for a long nap. I had thought AJ stopped their flights to
Bonaire, but apparently they're still running. That's how I did it my
first trip, L.A. to Montego direct, then the short hop to Bonaire.
That worked out OK, except for a 6-hour layover in Montego.

> I have a cousin who lives outside Detroit, and he has told me he has
> hired a diver to clean his pool, but I still think I'd rather go to
> Bonaire.

I would volunteer to clean the pool at the Hefner Mansion if it were
in use at the time, and would probably prefer that over Bonaire, but
so far the offer hasn't come in yet. I'm still waiting patiently.

On Dec 22, 5:26*pm, George Cathcart <george.cathc...@gmail.com> wrote:

> I would love to dive in the PNW. I did a couple dives in Monterey Bay
> in August and was blown away by the invertebrates there. I've heard
> even better things about Puget Sound and even further north. Dry suit
> is my next major scuba investment.

Hopefully you'll stop down this way first. I'd love to get back in my
drysuit for some great local diving but I really need the impetus of a
willing buddy, maybe even an arm-twisting.

> But first I'm going to the Bahamas in May...

I'd like to try a Nekton trip there someday. Where in the Bahamas are
you going?

On Dec 22, 8:54 pm, Greg Mossman <moss...@qnet.com> wrote:
> On Dec 22, 5:26 pm, George Cathcart <george.cathc...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > I would love to dive in the PNW. I did a couple dives in Monterey Bay
> > in August and was blown away by the invertebrates there. I've heard
> > even better things about Puget Sound and even further north. Dry suit
> > is my next major scuba investment.
>
> Hopefully you'll stop down this way first. I'd love to get back in my
> drysuit for some great local diving but I really need the impetus of a
> willing buddy, maybe even an arm-twisting.
>
> > But first I'm going to the Bahamas in May...
>
> I'd like to try a Nekton trip there someday. Where in the Bahamas are
> you going?

Caribbean Explorer I. I've done the CEx II a couple years ago. I've
heard great things about this one, too. Still assembling the group if
you're interested.

gc

On Dec 22, 6:43*pm, George Cathcart <george.cathc...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Dec 22, 8:54 pm, Greg Mossman <moss...@qnet.com> wrote:
>
> > On Dec 22, 5:26 pm, George Cathcart <george.cathc...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > > I would love to dive in the PNW. I did a couple dives in Monterey Bay
> > > in August and was blown away by the invertebrates there. I've heard
> > > even better things about Puget Sound and even further north. Dry suit
> > > is my next major scuba investment.
>
> > Hopefully you'll stop down this way first. *I'd love to get back in my
> > drysuit for some great local diving but I really need the impetus of a
> > willing buddy, maybe even an arm-twisting.
>
> > > But first I'm going to the Bahamas in May...
>
> > I'd like to try a Nekton trip there someday. *Where in the Bahamas are
> > you going?
>
> Caribbean Explorer I. I've done the CEx II a couple years ago. I've
> heard great things about this one, too. Still assembling the group if
> you're interested.

As our good buddy Scott would say, "ping me". Janna has a weird
school schedule this year and I'm flat broke, but we still might be
able to work something out.

"Dan Bracuk" <NOTbracuk@pathcom.com> wrote in message
news:47prm3tjabebsuf1jrkgt21ku2ipe4vha5@4ax.com...
> Greg Mossman <mossman@qnet.com> pounded away at his keyboard resulting
> in:
>
> :As our good buddy Scott would say, "ping me". Janna has a weird
> :school schedule this year and I'm flat broke, but we still might be
> :able to work something out.
>
> I thought you were filthy rich.

Even Donald Trump had his bad days.


> Dan Bracuk
> Never use a big word when a diminutive one will do.

On Dec 22, 11:32 pm, Dan Bracuk <NOTbra...@pathcom.com> wrote:
> George Cathcart <george.cathc...@gmail.com> pounded away at his
> keyboard resulting in:
> :Caribbean Explorer I. I've done the CEx II a couple years ago. I've
> :heard great things about this one, too. Still assembling the group if
> :you're interested.
>
> Is that the boat that used to do St Kitts and Saba?
>
> Dan Bracuk
> Never use a big word when a diminutive one will do.

Same boat, different itinerary. There's another boat doing the Saba
route now. I was on it about two and a half years ago. Nice boat.

gc

On Dec 23, 11:31 am, Dan Bracuk <NOTbra...@pathcom.com> wrote:
> George Cathcart <george.cathc...@gmail.com> pounded away at his
> keyboard resulting in:
> :Same boat, different itinerary. There's another boat doing the Saba
> :route now. I was on it about two and a half years ago. Nice boat.
>
> Nice boat, but there's nicer ones out there. Are you going to splurge
> for an upper deck room and get your own head? My wife has become
> spoiled and won't share washrooms anymore.
>
> Dan Bracuk
> Never use a big word when a diminutive one will do.

I'm going lower deck. I'm lower class and don't mind sharing :). Most
of my friends are, too. There are still two upper deck rooms
available, though, last I checked...

gc