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 | | From: | jeff feehan | | Subject: | a few bonaire questions | | Date: | Wed, 19 Jan 2005 11:15:05 -0500 |
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 | i'm thinking of going to bonaire this spring, mostly because
i think it's a spot my wife will enjoy sailing at, as well
as a spot my 11yr old daughter can learn to sail at.
questions:
if i go in march, how crowded will it be? what if there is an
abk camp going on at the same time? is there enough room for everyone,
or will everyone be fighting over the areas that are deep enough to sail?
i am particularly concerned that my daughter will have a spot where
she doesn't have to worry about other sailors blasting around at
top speed - will she have a safe spot?
we're not divers, but we will do a bit of snorkeling. are there other
activities - like mountain biking or horseback riding?
is either rental place better for kids equipment/lessons. i guess i figured
with a clinic at jibe city, the other place might be less crowded,
and have better access to gear.
can anyone tell me about the belmar hotel?
in reading a few forums, i have seen theft mentioned a surprising
amount. i really can't belive it's an issue at bonaire, is it?
i was amazed at the air line ticket prices- about $650 on american, luckily
frequent flyer seats seem to be available. i'm not that interested in
air jamaica, which was a little cheaper.
thanks.
jeff
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| | From: | Gerry | | Subject: | Re: a few bonaire questions | | Date: | 19 Jan 2005 14:31:24 -0800 |
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| I was there in December and had a great time. A couple of comments in
response to your questions:
- I agree with the other posters about crowds. The entire bay is
sailable, so it's not really a question of people "using up the good
area." Even when most crowded (i.e. when the wind was good), you could
have walked out closer to the reef and had plenty of room, and it's
still thigh-deep. When the winds are light, you'll have all the room
you want.
- On the way from the airport to the sailing site, there was a sign for
horseback riding. I looked at a write-up in one of the tourist
brochures you can get at the airport, and it sounded like a well run
operation.
- Both shops are fine. When I was there, The Place had more
instructors, but Jibe City is starting a permanent affiliation with
ABK, and will have an ABK instructor (or two?) there all the time, not
just occasional clinics. I think that starts anytime now-you can go
their website and send an e-mail for details. I tried both shops, and
my personal preference was Jibe City, but as I said both are fine.
- I can't imagine there's any place better to learn or improve. It is
a fantastic place to sail.
Finally, I would add a plug for Ann Phelan. I used her for arrangements
and would do so again in a second--she meets you at the airport and
gives you great local knowledge, and can make all or any portion of
your bookings. Just search "Bonaire Annie" in this group and you'll
find her (or she may chime in herself is she sees this thread).
Gerry
Chicago
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| | From: | nb318 at hotmail.com | | Subject: | Re: a few bonaire questions | | Date: | 20 Jan 2005 07:38:39 -0800 |
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| Thanks Gerry. It was a pleasure to meet...Jeff, email me anytime. I can
book Belmar and some really incredible places.
Ann
www.bonairepros.com
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| | From: | Robert | | Subject: | Re: a few bonaire questions | | Date: | Wed, 19 Jan 2005 20:09:40 GMT |
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Hi Jeff,
First of all I strongly recommend in preparation for your trip you
become familiar with the Bonaire message board which you can find
here: http://www.bonairetalk.com/cgi-local/bbs/discus.cgi?pg=topics
It is extremely informative, and if you have any questions they will
be answered by veterans of the island very rapidly. The board has a
large and loyal group of knowledgeable contributors.
On Wed, 19 Jan 2005 11:15:05 -0500, jeff feehan
wrote:
>i'm thinking of going to bonaire this spring, mostly because
>i think it's a spot my wife will enjoy sailing at, as well
>as a spot my 11yr old daughter can learn to sail at.
>
>questions:
>
>if i go in march, how crowded will it be? what if there is an
>abk camp going on at the same time? is there enough room for everyone,
>or will everyone be fighting over the areas that are deep enough to sail?
>
>i am particularly concerned that my daughter will have a spot where
>she doesn't have to worry about other sailors blasting around at
>top speed - will she have a safe spot?
I've been there in mid-March during Spring break with my wife and
daughters over the last two years, and yes it is crowded. But
depending on what level your daughter is at it shouldn't be an issue.
The hordes are only out there when the wind is up, and the rest of the
time, when the wind is lighter-say in the 10 knot and below knot
range, it will just be beginners, intermediate cruisers, and some of
the freestyle gang practicing. Under those conditions it will be
perfectly safe for your daughter. If your daughter is at the point
where she is sailing in stronger winds where most of the gang is
planing, then yes, it will be exactly as you described: other sailors
blasting around her at top speed, and there's really nowhere to hide.
But again, it shouldn't be an issue. It's a great bay to learn on as
it's so shallow--rarely above your waist in the main area in front of
the rental operations where the beginners will be. My daughters (one
a beginner and one an intermediate) had a great learning experience
there.
Either rental shop will be fine for beginner rentals. Equipment
inventory changes, so I would wait until you get there, see what each
operation has, and go from there.
>
>we're not divers, but we will do a bit of snorkeling. are there other
>activities - like mountain biking or horseback riding?
There are other things to do beside scuba diving and windsurfing
though quite frankly not much: those are the two sports the island is
famous for, and caters to. For example, there is a lovely, hilly
national park at one end of the island which is fun for exploring and
hiking (and possibly mountain biking but I don't know details about
how to rent them etc.) if you have a four wheel drive. There are very
few sand beaches on the island-the best being Lac Bay itself. I would
ask at BonaireTalk about other activities.
>
>is either rental place better for kids equipment/lessons. i guess i figured
>with a clinic at jibe city, the other place might be less crowded,
>and have better access to gear.
Either rental shop will be fine for beginner rentals. Equipment
inventory changes, so I would wait until you get there, see what each
operation has, and go from there.
>
>can anyone tell me about the belmar hotel?
We have stayed at the Belmar twice, and it is great. Each condo has a
lovely spacious terrace overlooking the sea and sunset each evening.
You won't be disappointed.
>
>in reading a few forums, i have seen theft mentioned a surprising
>amount. i really can't belive it's an issue at bonaire, is it?
Theft is a problem-though not one we encountered personally-mainly
because we followed everyones advice: don't leave anything of value in
your car, and during the day, never lock the doors-and leave the
windows half open. It tells the bad guys that there is nothing
inside! At night you needn't worry, as the Belmar has a very
personable security guard (who you will get to know) patrolling the
parking lot.
Have fun. It's a great place. And consider taking up scuba diving:
you'll rarely be in a better place to introduce your daughter to the
sport. It's around the age my daughters started and the sport has and
continues to bring us great joy and bonding experiences. Hope this
helps.
Cheers, Bob.
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| | From: | nb318 at hotmail.com | | Subject: | Re: a few bonaire questions | | Date: | 20 Jan 2005 07:36:56 -0800 |
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| Thanks Gerry...Jeff, email me anytime. I can book Belmar and some
incredible places. Ann
www.bonairepros.com
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| | From: | Bob A. | | Subject: | Re: a few bonaire questions | | Date: | Wed, 19 Jan 2005 14:03:15 -0500 |
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| I have a friend who goes to Bonaire, usually in January. From what she tells
me it is a great spot for learning, with a sheltered cove on the inside and
stronger winds for those who venture out farther. I haven't been myself, but
I think my wife would love it. My friend did mention that one year they had
left some harnesses out on their 2nd floor balcony to dry. They were stolen
rather quickly, most likely by some enterprising local kids who evidently
climbed up onto the balcony. She later learned that these kids will keep the
stolen gear out of sight for a few weeks until the previous owvers have left
the island, and then will be seen sailing with the stolen items.
--Bob A.
"jeff feehan" wrote in message
news:6NvHd.638$3Y6.107@fe10.lga...
> i'm thinking of going to bonaire this spring, mostly because
> i think it's a spot my wife will enjoy sailing at, as well
> as a spot my 11yr old daughter can learn to sail at.
>
> questions:
>
> if i go in march, how crowded will it be? what if there is an
> abk camp going on at the same time? is there enough room for everyone,
> or will everyone be fighting over the areas that are deep enough to sail?
>
> i am particularly concerned that my daughter will have a spot where
> she doesn't have to worry about other sailors blasting around at
> top speed - will she have a safe spot?
>
> we're not divers, but we will do a bit of snorkeling. are there other
> activities - like mountain biking or horseback riding?
>
> is either rental place better for kids equipment/lessons. i guess i
figured
> with a clinic at jibe city, the other place might be less crowded,
> and have better access to gear.
>
> can anyone tell me about the belmar hotel?
>
> in reading a few forums, i have seen theft mentioned a surprising
> amount. i really can't belive it's an issue at bonaire, is it?
>
> i was amazed at the air line ticket prices- about $650 on american,
luckily
> frequent flyer seats seem to be available. i'm not that interested in
> air jamaica, which was a little cheaper.
>
> thanks.
>
> jeff
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| | From: | nb318 at hotmail.com | | Subject: | Re: a few bonaire questions | | Date: | 20 Jan 2005 07:38:40 -0800 |
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| Thanks Gerry. It was a pleasure to meet...Jeff, email me anytime. I can
book Belmar and some really incredible places.
Ann
www.bonairepros.com
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