Bon Bini Bonaire 08'...

Our annual trip to Bonaire is scheduled for June 28 through July 5, 2008.

First let us say how delighted you are joining us for our 2008 annual trip to Bonaire. Many of you are "veterans" on this trip having joined us in years past. For you "newbies" who are going this year, we want to provide you with some info pertaining to this trip. We realize we may not answer all your questions here, so feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have. Again, we thank you for your participation in what promises to be another fun-filled week in Bonaire!

Paperwork-
A Passport is a requirement!
If you do not have your passport you will not be able to travel.  This cannot be stressed enough.  The new rules by the State Department say that “NOBODY” will be allowed to enter the United States without a valid passport. 
 
You must have filled out these forms prior to your departure for Bonaire:
Personal Information Forms
Trip Release
Guest Form from Capt. Don's
Liability Waiver from Capt. Don's
These forms will be available from us at the orientation meeting to be held in June.

In a recent statement by the U.S. Consulate General in Curacao and the U.S. State Department, the Consulate strongly encouraged any American citizen living or traveling in Aruba or the Netherlands Antilles to register your trip on the State Department's travel registration web site at https://travelregistration.state.gov/.  This is to allow for easier contact in case of an emergency.


Some optional items you may wish to consider is DAN Membership and Insurance or Dive Assure Insurance, along with Trip Insurance.  While the chances of a safe diver getting "bent" are very remote, dive insurance can help pay the very expensive bill that goes with the trip to the re-compression chamber.

Marine Park Fee-
A fee of $25 for divers and $10 for snorkelers and swimmers is required, and includes entrance into Washington Slagbaai park.  This fee needs to be paid prior to departure for Bonaire. You will not be allowed to scuba without a current park tag. You will receive your tag upon completion of the mandatory orientation session the morning after your arrival in Bonaire.

 

Exit Tax-
A $32 CASH Exit Tax is required by the Bonaire Government. You will need to pay this after you have checked your luggage for departure from Bonaire.

Flight Itinerary (Tentative)

We have people leaving from Nashville, some from Atlanta and 2 people from Orlando.  
We will all meet in Curacao for the flight to Bonaire which leaves Curacao at 4:00pm.

Nashville Itinerary- Delta Airlines to Curacao (includes flights to Bonaire)

June 28th

• Nashville to Atlanta- DELTA 1764-Departing 6:00am,   Arriving Atlanta 8:07am 
• Atlanta to Curacao- DELTA 0329-Departing 9:55am, Arriving Curacao 2:04pm
• Curacao to Bonaire- Departing 4:00pm, Arriving Bonaire 4:30pm

July 5th

• Bonaire to Curacao- We are awaiting flight information for this leg
• Curacao to Atlanta- DELTA 0328-Departing 3:04pm, Arriving Atlanta  7:20pm
• Atlanta  to Nashville- DELTA 1002-Departing 10:40pm, Arriving Nashville 10:43pm

Atlanta Itinerary-Air Jamaica to Curacao

June 28^th

• Atlanta to Montego Bay- Departing 8:40am, Arriving Montego Bay  10:25am
• Montego Bay to Curacao- Departing 11:25am, Arriving Curacao 2:10pm

July 5^th

• Curacao to Montego Bay- Departing 3:00pm,  Arriving Montego Bay 3:55pm
• Montego Bay to Atlanta- Departing 4:45pm,  Arriving Atlanta 8:30pm

Orlando Itinerary- Delta Airlines to Atlanta

June 28^th

• Orlando to Atlanta- Departing 7:00am,  Arriving Atlanta 8:36am
• Atlanta to Curacao- Departing 9:55am, Arriving Curacao 2:10pm

July 5^th

• Curacao to Atlanta- Departing 3:10pm,  Arriving Atlanta 7:50pm
• Atlanta to Orlando- Departing 9:40pm,  Arriving Orlando 11:10pm

Personal Gear-
Passport, Clothes (nothing fancy), Swim Suit, Shorts, T Shirts, Light Slacks, Beach Towel, Sun Glasses, Medications, Sun Tan Lotion, Toiletries, Comfortable shoes

Dive Gear-
C Card, Rental Gear (contact us at the store), Mask, Fins, Snorkel, Spare fin strap, Spare mask strap, Scuba gear, Dive computer, Log book, Fish guides, Gloves, Dive light, Mask defog, Wetsuit, Dry box, Small lock for dive locker, Batteries for lights / flashlights, Film

Luggage-
Sturdy, with name, address, and phone number on each piece. You can check 2 bags per person; each bag not exceeding 70 pounds and 62 inches (length + width + height). You can have 1 carry on not exceeding 40 pounds and 45 inches. Please note that one carry-on personal item does not count toward the free bag allowance. DO NOT carry on knives, scissors, nail clippers, tweezers, etc. in your carry on luggage. These items will be confiscated. Pack your film in your carry on luggage and ask that it be hand inspected. The new x-ray screening machines used with checked baggage will ruin film. It is also our experience that while you can bring personal care products that are in a pressurized containers into Bonaire, they will be removed from your luggage on departure back to the states. We have also had nail polish remover and 151 Rum confiscated due to its flammability. Cuban Cigars while available for purchase, are BANNED  by the United States, so enjoy them while on Bonaire.  You will also need to remove your batteries from dive lights prior to leaving Bonaire. DO NOT dispose of your batteries in Bonaire; bring them back to the States for proper disposal.

Transfer from Airport-
We will be picking up our rental trucks across the street from the airport.  This is new for 2008.  The car rental offices have been moved across the street from the terminal, which means you will have a short walk of about 2 minutes or so.  We will be using these to go to Capt. Don's Habitat.   DO NOT PAY TO BE TAKEN THERE

 

Checking In-
Upon arrival at Capt. Don's, you will be assigned both a Room Number and a Diver Number. Your diver number will be written on the slates used for boat dives. When making purchases at the resort, you will be asked to give your room number and print, and sign your name on the sales slip. The pink copy is yours to keep for your records. You can pay your tab the night prior to leaving the island at the office. This will keep you from having to walk around with cash while at the resort.   Captain Don's accepts Master Card, Visa, American Express, Antillean Guilders, and US Dollars.  Traveler’s Checks are accepted at the reception desk for account payments only. Exchange of Traveler’s Checks and Euros into US Dollars or local currency may only be done at one of the local banks. (Of course all of the stores accept U.S. currency and many accept Traveler's Checks, and all are very honest). The Maduro & Curiel’s Bank (Hato Branch) is within walking distance from the Resort. Beach towels are free, but a deposit of $10 per towel is required upon check in. A room safe can be rented for $6 for the length of your stay. 
 

Meals-
All breakfasts are included. Lunch and dinner is on you. Rum Runners, located at Capt. Don's has excellent food at reasonable prices.  Specials include an all you can eat BBQ BUFFET , Catches of the Day, Pizza, and more!  Since Rum Runner's is a separate entity, you will need to go to the cashier at the restaurant and set up a tab with them.  Charges at the restaurant work like the charges elsewhere at the resort, and will appear on your final bill. Cottages are equipped with kitchenettes. You may want to bring some food with you such as coffee, snacks, etc. Pack these items in your luggage. There are also several grocery stores near the resort where you can buy food.  Ask trip veterans for advice on what to pack, along with other dining options.  Bonaire also has an abundance of fine dining establishments.

 

Diving-
6 Boat dives are included in your package. Additional Boat dives are $43.  If you wish to ride in the boat as a snorkeler or non diver, the cost is $13. Boats leave 3 times a day; 8:30 a.m., 11 a.m., and 2 p.m. BE ON TIME for your scheduled boat. You have unlimited shore diving; and the night diving is great! NITROX upgrades are now free, but you MUST present NITROX certification. If you do not wish to dive, please remove your Diver Number from the slate in a timely manner to allow other divers a slot on the boat.

 

Tipping-
Our recommendation is one collection as a group at the end of the week for the boat crew. Usually $50 per diver for the boat crew is the going rate, but it is entirely up to you. You may also wish to give your cleaning lady a little something for the hard work she does.  We have found a dollar a day on each pillow in your room is greatly appreciated!

 

Rental Cars-
Each Cabin has a truck reserved at a cost of about $200 for the duration of our stay.  These trucks can carry 5 adults (if you squeeze in), and have tank racks in the bed. These trucks are also a necessity if you are planning on diving in the Washington Slagbaai Park. Gas is expensive; in March of 2008 it was Naf 2.00 per liter (1 gallon = 3.78 liters)  This equals about $4.26 per gallon.  Given the rapid increase in fuel prices, it could very well be more money when we arrive. You may want to check with your local insurance provider to see if you are covered for rental vehicles in foreign countries.  If not, you may want to consider purchasing the optional insurance at the time you pick up your rental vehicle.

 

Exchange Rate-
The exchange rate is Naf 1.78 to $1.00

Weather-
Weather in Bonaire is usually 80 to 85 degrees with a steady blowing moderate to stiff breeze. It rarely rains; Bonaire is very arid. However, we are not responsible for the weather.

 

Room Assignments-
Contact us at the store.