Perhaps I'm a creature of habits and given to getting into ruts. No doubt.
Perhaps I've found the most beautiful underwater world that I can access within the constraints of my time and budget. That is certain!
Either way, Bonaire continually beckons. Trip #11 I think?!
For me it is primarily about the diving freedom. Certified as a shore diver in Puget Sound 11 years ago I love grabbing gear and tanks and saying "Where shall we dive today?" We have an abundance of riches in the PNW in that regard. In any case, 80 marked sites and a bunch more options for where to dive have me like a kid in a candy store. I just can't get enough.
And I'm a critter guy and love honing my camera skills with the equipment I can afford. And Bonaire has critters... well, wow...
I also love observing the critter behavior, and as anyone who has watched our underwater life closely and slowly can attest to one begins to recognize behaviors – mating, feeding, fighting, hunting, cleaning and being cleaned – that allow you to watch and wait for what you know is coming next. You begin to know where something will be because you recognize its habitat and what it feeds on. And then there are the "unexpected" encounters, a hunting moray, a cruising manta, porpoises on your surface swim – even being buzzed by a kite boarder.
It all adds up to delight and joy, and reminding myself of that keeps cynicism and "been there / seen that" from eroding the magic that is the underwater world.
Slower, closer, look carefully, all add up to seeing things you've never seen even though they've been in front of your eyes since the beginning.
And one week is NOT enough... so I don't even bother scheduling a trip unless I can come for two weeks.
Over the years I've had the privilege of sharing a Bonairean domicile with many of you – although it seems as though it's been getting harder to get schedules to mesh. Thanks to Pogiguy05 for carving a couple weeks out of his time to be a good dive buddy on my favorite island.
I'll post a few pics at a time that caught my eye and heart. If you're impatient or have a lot of time on your hands you can find what's been uploaded in the link below.
So... one week in the log book, one more to go!
In the meantime, what are you reading this for?!? Get out and dive!
But after over 250 dives in Bonaire usually 4 is enough, as we are, after all on vacation.
