Our Adventure Ends----'til next time.....

We saw so many beautiful sunsets on Bonaire. I figured another sunset picture would be the most appropriate for wrapping up our "Bonaire Adventure, starring Max the Wonder Dog". The wide shot was taken at the "Alice in Wonderland" dive site on Feb 19. Carolyn and I had stared the day there snorkeling and ended up back there that evening to watch the sunset. Seemed fitting. The shot of Max is at Bachelor Beach, which was the nearest access to the water from our apartment, and a place from where we watched many sunsets. That particular night the dusk sky made spectacular angular rays fanning out from the horizon. It's interesting how sometimes watching the sun set is more beautiful after the sun sets.

When I started this blog I didn't think about it having an end. Postcards sent to friends and family get hung on the fridge for a while and then tossed aside or put in a box you find years later and have a laugh about the silly things written on the back. What happens when you "blog" a vacation instead of sending postcards? I guess it just continues to occupy space on a computer forever, maybe waiting for someone cleaning up their web bookmarks to go back and reread a couple posts before deleting the link.

Carolyn and I really enjoyed our time in Bonaire. We met so many great people while there and want to thank all of them for sharing their lives and stories with us. First of all we'd like to thank the Klug family--Julia, Ralf, Jasmine, Julianna, and baby Tristan. They are a lovely family and most gracious hosts. Their home/apartment arrangement allowed us to enjoy freinds and family who came to visit during our stay and meet new friends -----Dennis and Constance from Oregon, Ralf's mother Barbara, our freinds Rob and Naomi from Quincy, Jolanda and Thom from the Netherlands, Bonaire residents Jan-Kees and Petra, Julia's mother Bettina (Oma Nina), Bill and Carol Collins from Connecticut, and countless folks we met on the island who allowed us to create pictures of and with Max for the DoggieLogue.

As son Jake would say...."Peace"......Dan and Carolyn

Plant Art---Palm Headress

This is a picture I wanted to make as soon as I got to the apartments and saw the landscaping. My apologies to Jolanda. (I'm not sure why she has a turkey baster in her hand, honest)....Dan

DoggieLogue---I wanna waterski

Our last full day on the island was as fun-filled as any. Max had made so many friends in the previous 8 weeks. Our friends from the Netherlands Thom and Jolanda and Bonaire residents Jon-Kase and Petra (who also shared the day with us in Rincon during the Karnaval parade) rented a ski boat and invited us for a day on the water.

Apparently all you need is a valid driver's license and the ability to listen to some simple instructions and you can rent a powerboat complete with skis and a wakeboard. I never thought I'd be waterskiing in the Caribbean next to a giant cruise ship. Video is of Jolanda.

Max desperately wanted to try it. Alas, we don't even know if he really can swim. We nixed his attempt.

Cactus, Cactus, and more Cactus

Up until now you'd think Bonaire was mostly palm trees and ocean if you only looked at my blog photos. In reality it is very scrubby and thorny looking in a lot of places. That's not to say it isn't beautiful in its own way, but most folks come to the island to explore the beauty the underwater reefs have to offer. The smaller photo shows how many fences are constructed. Ouch.

In fairness to the cacti I offer up a couple shots.........Dan

DoggieLogue---Max finds his Castle

It seems even dogs want to live in style. After a stint on Paul Allen's superyacht Octopus (see earlier blog) Max sought out a more permanent home on the island. Tucked away in the interior amongst the cacti was the perfect castle, literally.

Not sure of the address, but it was the only house like it that we saw......Dan

Iguana alert

To me this is kind of an odd shot. The green iguana---a rather prehistoric looking animal---against the backround of the Caribbean and Paul Allen's superyacht---a modern day marvel (or atrocity, depending on your point of view).

As far as longevity, my money is on the iguana...Dan

DoggieLogue 2/20/09----Thom and Jolanda

Our newest apartment neighbors are Thom and Jolanda from the Netherlands. They are frequent visitors to Bonaire and are here for 6 weeks to finish plans on the apartment complex they will be building in Kralendijk.

Friday the 20th we headed back up to Playa Frans, the former fishing village that is home to Richard and Pam (former Minnesotans) and a few other hardy souls.

Jolanda and I dove the reef while Thom, Carolyn, and Max visited with Richard and Pam and enjoyed the wonderful view....Dan