Kayaking in the Mangroves

On our last day in Bonaire we weren't allowed to go diving because we were getting on a plane later that day. So we decided that we'd take a kayak tour of the mangroves with Hans (the same man from the caves). 

It was a lot of work, but we learned a lot and had loads of fun. (Although we did get bitten by a lot of mosquitoes).

We even got to go snorkeling in the water. The mangroves are really cool from under water and there are loads of fish and cool looking corals. 

Posing in front our kayaks

Through man made tunnels in the mangroves

Mommy and I getting stuck......oops!

Underwater Cave

After the first cave we drove to another site where we walked in desert like conditions before coming to a large hole in the ground. We had to use ropes to get down and Mommy didn't like the look of it, so she stayed up top while we climbed down. 

Walking down to the second cave

The second cave was mostly underwater, and we got into our bathing suits, snorkel and mask. We stepped into the chilling water of the cave, which was refreshing after the heat from outside. We were warned not to step too hard on the ground of the cave because we'd stir up dirt in the water causing people behind us to not be able to see. 

About to get fully in...

Swimming in the cave (we always kept our feet on the ground , we weren't allowed to freely swim)

Coral Prints

The inside of the cave was amazing. We could see where the corals had been, the imprints of the brain coral as seen in the picture below. 

Stalactites and Stalagmites! 

Caving

Our second to last day we decided that we wanted to go on a cave tour. We met Hans (the guide) at his store and then drove to the first cave. There was one other couple on the tour with us. 

The entrance to the cave was a ladder leading into a dark hole that we couldn't see the bottom of.

Climbing down the dark and deep hole........

Iguana!

After we ate lunch at the brother hotel of Belmare we saw an iguana walking around next to our table. We found out that he's a regular guest to the restaurant. We got to feed him some lettuce and we even managed to pet his tail! 

Mr. Iguana

Ashlynn and I next to the Iguana

The Iguana trying to bite my finger off. (He failed)

Diving Pictures

Here are some pictures of us diving!

Diving with new friends. 

Alles is goed! (Dutch: Everything is good)

Daddy writing on the tablet

Night Diving

Although we're not really supposed to go night diving without a permit, we decided that it would be safe to do a dive just in the 'backyard' of Belmare. The first dive was very hectic because I dropped the underwater camera and we had to spend 20+ minutes looking for it. Thank god that we found it!

Jumping in with gear on

In the water

Off we go!

The second time we did a night dive, Daddy went separately with Ashlynn and I. Daddy and I went down to 50 feet and were stalked by 4 tarpons! Tarpons are massive fish almost as big as Ashlynn that come out at night and hunt using diver's lights. It was really cool!

Easter Rock Hunt

On the day after Easter, Belmare Resort held an Easter Rock Hunt for divers and snorkelers. Hidden in the home reef were 7 orange rocks and one silver rock (the grand prize!)

Ashlynn found her rock first and then just a few minutes later I found mine. Daddy found his next to some seaweedy stuff. In total, it took us only 9 minutes to find all three. 

Ashlynn won a fish identifying card, I won a noise maker (to get people's attention while diving) and Daddy won a dry pack (to keep money/room cards/ID/other stuff dry while diving). 

Ashlynn and me with our eggs

Sea Hatch - Bonaire

While in driving around the island, Daddy spotted a good urbex site. We went back a few days later, armed with sun hats and a camera. Here's some of the photos.... 

The sign - Seahatch Bonaire

Old Pump

The tanks where the fish would've been grown

Pump house

BUTTONS!

For more photos and info go to: Our Urbex Blog

Windsurfing

 After the donkey sanctuary Daddy and Ashlynn did a one hour windsurfing class and then had another hour of windsurfing by themselves. While they were doing that Mommy and I went snorkeling in 'Le Lac', a cove where the deepest depth of water is about a meter. The snorkeling was really bad, but Le Lac is perfect for windsurfing. 

"I had lots of fun. "  - Ashlynn White 

Donkey Sanctuary

After a big Easter brunch at a wind sailing beach we drove to the Donkey Sanctuary. Bonaire has wild donkeys and if they get hurt they get taken to the Sanctuary to live. There were so many donkeys! It was insane. We drove around the park with food in our hands and fed the donkeys that would surround the truck.

 

Sitting in the back of the pick up truck, feeding the donkey

Donkeys getting fed by Daddy inside the car

I WANT FOOD!

Petting a baby donkey at the end of the ride

Fish!

 Here are some photos of the some fish that we saw while under water.....

Cowfish! So cute!

French angelfish 

Parrotfish

OWSD! (Open water scuba diving)

After getting some good sleep and a lesson about the Bonaire waters, we got our equipment and learned how to do a buddy check. Our teacher was a Dutch man who had moved to Bonaire 3 years ago. His name was Job (pronounced Joep), and he was really fun. 

Our very first dive was amazing! We saw two turtles and an eel!

Doing a buddy check

First time in the water!!

Belmare Diving

2:30 Bonaire time, and 8:30 to us, no matter....lets go swimming! The hotel was amazing. The room was 2 floors, had a nice kitchen, large living room, 3 bedrooms (sleeping 6), and a great deck where we ate all of our meals. The grounds were great too. There was a pool less than 5m away from the cliff to the ocean. And there were 2 docks that we could jump off of into the crystal clear water. 

Our amazing hotel called Belmare. We had the room on the second floor between the 2 big palm trees. 

Posing with the iguana! 

Amazing view from the room!