BON-aire Christmas & New Year
MALARKEY
Jo & Trevor Bush
Thu 15 Jan 2009 17:05
|
Bonaire 12:09.5N 68:16.9W
Well, the boats were all here, Darramy,
Moonsong and Dream Ketcher. The only boat missing was Lucky Dog. Troy,
Winnie and pets were late getting away from PLC due to generator problems, and
by the time they did get off, they were desperate for some serious chill
out beach time. And the last we heard they were still kicking back in Los
Roc's.
We had a few days before Xmas to make some plans
for the Christmas Eve & Day, and get some diving in. Bonaire is
rated as one of the best dive sites in the world. But as new fledgling divers,
we probably couldnt tell the difference anyway, save to say, the water
here is very clear, the coral is in tip-top condition and there is an abundance
of aquatic life. But the most important thing is the island is completely
tuned into diving and the facilities here are excellent... and well priced. 50
tank refills are priced at $105 and you get to use all the facilities inc dinghy
dock, shower and gear wash. It is important to wash off all your dive gear after
a dive and using the copious amounts of water to do that on a boat, is regarded
as a decadent luxury. So Bonaire proved to be perfect for cruising divers.
It is particularly suitable for us as there are hundreds of dives to choose from
and they are all relatively easy, which suits us diving numpties perfectly.
There is a dive site brochure you can select your dives from and each has a free
mooring to dive from. You do, however, have to pay a park fee of
$25/person/year and your boat has to go on an allocated mooring off the town, as
anchoring is prohibited throughout. This mooring charge is $10/day, but all
things considered, we believe it is pretty good value.
For us, the first couple of dives were just off the
back of the boat, perfect for getting a re-introduction back into diving
and yet it was still quite an impressive site. We saw lots of wild life
including moray eels, octopus, spotted drum and all other types of colourfull
reef fish. But the best action was on the north side of the island where we saw
huge beasties like 6ft long Green Moray eels and giant lobster about
5ft long from tip to toe (according to Brian). There was enough meat on that
beastie to provide 8 of us a good feed. But probably the most impressive sight
with real wow factor, was just off the back of our boat. We saw, and this is no
exageration, a moray eel attack an octopus. It really was quite something
to see this eel swimming completly out of his hidey hole and going into attack
mode. It had my total respect and if it took a fancy to me, I was
out of there billy big steps style.
We have bought a cheapie dive camera and we hope to
add some underwater pictures soon but guaranteed, they will not give this place
justice. But hey, they may give you an idea and us an aid memoire of some
great diving, hopefully.
Christmas Eve was upon us in no time and Brian had
big plans. The previous year, you may remember we were in Prickly Bay,
Grenada with Darramy and El Vagabond and Brian came up with the ridiculous idea
of going around the anchorage in the dinghy dressed up as Santa & co singing
Chistmas Carols. Our initial response was bah humbug. It was quite difficult to
get into the Xmas spirit on a Caribbean island in 30
degrees sunshine with no hint of a snowman or a
reindeer. But Brian was full of enthusiasm,
every much like a kid at Christmas, and we couldnt let him down. And we were
glad we didnt cos it was great fun and we were well received by everyone. But
this year Brian had even bigger plans. He treated the whole thing like a Circus
Ring Master and we were the performing clowns, or indeed Santa Claus with his
little helpers. We were properly dressed for the occasion with Santa outfits
(Brian) and helpers and reindeers. There was 10 of us this time. We started off
from Malarkey with a slug of Christmas cheer, and Brian handed out the carol
sheets and torches. Yes, this was Brians show and he performed magnificently. We
went to each boat in the anchorage and bleated out our carols at ear splitting
volume and completely out of tune, and we wouldnt go until we got some 'figgy
puddin' and a cup of good cheer. In fact our forte was one of the verses from
'We wish you a merry Christmas' which included 'give us some figgy puddin and a
cup of good cheer and we wont go until we get some'. In some cases, it took
several verses of the figgy puddin verse at increasing volume unitl the
cruisers that we visited got the message. But all bar one, (the biggest boat in
the marina....typical), gave us some booze and or something to eat. It was
mainly to get rid of us of course but who cares, we had great fun and by
the end of the evening I was so full to the brim with cups of good
cheer, that I cant even remember getting back to the boat.....a damn fine start
to Christmas...thanks mainly to Brian & Sue off Darramy.
   Christmas day started slow, infact very slow.
It took til mid day for the foggy heads to clear and then we started all over
again.... Christmas dinner on Malarkey with all the trimmings. Yes, the full
spread. Smoked salmon & asparagus starters with a cheaky little white
wine or three in the cockpit. And then down below for the old favourite,
roast turkey, stuffing, 3 types of taters, and more types of veg than I can
remember, fresh home made cranberry sauce, pigs in blankets, and oh yeh,
sprouts.....what would a Christmas dinner be without the old favourite,
sprouts. Everyone contributed to the fare and it was scrummy and some. We
all made complete pigs of ourselves, having several helpings, and quite right
too. This was all washed down with copious amounts of wine and port and finished
off with Christmas pud, pumpkin pie and cheese & bickies, and even more
wine. We were stuffed, well stuffed,... hope you had a nice one
too.
 Christmas seemed to roll over into New Year. The
fireworks were going off continuously right through to New Years Eve in
preparation for the big one.
The evening started off with a fine curry on
Darramy, cheers again Brian & Sue, and of course some grog to get us in to
the spirit. We then broke off to go ashore and enjoy the
festivities.......dancing in the street and even more fireworks.
   Happy New Year to you
all.
|