But first a few comments on the diving. I had a long talk with the dive shop manager about our gear and vintage diving in general. He is very receptive to it and he has only 2 requirements. They are, a SPG and good buoyancy control. BCs, octos, and other modern gear are not a requirement. Basically, don’t run out of air and stay off the reef and he is happy. The packages I have put together include all the air/nitrox you can stand for shore diving. They do NOT include boat dives but they can be added back to individual packages if you like or single boat dives can be added once you are at the resort by simply signing up on a board. Nitrox is included, it comes with the package at no extra cost so why not.
What I need now is a head count of those who are likely to go and a vote on the resort. I do not need a solid commitment now, just an “I’m likely to go” so I have some idea of how many rooms to hold. I also need to know if you prefer a 1 bedroom or a 2 bedroom. The bed rooms will have 1 or 2 beds as needed, singles in a room are possible but at a considerably higher cost, sharing a room with a buddy is the least cost option. The resort is willing to work with me so I can add or drop rooms as needed up to a point but Buddy Dive usually fills fairly quickly so I need to get the rooms locked in shortly and while they will let me hold as many rooms as I need, they ask that I not over reserve by a large amount. For now I just need to get a idea of how many to hold. Because I am booking this as a group I can hold as many rooms as I need for one $500 fee (which I will front) with the ability to drop them later if they are not needed. Payment will be made directly to the resort, I will not handle anyone’s money. As a group we also get a group discount. For every 10 divers we have, we get one compensated spot. I intend to divide this by the total number of participants. Without getting into the math, this will work out to something in the $35 to $65pp at Belmar or $39 to $74pp at Buddy, not a huge amount but every little bit helps. I have stayed at both places and I think the Sand Doggers will be happy at either place. Buddy has in it’s favor on site restaurants and bar with several more in close walking distance but is a larger resort with a larger crowd. Bel Mar is a little more upscale, is quieter and IMO the house reef is a little nicer. On the down side, there are no restaurants close by so driving to meals is a must. Please take some time and visit their web sites. I have more payment details and photos to share but rather than filling up the post with the details, I will ask anyone who wants them to PM me with your email address and I will forward the information to you.
And we need a date. March 19,2011 is the full moon so night dives might be a little more interesting. March 19 to 26 (or 17-26) sounds good to me but I am open to suggestions.
EDIT: I have had a request to move it into April due to conflicts. The March date was just a starting point. Does April 2-9 work for the rest of you?
Here are the room Rates:
@ Belmar Apartments: http://www.belmar-bonaire.com/
2-bedroom Classic Superior, based on quad occupancy: $723.15 per person / per week
1 bedroom Suite Deluxe, based on double occupancy: $1162.20 per person / per week
The non-divers pay $145.95 less than the shore divers.
@ Buddy Dive Resort: http://www.buddydive.com/
2-bedroom apartments, based on quad occupancy: $870.03 per person / per week
1-bedroom apartments, based on double occupancy: $1074.89 per person / per week
The non-divers pay $145.95 less than the shore divers.
*** The Buddy package includes a buffet breakfast in the price. About $100 value.****
Both resorts include the Drive, Dive & Stay Package, which includes accommodation for 8 days (7 nights), a rental vehicle (double cabin pick-up truck or van, excl. insurance) for 7 days, 6 days of unlimited air fills, free nitrox, airport transfer and all government taxes.
