NEW AUSSIE FRIENDS / DIVE WITH THE BIG FISH

Bonaire is known for its outstanding diving, and that's precisely why we've spent two months here. It's addicting! The boat next door SUNBOY is sailing home to Australia, but stopped in Bonaire and fell in love with the underwater scenery just like us, and stayed awhile. Can you believe it - they have teenagers aboard!!! Danielle hasn't seen a teenage girl on a boat since we left Panama in September.

Al and Deb on Sunboy, two of the nicest people you'll ever meet!

Danielle and Nikki, both 15 years old

Playing games left to right are Nikki, Alayna, Danielle and Luke


Ricky irritates the dark Sergeant Major males protecting their eggs.

Al gives Nikki a refresher course on diving skills.

Nikki among the beautiful coral.

Danielle and Luke going for a snorkel on Klein Bonaire.

Somehow the girls manage to "talk" under water.

Fathers and daughters coming back from a dive.

Danielle and Nikki

Ricky, Al and friends prepare for a night dive.

The dive site of the wreck HELMA HOOKER

I thought I would post photos of some of the bigger fish and sea creatures we see here in Bonaire. Most of these shots were taken very close to our boat. Note the hook in the mouth of this beautiful turtle.

They look scary, but the Great Barracuda are harmless, and very curious.

This big guy is a Cubera Snapper, 3-4 feet long and about 100 lbs.

By far the biggest fish we've seen in these waters, huge Tarpon, are easy to approach. This fellow came so close I could have reached out to touch him. The bubbles from our dive tanks attract them. Most are 4-6 feet in length.

A big Black Margate is nestled in a group of Schoolmaster Snappers.

I think this is a Jolthead Porgy because of the orange at the corner of his mouth. He didn't move even when I came within a foot of him for this photo.

Not as big as the other fish, I just love the innocent look on the faces of these Mahogany Snapper.

A couple of common grunts that I think are Sailors Choice according the the numerous oblique stripes along their bodies.

We hope you all enjoy the photos because I will feature the little fish next.

Sea Ya!!!

Ricky, Robin & Danielle