Travelogue Vacation Bonaire 2023

Although it wasn't the first time we were going to Bonaire and we knew what to expect, it was still exciting and enjoyable! It had been a while since we had flown. During the COVID-19 period, we stayed close to home. And because Schiphol Airport was such a mess last year due to the shortage of staff, we also stayed in our own country in 2022. Not a bad thing either.

We were very excited to visit Bonaire for the fifth time. This photo was taken at the Gotomeer.

But this year we wanted to go flying again. We heard from people we knew that the situation at Schiphol Airport was fine again, so that was no longer a reason not to go. While thinking about where we wanted to go, we quickly came to the conclusion that there was one destination we would love to visit again: Bonaire! Although we had been here four times already we started to miss the island again. We were so curious about how it would be now!

And so we ended up on the website of Booking.com, where we immediately saw a number of nice accommodations. We had been to Plaza Beach & Dive Resort before. The all-inclusive hotel had been very enjoyable for us at the time, but we also noticed that there was a new hotel, the Chogogo Dive & Beach Resort. It looked incredibly beautiful in the photos, and the hotel had good reviews. And when we also saw that there was a great offer our choice was quickly made. The booking process went smoothly. Bonaire, here we come!

• Watch and book the Chogogo Dive & Beach Resort at Booking.com.
• Check the most beautiful accommodations on Booking.com

The brand-new Chogogo Dive & Beach Resort is highly recommended and it's no wonder it receives such great reviews from its guests.

Departure Day

Yes, and then suddenly the day arrives: after seven years, you're going back to Bonaire! We had pre-booked our parking space at Schiphol, so when we wanted to enter P3 at 8:00 am, the barrier opened smoothly and the display read: Good morning Mrs. Schijf. Since we had already checked in at home we only needed to check in our luggage. Schiphol wasn't crowded so we didn't have to wait long here either. Now just through customs and we were ready for departure.

The Flight

The seats we had chosen in the comfort class (5H and 5J) were indeed comfortable. They were excellent to sit in and we had extra space for our legs, especially convenient for taller people. The seat next to us was also occupied. But with Jordy as our neighbor, it was enjoyable. He turned out to live in Bonaire, and the ice was quickly broken.

During the flight from Amsterdam to Bonaire, we enjoyed the beautiful clouds.

Shortly after takeoff we were served a hot meal. I chose curry with rice and my partner opted for lasagna. While airplane food can vary in quality, I have to say it was actually quite good. The meals were enjoyable. The rest of the flight was relaxing and I even managed to sleep for an hour. We had a layover in the Dominican Republic, but after a little over an hour we were able to continue. Just one more hour and then we were finally back on our beloved island.

As soon as we exited the plane via the stairs we felt that delightful warmth around us. It was like stepping from the cold into a warm bath, simply wonderful! Although we have visited other Dutch Caribbean islands, Bonaire captured our hearts first. We have a special connection with this island and it immediately felt familiar again. We felt right at home here.

Boeing 787 Dreamliner. As soon as you step off the plane, you immediately feel that delightful warmth.

Chogogo Dive & Beach Resort

After retrieving our luggage from the baggage carousel and leaving the airport we quickly arrived at the Chogogo Dive & Beach Resort. The check-in process was relaxed. Upon arrival we were asked to send one person per couple or group to the front desk for check-in, which helped keep the lobby organized and calm. We received the keycard for Room 8103 on the first floor, with a promised ocean view. Our apartment looked beautiful, spacious, and clean. The bed was comfortable, there was a bathroom with a rain shower, and there was a designated workspace. We would be spending the next few days here, what a pleasant idea!

****

Waardering: 8.5

Chogogo Dive & Beach Resort

With nostalgia, we look back on our stay at the Chogogo Dive & Beach Resort. Our apartment was perfect for our workation! The bed was comfortable, there was a kitchenette so we could cook for ourselves if we wanted, and there was ample workspace. The Wi-Fi connection was excellent! And when our work was done, we could immediately go snorkeling, swimming, or simply float in the lazy river. The staff was very friendly, and we had delicious meals at the restaurant! We wholeheartedly recommend this accommodation!More information
& prices

The apartment looked neat and clean. This made us happy.

We decided to order a drink at the beach bar to toast to the smooth start of our trip. The bar looked super cozy and relaxing music filled the air. As the bartender turned around to welcome us and ask what we wanted to drink, I looked straight into the eyes of a familiar face. How small is the world, I never expected to see my old friend Ron here! The reunion made our first visit to the bar even more enjoyable; we hadn't seen each other in maybe 15 years. What a lovely start to our vacation!

Day 2: Kralendijk

The next morning, we woke up early. Our internal clock clearly hadn't adjusted to the Bonairean time yet. It was only five o'clock in the morning! We decided to get out of bed anyway; we had plenty to do today. After working for an hour, we took a shower and got ready for breakfast, which was available from 7:00 a.m. It wasn't a buffet-style breakfast; instead, we were given a menu with various options to choose from. My menu included oatmeal, a chocolate croissant, fresh fruit, pancakes, and freshly squeezed juice, coffee, and/or tea. It was all delicious, what a great way to start the day!

The breakfast at Chogogo Dive & Beach Resort is delicious, and you have plenty of choices

We took it easy on this day. Taking a break from the journey and getting used to the temperature. We wanted to go back to Kralendijk and through the resort, we could walk almost the entire route along the boulevard and the sea.

The tastiest ice cream can be found at Gio's.

During our previous visits to Bonaire we always got ice cream from Gio's. And to be honest, it never stopped at just one ice cream; these ice creams were simply too delicious. So we were extremely curious if this ice cream parlor still existed and if the ice creams were still as tasty. Although it was still quite early, around 10:00 a.m., it was already quite hot outside. And boy, were we hoping and looking forward to an ice cream. We still knew the flavors that were once our favorites and during the walk we contemplated which ones we would choose. We quickly reached the colorful capital of the island. We still knew the way to Gio's by; we had been there often enough. And yes, our favorite ice cream parlor was still there. And even better, the doors were already open! Our ice creams were quickly ordered and oh, they were delicious once again!

In our opinion you can get the tastiest ice cream at Gio's.

The colorful Kralendijk

Kralendijk had changed since we last visited. Some buildings were new and construction was still ongoing. But the atmosphere remained the same. Fishermen returning from the sea with their catch, closely followed by pelicans patiently waiting for their share of food. Children were playing in the azure blue sea, restaurants preparing for the upcoming guests of the day, and the vibrant colored fish swimming in the sea visible from the shore. It's always delightful to see the colorful buildings in the city center. After taking a stroll along the familiar and beautiful historic buildings such as the Pasangrahan, Fort Oranje, and the Gezaghebbershuis, we made our way back to our apartment. It was time to relax by the pool!

Colorful buildings in Kralendijk.

The food was excellent.

In the evening we dined at the beach bar. The kitchen at Chogogo is absolutely outstanding. Our friendly bartender Ron told us that the chef is Italian. That explains why the flavors were so refined and delicious. A salad with prawns and a hamburger tasted exquisite. Moreover, we found the price-quality ratio to be good as well. There was live music and the atmosphere was wonderfully relaxed. What a great way to end the day!

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