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There is nothing more spectacular as staff from the Tourism Corporation Bonaire to read letters of appreciation written by visitors that are truly content with the treatment that they have received during their stay on Bonaire. Therefore we would like to share the story of Marie, Dean and Caylien Bostford, of Maryland USA, with our EntreNous readers.

Just wanted to share with you these details showing the kindness of the people of Bonaire:

This August, my husband, my daughter and I returned to vacation and dive in Bonaire for the fourth time, and chose to stay at the Buddy Dive Resort (BDR) from 1 through 11 August for the first time. We arrived via a slick flight on Air Jamaica--on time and all luggage accounted for--on a fine Wednesday afternoon. During the first 2 1/2 days of our vacation we waived the use of the in-room telephone (hey, we're on vacation here), stood in front of the Bonaire web cam, went grocery shopping, got in several snorkel adventures, a BDR taco buffet, our dive briefing, our 8 year old daughter started in the Sea and Discover program, and 2 dives. We were off to a great start.

Our accommodations were just right and had a picture perfect view of the sea. From the start, we periodically perused the handy BDR information notebook in our room. As in most resorts, you find an information book in your room with information on the various amenities and a bit of background about the place. In the BDR notebook there is a page titled: "So Who Is Buddy Anyway?" This gives a brief history of BDR's humble beginnings and the Rauwers family philosophy and initiative to "create a retreat that truly has a family atmosphere;" it further noted that their daughter and current BDR manager, Debby, was "making sure to carry on that feeling today." The background info closes with a reemphasis on the "family-like atmosphere." I am sure you have read many similar feel-good, self-promotions about a resort--but hold that thought.

On day three of our stay, a Saturday, my husband Dean was not feeling well--noting some pain in his abdomen. Something he ate? He spent Saturday and Sunday unable to eat or do much of anything. By Monday evening he was in emergency surgery at Bonaire's San Francisco Hospital--his appendix had ruptured and abscessed. What a whipsaw to go from the I'm-not-even-going-to-wear-my-watch-Who-knows/cares-what-day-it-is-I'm-on-vactation mindset to a big Now What? Will he be all right? Should he be flown to the hospital in Curacao? Back to the States? The surgeon said no way he could be out the hospital and okay to fly for at least another 7 to 10 days and certainly not by the 11th of August. With already plenty to be concerned about regarding Dean's well being and safe recovery in that hospital (which is the basis of another story in itself), outside of the hospital environment, some of the questions I had to deal with were along the lines of 'Where will my daughter and I stay beyond the 11th? What about airplane tickets? How do I get them changed with no Air Jamaica office on the island?'

First thing Tuesday morning, I went to the BDR front office to explain the situation, to activate the room phone for the multitude of calls I would have to make back to the States, and to see if there was another room and vehicle available for me and my daughter to rent at least through the 18th of August. At most, I was hoping there was another room available for us to extend our stay at BDR; I had already pulled together our things to make a quick move by the end our scheduled stay. What the BDR management and staff did next was unbelievable.

Debby Rauwers and her reservation manger Mirjam Geerdink did nothing short of rally to my aide. Mirjam quickly started arrangements rolling to get our tickets changed to the 18th and to extend my use of the BDR rental truck. She even gave me the use of a cell phone so I could stay in touch with Dean, the hospital, his insurance company, and his personnel service rep without having to stay parked in the room near the telephone. Debby came to our room to visit me and said that not only could my daughter and I stay the extra week in the same room while Dean recovered, but she would not charge us for the extended stay--apologizing that she did not have the authority to waive the room tax as well. Debby and Mirjam also sought out medical professionals! vacationing on the island who might advise and guide us. Debby and Mirjam were literally my lifeline in making sure we had a place to stay, transportation and the cell phone link. Flowers were sent to Dean's hospital room from BDR, and during the ups and frightening downs--and there were a few--of Dean's recovery, Debby visited Dean twice and she and her staff lent me much support and help. I don't know that we could have gotten through this crisis without them. Heleen Bruggeman and her front office team (I so deeply regret that I cannot list them all my name, but THEY ARE ALL ANGELS) helped immeasurably with keeping numerous phone and email messages flowing...I am sure a path was beaten between the front desk and our room. In the end we were not charged for the email exchanges and they cut the phone call costs by 50%. Corinna and Hagen Wegerer of the BDR Dive and Activities operation were also a source of great moral support. They helped make sure our daughter could continue to be involved in the wonderful Sea and Discover program throughout our stay and provided reading materials for Dean's use when he was able. They also gifted us with the last tacked on days of the Sea and Discover program and with a Klein Bonaire snorkel trip for me and our daughter. All the staff members, from the front office, the dive/activity operation, to the restaurant, always asked about Dean and offered words of encouragement, best wishes and/or prayers.

When it hit home that there was no hope to safely return Dean home on our planned 11th August departure date, I worried over those What Next questions and on the day of his surgery I voiced some of those concerns to one of the nurses at the hospital. The nurse asked, "Do you have any family or friends in Bonaire?" My reply was a flat, "No." I didn't know it at the time, but I lied. And so did the BDR information book. It is not just a "feeling" or an "atmosphere" of family at BDR. A flippant claim many make because it is easy to sell in the face of great weather, sparkling blue waters and good times. But at BDR, it is more than a claim: it is REAL--like family they came to the aide of one of their own in a time of crisis.

We look forward to returning to Bonaire and to Buddy Dive Resort next year--we even hope to have the same room (our home away from home). Appropriately, we think, we plan to return in late November because that is where we want to be to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Marie, Dean and Caylin Botsford

Shepherdstown, West Virginia USA



	Issue # 22 2 October 2001
	Entre Nous Bonaire's Monthly Newsletter