AWARDED: 

Chip and Cookie Cooper from North Carolina, USA, surrounded by their friends at Captain Don's Habitat, were awarded Bonaire Silver Ambassadors.

Their first trip was in 1984, having heard about Capt Don Stewart and diving in Bonaire. They fell in love with the island and its friendly people and, of course, the beautiful reefs.

They returned again in 1985 at which time Cookie became a certified diver while staying at Capt Don’s Habitat with Andre Nahr as her instructor. Since then they have returned year after year for the last 20 years to the island they love and to dive the beautiful reef. Over the years they have brought hundreds of friends to dive or snorkel the fantastic reefs.

“The Cooper Groupers” as they have become known, have enjoyed endless good times in and out of the water making many new friends from all over the world, and they have made lasting friendship with several local people including Capt Don himself and Jack Chalk the manager of Capt Don's and his wife Karen.

Chip has said on numerous occasions "If there was only one place I could dive the rest of my life, it would be Bonaire." Bonaire is like a second home for the Coopers and they want to thank everyone who helped them get this tremendous honor to represent this wonderful place and its people and will do so to the best of their ability.

AWARDED: 

When we asked Faith why Bonaire is so special, she told us the following:

"Bonaire has always been special ever since I set foot on the beautiful island over 20 years ago. That was back in March 1983. I remember my first official tour of the island with Humphrey Thode, he was a tour guide back in those days. I'll never forget that tour. We saw beautiful flamingos, aqua blue water, piles and piles of conch shells at Lac Bay/Cai, mountains of sea salt, and lots and lots of goats. It was at that time I fell in love with the friendliness and peacefulness of beautiful Bonaire.

"Back then I stayed at Bonaire Beach Hotel, then it became Sunset Beach Hotel and I stayed there for many visits. José Bloem, always made sure my visits were special and arranged for me to stay in my favorite room. At the beach bar Henky, Sisso, and Gregory always took good care of me. Henky had some secret recipe and made the best margaritas in the whole world!

"I have wonderful memories of Regatta and other fun times at the Sunset Beach. But the fun continued even after Sunset Beach was gone. The Dive Inn became my new "hotel", for many visits and now we've discovered Windsock Apartments. I even stayed at Hotel Rochaline one time. Every place I've ever stayed on Bonaire has offered wonderful hospitality and always made me and my friends/family welcome at all times.

"My child, Richie, just turned 5 years old and he's already been to Bonaire 5 times. He was only 5-1/2 months old when he made his first trip. He even participated in a Jump Up in his stroller at that age and has nice memories of Carnival and the Children's Parade. I think my child's favorite thing about Bonaire is going fishing on Piscatur with Captain Chris.

"Yes, I'll always consider Bonaire my home and I hope someday my dream will come true and Bonaire will be my home. I will be back in May for year number 21.

AWARDED: 

 

Visiting Carib Inn, Patsy says, "I feel very priviledged to be able to come to Bonaire so often.

"I first came to Bonaire on a dive trip, but now I return, even after so many years, not only for the diving, but because of the people." She feels Bonaire is a great place to visit, and she will be back next year.

AWARDED: 

On February 17th, 2003 at Captain Don's Habitat Hotel during their weekly Managers Cocktail Party, Bruce and JoAnn Farmer from Columbia, Maryland USA were awarded with The Bonaire Ambassador Silver Medals. Bruce and JoAnn Farmer has been coming to Bonaire for 17 years now, and they are the owners of Columbia Scuba Store.

AWARDED: 

Enjoying their vacation at Sand Dollar Condominiums, Allen and Barbara received their silver medals acknowledging 20 years of consecutive visits to Bonaire.

AWARDED: 

19 Years of visiting Bonaire; this trip to Carib Inn.

AWARDED: 

Louise and Hau, from Illinois, started coming to Bonaire back in 1985, and since then have been coming back and staying at Carib Inn ever since.

They love the diving and, since Bonaire has a great reputation for diving, that is why they keep returning. But it is not only that; but also friendly people, good shore dive sites, and as an additional bonus, a great windsurfing site!!!

AWARDED: 

John Wall and Susan Schmidt have been dive instructors since the early 1970's. They operate "The" Dive Shop in Fairfax, Virginia and escort divers on vacations around the world. Bonaire is a favorite destination.

John's first visit was in 1979, Susie's first visit in 1980. Back then, it was Flamingo Beach. After a while, Sand Dollar -- now Lion's Dive and Bon Bini Divers. John is currently enjoying his 45th visit to Bonaire, Susie her 25th. Their 20 year old daughter, Tina, has been coming to Bonaire since she was four years old. Susie says, "Bonaire is a state of mind as well as a geographic location. Our friends simply love the relaxed pace and the world class diving." John says that it is like returning home every time that we arrive in Bonaire. Each summer, we escort what we call the "Family Trip." One family has been on the last eight trips to Bonaire. Other families are returning guests as well. We've literally watched their children grow up to become responsible divers. Their interest in Bonaire and the sea surrounding her has been very fulfilling to watch. Now we have a new batch of divers to watch grow up. Susie has logged over 7,000 dives with approximately 400 in Bonaire. John has logged over 9,400 dives with approximately 900 in Bonaire. Bonaire is photography heaven. Susie does video and John is into digital photography

AWARDED: 

20 years to Bonaire, diving with Bonaire Dive and Adventure at Sand Dollar.

AWARDED: 

Jim and Karen have been coming to Bonaire since 1984 and in these years they have visited over 31 times. Sometimes they come 4 to 5 times a year.

During all these years they have been staying at Divi Flamingo.

Jim and Karen were very honored to receive the Ambassador Medal and they said it will help us come back more and "Go for the Gold."

"Perfect climate, wonderful people, excellent diving, friendly happy people make us feel at home"--this is what Jim and Karen said about what makes Bonaire so special after all these years.

AWARDED: 

16 years visiting Bonaire.

Scuba West has brought groups to Bonaire and to Captain Don's Habitat every year since 1986, and seven members of this years group have visited Bonaire for more than 10 years.

AWARDED: 

16 years visiting Bonaire.

Scuba West has brought groups to Bonaire and to Captain Don's Habitat every year since 1986, and seven members of this years group have visited Bonaire for more than 10 years.

AWARDED: 

18 years visiting Bonaire.

We must say that they were very happy to receive the medals and are very happy to visiting Bonaire years after years and to Carib Inn too.

AWARDED: 

20 years visiting Bonaire.

We must say that we were very happy to receive the medals and are very happy to visiting Bonaire years after years and to Carib Inn too.

AWARDED: 

Coming to Bonaire since 1982, and on this visit staying at Captain Don's Habitat.

AWARDED: 

This is written by Bruce Bowker:

I've known Larry since the early '70s - a lot of years! I first met him when I was working at Aquaventure at Hotel Bonaire that became Bonaire Beach Hotel that became Sunset Beach hotel. After I opened the Carib Inn in 1980 Larry became a regular guest and part of the family.

Back in the old great days truck dives were the norm with an occasional dive by a boat. Exploring new sites and traveling to distant places as "far away" as the Invisibles was a treat. We have covered almost all of Bonaire now but each dive is still special.

Cathy Levin received a Silver Medal.
Larry Levin received a Gold Medal.