Studio Garden View - $329 (available from March 23rd)Beach House
- Max. 2 adults/children
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
Kas Chicitu - $599
- Max. 2 adults/children (additional guests possible with surcharge)
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Ocean View Beach House - $449
- Ocean Front Beach House - $499
- Premium Ocean Front Beach House - $549
- Max. 4 adults/children
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Private garden with sunbeds
All accommodations include:
- A personal and warm welcome from the Sorobon team
- A bottle of wine and water to start your stay in a relaxing way
- Beach access, including use of beach butler service, cabanas, and lounge beds
- 20% discount on your windsurf rental gear at Dunkerbeck Pro Center -> can be booked during arrival
- Free shuttle service to Sorobon Bay Hotel, including free use of the swimming pool
- Snorkeling equipment
- Daily housekeeping
- Beach and bath towels
- Welcome gift
Our accommodations exclude:
- Tourist Entry Tax of $75, payable at the airport
- TIL (Tourist Improvement Levy) of $3 per person per night (from 4 years old)
- Breakfast or all inclusive formula -> breakfast can be pre-booked at $24 per adult instead of $28
- Airport transfer
All-inclusive breakfast costs $24/day, while all-inclusive breakfast/lunch/dinner is $200/person. I decided to pre-purchase breakfast only, as I don't drink alcohol and would not eat $200 worth of breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day. It turned out to be the correct decision, as my total lunch/dinner bill came out to $806.
I messaged Louisa Singelee (the Sorobon resort manager) and had to reserve and pay for the entire reservation before arrival. Louisa could be contacted by both WhatsApp and email.
I also found and booked a red-eye Delta Airlines flight with a stop in Atlanta as follows:
- 3/21/25 23:55 Delta 690 SFO to ATL (arriving 07:24)
- 3/22/25 09:45 Delta 1645 ATL to BON (arriving 13:44)
On the return flight, I booked the following flights back to San Francisco:
- 3/30/25 15:09 Delta 1764 BON to ATL (arriving 19:50)
- 3/30/25 21:59 Delta 656 ATL to SFO (arriving Monday, 0:22)
Friday, March 21, 2025
I packed my carry-on luggage with shorts and T-shirts. I also decided to bring the O'Neil shortie wetsuit (just in case) and a helmet with a GoPro mount (for recording videos). The shortie wetsuit was never needed.
Inna and I drove to the San Francisco airport in our Tesla Model Y, arriving at 21:50. However, there was road construction on the US-101 freeway, and we were slightly delayed.
I went through TSA Pre-check fairly quickly and sat by gate C-9, waiting for my Delta Boeing 737-900 airplane. It was parked at the gate and waiting for the crew.
Delta Flight #690 departed on time from San Francisco and landed at Atlanta's Hartsfield Airport at 07:15. The flight was completely full and mostly smooth. I dozed off a few times but did not sleep during the 4-hour flight.
Saturday, March 22, 2025
When I landed in Atlanta, I was surprised to find that the gate to my connecting flight to Bonaire (E32) was right next to the gate where I landed.
As it was early morning, I decided to look for a nice coffee shop or a bakery for an early morning breakfast. I managed to find a food court nearby, but the fast-food restaurants there did not excite my interest. There was McDonald's, Via Pizza, Caribou Coffee, and Arby's. I tried to find something palatable, but nothing tempted me. I decided to skip breakfast and eat at Bonaire instead.
I waited by Gate E32 for our flight to depart for Bonaire. I boarded with boarding group 6 and sat at 23C on the Boeing 737-900. The flight was fairly smooth, though it encountered some turbulence before landing in Bonaire.
I started reading Rudyard Kipling's Captain Courageous on my Kindle.
Captains Courageous by Rudyard Kipling is a coming-of-age adventure novel published in 1897. It follows the transformation of Harvey Cheyne Jr., a spoiled 15-year-old son of a wealthy railroad tycoon, who falls overboard from a luxury liner in the North Atlantic and is rescued by a Portuguese fisherman aboard the fishing schooner We're Here. Unable to convince the crew of his wealth or persuade them to return him to port immediately, Harvey is forced to work alongside the fishermen for an entire season138.While on the plane, I watched the Bob Dylan biopic - A Complete Unknown - on my iPad Pro. Timothée Chalamet played the part of Bob Dylan very believably. When I was at Lehigh, I discovered Bob Dylan's music and used to listen to him a lot (but not anymore).Initially resentful, Harvey gradually learns the value of hard work, humility, and teamwork under the guidance of Dan Troop, the captain's son. He becomes an integral part of the crew, managing ship accounts and gaining respect. The novel vividly portrays life aboard a 19th-century fishing schooner, showcasing maritime practices and the dangers of the sea13.
When We're Here returns to Gloucester, Massachusetts, Harvey reunites with his parents, who are astonished by his maturity. As a gesture of gratitude, Harvey's father rewards Manuel, the fisherman who saved him, and offers Dan Troop a position in his business empire. Harvey prepares to attend Stanford University to eventually take over his father's shipping enterprise13.
"A Complete Unknown" is a 2024 biographical musical drama directed by James Mangold, chronicling Bob Dylan's rise from a young folk musician to a cultural icon during the early 1960s. The film, starring Timothée Chalamet as Dylan, focuses on his journey to New York City, his relationships with key figures like Woody Guthrie, Joan Baez, and Sylvie Russo, and the controversy surrounding his transition to electric music at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival.Plot Overview
- The story begins in 1961 with Dylan hitchhiking to New York to meet his idol, Woody Guthrie. He quickly integrates into the folk music scene with the help of Pete Seeger (Edward Norton).
- Dylan's career takes off after meeting manager Albert Grossman and collaborating with Joan Baez (Monica Barbaro), though his personal relationships—especially with girlfriend Sylvie Russo (Elle Fanning)—suffer due to his ambition and aloofness.
- The film culminates in Dylan's controversial decision to go electric at Newport, symbolizing his break from traditional folk expectations and asserting his artistic independence.
Key Performances
Timothée Chalamet delivers a transformative performance as Dylan, performing all his own singing and guitar playing.
Monica Barbaro shines as Joan Baez, capturing her complex dynamic with Dylan.Elle Fanning portrays Sylvie Russo with emotional depth, evoking sympathy as she navigates her tumultuous relationship with Dylan.
Edward Norton brings warmth and gravitas as Pete Seeger.
I landed in Bonaire's Kralendijk and disembarked from the plane. The heat hit me immediately as I passed through passport control. Once outside, I found my shuttle driver, and he drove me to the Sorobon Luxury Beach Resort. The drive over took only 10 minutes, and I checked into Sorobon at 14:05.
I immediately noticed the poorly paved roads and the desert landscape of Bonaire. It's not like any other island I have visited.
I was shown my Ocean View room #21, where I dropped off my backpack and carry-on roller bag. I quickly unloaded my bag and then went to lunch at Reef Bar (Sorobon's Main Dining Facility).
After sitting down and looking at the menu, I ordered the following items at Reef Bar:
- Drinks: Coffee, water
- Appetizer: Chicken Skewers (Yakatori, Wasabi, Sesame)
- Main: Smoked Salmon Sandwich
I really enjoyed the Chicken Skewers and the Smoked Salmon Sandwich. The service was a bit slow.
After lunch, I stopped by the Dunkerbeck Pro Center to rent my windsurfing gear for the week. I signed up for 6 days of Premium rentals (with a 20% discount for guests staying at the Sorobon Luxury Beach Resort). I also added $10/day insurance (to protect against breaking a fin or damaging a sail). The total cost was $420 for 6 days. I ended up extending the rental by 3 days (and windsurfing all 9 days).
The gear that was chosen for me was the following:
- Goya Volar 100 freeride board
- Severne Freek 5.7m sail with Severne boom (heavy)
I windsurfed for about an hour, being extra careful to avoid the reefs in the shallow regions of Lac Bay. The tide is high in the morning (08:00) and very low by 17:00. During low tide, there are many places where the board's fins can touch the sandy bottom, so one needs to be extra careful.
There were hundreds of windsurfers, and I was surprised by the sheer number. The Caribbean was warm, and I did not need a shortie at all.
I was working on getting used to windsurfing (after spending the last 3 years mostly wing foiling). I did not attempt any gybes due to the crowded nature of sailing, but I plan to try later this week. I was tired after an hour and returned my gear. I had an awesome first day!
After windsurfing, I returned to my room and took a shower, hanging my wet clothes to dry (and relax). I also spent some time exploring the area and found that Sorobon Beach (due north of Sorobon Resort) had deep water for wing foiling.
Jibe City next door also rented windsurfing gear, but it did not look superior to what was offered at Dunkerbeck Pro Center (though Jibe City is a tiny bit less expensive).
For dinner, I stopped by Reef Bar and ordered from the menu:
- Drinks: Sparkling Water
- Appetizer: Tuna Tartare
- Main: Catch of the Day (Chilean Seabass) with Noodles & Asian vegetables
The Tuna Tartare was excellent, and the Chilean Seabass was also delicious.
After dinner, I relaxed in my Oceanview room #21 and finished watching A Complete Unknown on the iPad.
Sunday, March 23, 2024
I set the alarm for 07:00 but was really tired when I awoke, so I slept some more. The 3-hour time difference and missing a night's sleep did me in.
Eventually, at 07:50, I got up, showered, shaved, and dressed. I missed the 07:30 Yoga and decided to eat breakfast first. I stopped by Reef Bar (noticing a few windsurfers out already) and sat down at a table.
I ordered the following breakfast items:
- Chefs Selection: Egg of the Day | Croissant | Artisanal bread | Cold cuts | Yoghurt | Fruit
- Orange Juice, Coffee
- Goya One Pro 94-liter Freewave (tri-fin) board
- Goya 4.7m sail
- Appetizer: Bread with tzatziki sauce
- Main: Salmon Poke
- Drinks: Sparkling water
- Board: Starboard Kode 105-liter tri-fin
- Sail: North Sails X-over Black 5.0m
- Drinks: Sparkling Water
- Appetizer: Ceviche
- Main: Pasta Seafood
- Chefs Selection: Egg of the Day | Croissant | Artisanal bread | Cold cuts | Yogurt | Fruit
- Orange Juice, Coffee
The breakfast was excellent as usual. Few people were eating, and even fewer were windsurfing. Perhaps a lot of people flew out on Sunday.
There was a slight sprinkling (but the weather forecast called for more wind). I walked around the property but there is only a small section of beach that is accessible.
I decided to windsurf some more and stopped by the Dunkerbeck Pro Center. The wind was backing off a bit, so I was told that a larger sail and board would be best. I chose the following equipment:
- Board: Starboard Kode 115-liter (tri-fin)
- Sail: Severne Freek 5.8m Freestyle
The Starboard Kode 115 and the Severne Freek 5.8m sail were a great combination, and I enjoyed a fantastic 90 minutes of windsurfing in paradise. I even completed my first successful gybe! I decided to stop after getting tired. Low tide was at 17:00, and I was told to avoid windsurfing past 14:00 to minimize the chances of hitting underwater rocks.
After returning my gear, I took a shower and rested. I decided to stop by for lunch at the Reef Bar. I ordered the following items:
- Appetizer: Bread with tzatziki sauce
- Main: Salmon Poke
- Drinks: Sparkling water
- Drinks: Sparkling water
- Appetizer: Bruschetta (Mushroom, tomato, toast)
- Main: Pasta Seafood (shrimp, bisque, parsley)
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
- Farmer's Omelet (on bread)
- Coffee
- Board: Goya Carrera 118
- Sail: Severne Gator 6.5m
- Drinks: Stella Artois Beer (draft), Sparkling water
- Main: Salmon Poke
- Board: Goya Volar 130-liter
- Sail: Severne 4.5m
- Drinks: Sparkling Water
- Appetizer: Gazpacho
- Main: Catch of the Day (Wahoo)
- Eggs Benedict (salmon, hollandaise)
- Coffee
- Board: Starboard Kode 115
- Sail: Serverne 5.2m
- Board: Goya Volar 110
- Sail: Severne Freex 5.2m
- To get the board to plane earlier, point the front foot forward (not sideways). Put 70% pressure on the front foot (to keep the board level) and to prevent the tail from sinking (dragging)
- Keep the front foot more straight to get planing earlier
- Initiate with max speed (at least 100 yards if planing with both feet in the footstraps)
- Sail on a broad reach for maximum speed
- The gybe is a large arc (not a quick maneuver). Sharp turns lose speed rapidly.
- Get down low, so that your head is at or below the boom
- Check for traffic
- Get out of the harness
- Take the foot out of the rear footstap and put it on the other forward footstap deck pad (but not on the tail). Both feet should be parallel to each other.
- Don't put pressure on the rear foot. You need to stand on both of your toes (pull up with your front foot on the footstrap) to initiate the turn (and push your front arm slightly)
- When approaching downwind, move the sail to its downwind position (like in a light-wind gybe)
- Change your feet and then immediately rotate the sail
- Put extra pressure on the boom to provide additional stability during the foot change
- Don't try to sail clew-first (it will not work in high winds)
- Drinks: Stella Artois Beer (draft), Sparkling water
- Main: Salmon Poke
- Board: Goya Volar 130
- Sail: North X-Over 5.0
- Drinks: Sparkling Water
- Main: Seafood Pasta
The Red Shoes (1948), directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, is a dramatic film that intertwines the worlds of art, ambition, and personal sacrifice. The story follows Victoria "Vicky" Page (Moira Shearer), a young and ambitious ballet dancer who dreams of becoming a prima ballerina. She is discovered by Boris Lermontov (Anton Walbrook), a demanding and authoritarian impresario who runs a prestigious ballet company. Lermontov becomes her mentor, pushing her to achieve greatness but demanding absolute loyalty to her art and to him.
Vicky's career skyrockets when she is cast as the lead in a new ballet adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale The Red Shoes, with music composed by Julian Craster (Marius Goring). As Vicky and Julian grow closer, they fall in love and eventually marry, much to Lermontov's disapproval. Lermontov, who views personal relationships as a distraction from artistic dedication, dismisses Vicky from the company.
Torn between her love for Julian and her passion for ballet, Vicky eventually returns to Lermontov's company to perform The Red Shoes once more. This decision leads to a tragic confrontation, as Julian demands she choose between her marriage and her career. In a moment of despair, Vicky commits suicide by throwing herself in front of a train, symbolizing the ultimate sacrifice to the red shoes that have come to dominate her life.
- Eggs Benedict (salmon, hollandaise)
- Coffee
- Board: Goya Carrera 118
- Sail: Severne 5.8m
- Drinks: Stella Artois Beer (draft), Sparkling water
- Main: Tuna Poke
- Board: Goya Volar 130
- Sail: North X-Over 5.0
- Drinks: Sparkling Water
- Main: Fish of the Day (Wahoo)
- Breakfast Sandwich
- Coffee
- Board: Goya Carrera 118
- Sail: Severne Gator 6.5m
- Drinks: Stella Artois Beer (draft), Sparkling water
- Main: Reef Club Sandwich
- Board: Goya Volar 130
- Sail: North X-Over 5.0
- Drinks: Sparkling Water
- Appetizer: Bread with Tzatziki Dip
- Main: Seafood Pasta
- Chef's Choice Egg, Yogurt, Fruit
- Coffee
- Board: Goya Carrera 118
- Sail: Severne Gator 6.5m
- Drinks: Stella Artois Beer, Large Sparkling Water
- Main: Tuna Poke
- Board: Goya Carrera 118
- Sail: Severne Gator 6.5m
- Drinks: Sparkling Water
- Appetizer: Ceviche
- Main: Risotto
- 3/30/25 15:09 Delta 1764 BON to ATL (arriving 19:50)
- 3/30/25 21:59 Delta 656 ATL to SFO (arriving Monday, 0:22)
- Eggs Benedict with Salmon
- Coffee
- Board: Goya Carrera 128
- Sail: Severne NCX 7.0m
- Drinks: Coffee
- Main: Reef Club Sandwich
Summary of Dune: Part One
Denis Villeneuve's Dune: Part One is an epic sci-fi adaptation of Frank Herbert's novel, focusing on the rise of Paul Atreides and the political intrigue surrounding the desert planet Arrakis.
Introduction to Arrakis: The Galactic Emperor transfers control of Arrakis, the source of the valuable spice, to House Atreides, displacing the brutal House Harkonnen. Duke Leto Atreides, his son Paul, and Lady Jessica arrive on Arrakis amidst suspicions of a trap orchestrated by the Emperor and Baron Harkonnen156.
Paul's Visions: Paul begins experiencing intense premonitions after exposure to spice, foreseeing a holy war fought in his name. He learns of the Fremen, Arrakis' native people, who revere him due to Bene Gesserit manipulations15.
Betrayal and Attack: Dr. Yueh betrays House Atreides to save his wife, disabling their defenses. The Harkonnens and Sardaukar soldiers invade, killing Duke Leto (who attempts to assassinate the Baron but fails). Yueh ensures Paul and Jessica survive by leaving them with supplies before being killed156.
Escape and Survival: Paul and Jessica use "The Voice" (a Bene Gesserit skill) to overpower their captors and escape into the desert. They reunite briefly with Duncan Idaho, who sacrifices himself to protect them from Sardaukar forces15.
Joining the Fremen: Paul and Jessica encounter Stilgar's Fremen tribe. Paul wins a ritual duel against Jamis, earning acceptance among the Fremen. He embraces his destiny as the prophesied "Lisan al Gaib" while vowing to fulfill his father's dream of peace on Arrakis156.
Themes and Ending
The film explores themes of destiny, survival, political betrayal, and ecological struggle. It concludes with Paul beginning his transformation into a leader among the Fremen, setting up for Dune: Part Two
Sorobon Beach Resort Review
Highlights
- Windsurfing on Lac Bay (Sorobon) is phenomenal
- Eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the Sorobon's Reef Bar
- Food is generally excellent, but service is inconsistent (can be fast or slow)
- Lots of Dutch tourists (despite a long flight from the Netherlands)
- Everyone speaks English and Dutch (and some Spanish)
- Studio rentals are good enough (no need to splurge for an ocean view)
- Hotel staff are friendly and let me stay past the checkout time
Lowlights
- Mosquitos come out in the morning and evening (bug spray is recommended)
- The hotel service desk is frequently closed for 10 minutes or more (there is no one always manning it, like at a U.S. hotel)
- Sand is everywhere, and it's hard to keep it out of the room. There are outdoor showers, but I preferred some paved walkways (to keep feet clean)
- I was hoping for some live music at the hotel, but there was none
- When the wind stops, it gets uncomfortably hot
Highlights
- World-class windsurfing on Lac Bay
- World-class diving
Lowlights
- Roads are in poor condition (and badly maintained)
- No Uber or Lyft (or any other ride-sharing service)
- A taxi can be pre-ordered from the hotel, but it is expensive (does not use a meter)
- Mosquitos come out in the morning and evening (bug spray is recommended
- There is live music at Little Havana in Kralendijk, but nothing at Sorobon Beach
- Difficult to find GoPro parts (but I managed to find a Dive Shop that had some)
- $75 entry fee (to enter Bonaire)
Bonaire Notes
- Best time for strong, consistent wind on Lac Bay: February and March
- There are long periods of no wind, even during the windy months (even in March)
- I got lucky with the wind (as the previous two weeks had no wind at all)
- A/C sockets use European (French) standards. Bring European plug adapters
- Currency: U.S. Dollars
- Taxis: very limited, pre-order ahead of time. Uber & Lyft do not exist. Cars available to rent
- Google Fi: works using the international plan
- Dunkerbeck Pro Center does not currently rent wing foiling gear (but other nearby shops have a limited selection). Wing Foiling lessons are available.
Windsurfing Gear Reviews
- Boards
- Goya One Pro 94 - wave board that handles chop well, but hard to get planing
- Goya Carrera 118 - typical freeride performance, goes well upwind, fast
- Goya Carrera 128 - slightly more volume allows it to carry a larger sail (7.0 m)
- Goya Volar 100 - typical performance for a standard board
- Goya Volar 110 - planes normally. Nothing outstanding
- Goya Volar 130 - very slow to plane but very stable for light-wind gybe practice
- Starboard Kode 105 - excellent in chop. Planes quickly. Great all-around board
- Starboard Kode 115 - just like Kode 105, but with more sail carrying capacity
- Sails
- North X-over 5.0 (black) - very stable but feels underpowered. Handles gusts well
- Severne Freex 5.4m
- Severne 5.7m
- Severne Freex 5.8m
- Severne Gator 6.5m (Freeride) - excellent sail, plenty of power, and handles gusts well
- Severne NCX 7.0m - heavy but very fast, plenty of power, and handles gusts well
Links
- Sorobon Luxury Beach Resort
- WhatsApp: +599 701 5713 Louisa
- Reef Bar Menu
- Experiences
- Dunkerbeck Pro Windsurfing Center (20% off when staying at Sorobon)
- Dive Friends Bonaire (GoPro)
- Jibe City (windsurfing rentals)
- Windsurfing Gybe Videos
- Vladimir Yakovlev Carve Gybe
- Jem Hall's Carve Gybe
- Common Gybe Mistakes with Cookie
- Non-planing Gybe
- Non-planing Gybe with Cookie
- Sorting out Winsurfing Stance with Cookie
- Windsurfing Manufacturers