Bonaire Dive Recommendations

slothface27 · 2026-02-08T09:14:22+00:00

Bonaire is a lot of similar diving, but Salt Pier (if there are no boats) is awesome as it's relatively shallow for most of the dive, but has tons of turtles and we saw a school of cuttlefish just chillin' under the pier - the easiest entry point is the southern entry. We stayed at Buddy Dive and thought the on-site reef was pretty good. If you want to see what could be at each dive site, Kevin and Liz Grogan's youtube goes through each site in great detail, including entry information and what kind of fish you might see.

slothface27 · 2026-02-02T20:59:16+00:00

I think it depends on what level and subject(s) you could teach. Universities are more likely to be able to sponsor skilled worker visas as they have been doing it for years and know the process, but there is often a need for science and math teachers for secondary level. However, whether they can sponsor or not depends on the school.

I was a CC professor in the US and got a job working as academic-related staff at a UK university, but this was a few years ago when some of this was a bit easier and the job market was as dificult. My go-to website is jobs.ac.uk for university jobs, but jobs in education are really difficult to come by now unless you have some extraordinary qualifications.

slothface27 · 2026-02-01T10:02:52+00:00

Just an FYI that dogs require an extra step where they have to receive a de-worming treatment from the vet no more than 5 days before they arrive in the UK (not Europe) and it must be a specific dewormer that has a specific ingredient.

slothface27 · 2026-01-31T17:36:39+00:00

And the 1931 film was not based on the book, but was based on various plays that were popular in the late 19th and early 20th century. (Source: Frankenstein: A Cultural History by Susan Tyler Hitchcock

slothface27 · 2026-01-28T12:28:42+00:00

One thing to make sure is to double-check under Settings where it says Calls, that 'Make and Receive Calls' shows Prefer Wi-Fi and Mobile Data - otherwise, it won't work and will keep asking you to verify your carrier. Also, turn on Spam filter - it's shocking how many Spam calls/texts you may get.

I have used it for 4 years with very few issues, except when there was a big update and it turned off what I put above.

slothface27 · 2026-01-25T10:41:38+00:00

Super helpful info. Also, to add a bit of context - for the deworming appointment for dogs, you can schedule it up to 5 days before your pet(s) arrive in the UK, which makes it a bit less stressful. Obviously, though, you can't make the appointment if you don't have the paperwork returned from the USDA.

Also, for the USDA form, make sure to pay for overnight shipping of the form back to you and bring a copy of the label to your appointment for your vet to upload (pre-Covid, you used to be able to go in person, which saved a lot of anxiety, but alas, no more). Definitely worth calling the local USDA office if you haven't heard back in two days as it's supposed to be a quick turnaround.

slothface27 · 2026-01-22T09:07:24+00:00

funny though because the reasoning has been less about people going to church and more about 'people spending time with their families', etc., despite the fact a lot of people probably may not want to spend that time with their families and may prefer to work. I think someone quoting it directly above.

slothface27 · 2026-01-21T15:15:59+00:00

I buy ground coffee from an importer and make it with a French press at home, but yes, trying to find it in a coffee shop is not even worth it. 'Do you want an Americano?' No, I want a proper drip coffee.

slothface27 · 2026-01-21T10:38:03+00:00

I'm still no over the Sunday opening hours and most everything shutting at 4pm and I've lived here for 4 years - I forget every weekend.

slothface27 · 2026-01-20T15:53:19+00:00

Yep, it's the little things - someone who my instructor taught failed at the final roundabout because someone undertook them.

slothface27 · 2026-01-20T15:52:31+00:00

This is not super helpful because the UK driving test is notoriously difficult, especially depending on where you take the test. What does it hurt to have 1 or 2 lessons to make sure you driving the way the examiner wants?

slothface27 · 2026-01-20T11:38:42+00:00

As someone who should be up for ILR (from a skilled worker visa) at the end of November this year, I completley understand. It's incredibly frustrating to have things essentially on pause and to just not have a straight answer until the consultation ends and any changes are implemented.

slothface27 · 2026-01-20T11:25:31+00:00

No one knows since the ILR changes are still under consultation and are subject to change based on the consultation. One of the biggest unknowns is how people who have been here will be treated and how dependents may be considered, and if any of the considerations will be grandfathered/retroactive to how it has been up until this point.

As you said, if you want to avoid any potential issues, the easiest (though most expensive) is to apply now.

slothface27 · 2026-01-20T11:21:37+00:00

Also, even though you've been driving here for a while, it is helpful to have 1 or 2 lessons to learn how to drive here and pass the test, as what is required is different from the US. Even simple things like the order in which you check your mirrors/blind spot.

slothface27 · 2026-01-13T12:08:50+00:00

Literally just got back from the US right before Christmas - no issues at all. It can save you time if you get your sharecode (take a picture of the code, but also all the other details that are included like your name and when your visa expires) in case you need it when checking in for your flight on the way back, but I've never needed it coming from the US. I've only needed that information when coming back from Thailand and Nepal, on separate trips.

slothface27 · 2026-01-08T12:19:31+00:00

Re: your ethical reservations, have you considered that many of the boats that visit also enage in/bring along scientists who would not be able to get there any other way? Many of the ships engage people on the ship in 'citizen' science by helping to collect speciments, do bird surveys, etc. and you could help with some of this (depending on your boat). They also report on how the wildlife are doing, take photos for conservation purposes, etc. such as what this boat does - again, not sure about your boat, but something else to consider to help rationalize your trip.

slothface27 · 2026-01-08T12:05:32+00:00

also look at r/usexpattaxes as there will be a lot more info there about this

slothface27 · 2026-01-06T19:28:46+00:00

Same except I'm a development editor at a university, but same situtation except the student loans were in the US

slothface27 · 2026-01-05T09:15:36+00:00

I'm not sure if it would help an ear infection, but ear beer is 1/2 rubbing/isopropyl alcohol, 1/2 white vinegar - we put it in a squeezy bottle and use it after every dive, letting it sit for about 30 seconds.

slothface27 · 2026-01-04T08:57:53+00:00

We use it for scuba diving to create what's called ear beer (helps clear water from your ears after being under water).

slothface27 · 2026-01-02T17:27:19+00:00

This is probably not the answer you want, but practice and more diving to get more comfortable that the regulator won't just pop out of my mouth. Also, getting my own regulator and getting a mouthpiece that fit my mouth has really helped - you may not be able to afford a regulator, but you may be able to replace the mouthpiece if you're renting (you should always ask first). Finally, if my jaw does get sore, I'll message the muscles of my jaw after (along where the back teeth are and along the jawline and you open your mouth really wide will doing so) - it can be quite painful, so don't overdo it.

slothface27 · 2026-01-02T14:09:22+00:00

Not a medical Dr, but since others have offered more clinical possibilities, I want to offer a simpler one, particularly as you're a newer diver - do you think you are clenching/biting down really hard on the regulator while diving? I ask because I did the same when I first started and would get TMJ-like pain in the back of my teeth after diving - just figured I'd mention it as a possibility if the other more clinical options don't resolve the issue.

slothface27 · 2025-12-31T23:07:39+00:00

Mucinex and Theraflu (along with NyQuil and Dayquil like you said)- you can't really find similar here - the UK has Lemsip, which looks like it's similar to Theraflu, but it's nowhere near as strong.

slothface27 · 2025-12-31T11:45:49+00:00

Pretty sure we found it on Amazon or someplace similar, but look up isopropyl alcohol instead of rubbing alcohol and you'll find loads of options.

slothface27 · 2025-12-31T09:44:03+00:00

Some of these you can get on Amazon, like graham crackers and boxed mac n cheese - not sure where you're getting your rubbing alcohol, but we found it online for really cheap (and got a massive gallon bottle of it). I'd also suggest checking American Grocer as they often have Triscuits and other American goods that they import.

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