Just got back from a great 2 weeks on these 2 islands in the Netherland Antilles (about 40 miles off the coast of Venezuela) and want to let you all know about 2 great places to stay. On Curacao, we stayed at Limestone Water Resort ($50/night,) which is a very quiet, homey group of 7 apartments with a small beach on a cover. The owners, a Dutch & Cuban couple live there also and are exceptionally friendly, helpful, and interesting. http://scubapirate.com/limestone or http://www.RealAdventures.com/listing_htm/1023987.htm

On Bonaire we stayed at another small apartment complex, Coco Palm Garden, which was actually the owner's own house that she thought was too big to live in, so she & husband divided it into 6 apartments. Ours used to be the living roon, so was huge with a kitchenette complete with everything and a nice bathroom. She is an artist and has decorated the apartments with stenciling, wallhangings, etc. They are in a courtyard with a very nice tropical garden, and are about a 10 min walk from the beach. Just an absolutely charming place. The owner, Brigitte, is formerly from Berlin, but has worked internationally, so is a very interesting person. Again, approximately $50/night. http://www.CocoPalmGarden.com

Bonaire is a diver's &snorkeler's paradise. Curacao is good also, but is also very interesting because of the Dutch architecture which is on UNESCO's Cultural Heritage List. You need a car on both islands, if you want to get out and see things.