Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Enjoy the Mi Zjilea Festival on Saturday, May 19th at Mangazina di Rei

Mangazina di Rei, one of Bonaire’s historical museums, will be hosting an event this Saturday, May 19th, 2012 called the Mi Zjilea Festival.  It will be a very full day of music, living history, and historic walks when one can see, feel, and taste the culture of Bonaire.

The day begins at 6:30 AM with a historic walk with Boi Antoin.  There will be living history with Kanta Orkidia from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and then the music begins at 5:00 PM and will go until 2:00 AM (for those who make it that long!) with local bands Kara Ora, Kana Brabu, Sensation, Foyan Boyz, Tutti Frutti, Esso Band, Sason, Niki Mix, and Glen and Friends.  There will be great local food to enjoy, as well.  For additional information, call 786-2101. (Source:  Mangazina di Rei)

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Final Schedule Now Available for Bonaire’s First Annual Lionfish Spot, Cull, and Taste Event

As was previously announced, LaTina Divers will hold the first annual lionfish Spotting, Culling, and Tasting Event which will run next week from Saturday, May 19th through Friday, May 25th.  Anyone who is on Bonaire next week can join in and help with keeping Bonaire’s reefs clean of these invasive predators.

This is a great opportunity to experience a guided dive and assist in hunting lionfish.  One, some, or all of the events are open to visitors, but space is limited, so advance reservations are highly recommended.

There are many familiar names who will be acting as guides during the week’s events, including Bas Tol, expert on the east coast and unmarked northern sites, Susan Porter, expert on west coast sites and author of Bonaire Shore Diving Made Easy, and Menno de Bree, boat dive expert who’s favorite sites are in areas of the Washington Park without moorings.

The week’s events will commence on Saturday, May 19th with a huge lionfish cleaning dive in the Karpata Reserve area, organized by the Bonaire National Marine Park.  For more information, contact info@stinapa.org.

On Sunday, May 20th, Susan Porter will lead a guided dive, cost is $35.00 per person, but the first two participants to reserve get a $5.00 per person discount.

On Monday, May 21st, Tuesday, May 22nd, and Wednesday, May 23rd, there will be a two-tank boat dive to Washington Slagbaai National Park.  The boat will depart from the Harbour Village Marina at 1:15 PM and return around 7:30 PM.  Cost is $70.00 per person, but the first two participants to reserve get a $10.00 per person discount.

On Tuesday, May 22nd, Bas Tol will lead a guided dive at 8:00 AM.  cost is $35.00 per person, but the first two participants to reserve get a $5.00 per person discount.  On Wednesday, May 23rd, Thursday, May 24th, and Friday, May 25th, enjoy additional guided dive with Bas Tol at 8:00 am.  Susan Porter will also lead a guided dive on Friday, May 25th as well.  Cost for either guided dive on these days is $35 person per dive, and the first two participants to reserve receive a $5.00 per person discount.

To end the week with a grande finale, join everyone for Happy Hour starting at 5:30 PM on Friday, May 25th at Bistro de Paris to sample the lionfish and enjoy reduced prices on Belgian beers and specialty cocktails. The event and story telling ends when the lionfish runs out!

For more information or to make a reservation, contact info@LaTinaDivers.com or visit their Facebook page. (Source:  LaTina Divers)

Monday, May 14, 2012

Enjoy Bonaire’s Second Taste of Bonaire this Season

The last Taste of Bonaire was so well received by visitors and residents alike, there will be another feast this Friday, May 18, 2012 from 6:00 to 10:00 PM in Wilhelmina Park.

This “Taste” will be commemorating the 50th anniversary of Captain Don Stewart’s arrival on Bonaire, way back in 1962.  To celebrate, come and enjoy a welcome rum punch and fruit drink with cupcake from 6:00 to 7:00 PM, and then enjoy the offerings of many of Bonaire’s restaurants and food establishments.  All dishes are only $3.00 or $5.00, and there’s music by the Silver Bullets Steelband, dancing presentations by the New Generation Dancers, a handicraft market, and much more to enjoy.

All are welcome to come and enjoy the ambiance!  (Source:  Extra)

Monday, May 07, 2012

Karol Meyer Does It Again--Breaks Eighth World Record in the Free-diving Discipline

Karol Meyer just broke her eighth world record, this time in the free-diving discipline called Skandalopetra.

Karol, a Brazilian athlete who has now set several records while on Bonaire, broke the Skandalopetra modality record by 8 meters, reaching a depth of 68.9 meters.  This type of free-diving recalls the history of Greek sponge free-divers and fishermen. 

Congratulations, Karol! (Source: Karol Meyer)

Tuesday, May 01, 2012

Dive Friends Bonaire Issues PADI Certification to their 10,000th Student Diver

Dive Friends Bonaire, a PADI Five Star Instructor Development Center, has issued their 10,000th PADI certification.  The lucky student diver completed a continuing education program that is unique to Dive Friends Bonaire--the PADI Shore Diver Distinctive Specialty.

Amber Sills, a 28 year old accountant from Colorado, visited Bonaire with her fiance and parents to enjoy a dive vacation.  She was already a certified PADI Open Water Diver, but was looking for an opportunity to refresh her skills and become familiar with Bonaire’s shore diving sites.

The PADI Shore Diver Distinctive Specialty was the perfect course for Amber and her fiance to sign up for.  This two-dive specialty teaches divers to plan and conduct independent shore dives. They learn how to pick their dive sites, plan their dives, choose entry and exit points, navigate and problem-solve.

To celebrate this landmark achievement, a commemorative plaque was issued by PADI and Amber was awarded a new Litehawk BCD and MK2/R295 regulator system, compliments of Scubapro.

Even though Dive Friends is a busy dive school, the student-to-instructor ratios are kept low to ensure that individual students receive the attention that they need.  The majority of certifications issued by the experienced instructors of Dive Friends are Open Water.  However, last year alone, they certified hundreds of students in various continuing education programs such as Full Face Mask Diver and Shore Diver.

Dive Friends Bonaire is one of Bonaire’s premier diving facilities offering full diving and snorkeling services while still providing personal attention. Three retail stores are available in Kralendijk, in addition to four diving facilities. For additional information about all their services, visit their web site by clicking here.  (Source:  Dive Friends Bonaire)

Experience Bird-Watching, Bonaire-Style, this Sunday, May 6, 2012

As part of the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival of 2012, Echo Foundation, STINAPA, and the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance are organizing a special bird watching walk this Sunday, May 6, 2012 from 7:00 AM until 10:00 AM.

The walk will begin at Dos Pos, and will take approximately 1 to 1-1/2 hours in duration.  It’s rated for experienced hikers only, and those interested in attending should be at Dos Pos at the appointed hour complete with good hiking shoes, water, and a cap or some type of sun shade.  Dos Pos is an area well known for its variety of birds, so this event promises to be a birder’s great opportunity.  (Source:  STINAPA)

Monday, April 30, 2012

Dia di Rincon--The Festival of Festivals Celebrating the Kunukerus, Past and Present

In our series of last three stories, we’ve been exploring the lives of current kunukerus on Bonaire, but today, to close out this series, we joined the rest of the island in the village of Rincon, for the annual Dia di Rincon Festival, truly a festival celebrating the kunukeru life on Bonaire when everyone becomes a kunukeru for the day.

With ladies in traditional costumes, bands playing local music, and it seemed everyone was dancing the simadan dance (the harvest dance), today everyone enjoyed the kunuku lifestyle.  There was plenty of krioyo food (local food), as well as plenty of beverages to wash the food down!  Bands were playing, people were dancing in the streets, and all had a wonderful time.

At sunset, the traditional Simadan was performed to give thanks for a good harvest.  Although the festival has been modernized over the years so that there’s something for everyone to enjoy, the roots go back to the traditional kunuku lifestyle on Bonaire.

View images of today’s Dia di Rincon on the Bonaire Insider Photo Gallery by clicking here.  (Source:  Bonaire Insider Reporter)

Sunday, April 29, 2012

The Bonaire Kunuku Tradition is Alive and Well--Part Three

In our first two stories focusing upon Bonaire’s kunukerus, or those who farm or ranch on Bonaire, we focused upon two farmers.  In today’s story, we’ll be taking a look at Aletta’s Semper Kontentu Goat Farm.  View images on the Bonaire Insider Photo Gallery which follow Aletta through her working the goats in traditional ways to the making of her popular artisan goat cheese.

In today’s world, finding true artisan quality in any product is rare, but here on Bonaire, it’s as easy to find as Aletta’s Semper Kontentu Goat Farm.  Semper kontentu, in Papiamentu, means “always content,” and as soon as one walks into the milking area, one can see that it truly reflects the demeanor of the goats.  In fact, they appear to be so content as to be smiling.

Aletta moved to Bonaire about thirteen years ago as a physical therapist.  About eight years ago, she began tending a few goats as a hobby, but soon found her true calling.  She quit her job in physical therapy and added to her stock, and now Aletta has about 30 milking goats, a few billy goats, and a number of young goats which will, in a few years, take over from their mothers as the milking stock.  Her ranch is clean and well organized, and it was truly amazing to see the entire process from start to finish.  She really is in her right element.

Her day begins with cleaning up after the animals and then sorting the mothers from their young so they can be milked.  It takes her about two hours to milk all thirty goats, and then she reunites the mothers with the young goats, both of whom eagerly go (interpret:  run!) to a pasture to feed and romp.  One can’t help but smile as one watches these animals, as their enthusiasm and “contentedness” is truly infectious.  The tender, loving care which she gives these animals is evident.

Aletta then goes to the KaasKamer (Cheese Room) to begin her daily work there to process the goat milk into her artisan cheese.  From her thirty milking goats, she gets about 2 kilos (4.4 pounds) of cheese, and the cheese must be processed each day (no weekends for Aletta!).  Her goat cheese has become quite popular on Bonaire over the years and is now a standard found on many fine restaurants’ menus.  It is also sold at Warehouse Supermarket as well as at the van den Tweel Supermarket.  Of course, the best way is to visit the farm and buy it from Aletta, as the visit and subsequent knowledge gained will only add to the enjoyment of eating her goat cheese.  For those who enjoy a stronger cheese, aged goat cheese or herbed or spiced cheeses are also available upon request.

Aletta’s farm is open to the public each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon, and all are welcome to visit her at those times to watch her while she works the goats.  After the work is done, she’ll offer visitors a coffee on the kunuku as she further explains the process.  There’s no entrance fee, but Aletta does welcome any donations toward the care of the animals.  For more information, contact Aletta via telephone at 786-6950.  (Source:  Bonaire Insider Reporter)

Saturday, April 28, 2012

The Bonaire Kunuku Tradition is Alive and Well--Part Two

There’s definitely a revival and renewed interest in growing produce on the island for the enjoyment of those living on Bonaire and its visitors.  Locals, born and raised on Bonaire, as well as “transplants” are embracing the kunuku lifestyle once again.  Those born on Bonaire, much like Papa Lucia, are returning back to their kunukus to revitalize them.  But many people from outside locations are finding that this simple lifestyle, albeit with much work, is better suited for a good life.  One such person is Marjan of Plantage Mi Ramada.

Marjan and her husband lived for some years on Curacao, before returning to Holland.  Once there, they found they missed the Caribbean lifestyle so much that they returned to the Antilles, but decided to settle on Bonaire, a much more quiet island than Curacao.  Seven years ago, they purchased an abandoned and overgrown kunuku, named Plantage Mi Ramada, and began the hard work of lovingly restoring it to its former beauty.  Although there is still much to be done, a visit to the kunuku proved that they are succeeding.

Marjan works at the kunuku each day, propagating vegetables and herbs that can be used for cooking, baking, or even medicinal purposes.  She is working on areas of the kunuku with fruit trees, which she hopes will begin producing fruit soon, as well as a water lily pond with fish.  In fact, she has so many projects in mind that she’ll probably be busy for years to come, happily working the land.

Marjan sells her plants at both farmers markets on Bonaire, but in addition, she makes wonderful Italian-style home-made biscuits and muffins, using the herbs she grows.  She also creates jams and chutneys that work wonderfully with the biscuits.  Her products are also available at Elle’s Deli at the traffic rotary in Hato, but what is really a treat for visitors is that, with advance notice, Marjan will whip up a batch of her biscuits and muffins, and deliver them to your vacation residence along with any of her jams you choose.  What a delight to wake up to such a treat on the Sunday morning after a day of traveling to Bonaire.  For additional information about Marjan’s products, telephone 787-1425 or email her by clicking here.  (Source:  Bonaire Insider Reporter)

Friday, April 27, 2012

The Bonaire Kunuku Tradition is Alive and Well--Part One

As Bonaire hurtles forward toward progress and development, the concern is often voiced that the island runs the risk of losing its unique heritage, culture, and traditions.  And, although this might be true with certain subjects, there is one area of the Bonairean historical culture which is thriving, and that is the working of the island’s kunukus, or farms and ranches.

The Bonaire Insider has visited with three different kunukerus over the recent weeks, and we will highlight each one of them in the coming days, each of which is working their land using traditional methods.  Our first kunukeru (a farmer or rancher) is Papa Lucia, who farms his kunuku with fruits and vegetables.

Papa Lucia tells us that he first became interested in growing food 65 years ago.  When attending school at a young age, all school children had a small plot of land which they had to tend and where they grew vegetables.  It was then that he fell in love with the idea of growing food on the island, an arid island not known for being conducive to growing fruits and vegetables.  However, Papa Lucia can prove that wrong!  He has multiple greenhouses on his kunuku, where he plants tomatoes, cucumbers, a variety of sweet or hot peppers, spinach, eggplant, and other herbs and fruits.  When his harvest comes in, it is so plentiful that he gives much of the produce away, so that it is not wasted.  He grows organically, shunning pesticides or other harmful chemicals.  Although sometimes he might lose a crop to an insectivore infestation, he prefers to keep things organic so they are healthy for everyone.

Papa is experimenting now with a variety of different systems for growing hydroponic produce.  This system does require modifications in his greenhouses, and he is enthusiastic about his goals to find just the right system that will work well on Bonaire.  In many ways, Papa is an optimist:  He feels if everyone on Bonaire could plant two papaya trees, which grow easily on Bonaire, there would be no need to import even one papaya to the island.  Getting the rest of the residents on the island to go along with this idea is the hard part!

As Papa also works within the tourism sector (he conducts tours of the island as well and is especially busy during the high season), his growing season begins about now, and he will continue with his planting and subsequent harvest over the coming six months.  Although many who try their hand at growing their own produce get frustrated when the plants do not do well during the heat of our summer months of July, August, and September, Papa reports that his plants thrive as long as he can control the heat in his greenhouses with cooling water.

When Papa’s next harvest is in, he’ll be opening up a farmers stand at his kunuku where anyone can purchase fresh-picked produce.  His harvest is also always available at the Go Green Farmers Market on the last Saturday of the month, as well as the Kriabon Marshe di Kunukeru on the first Saturday of the month. (Source:  Bonaire Insider Reporter)