Friday, November 20, 2009

Flamingo Services Bonaire Now Offers Wedding Planning

For those who wish to tie the knot on Bonaire, there’s a new company on board, Flamingo Services, which can assist with total wedding planning services.

Since getting married can be a stressful time, having a local wedding planner take care of arrangements on island allows the wedding party to sit back, relax, and enjoy their special day.  Flamingo Services can arrange for a variety of marriage day services, from finding the right place to stay to finding the right hairdresser, and everything in between!  (Source:  Flamingo Services Bonaire)

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

CIEE Begins Mangrove Study at Lac Bay

Recently, work has begun on the construction of “exclusion” cages that will be placed along Kaminda di Sorobon as part of a year-long study to determine the possible impacts of grazing and trampling by goats and donkeys on mangrove habitat. The cages are designed to deter grazing and trampling by fencing off small areas (1 meter square).  The cages are constructed of polyethylene mesh attached to small diameter poles and the height of the cages will be such to prevent grazing from above.

Once the cages are built, regular sampling will assess the plant density and biomass within the cages as well as invertebrate presence and sediment characteristics.

The study is being conducted by Dr. Amanda Hollebone of the CIEE Research Station Bonaire and Scott Hausmann, a retired US wetland expert, with approval of STINAPA and the government of Bonaire.  For additional information on the study please contact CIEE Research Station Bonaire.  (Source:  CIEE Bonaire)

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Antillean Wine Company Holds Next Wine-Tasting

The next monthly wine-tasting event from Antillean Wine Company will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2009.

At this wine-tasting, there will be a selection of six wines to taste--three reds, one rose, and two white wines.  The tasting will be held from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at their store located at Kaya Industria #23.  Entry fee is $10.00 or FL 17.50. Snacks will be served.  All are invited!  (Source:  Antillean Wine Company)

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Classical Music Concert on Friday, November 13, 2009 Features Violin and Piano

The Classical Music Board Bonaire will host their next piano and violin concert this coming Friday, November 13, 2009 at 7:30 PM at Cacique Hall, located at the Plaza Resort Bonaire.  The concert will feature the music of Jeroen van der Wel on violin, and Bas van Bommel on piano.

Those attending will enjoy the music of Giuseppe Tartini (1692-1770), Jan Gerard Palm (1831-1906), Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) prior to the intermission.  Afterward, music from Achille-Claude Debussy (1862-1918) and George Enescu (1881-1955) will be played.  Dress for the evening is “elegant.” Tickets are FL 30.00 (about USD $16.85) per person if purchased in advance, or FL 35.00 (about USD $20.00) if purchased at the door.  Advance tickets can be purchased at Books & Toys, Flamingo Bookstore, or Plaza Resort Bonaire. (Source:  Classical Music Board Bonaire)

Saturday, November 07, 2009

The Council of Underwater Resort Operators (CURO) Elects a New Board

CURO is the official Bonairean dive operator association, recognized by the Island Government.  The association has recently elected a new board.

Serving on the board are:

President, Bart Snelder representing Wannadive Bonaire,
Vice President, Bruce Bowker representing Carib Inn,
Treasurer, Menno de Bree representing Deep Blue View,
Secretary, Edwin Wuyts representing EW Boat charters,
Board member, Augusto Montbrun representing Buddy Dive Resort,
Board member, Gerri Fokke representing Dive Friends Bonaire,
Board member, Serge de Groote representing Divi Dive Bonaire,
Board member, Karen Chalk representing Captain Don’s Habitat.

CURO strives to enhance cooperation and support within its membership, enhance cooperation with the government and other non-governmental organizations, improve the quality of diving on Bonaire in the broadest sense of the word, and support efforts to protect the environment.  Congratulations and best wishes to the new board. (Source:  CURO)

Friday, November 06, 2009

KLM To Make a Demonstration Flight Utilizing Bio-Fuel

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will be the first airline in the world to make a demonstration flight on bio-kerosene with a select group of passengers. This will also be the first ever flight in Europe on bio-kerosene. On November 23, 2009, KLM will operate a flight using Boeing 747 equipment. One of the aircraft engines will be running on a fuel mixture made up of 50% sustainable bio-fuel and 50% traditional kerosene. 

"This is an important step on the road to completely sustainable aviation,” said KLM President & CEO Peter Hartman. “KLM has joined forces with its partners to vigorously stimulate the further development of alternative fuels. In so doing, we need to rely on the input and support of all the relevant parties: the business community, government and society at large.’”

Along with Air France, KLM has for many years led the airline industry in the field of sustainable development. For example, Air France-KLM this year topped the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the fifth consecutive time. The Dutch wing of the Worldwide Fund for Nature (Wereld Natuurfonds – WNF) also voted KLM its Business Partner of the year for 2009.  (Source:  KLM)

Thursday, November 05, 2009

Cactus Blue Bar and Restaurant Offers On-line Gift Certificate Program

Many restaurants offer gift certificates, but Cactus Blue has once again taken this a step further, as they are now offering an on-line gift certificate program.

By being able to do the gift certificates over the Internet, family and friends of those with upcoming visits to Bonaire can surprise their loved ones with a fabulous dinner at Cactus Blue.

When ordered on-line and in advance of a trip, the gift certificates can be purchased for a 10/% discount to the actual value of the certificate.  For more information or to order a gift certificate, visit the Cactus Blue web site by clicking here. 

Also, don’t forget that Thanksgiving Day reservations are being taken now, and those that reserve prior to November 24th will receive a 10% discount. (Source:  Cactus Blue Bar & Restaurant)

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Bonaire’s Divers Asked to Assist in Flamingo Tongue Study

In recent weeks it’s been noticed that the normal population of flamingo tongues has blossomed.  CIEE is interested in data on the numbers and locations of these mollusks in Bonaire’s waters.  If you are interested in spending a few minutes at the end of your dive recording data on the number of flamingo tongues, CIEE has created data sheets for you to use. 

The goal is to learn more about the types of soft corals the flamingo tongues are eating and how many mollusks are on each soft coral that you see.  Those interested in helping out may stop by the research station at Kaya Gobernador N. Debrot #26 to pick up a waterproof data sheet (open Monday through Friday between 9 AM and 5 PM).  When diving, please record data in pencil, and when back from the dive, simply copy or scan the data sheet, then drop it off or email it to CIEE.  You can reuse the sheets by erasing the data with a normal eraser. 

Here’s how the research should be done:  During the last ten minutes of your dive, swim from 30’ (10m) toward the shallow water, in a zig zag pattern, recording information on each soft coral that you see.  There are diagrams on the data sheet that you can use to determine the type.  Then you will categorize the number of flamingo tongue mollusks you see on each soft coral and put a tick/check mark on the data sheet that describes both the type of coral and number of mollusks.  Each soft coral should be recorded, even if there are no mollusks present.  There are four types of soft coral and give groups of mollusks by number (click here to view an example in PDF format). (Source:  CIEE Bonaire)

Monday, November 02, 2009

Casablanca Restaurant Introduces Quick Lunches, Available Now

Effective immediately, Casablanca Restaurant is offering a new Quick Lunch service, each Monday through Friday, for those looking for savings in time and money when choosing a restaurant for lunch.

The menu will vary from day to day and week to week, but portions will be available in either small or large.  The small plate is FL 13.00 (about USD $7.30) and the large plate is FL 18.00 (about USD $10.00).  The restaurant is open for lunch between 12:00 and 2:30 PM.  (Source:  Casablanca Restaurant)

Friday, October 30, 2009

BonairePros Launches New Travel Web Site

BonairePros has recently announced the launching of a new, user-friendly version of their web site. The updated site offers visitors new travel planning content and tools for searching, pricing, and booking accommodations and package deals for trips to Bonaire. 

Vacation packages and specials are aimed at the active Bonaire traveler, with options for scuba divers, windsurfers, and snorkelers which can be found along with detailed information on the latest flight options and airfares.

The newly renovated web site provides planning for the first time visitor, as well as a Bonaire regular.  There’s a search tool to find current specials that allows a person to find the best available deals based on his or her choice of planning parameters, such as the month they want to travel, the property in which they have an interest, or their favorite Bonaire activity, be it diving, windsurfing, snorkeling, or just relaxing.  Visitors can request custom price quotes as well as make reservations and payments in a totally secure environment, utilizing SSL encryption and monitored daily by industry leading McAfee Secure (formerly Hacker Safe), assuring visitors complete confidence that their identities will not be compromised or privacy intruded upon.

BonairePros exclusively offers travel to Bonaire, and they have been doing so since 1986, and as such they are experts in arranging travel to the island.  For additional information, visit their web site by clicking here.  (Source:  BonairePros)