Sunday, September 24, 2006

Sand Dollar Condominium Resort Announces Specials

Sand Dollar Condominium Resort announces two specials that are now available for the coming months.

Sand Dollar Condominium Resort ‘s “Buy One Get One Free” Special:  Book a qualifying hotel and dive package and one diver gets an unlimited week of shore diving absolutely free, plus both divers receive a free Nitrox upgrade.  Travel Dates: For travel between now and December 15, 2006, excluding the week of November 18 – 24, 2006.  Free diving applies to shore diving packages only, and is applied to the second/fourth/sixth etc. diver. Reservations:  Cannot be combined with any other special or discount. Reservations must be pre-booked to qualify for all divers including the “free” second diver. Booking: Please be sure to request the Dive For Free program when making your reservation.

Sand Dollar’s “Pre-Holiday Special” is effective immediately, for all new reservations for the week of December 16 through December 22, 2006, which will be at value season rates instead of high season 2006 rates. Two persons in a one-bedroom condominium purchasing the Ride to the Reef 6-boat dive package save more than $130 per person with this discount, which includes seven nights accommodations in a large one-bedroom condo, free Nitrox upgrades, 6 days unlimited shore diving, daily breakfast buffet, double cabin pick-up truck rental, and room tax.

All units at Sand Dollar have full kitchens, comfortable living and dining areas and ocean views from every private porch or balcony. Property amenities include wireless Internet, lighted tennis courts, restaurant, pool, grocery store, Internet cafe, island art shop, ice cream parlor, and day spa.

For reservations, contact Sand Dollar:  Toll Free: (800) 288-4773 or (954) 453-5025, email: , or visit their web site at www.sanddollarbonaire.com. (Source:  Sand Dollar Resort Condominiums)

Friday, September 22, 2006

American Airlines Announces Caribbean Fare Sale to Bonaire

American Airlines today announced a special Mexico & The Caribbean Fale Sale from a large number of U.S. cities to many Caribbean destinations, including Bonaire. Base fares in this sale are as low at US$299 from Boston, US$259 from New York’s JFK airport, and US$341 from Los Angeles to Bonaire.

Under this sale, tickets must be purchased at least 7 days prior to travel, but no later than October 11, 2006, and are valid for travel through December 15, 2006. A minimum 2 day stay is required, with a maximum stay of 30 day. More details on this fare sale can be found by clicking here. (Source: American Airlines)

Music School Holds Open House on Saturday, September 23, 2006

On Saturday, September 23, 2006, the Bonaire Skol di Musika (School of Music) will hold an open house for all those interested in attending. 

From 12:00 Noon until 5:00 PM, a jamsession is available and students can try several instruments.  Candidate students have the choice of group lessons or individual courses for several instruments, including drum, percussion, piano and kwarta. It is hoped to be able to add voice training, trumpet, and saxophone to the course schedule soon.  Workshops will be scheduled on a regular basis.  The governing board of Skol di Musika welcomes all to come for the open house and see what improvements have been made already and view the future plans for the school.

Skol di Musika wishes to give its thanks to the BC and AMFO for their financial support.  (Source:  Event Organizers)

Kingdom Relations Minister Atzo Nicolai to visit Bonaire, Saba, and St. Eustatius

In the recent Dutch Parliamentary budget discussions, when the 2007 Kingdom Relations budget was presented this week by the outgoing cabinet, it was noted that the issue of constitutional change for the islands won’t be easy.

In a no-nonsense manner, it noted drastic measures are inevitable, but that local authorities do not seem willing to take decisive action and have not wholeheartedly supported The Hague’s gestures to put future Kingdom relations on a firmer footing and arm them against political upheaval.

Despite the uncompromising tone of his budget statement, including acceptance of the so-called non-paper “Partners in the Kingdom” as condition for a Round Table Conference (RTC), the upcoming visit of Kingdom Relations Minister Atzo Nicolaï could provide an opportunity for progress. While he will focus primarily on the three “smaller” islands Saba, Statia and Bonaire that want direct ties with Holland, visits with St. Maarten and Curacao are also planned. (Souce:  The Daily Herald)

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Fourth Quarterly Clean Up Dive of 2006 Declared a Success by Participants

On Saturday, September 16th, 2006, a group of 32 divers met at Bonaire Yellow Submarine to prepare and coordinate for the final clean up dive of 2006. 

After a comprehensive briefing by Jake Richter of NetTech (a co-sponsor of the Quarterly Clean Ups), the group geared up and headed out to the dive site, an area of coastline between the Something Special dive site and the fisherman’s pier. All divers were briefed as to what type of trash to bring up, as well as information on how to avoid harming the reef or other marine animals.

By 2:00 PM, the volunteers were all geared up and in the water where they found a rather strong current going north. Equipped with bags, scissors, and lifting gear provided by Yellow Submarine, the divers managed to collect over two hundred kilograms (440 pounds) of garbage, consisting of numerous bottles and cans, cups and plates, pieces of fiberglass, lost parts of an outboard engine and nine car tires. Even a brand new towel was found, which will be re-cycled for use. An upside down wheelbarrow remained, as the sea had already begun to claim it as its own: coral had begun to colonize on the metal.

At 5:30 PM, a pot luck barbecue was held for all participants. Drinks and the main course were supplied by the sponsors, while the volunteers brought in soup and salads. Some Danish divers who had participated also contributed with a huge amount of delicious tuna.

A special treat was the prize of an Akona gear bag, donated by sponsor PSI/Sherwood Scuba, which was awarded to Marjolein van Schaik Martinet for having found the most unusual piece of garbage during the clean-up dive--a working bicycle bell.

The next quarterly underwater cleanup will be conducted on Saturday, January 13, 2007--all are welcome, divers and non-divers alike. Meet at Yellow Submarine at 1:00 PM.

For more information about the quarterly cleanups, click here.  (Source:  Dive Friends Bonaire and NetTech, N.V. Joint Press Release)

Monday, September 18, 2006

TCB Holds “Brand Development” Meetings from September 13-15, 2006

Last week from Wednesday, September 13, 2006 through Friday, September 15, 2006, the Tourist Corporation Bonaire held its annual reunion of all major stakeholders.  This year’s meeting was especially important, as TCB wished to communicate coming changes, receive feedback from local and international partners, and dedicate special attention to different areas of tourism.

Wednesday’s meetings were held at Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino.  After opening speeches, the meeting began with a presentation about the “Bonaire visitor”, a typical Baby Boomer.  Then, two new branding images were presented to all attendees.  After a short lunch break, the group returned to hear presentations from the TCB satellite offices--North America, Europe, and South America, as well as a session on Upcoming Internet Strategies.

Thursday’s meetings were held at Mangasina di Rei, just outside of Rincon.  These meetings were in the workshop format, giving attendees the opportunity to provide feedback and brainstorm as to how to best attract visitors to the island.  More than 70 persons attended and offered their ideas.  (Source:  TCB Press Release)

Sunday, September 17, 2006

Construction has Begun on Waterlands Village Bonaire

Waterlands Village Bonaire recently announced that they have begun construction of a new development on Kaya International, which will consist of 24 cottages. 

The development is Bonaire through-and-through, as the architectural design is by Bonairean Elton Augusta and Trudy Trenidad-Bos.  The construction is being handled by Silvousa, and the developers’ group is managed by Mr. José Winklaar.  In keeping with the wishes of many Bonaire residents, Waterlands Village will consist only of low-rise buildings and is planned to have many unique features. (Source:  Waterlands Village Press Release)

Saturday, September 16, 2006

Fundashon Bonaire Entertainment to Hold a “Back to Rock ‘n’ Roll’ Evening on November 10, 2006

On November 10th, 2006, The Fundashon Bonaire Entertainment (F.B.E.) will hold their first dinner concert, “Back to Rock ‘n’ Roll” with Rene Shuman, also known as Mr. Rock ‘n’ Roll and as the Dutch Elvis Presley.

The theme of the evening, held at the Plaza Resort, will be rock ‘n’ roll, with music from the fifties and sixties.  You’ll hear classics from such legendary performers as Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly and, of course, Elvis Presley!  A part of the proceeds from the evening will be used by the F.B.E. to support Bonaire’s local entertainers and to preserve the island’s typical music culture for future generations.

The evening’s agenda is as follows:

8:00 PM:  Reception with a free welcome drink at the Tipsy Seagull
8:15 PM:  Full Buffet
9:00 PM:  The music of a DJ will get you in the mood
10:00 PM: Rene Shuman and Angel-Eye and band
11:15 PM: After Party at the Tipsy Seagull

(Source:  Event Organizers)

Friday, September 15, 2006

Commissioner “Yonchi” Dortolina Departs for Holland for State Structural Meetings

On Saturday, September 16, 2006, Commissioner Dortolina will depart Bonaire for Holland to prepare for the Mini-Conference with State Structure as the agenda topic.

Along with Commissioner Dortolina, Senator Ramonsito Booi and governmental representatives of Saba and St. Eustatius will also attend with the purpose of discussing how these three islands (Bonaire, Saba, and St. Eustatius) will structure their future governmental status.  A preliminary agenda has been prepared which will include financial and economic matters, laws for the transition, police and justice departments, international and regional relations, the governmental structure, and areas of the new government which will have to be developed.

Commissioner Dortolina intends to return from Holland and present these issues and the concrete agenda which should come from the Mini-Conference to the Executive Council.  (Source:  Government Press Release)

Bonaire’s Artists To Be Honored At Kas di Arte in November

Kas di Arte, a non-profit organization to support the presentation of Bonaire’s arts to the public, will be presenting the juried exhibition “Hommage aan de Bonairiaanse kunstenaar” (Homage to the Bonairean Artist) in November.

The official evening opening will be November 8th and the exhibition will continue through the end of the month. It is hoped that Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands will preside over the opening herself.

A total of 67 works representing 48 artists have been selected for this exhibition. All local artists were invited to submit up to 3 works each for the jurying process and in August 2006, 56 artists submitted a total of 141 works for the jury’s consideration. The actual pieces of art were dropped off at the Kas di Arte building north of Kralendijk so that the jury could get the full impact of all the works to make their eventual choices. An evening open house for the public was also held so that the general public could view all submitted artworks and vote by ballot for their favorite works.

The official jury for this Kas di Arte exhibition was the board of directors of Kas di Arte, including Jackie Bernabela, Elvio Cecila, and Wilna Groenenboom, plus two guest jury members: Frans Booi and Merieke Roozenburg-Postema.

Some artwork shown at the November exhibit will also be available for purchase and a portion of the purchase price will be donated to the Kas di Arte Foundation.

In related news, the Kas di Arte Foundation announced it had received a donation of Naf. 2400,- as a result of a fundraising event at the end of August aboard the Freewinds cruise ship, where artist Carl W. Röhrig exhibited his works, and three local bands - Kaña Brabu, Foyan Boys, and Glen I su Gang - performed. The money will be used to repaint and restore the Kas di Arte building in advance of the November exhibit.

Kas di Arte, the Artistic and Cultural Foundation of Bonaire, is located north of downtown Kralendijk on the water at Kaya J.N.E. Craane 34. (Sources: Kas di Arte Release, BonaireArt.org, The Richter Scale Blog)