Thursday, September 14, 2006

Environmental Police Group is Formed on Bonaire

Recently it was announced that a new Environmental Police Group was formed, made up of representatives from Stinapa, the Police Department, SSV, and the Police Ambiental.

Although ten Stinapa employees received official police powers in 2005, their Board of Directors felt that the rangers should not be armed.  However, it became apparent that additional control was needed, and therefore, then-Public Prosecutor Ernst Wesselius suggested the new Environmental Police Group. 

After multiple discussions, this week the group was formalized with Chief of Police van Stratton, and will consist of two members each from the four above-captioned entities.  Their sole purpose will be to investigate any charges of environmental issues, with priority placed on poaching of conch, spearfishing, construction debris and illegal dumping of construction materials, and illegal construction in the Bonaire National Marine Park (the construction of stairs, piers, etc. without permission).  (Source:  Stinapa release)

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

NetTech Launches InfoBonaire One-Stop Quotes as Part of Updated Bonaire Information Site

NetTech, N.V. today announced the unveiling of a new on-line service - One-Stop-Quotes - on InfoBonaire, The Bonaire Information Site.  InfoBonaire One-Stop-Quotes will allow potential Bonaire visitors to easily request rates and availability for select hotels and car rental companies with a simple on-line submission. 

One-Stop-Quotes can be currently used to request rates and/or availability for multiple hotels/apartments and car rentals, and the system will be expanded in the near future to include other tourism-related companies.  The new program is part and parcel of a new re-branding of the InfoBonaire web site, The Bonaire Information Site.

For additional information, click here.  (Source:  NetTech, N.V. Press Release)

Visiting Scientists to Present Theories on Origin of Bonaire

All are invited to a special presentation on Thursday, September 14, 2006 at 6:00 PM by Dr. Richard Spikings and Roelant van der Lelij, from the Department of Mineralogy, University of Geneva.  The presentation will be held in the conference room at Captain Don’s Habitat and will cover their theories regarding plate tectonics and how they are related to the origin of Bonaire.

Recently, Dr. Spikings and Mr. van der Lelij have traveled to both Aruba and Bonaire to collect rock samples as part of an earth sciences research project entitled “Thermochronology of the South Caribbean Plate Boundary Zone: Dutch Antilles and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Martha Colombia.” Dr. Spikings will explain about his research and his theories that our islands were not created on this spot, but actually more in the vicinity of the Galapagos Islands.  (Source:  Stinapa Release)

Revised September 25, 2006: Dr. Spikings and his colleague provided interesting and thought-provoking theories as to how the island of Bonaire originated.  After 8 years of field studies, much of which was spent in Ecuador and Colombia, and more recently, Bonaire and Aruba, Dr. Spikings has presented the following theorum which spans 100 millions years ago to a mere 9 million years ago.

He believes that the island of Bonaire may be the last remaining remnant of the proto-Great Arc of the Antilles within the southern Caribbean realm, which began forming prior to 100 million years ago in the expanding gap between South and North America, before the Central American land bridge joined those continental plates.  This volcanic arc (volcanic island chain) formed when the Farallon Plate (in the Pacific) moved under, or subducted beneath the Atlantic ocean (the North American Plate).  This gave rise to volcanic activity on the ocean floor, in the area which would now be located north of Colombia, and the beginnings of Bonaire were formed.

Approximately 90 million years ago, a widespread volcanic event focused on the area occupied by the present-day Galapagos islands gave rise to the oldest rocks on Aruba and Curacao, and this area was located just west of the proto-Great Arc of the Caribbean, but was drifting eastward towards it.  Over millions of years, the volcanic rocks of Curacao and Aruba migrated eastwards towards the almost stationary volcanic chain, which partly comprised Bonaire, and they eventually collided together approximately 85 million years ago.  The rocks of the Netherlands Antilles were now joined together, and collectively migrated eastwards, where they were forced into the growing gap between the North and South American plates. This moving mass of rock, which included the Netherlands Antilles, collectively formed the Caribbean Plate, which still exists today. As the Caribbean Plate migrated eastwards, the southern portion of it collided and scraped against the northern part of the South American Plate, detatching rocks of the Netherlands Antilles from the remainder of the Caribbean Plate. Consequently, the rocks of the Netherlands Antilles reside in a distinct faulted unit of rock, referred to as the “Bonaire Block”, which is trapped between the Caribbean and South American Plates. The research group of Dr. Richard Spikings is currently investigating the tectonic history of the Bonaire Block, which may permit predictions to be made as to where the block will migrate to in the future.

Belmar Oceanfront Apartments Announces 2007 Specials

Belmar Oceanfront Apartments on Bonaire recently announced their 2007 specials for both dive groups and individuals.

Dive groups can now take advantage of “Belmar’s Crazy Group Deal"* which includes the following items when Belmar’s regular Drive, Dive & Stay package is booked:
-- Bring 8 but pay only for 7 divers;
-- Free Upgrade to unlimited Nitrox for every person in the group;
-- A Free BBQ for your entire group**;

Drive, Dive & Stay packages start at USD $481.00 per person *** and include 7 nights accommodation, 6 days unlimited shore diving, 7 days car rental, and all taxes. Valid for new Drive, Dive & Stay bookings only with travel and stay between April 14 and December 14, 2007. Reservations must be completed by January 31, 2007.

Individuals can also take part in this special. From April 14 through May 31, 2007 take advantage of the “Bring A Buddy For Free"-special* where every second diver is free. As an extra bonus everybody gets a Free BBQ-dinner**.

July and August 2007 are family months and divers as well as non-divers can profit from the “7=6"-special* where guests can stay a full seven nights, while only paying for six room nights. Additionally, every person in your party gets a Free BBQ-dinner**. This provides a discount of nearly 15%, plus an added value of nearly USD $20.00 per person with the Free BBQ.

For more information, please call your favorite travel agent, email to , call toll free in the US/Canada at 1-888-655-0605, or visit www.belmar-bonaire.com.

* For new bookings only, cannot be combined with other specials;
** Free BBQ-dinner is excluding beverages and will be served at Buddy Dive Resort on Friday Night.
*** Based on 6 persons in a 3-bedroom condo during the low season.

(Source:  Belmar Oceanfront Apartments)

Monday, September 11, 2006

Capt. Don’s Habitat Celebrates 30 Years

During the month of September, Captain Don’s Habitat will be celebrating its 30 anniversary in Bonaire and its tenth anniversary in Curacao with special events. 

To prepare for this special anniversary, the resort has undergone many renovations and improvements to raise guest comfort to the highest level.  These improvements include the refurbishment and expansion of units, the upgrading of resort infrastructure such as waste water treatment and telephone system, and the introduction of new activities, such as cave snorkeling/exploration.

Join Habitat on September 29th, 2006 starting at 10:00 PM at Rum Runners Restaurant for a live performance of Sugaro. Sugaro is no stranger to Bonaire, having played at Habitat events many times in the past.  Their eclectic blend of rhythm and blues, jazz and rock, provides for an unforgettable evening of musical enjoyment.

On October 1st, 2006, Sugaro & the Freewinds band will be jamming live in Wilhelmina Plein, with plenty of food, drinks, handicrafts, and souvenirs for sale with all proceeds benefiting special organizations on Bonaire. 

For additional information, click here.  (Source:  Capt. Don’s Habitat Press Release)

Sunday, September 10, 2006

Astronaut Charles Bolden to Land on Bonaire

In November, 2006, former NASA Astronaut Charles Bolden will visit Bonaire to speak to local school children.  Astronaut Bolden flew four space missions from 1986 to 1994 and was commander of the Discovery crew that launched the Hubble Space Telescope.  In May, 2006, he was inducted into the U.S. Astronauts Hall of Fame.

The astronaut is especially interested in meeting school children while on Bonaire and talking with them about his experiences and his belief in setting and meeting personal goals.  He will answer any questions the children want to ask him. Just before the visit from the astronaut there will be essay and poster contests for all age school children. 

Times and locations of Astronaut Bolden’s meetings with the school children, the media and the public will be announced in October.  It is planned for the astronaut to meet with all sixth class students, many SGB students, as well as separate presentations at Jong Bonaire, UniCollege, and Pelikaan School. There will also be an evening presentation for the entire community. Parents are invited to bring any students who did not have a chance to see the astronaut in school to the community session.  For additional information, click here.  (Source:  Event Organizers)

Friday, September 08, 2006

Bonaire Nature Alliance Issues Statement Regarding Ramsar Protection for Lac Bay

The umbrella organization for the Bonaire nature groups, Aliansa Naturalesa di Bonaire, issued a statement today regarding the classification of the Lac Bay area as a protected Ramsar site, in an effort to underscore their objections to the construction of a development in that area.

Ramsar is an agreement signed at an international convention in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran.  At this moment, there are 153 countries around the world, including Holland, that have signed the Ramsar Convention.  This convention allows for protection of areas of salt water habitats that have world-importance.  In May, 1980, the government of Bonaire petitioned Holland to declare five sites protected under Ramsar:  Salina Slagbaai, Pekelmeer, Klein Bonaire, Gotomeer, and Lac.  All five areas were accepted for standing protection under the Convention.

The property in question is The Mangrove Village and construction has already commenced.  For additional information, click here.  (Source: Aliansa Naturalesa di Bonaire)

Fine Food and Music Highlight Bonaire Fundraising Events September 15-17

Two Bonaire programs will be holding fundraising events on Bonaire during the weekend starting Friday, September 15th with a dinner prepared by Bonaire’s Culinary Team, and culminating with a benefit concert by Michele Henderson, a rising star from Dominica, on Sunday, September 17th.

The Bonaire Culinary Team dinner, being held at the Plaza Resort at 7pm on Friday, September 15th, will feature award winning cocktails by Jane Coffie and the award winning three course dinner menu by the team of Isidoor, Vernon, Egbert, Floris, and Vladimir. The menu is the same one that the team presented at the “Taste of the Caribbean Culinary Olympics” held in Miami this past July - an appetizer of marinated conch ceviche served with a yogurt-cucumber ice cream; a main course of herb stuffed leg of lamb with papaya stew, cheese gratinee tutu, pork stew topped with Angostura cardamom chili glazed okra; and dessert in the form of a chocolate mousse mango jelly, ganache, cake, pastry, and ginger caramel sauce.

The purpose of the fundraiser is to raise funds for the Culinary Team’s 2007 team practice and competitions. There are only 125 tickets available for this event, each at a price of NAF 70 / US$ 40. To reserve your tickets, contact Ruud Vermeulen or Margreth Kloos.

And on Sunday, September 17th, Michele Henderson, an up and coming singer from the island of Dominica, will entertain an audience of over three hundred people aboard the Freewinds cruise ship. Henderson’s music runs the gamut from Zouk and R&B to Jazz, Reggae, and Retro Soul, singing in English, French and Creole.

Approximately 200 tickets are left for Michele Henderson’s concert, at a price of NAF 25 / US$15. The concert starts at 7:30pm and is scheduled to end at 9pm. Funds raised from the sales of tickets to the concert will go to benefit Basisschool De Pelikaan - Bonaire’s only charter school for elementary-level education (ages 4-12). To purchase tickets, contact the Pelikaan School directly.
(Sources: New Releases, E-Mail Notices, The Bonaire Reporter (subscription required))

Thursday, September 07, 2006

New Windsurfing Documentary Features Bonaire

Just out is a new documentary on the art and sport of windsurfing by filmmaker Spaako (Frank Borghstijn). The documentary, called Wild Birds, claims to feature the best wavesailing and freestyle action on the planet. The documentary was shot in Bonaire (at Sorobon and Salt Pier), Holland, Maui, Belgium, Western Australia, and Denmark.

The film is a tribute to what it feels like to experience the atmosphere, passion, dedication, and the dream of becoming a professional windsurfer.

Among the Bonaire windsurfers featured are brothers Tonky and Taty Frans, Kiri Thode, and the Saragoza brothers.

Wild Birds is available on DVD for € 34.90, and has a run time of 47 minutes, plus 73 minutes of extras.  (Source: Wild Birds Movie web site, Review of Wild Birds)

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

Bonaire Tourism Numbers for 2005 and 2006 Released

Tourism Corporation Bonaire (TCB), the Bonaire government’s tourism office, yesterday released long awaited reports detailing the Bonaire’s tourism visitation statistics for the 2005 calendar year. At the same time TCB released statistics for the first half of 2006.

The 2005 report shows that there were 62,550 tourists (staying at least one night on land) during the year, which reflects an overall 1% decline over 2004 numbers. The report attributes the decrease in visitors to a loss of air capacity from North America with the withdrawal of three out of four weekly flights by Air Jamaica. Air Jamaica’s reduction in service to Bonaire actually resulted in a reduction of capacity of between 30-45% to Bonaire from the North America, but the temporary addition of two flights on American Eagle, and the end of year introduction of a direct Continental flight from Houston, combined with stronger European visitation reduced the impact overall. From the North America alone, 2005 visitors dropped 4.6% over 2004, while visitors from Europe increased 7.5%. Arrivals from South America decreased by 10.9% over 2004, attributed mostly to airlift issues in the South American market.

For the first half of 2006, visitor numbers show a further, larger decline - a 5.9% drop versus year-ago numbers. However, arrivals from North America were only down 4.4%, while European arrivals were down 11.1%. South American arrivals were the only ones to show an increase, of 19.2%.

The North American numbers for the first half of 2006 are a bit misleading however, since they are being compared against the first half of 2005, when Air Jamaica was still operating four flights a week to Bonaire - seat capacity from North America during the spring of 2006 was at 659 seats per week, versus 765 seats a week a year prior, representing a 14% reduction in capacity, but with only a 4.4% loss in arrivals, indicating, as TCB points out, that at least in North America, demand for Bonaire appears to be in fact strengthening.

The decrease in arrivals from Europe is being blamed on a reduced number of seats on KLM flights for people wanting to deplane in Bonaire, combined with higher prices due to reduced availability.

The prognosis for the future may be brighter, however, in that for the North American market, Continental will be adding a weekly flight from Newark in December, ArkeFly will be starting service to Bonaire from the Netherlands in November, and Martinair will be starting service to Curacao from the Netherlands the same month as well. Those latter two flights should help offset the availability issues caused by KLM’s change in flight plans next year. (Sources: Tourism Corporation Bonaire Press Release, 2005 Bonaire Tourism Statistics (PDF), 2006 (First Half) Bonaire Tourism Statistics (PDF))