Monday, September 04, 2006

The First Bonaire Wiki is Announced

Combining Google Earth maps of Bonaire with the Internet collaborative medium known as a “Wiki”, Blennylips Bonaire has unveiled the BonWiki web site at www.bonwiki.com.

For the uninitiated, a “wiki” is a type of web site that allows visitors to easily add, remove, or otherwise edit and change its content. A wiki differs from a discussion group in that all content can be edited and the wiki community works to ensure that the content remains true and factual. Abusive wiki users who try to despoil a wiki can be easily banned from future editing, and any changes they make to the wiki knowledgebase can be easily reversed as well. Another important aspect of a wiki is that terms defined within a wiki are cross linked between pages, making it easier to both explore and understand new topics and information.

Roger Burnham, owner of Blennylips Bonaire and a Bonaire resident, developed the BonWiki wiki as a place on the Internet where people who know and love Bonaire can help generate a permanent on-line encyclopedia of facts about Bonaire.

BonWiki is modeled after the increasingly famous and popular Wikipedia collaboration tool, and is designed so that anybody can contribute information about the island of Bonaire, covering points of interest like the location of Captain Don’s foot and various events, to popular dive sites around the island. BonWiki can be used to learn about - or help others learn about - Bonaire. All that is required for someone to be able to add or edit the BonWiki site is registering (for free) at www.bonwiki.com with a valid e-mail address.

One novel twist of BonWiki is that it incorporates Google Maps of Bonaire, allowing points of interest to be marked on the satellite photos. This also allows BonWiki articles to be browsed by geographical location using markers on the map found on the main page of the BonWiki site.

BonWiki is a purely volunteer effort, with hosting contributed by Blennylips Bonaire. And, in support of this effort, NetTech N.V. has contributed the use of the BonWiki.com domain name to the project.

At present, the BonWiki site is still a bit sparsely populated, but the hope is that as people learn about the site, they will help contribute to the knowledge base for all to benefit from. (Source: Roger Burnham, Blennylips Bonaire, and NetTech N.V. correspondence and research)

KLM Adjusts Flights to the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba in Response to Market Developments

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines recently announced it will adjust its product and services between Amsterdam and the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba over the coming year in response to changing market conditions. 

Beginning summer 2007, all flights to the Antilles and Aruba will be carried out using MD-11 fleet, which will be radically modernized in the coming months. This will bring the MD-11 product in line with the World Business Class and Economy Class standards already provided on KLM’s new Boeing 777 and Airbus A330 fleet.  The change in equipment is so that the service can be standardized by utilizing a single aircraft type.  Offering an improved product is intended to increase customer satisfaction and improve the flexibility and efficiency of flight operations.

2006/07 winter schedule:  In comparison with last year’s season, relatively little will change in the 2006/07 winter schedule commencing Sunday, October 29. The schedule still features the combined utilization of Boeing 747-400 and MD-11 equipment. Bonaire will retain 12 flights a week.

2007 summer schedule:  In summer 2007, Bonaire will be served by a daily flight: five times a week as a stopover en route to and from Ecuador, and twice a week in combination with Aruba.

For more information about KLM’s flight schedules and conditions visit www.klm.com.  (Source:  M2 Communications Ltd.)

Buddy Dive Announces DEMA and 2007 Specials

With the DEMA diving trade show fast approaching, Buddy Dive on Bonaire announces their show special for groups, as well as a 2007 special for individual travelers.

The DEMA special is for groups and is perfect for either small or large groups since every eighth diver is free.  Also, guests receive a complimentary upgrade to unlimited nitrox and, on top of that, 50% discount on every group member’s restaurant and bar bill (maximum USD $75.00 per person per week). To make it even better, all group members receive a free upgrade to unlimited boat dives (when booking the 6-boat dive package) if the reservation is booked and deposited prior to the DEMA show. This offer is valid for travel, stay and departure between April 15th and December 14th, 2007. Reservations need to be made prior to January 31st, 2007.

If you’re traveling with a smaller group or your family, there’s no need to feel left out as because Buddy Dive has decided to continue Buddy’s Super Spring Saving--giving you free unlimited nitrox and a 50% discount on food and beverages (maximum USD $75.00 per person per week) when staying between April 15th and May 31st, 2007.

For more information, please contact your favorite travel partner, call 1-866-GO-BUDDY or mail to .

Please note these specials are for new bookings only and cannot be combined with other special offers. Food and beverage credit cannot be used at Lions Den Restaurant.  (Source:  Buddy Dive)

Saturday, September 02, 2006

Bonaire Day Festivities are Announced

Wednesday, September 6, 2006 is Bonaire Day and is a legal holiday on the island.  The day is filled with festivities celebrating the island and highlighting its culture with music and dance presentations.

Each year the day’s events take place in a different barrio (neighborhood), and this year Amboina will host the festivities which begin as early as 8:30 AM and will run throughout the day until midnight.  For more information and to view the day’s schedule (PDF in Papiamentu), click here.  (Source:  Bonaire Government Press Release)

Friday, September 01, 2006

Rotary Club Bonaire Visits Elderly Home Residents at Kai Mimina

On Wednesday August 23, 2006, the Rotary Club Bonaire visited Kai Mimina, the elderly home in Tera Cora. Sister Swinda, dedicated to her work with the elderly, honored Rotary members by personally giving a complete tour of the facility, plant growing area, sleeping rooms, as well as the traditional handicrafts made by the elderly.

During the visit, Rotary Members were entertained with songs and a dance organized by the elderly. After their tour, Rotary members provided transportation to Maiky Snack, where they then treated the elderly to a delicious lunch.

The Rotary Club of Bonaire not only provided lunch, but offered their tickets to the weekly raffle to the residents. Many of the residents appreciated the raffle prizes, and the grand prize was a Radio/CD player.

The president of the Rotary Club Bonaire, Marisela Croes, also donated the materials to build a green house on the parcel of land Kai Mimina just received in long-lease from the Government.  It is planned to build a recreation area, a playground for the grand-children, and a meditation area, in addition to the greenhouse. The green house will be used to grow different sorts of vegetables and fruits for their own use, as they do now at Kai Mimina on a small scale.  (Source:  Rotary Club Bonaire)