Monday, July 16, 2007

Third Quarterly Bonaire Clean Up Dive Proves to Be Most Popular with Tourists and Residents

On Saturday, July 14, 2007, an enthusiastic group of 46 persons consisting of divers, snorkelers, and shore support met at the Dive Friends Bonaire Yellow Submarine location to clean the house-reef.  Images from this cleanup are available online at the Bonaire Insider Photo Gallery by clicking here.

An unusual component of this group is that nearly half was made up of visiting tourists, which is a much higher percentage than normal.  The visitors melded with the “locals” into one great group, which then split into two groups to scour the underwater terrain and shoreline going either north or south of the Yellow Submarine facility.

In a comprehensive briefing by Susan Davis of NetTech, the divers were informed of the requirements of the Bonaire National Marine Park in that no gloves are allowed during cleanups.  Additionally, they were advised to act as their own police—not to get too caught up in bringing up every piece of trash from the bottom—if the trash had become colonized by corals, hydroids, or other organisms, the cleaners were expected to leave the trash in place.  Only new trash without any sort of marine encrustation or animal inhabitation was to be fully checked, and only then brought to the surface.

Shore duty and Critter Control was ably handled by Bonaire’s own REEF expert, Linda Ridley, who demonstrated to others working shore support how to responsibly check the trash once it had been brought up:  The trash had to be immediately checked to be sure no marine animals had been inadvertently included, and in which case when animals were found, they were immediately returned to the ocean.

Another important factor of shore duty is to sort the trash, count it, and then dispose of it all in a safe manner.  Although it had been only six months since this area was last cleaned, it did yield a surprising amount of new trash which could be removed.  Some of this trash included bags, bottles, rope, fishing net, strapping bands, cups, fast-food containers and other packaging pieces, over 70 pieces of glass, including some fiberglass, nearly 80 metal pieces, 16 pieces of rubber, and 33 pieces of paper and paper products.

Some of the more unusual trash included four batteries, a pair of sunglasses, 3 cans of paint, and 35 pieces of clothing!

After the dive, all participants and their families were welcomed back for a Pot Luck BBQ—Dive Friends Bonaire and NetTech, the sponsors of the quarterly Bonaire cleanups, provided drinks and main courses, while participants supplied side dishes.

The next cleanup dive organized by Dive Friends Bonaire and NetTech will take place on Saturday, September 15, and will be conducted in coordination with World Cleanup Day and Bonaire’s Love Our Planet Week.  Members from CORAL and the North American office of the Tourist Board will be on-hand to add their assistance.  All those on Bonaire at that time are welcome to join in.  Meet at Dive Friend’s Yellow Submarine facility at 1:00 PM.

Dive Friends Bonaire is one of Bonaire’s premier diving facilities with convenient locations in Kralendijk, at Hamlet Bonaire, and at Port Bonaire.  For additional information on the quarterly cleanups, visit http://www.dive-friends-bonaire.com/clean_up_dives.html.

NetTech is Bonaire’s largest Internet marketing company, providing the popular web sites InfoBonaire (http://www.infobonaire.com) and The Bonaire Insider (http://www.bonaireinsider.com).  For additional information, visit http://www.nettech.an.

Sunday, July 15, 2007

First Turtle Tracked From Bonaire This Nesting Season Is the Female Hawksbill “Eloise”

Working in teams, staff and volunteers from Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire (STCB) intercepted a large female hawksbill turtle as she came ashore at 10:30 pm on Thursday, 12 July 2007 at No Name Beach on Klein Bonaire. Working into the early morning hours, “Eloise” was released back into the sea at 2:30 am with a satellite transmitter attached to her carapace. This is the first turtle that will be tracked this nesting season. 

This past November, Her Majesty, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, visited Bonaire and offered to sponsor the tracking of one of our sea turtles. At that time she requested that the turtle be named after one of her granddaughters, Eloise.

“Eloise” measured 86.2 cm (33.9 inches) straight carapace length and her weight is estimated to be in excess of 100 kg (220 lb). Typically it takes anywhere from 15 to 30 years for a sea turtle to reach maturity and they can live to be 60 years old or greater. STCB staff originally tagged “Eloise” in June 2004 in the waters off Klein Bonaire when she last came here to nest.

This was the third nest “Eloise” laid this season with her last nesting being on 2 July. It is anticipated that she will lay one or more nests before she leaves the area to return to her home foraging grounds.

Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire exists to ensure the protection and recovery of Bonaire’s sea turtle populations throughout their range. Founded in 1992, the STCB is a Bonaire-based, non-governmental and non-profit organization, part of the Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Network.  (Source:  Seat Turtle Conservation Bonaire)

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Dive Friends Premieres Newsletter, New Boat Schedule, and Augments Nitrox

There’s lots of news coming from Dive Friends Bonaire these days.  They’ve premiered a new semi-annual newsletter, have ordered an additional Nitrox installation, and have augmented their current boat schedule with additional departures.

"Splash” is the name of the new newsletter, which is planned for semi-annual editions.  It contains information on what’s happening at Dive Friends, so that customers and friends can stay up-to-date between visits.  The newsletter provides information on the quarterly cleanups, co-sponsored by Dive Friends, news tidbits about their staff, as well as any new information about the services the shop provides.  To view the newsletter, click here (in PDF format).  To sign up for future editions, click here.

Dive Friends has also recently augmented their daily boat dive schedule and now has a two-tank boat dive departing each morning at 9:00 AM.  A one-tank boat dive departs daily at 1:00 PM.

And last, they have ordered an additional Nitrox installation, which will be ready for use by October 1st, 2007.  This new installation will allow Dive Friends Bonaire to provide Nitrox at any of its three facilities.  Free upgrades at all locations will be available depending upon what dive package is selected.

For additional information, visit their web site by clicking here. (Source:  Dive Friends Bonaire)

Friday, July 06, 2007

RE/MAX Paradise Bonaire Homes Launches New Web Site Dedicated to Rentals

RE/MAX Paradise Bonaire Homes has for some time been offering prime villas, apartments, and private homes for rent to visiting tourists, but this sector of their business has just now been given a boost with its own web site.

Launching RentalsBonaire.com, RE/MAX Paradise Bonaire Homes offers an easy way for those looking for these types of accommodations to easily choose among the properties which meet their criteria.

For example, a prospective visitor can view all rental properties, or they can choose specific types such as oceanfront, or homes/villas.  After this choice has been made, a chart comes up with those available with all pertinent details such as price per week and the number of bedrooms and bathrooms.  By clicking “View Details”, additional information is then made available including an entire proprerty description.

To view the new web site, click here.  (Source:  RE/MAX Bonaire Paradise Homes)

Third Quarterly Underwater Cleanup is Slated for July 14th, 2007

The Third Quarterly Underwater Cleanup will be held on Saturday, July 14th, 2007.  All divers and non-divers are welcome, as non-divers can assist with shore cleanup as well as the counting of the trash.  All participants should plan to arrive at the Dive Friends Yellow Sub shop no later than 1:00 PM.

At that time, a comprehensive briefing will be held, and then buddy teams arranged.  Divers will head out to the site to be cleaned, while shore support gets ready for their work in counting the trash brought up.

After the dive, all participants are invited to meet back at 5:30 PM at Dive Friends Yellow Sub for the Cleanup BBQ; we ask that you bring a small side dish to share with others; main courses and beverages are supplied by the event sponsors, Dive Friends Bonaire and NetTech, N.V.  See you there if you are on-island! (Source:  Dive Friends Bonaire and NetTech)

Thursday, July 05, 2007

American Airlines Announces Autumn Airfare Sale to Bonaire

American Airlines announced today that they are slashing prices from many major U.S. cities to many destinations in the Caribbean, including Bonaire.  Tickets must be purchased on AA.com by July 17, 2007. Outbound travel is valid September 4, 2007 through December 11, 2007. Return travel must be completed by December 13, 2007.

Fares such as the following apply to Bonaire:  Chicago-Bonaire: $364.00, Dallas-Bonaire: $433.00, Denver-Bonaire:  $434.00, Los Angeles-Bonaire:  $427.00, Miami-Bonaire: $280.00, New York (Kennedy)-Bonaire:  $310.00, St. Louis-Bonaire: $418.00, Washington, D.C-Bonaire: $360.00.  Some restrictions do apply.  To book these fares, or to check if additional fares to Bonaire are available from your nearest American Airlines gateway city, click here. (Source:  American Airlines)

Wednesday, July 04, 2007

Dive Friends Yellow Submarine Hosts Kick-off for Great Annual Fish Count 2007

This Saturday, July 7th, 2007, the Dive Friends Bonaire facility at Yellow Submarine (Kralendijk) will be hosting the kick-off dive for the Great Annual Fish Count.  2007 makes this the 14th year of the Count, with Bonaire being included for the past five years.

As one of Bonaire’s REEF Field Stations (Reef Environmental Education Foundation, founded in 1991), the Yellow Submarine facility has just been upgraded to number six in species diversification for the Caribbean, according to REEF.  As one of the many REEF activities sponsored by Dive Friends, their REEF specialist, Linda Ridley, will be guiding the initial dive to kick off the count that will be conducted throughout the month of July.

This Saturday, buddy teams will be arranged according to REEF experience in surveying, and prizes will be awarded in each of five levels after the dive for most species found as well as the overall prize for the “coolest” fish found.  Achievement awards will also be given.

All divers must be REEF-certified to participate.  For additional information on how to be come REEF-certified prior to Saturday, call Linda Ridley at 791-4262 on Bonaire.  For those who are already REEF-certified, plan on joining in at Dive Friends Yellow Sub at 9:30 AM on Saturday.  (Sources:  Dive Friends Bonaire and REEF)

Buddy Dive Extends “Buddies Dive For Free” and Nitrox Specials into August

Buddy Dive had previously offered two specials during September in conjunction with their Marine Life Education Program.  However, by popular demand, they have extended them for another week, from August 25-31 in addition to September 1-28, 2007.

For all those who would like to combine a relaxing dive vacation with education and fun during the late summer, take advantage of Buddy Dive Resort’s specials:  Buddies-Dive-For-Free plus Free U/L Nitrox which means that every second diver dives free and also receives free U/L Nitrox.  Some restrictions do apply, so for additional information, click here (in PDF format).  (Source:  Buddy Dive)

Sunday, July 01, 2007

The Island Supplier (TIS) Organizes Workshop for Bonaire Chefs

On Saturday afternoon, June 30, 2007, The Island Supplier (TIS) organized a workshop seminar for Bonaire chefs and restaurant owners.  About 40 chefs converged on the Culinary School, to take advantage of the opportunity to learn more about certain cuts of meats.  Images of Saturday’s workshop are available at the Bonaire Insider Photo Gallery by clicking here.

The focus of the workshop seminar was to stimulate the island’s chefs to begin preparing different cuts of meats and thus expand their menus and also to provide more economical meat dishes without sacrificing tenderness and taste.  Beef and pork were featured, starting with short, but very informative lectures by Liz Wunderlich, the Caribbean Manager of the U.S. Meat Export Federation.  Her colleague, award-winning Chef Matt Bolland of The Sunset Grill at the Aruba Radisson, translated her lecture into Papiamentu.

After each lecture, everyone entered the kitchen and watched as Chef Matt cut up different sections of both pork and beef, explaining how best to trim them and then illustrating different ways that the meats could be used.  After each session, Matt and his team pulled out samples that they had cooked for the workshop, and which the group sampled while being served red or white wine.

Thanks go to The Island Supplier for providing this workshop so that Bonaire can stay on top of the Caribbean culinary scene.  TIS is a purveyor of fine foods for Bonaire’s restaurant industry, and also offers a retail outlet for the same fine foods for Bonaire residents and visitors.  (Source:  Bonaire Insider Reporter)