Friday, November 30, 2007

Bonaire Artist is Exhibiting at Broadway Gallery in New York City

Known for his colorful murals that beautifully complement the Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire, artist Henk Roozendaal is currently exhibiting his art at the Broadway Gallery in New York City.

The exhibition titled “Hotel” features the work of various international artists whose art represent interpretations of the concept of a hotel, for example, as a temporary residence or an area of rest for travelers.  The exhibition opened at the Broadway Gallery (located at 473 Broadway, 7th Floor, New York) on November 16 and runs through this Friday, November 30.

Henk Roozendaal’s painting “Zen & The Art of Snorkeling” represents the active Bonairean traveler in a spiritual state of mind while snorkeling.  As the only exhibit from the Caribbean, the painting adds balance to the other works of art featured with its “stylized realism” which is created by Roozendaal’s skilled ability to paint flat with a 3-dimensional result.

Henk Roozendaal relocated from the Netherlands to Bonaire in 1999 with his wife Herma and son Boy.  Together with author Guus Gerritssen from the Netherlands (who relocated to Bonaire in 1998 with his wife Nita), Henk has produced two editions of the book “Portraits of Bonaire,” which features Roozendaal’s painted portraits and Gerritssen’s written portraits of predominant Bonairean residents.  (Source:  TCB-North America)

Thursday, November 29, 2007

The Bonaire Digital Shootout Sets 2008 Dates

If you’re on Bonaire from June 7 through 14, 2008, you may want to join Eric Cheng (Wetpixel), Berkley White (Backscatter), Dan Baldocchi (Light & Motion), and Mary Lynn Price (DiveFilm) for the Bonaire Digital Shootout 2008.

This popular event is back again, giving participants the opportunity to learn the latest digital imaging techniques from some of the industry’s top professionals while diving in Bonaire’s clear, warm water.  Daily seminars and hands-on help from the pros will help participants take their their photography to the next level.

For additional information, click here. (Source:  The Digital Shootout Web site)

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

WEB N.V. and Ecopower Bonaire B.V. Sign Power Purchase Agreement

En-route to an environmentally friendly power supply on Bonaire, Water and Energy Bonaire (WEB), N.V. and Ecopower Bonaire, B.V. reached an important milestone yesterday when they opened the Sorobon Wind Turbine and officially signed the “Power Purchase Agreement.”

Ecopower Bonaire, B.V. is a consortium consisting of Evelop International, Enercom GmbH, and MAN B&W Diesel.  The planned development for both wind and biodiesel generation has a stated cost of USD 55M (nearly FL 100 M) for the island.  It is hoped that when the island is less dependent upon traditional fuel sources that the cost of electric may go down for island residents and businesses.  (Source:  WEB, N.V. and New Energy Finance)

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Caribbean Wind and Sun Vacations Premiers Quarterly Newsletter

Caribbean Wind and Sun Vacations has just issued their first newsletter, highlighting upcoming events and special trips with a focus on windsurfing and diving on Bonaire.

Ann Phelan, owner/operator of Caribbean Wind and Sun Vacations, specializes in windsurfing and diving/snorkeling trips to Bonaire.  This issue of the quarterly newsletter discusses upcoming ABK windsurfing camps, new boards available to demo when next on Bonaire, as well as specialized travel weeks.  You may read this newsletter by clicking here.  Email Caribbean Wind and Sun Vacations to be added to their mailing list.  (Source:  Caribbean Wind & Sun Vacations)

Monday, November 26, 2007

End of the Year Races are Slated for the December 15th Weekend

Bonaire will hold its annual End of the Year Race the weekend of December 15th and 16th, 2007. Registration for the fishing tournament is Friday the 14th from 7:00 PM until 10:00 PM.  The fishing tournament takes place early Saturday morning.  On Sunday, there will be an all-craft sailing race.

Yachts, Optimists, windsurfers and wooden boats will all race around Klein Bonaire on Sunday, December 16th, 2007 at 10:00 AM. This fun race/event is held in Kralendijk at Kas Di Regatta. Organized by Bonaire Sailing Foundation, it’s an annual, fun competition where pros and local sailors meet and compete. Children, as well, participate.  New this year will be a Stand Up Paddle Board demo (SUP). SUP is the newest watersport creating a buzz in the windsurf world. These large, floaty boards designed by Starboard will be on hand for a demonstration.

Island guests and tourists are welcome to attend and participate in the races to create an international event. There will be a festive atmosphere all weekend at Kas Di Regatta, so all are encouraged to attend.  For further information, contact Elvis Martinus at 011-599-717-2288.  (Source:  Caribbean Wind & Sun Vacations)

Friday, November 23, 2007

Delta Airlines to Add on a Second Flight During Peak Periods in High Season

Even though Delta Airlines has not yet begun flying to Bonaire on their weekly rotation, demand in the form of advance reservations has been high enough to justify the airline’s adding a mid-week rotation during peak periods of the high season.

Accordingly, between March 5, 2008 and April 9, 2008, a roundtrip flight will be available on Wednesdays out of Atlanta with similar departure times.

Delta flight #371 will depart at 10:00 AM on Wednesdays during this time frame with a scheduled arrive in Bonaire at 3:10 PM (2:10 PM, when Daylight Savings Time in the United States ends).  The return flight, Delta #370, will depart Bonaire at 4:15 PM (3:15 PM when Daylight Savings Time in the United States ends) and is scheduled to arrive in Atlanta at 7:55 PM. (Source:  Delta Web Site)

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Sanikolas Set to Arrive on Bonaire this Saturday

Each year, Sanikolas, also called St. Nicholas (English) or Sinterklaas (Dutch), sails into Bonaire and arrives at the Town Pier, along with his Zwartepietnan (Black Piets), to visit with the children of the island over the coming weeks.  This year, his planned arrival is at 10:30 AM, where he will then proceed to Wilhelmina Park. 

There are activities and music before his arrival, to keep everyone happy and in a holiday mood.  The Zwartepietnan do acrobatics and engage the audience, and the entire event is quite a show.

After, Sanikolas and his Zwartepietnan will make appearances all over Bonaire up until December 5th.  Legend says on that night, he will go to all homes to check who’s been naughty or nice and will leave gifts behind in your shoe, which might just be filled with fresh grass or carrots for the horse.

Images from the 2006 Sanikolas arrival are available on the Bonaire Insider Photo Gallery by, clicking here.  (Source:  FASIZ)

Papaya Moon Cantina Celebrates First Anniversary and Augments Menu

On Friday, November 23, 2007, Papaya Moon Cantina will celebrate their first anniversary on Bonaire.  Additionally, they are adding to their already extensive menu.

In honor of their first anniversary, the restaurant will offer drink specials on Friday.  They also plan to hold a drawing for a gift certificate to be given away as they celebrate one year on Bonaire.

Additionally, they are now offering new dishes which will be on their new menu within the next few days.  The dishes are already available, and include one new appetizer, two new entrees, and a new dessert.

The new appetizer is called Jalapeno Walking Sticks and consists of rolled wraps filled with cream cheese, bacon, and jalapeno peppers, then fried and served with a sweet chili dipping sauce.

The new entrees are a Tortilla Crusted Tilapia, served with a tangy pineapple salsa, and a new chicken dish they call Jamaican Jerk Chicken Skewers, which comes with a sweet coconut-pineapple sauce.

New to the dessert menu is Peanut Butter Pie, and it is a strong complement to their already delicious desserts.

Papaya Moon Cantina is open for dinner Wednesday through Monday from 6:00 PM until 11:00 PM.  For additional information about the restaurant, click here.  (Source:  Papaya Moon Cantina)

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Hilton Hotels to Build Resort and Spa on Bonaire

The headquarters of Hilton Hotels today announced that they will build a new resort in the channel area north of the airport on Bonaire.

Construction is planned to begin in the summer of 2008 for the new Hilton Bonaire Resort & Spa, and, if all goes as planned, the new resort will open in July of 2010.  The hotel will have 144 rooms, including 12 suites.  The project will cost more than 100 million guilders (USD $56,000,000).  Azul Management Bonaire, which includes a number of Aruban investors, is going to develop the resort and will also be the owner.  One of the initiators is Anthony Blok, the then employee of former Aruban tourism-minister, Robertico Croes.

Bonaire’s Ramoncito Booi had this reaction:  “We are happy to welcome Hilton.  This is an important step in the further development of the tourism.  They guarantee an important number of notorious names for the island.  Their motto “be hospitable” completely fits the Bonairean attitude regarding tourism.” (Source:  Amigoe)

The Reef Restaurant at Den Laman Launches Monday Night All-You-Can-Eat BBQ

Bonaire’s newest restaurant on the dining scene, the Reef Restaurant, has just announced they have launched a new event each Monday evening.

The Monday B.B.Q. Buffet starts immediately after the Rum Punch Party, which runs from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The buffet is available from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM, and during this time, diners can enjoy images from Bonaire in a slide show that is presented at around 7:30 PM.

The buffet includes chicken, ribs, fish, roasted potatoes, rice, baked beans, and the salad bar, which includes cole slaw, pasta salad, and fixings from which you can make yourself a garden salad. The cost is $15.00 per person (FL 26.70) and the BBQ is all you can eat. (Source:  The Reef Restaurant at Den Laman)