Thursday, May 15, 2008

Dive Friends Bonaire Congratulates Mary Frans for Twenty Years of Loyal Service

On Thursday, May 8, 2008, Dive Friends Bonaire celebrated with their employee, Mary Frans, who reached the 20th anniversary of her employment at the retail stores of Dive-Friends Bonaire.

Mary began her work as a sales assistant back in May of 1988, when tourism to Bonaire was just beginning to grow.  The island was a bit quieter back then, and Kaya Grandi, where the stores are located, had a totally different look.

Through the years of Bonaire’s change and growth, Mary always provided a familiar, welcoming smile to many of the island’s visitors, who returned year after year.  She’s been a model employee—honest, hard-working, and loyal.

To celebrate her anniversary, the company held a small party at Plazita Limon Restaurant.  There, Mary received the congratulations of the owners and management of Dive Friends, Mr. Peter Muijselaar and his wife and Pascal De Meyer, the commissioner Jan Kloos and his wife, as well as her colleagues, Judith Abdul, Antonia Coffy, Liane Wanga, and Radinka Ustasia.

Dive Friends Bonaire offers two retail stores in the main street (Kaya Grandi) of Kralendijk: Dive Friends Divers Discount and Dive Friends Dive Shop.  The stores were upgraded in April, 2008, to give them a new look and to be able to offer gifts and souvenirs, as well as dive equipment, to stay-over visitors or those arriving via the island’s burgeoning cruise tourism.

Dive Friends Bonaire is one of Bonaire’s premier diving facilities offering full diving and snorkeling services while still providing personal attention.  In addition to its two retail stores, there are four diving facilities.  For additional information about all their services, visit their web site at www.dive-friends-bonaire.com.  Image caption:  Pascal De Meyer presents Mary Frans with a 20th anniversary gift.  (Source:  Dive Friends Bonaire)

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Bonaire National Marine Park Requests Divers’ Help with Identification

Over the past few days, the Bonaire National Marine Park has received reports of an important algae bloom in various areas on the reefs of Bonaire.  The marine park is asking any divers in the water to be on the lookout for this algae and to report any occurrence they may find.

If you see this algae (Trichogloeopsis pedicellata), please report the dive site, date, approximate dimensions of the covered area, and depth. Pictures will also help. The algae is fleshy, four to six inches high (10 to 16 cm), and its color is pale-pink to white.  It is not toxic and the marine park believes this is simply a spring boom that will most likely disappear in a few weeks.  You data will help the park to have a better idea of the actual extension and the evolution of this bloom.

You may report any sightings by emailing marinepark@stinapa.org.  (Source:  Bonaire National Marine Park)

Friday, May 09, 2008

About.com Hosts Favorite Dive Destination Survey

About.com is a top ten web site used by one of every five viewers on the Internet, and they are currently hosting a poll entitled, “Favorite Dive Destination.”

This particular poll about the Caribbean is featured in round five of their polling, and those who visit and enjoy Bonaire can vote for the island as their favorite dive destination in the Caribbean.  Those interested in doing so may click here to participate.

About.com is a part of the prestigious New York Times news service.  (Source:  TCB-NY)

Thursday, May 08, 2008

Four of Bonaire’s Vehicle Rental Agencies Open New Airport Rental Center

Effective immediately, a new Airport Rental Center has opened up just opposite the main terminal exit/entrance of Bonaire’s Flamingo Airport.  Currently, four of Bonaire’s vehicle rental companies have relocated their offices to this location, so vehicle pick ups and drop offs will now be handled at the new location.

The four companies who have relocated are:  AB Car Rental, Total Car Rental, Island Car Rental, and Top Drive Car Rental.  Together, they command a fleet of nearly 500 rental vehicles of all types and prices.  To locate the new center, once you exit the terminal (facing outward), look straight forward and toward your right.  (Or simply follow the foot prints on the image above).

The Airport Rental Center offers additional advantages with its spacious and air-conditioned indoor offices, having four of Bonaire’s rental agencies under one roof and within walking distance from the airport, and a welcoming bar where those tired from traveling can enjoy a cold drink or snack while awaiting their vehicle.  Additionally, the Airport Rental Center offers a new location for Harbourtown Real Estate, which offers interested visitors or residents information on the current real estate market on Bonaire, as well as showcasing current homes and businesses which are available for sale. (Source:  AB Car Rental; image courtesy of AB Car Rental)

Note Update May 29, 2008: We’ve just learned that this new facility has been temporarily closed.  Check with your rental agency if you are using AB Car Rental, Total Car Rental, Island Car Rental, and Top Drive Car Rental for instructions as to where to pick up your vehicle. (Source:  Bonaire Insider Reporter)

Monday, May 05, 2008

Bonaire’s Captain Don Stewart Receives Award as Knight in the Order of Oranje Nassau

The Order of Orange-Nassau (Dutch: Orde van Oranje-Nassau) is a military and civil order of merit created in 1892 on behalf of Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands. Today, the Orange-Nassau is still the most active military and civil decoration of the Netherlands. The Order is typically awarded each year on the Queen’s official birthday when appointments to the Order are made public.

Recently, Captain Don Stewart was given the title of Knight (Dutch:  Ridder) within the Order.  Bestowing this honor upon Don was Bonaire’s Lt. Governor, Herbert Domacasse.  The badge of the Order is a blue-enameled and white enamel-bordered Maltese Cross in silver for knights and members. The central disc has the lion from the Dutch coat of arms of the Netherlands in gold and blue enamel, surrounded by a white enamel ring bearing the Dutch national motto:  I will stand fast (Dutch:  Ik zal handhaven).  A crown tops the badge. The civil insignia has a wreath of laurel between the arms of the cross. The badge is attached to a ribbon, which is orange with white and blue border stripes.

At the same time, four other prominent persons from Bonaire received membership (Dutch:  Lid) within the Order:  Sara Ann Matera, Ignacia Monica Bernabela (Sur Virginia), Margaritha Flora Martis-Frans, and Rignaldo Timp.  (Source:  Bonaire Insider)