Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Taste of Bonaire is Sunday, August 16, 2009

The season’s third instance of the popular Taste of Bonaire will be held this coming Sunday, August 16, 2009 in Wilhelmina Park in Kralendijk.

From 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM, the park will be transformed, with seating where one can enjoy the live presentations as well as the signature dishes of many of Bonaire restaurateurs, selling for as little as FL 7.00 (about USD $3.95).  There will also be great opportunities to get the perfect souvenir or gift for others, as some of Bonaire artisans will be showcasing their wares.  The next Taste of Bonaire isn’t until November, so all should take advantage of this opportunity to mingle with friends and family. (Source:  TCB-Bonaire)

Monday, August 10, 2009

Mr. Bonaire 2009 Was Crowned on August 8, 2009

Each year the bodybuilding tournament which crowns Mr. Bonaire is a popular event, providing standing-room only if one arrives too late.  Images of this year’s competition can be found on the Bonaire Insider Photo Gallery by clicking here.

Trophies are awarded in each of four divisions by weight or age (Juniors, Masters, under 85 kilograms, and over 85 kilograms), while medals are awarded for second or third place.  Additionally, there are trophies for Best Overall and Most Popular.  This year’s winners are:

—Adimir Wanga, First place Junior Division, Second place Under 85 Kilos
—Grensley Pieter, Second place Junior Division, Third place Above 85 Kilos
—Cherry Pekeri, First place Under 85 Kilos
—Ruben Sanchez, First place Masters Division, Third place Under 85 Kilos
—Jose Saleh, Second place Above 85 Kilos, Second place Masters Division
—Arien Cado, First Place Above 85 Kilos, and Overall Winner
—Wendell Pieter, Third place Masters Division

Many of these winners will now continue on to the Antillean finals, held in Sint Maarten in September.  We wish all the Bonaire competitors good luck!  (Source:  Bonaire Insider reporter)

Friday, August 07, 2009

Antillean Wine Company Holds Wine-tasting on Saturday, August 8, 2009

The monthly wine-tasting event held by Antillean Wine Company will be this coming Saturday, August 8, 2009.

This month, those attending will be able to sample six specially selected wines from South America.  Snacks and music are also provided.  Entry is FL 17.50 or USD $10.00 per person, and the event is being held at their store at Kaya Industria #23 from 7:00 PM until 9:00 PM. (Source:  Antillean Wine Company)

Thursday, August 06, 2009

Karol Meyer is on Bonaire, and In Training for New Freediving Record

Karol Meyer recently arrived on Bonaire and has been training intensively for her upcoming record-breaking attempts in freediving.

Brazilian Karol Meyer recently became a Guinness World Record holder with an amazing apnea dive of 18 minutes and 32 seconds underwater on July 10, 2009. Karol also became famous by breaking two continental records and three world records at the discipline static apnea by AIDA (International Association freediving), and one No Limit Tandem world record (female) when she reached the depth of 91 meters with Audrey Mestre (i.m.). She is often a key speaker at various events and has received many recognitions throughout her career, including Best Freediver, Best Instructor Freediver, Special ICARE Trophy and GoOutside Athlete.

Karol’s objective is to set new South American records (and at the same time break the second best performance in the world), by diving to 100 meters on the variable weight discipline at Klein Bonaire.  According to Karol Meyer, “The freediver is a world on a single breath of air, moving gracefully without wasting energy. A freediver can spend minutes underwater and experience the ocean as no others can, visiting another dimension and becoming one with the sea! I’m really happy to have the opportunity to freedive in Bonaire; such a special place in the world to do it!”

During Karol’s visit, she will be giving talks shows, freediving clinics, apnea tournaments, and, of course, her record attempts.  To view the schedule of her activities, click here (available in PDF format).  (Source:  TCB-Bonaire)

Wednesday, August 05, 2009

Ninth Annual Jong Bonaire Swim to Klein Bonaire is Sunday, October 4, 2009

With each additional year, this annual Jong Bonaire fundraising event gains more popularity with both local residents and visiting tourists alike.  Jong Bonaire will once again hold its Swim to Klein on Sunday, October 4, 2009.

Those interested in participating can purchase tickets at Jong Bonaire, Bonfysiotherapie, or Freewieler; entry fee is FL 25.00 per adult (about USD $14.04), while kids are FL 15.00 (about USD $8.43), and includes an event t-shirt, lunch, and drink.

The swim to Klein will begin at 7:00 AM from the beach at Eden Beach Resort.  Plenty of boat support will be available for those who may tire early, or wish a ride back from Klein.  The swim may be made with or without swim aids (mask, fins, and snorkel).  Many of Bonaire’s experienced swimmers make the swim a round-trip event.

Everyone is welcome. (Source:  Jong Bonaire)

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

CIEE (Bonaire) Announces Next Public Lecture on Bonaire’s Mangroves

On Thursday, August 6th, 2009, the CIEE Research Station Bonaire will hold its next public lecture, this one focusing upon Bonaire’s mangroves.

The guest speaker is Robin Lewis, who will speak on “Mangrove Forest Ecology, Management, and Restoration on Bonaire.” Mr. Lewis is here on Bonaire for a mangrove training workshop held today through Thursday, hosted by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance, STINAPA Bonaire, and Progressive Environmental Solutions.  This workshop is the start of a new phase within the Lac Bay project, and Mr. Lewis and his team, along with key stakeholders on Bonaire, will work toward concrete sustainable solutions for Lac, using the data gathered by the three sponsors over the last few years.

The lecture is free to the public, and all are invited.  It will be begin at 7:00 PM at the CIEE headquarters at Kaya Gobernador N. Debrot 26.  (Source:  CIEE Bonaire)

Monday, August 03, 2009

Bonaire Oceanfront Villa 9 Launches Renovated Web Site

Bonaire Oceanfront Villa 9 is pleased to announce that their web site has been expanded and launched.  Located at www.bonaireoceanfrontvilla.com, the expanded web site highlights new amenities for the property, as well as an amplified image gallery and an up-to-date availability calendar.

Throughout the site, visitors will find current images of the villa, showing exactly the conditions that those booking their next Bonaire vacation will find.  The image gallery, located at www.bonaireoceanfrontvilla.com/pictures.html, has been augmented with clear thumbnail images, which are clickable for enlarged images of the villa’s exterior, interior, and roof-top terraces.  Additionally, stunning sunsets of the Caribbean Sea offer a taste of what those staying at Bonaire Oceanfront Villa will experience.

The availability calendar, which can be viewed at www.bonaireoceanfrontvilla.com/calendar.html, is new to the site, and can provide an “at-a-glance” check of which dates are still available for upcoming travel plans.  Confirmation of your travel dates can be easily completed via an e-mail to the villa’s property manager by clicking here.

Located at Hamlet #9, Bonaire Oceanfront Villa 9 offers the ease of diving from your own property, as the famous “Cliff” dive site is only 100 feet from the property’s beach.  The villa accommodates up to ten persons comfortably with five bedrooms and five baths.  Two diving facilities are within a short walk of the villa: Dive Friends Bonaire @ Hamlet to the north, and Captain Don’s Habitat to the south.

Bonaire Oceanfront Villa 9 is one of Bonaire’s premier oceanfront properties offering villa-style vacationing.  It offers affordable accommodations for any Bonaire visitor, but especially caters to those coming to the island to dive.  For additional information, visit the web site at www.bonaireoceanfrontvilla.com, or e-mail: info@bonaireoceanfrontvilla.com. (Source:  Bonaire Oceanfront Villa 9)