Friday, October 09, 2009

STINAPA Bonaire Continues Reforestation Efforts at Klein Bonaire and in Washington Slagbaai Park

Continuing a reforestation effort begun earlier in the year, STINAPA Bonaire and volunteers recently planted 153 indigenous trees on Klein Bonaire and in Washington Slagbaai National Park.

Previously, Klein Bonaire was forested with hardwoods, but by 1950, most trees had died due to overgrazing by goats and tree-felling for charcoal production. Heavy deforestation also meant the loss of the endangered lora, as well as other bird species, none of which occur on Klein Bonaire at this time. After the removal of goats on Klein Bonaire in the 1980s, the forest vegetation rapidly recovered, with the exception of species which had already disappeared. With the financial support of the Prince Bernhard Culture Fund, Klein Bonaire is now being reforested with natural tree species which are native and which will provide food for wildlife.

Washington Slagbaai has also suffered from heavy deforestation primarily due to overgrazing by livestock and charcoal production logging. Recently, eight different tree species were planted in fenced areas of the park. The trees were supplied by Foundation Carmabi on Curacao.  Currently, the Slagbaai portion of the park is completely fenced and, with the removal of goats from the park, has led to a natural recovery. The rare trees planted in this project are provided within the park so they may reproduce and the seeds can be spread by birds to accelerate vegetation recovery. (Source:  STINAPA Bonaire)

Thursday, October 08, 2009

Bonaire Windsurfers Sweep First, Second, and Third in German World Freestyle Competition

It was Bonaire all the way at the recent PWA World Cup Sylt 2009 in Germany.  Braving wind, waves, cold, and rain, the Bonaire team placed First, Second, and Third in a sweep of the competition.

Tati Frans was in his element, as the wind picked up to 25 knots and heavy rain showers kicked up the beach in Westerland, as he triumphed in first place.

Kiri Thode, another home-grown Bonaire windsurfer, ended in second place, actually doing quite well considering that he had crashed a fin on the rocks before his heat.  Kiri, a master at flat-water freestyle, admitted that the onshore conditions were a bit extreme.

And Tonki Frans fought his way to a third place victory, completing the sweep for Team Bonaire.  The men were competing against about fifty other windsurfers in their category, while there were about 200 participants in total for the competition.  At the completion of this competition, world rankings show just how good Bonaire’s sailors are in freestyle:  Kiri Thode is ranked 2nd in the world, Tonki Frans is ranked 3rd in the world, and Tati Frans is ranked 6th in the world.  Congratulations to all, and a great job in representing Bonaire! (Source:  Extra Bonaire and Continent Seven)

Wednesday, October 07, 2009

Sea Turtle Club is Tracking Two Turtles in 2009

As in past years, the Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire Club (STCB) has attached tracking devices to two turtles found nesting in Bonaire’s waters, and now that the turtles are on their way home, the club is monitoring their locations.

The first turtle is “Doris,” and she is now 687 km (about 427 miles) away from Bonaire; she has continued swimming in a southwesterly direction along the coast of Colombia and is traveling only 12 km (about 7.5 miles) away from shore. Her signals position her in front of Isla de Salamanca Natural National Park.

This Natural National Park has a surface area of 21000 km2 (over 13,000 square miles), a sea surface area of 300 km2 (about 186 square miles) and a shoreline length of 5 km (about three miles). It is an international natural site designated by UNESCO under the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, and a natural site is defined as an area of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science, conservation, or natural beauty.

The second turtle is “52049.” She is currently swimming at a slow pace in a northerly direction. 52049 is now 383 km (about 238 miles) northeast of Bonaire, 258 km (about 160 miles) southwest from Isla Aves, and 359 (about 223 miles) south of St Croix. (Source:  Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire)

Monday, October 05, 2009

KLM to Offer Greater Comfort in Economy Class Beginning December, 2009

From December 2009, passengers traveling in KLM’s economy class on all intercontinental flights can choose seats offering greater comfort. The new Economy Comfort zone offers up to ten centimeters (about four inches) more legroom and back supports that can recline twice as far. What’s more, Economy Comfort passengers can also disembark more quickly after landing because their seating zone is located at the front of economy class. 

KLM will be offering the new Economy Comfort zone in response to customer demands for greater comfort and more choice in Economy Class on intercontinental flights. The Economy Comfort zone supplements the preferred seats already available at an additional charge. KLM’s entire intercontinental fleet will be equipped with the new zone. The first aircraft have already been converted. The remaining aircraft will follow in the months ahead, enabling all passengers to choose for the Economy Comfort zone on intercontinental flights from December, 2009 onward.

Depending on the distances involved, the price of the new zone will amount to between €80 and €150 for a single leg of the journey. Flying Blue Platinum members and passengers traveling on a full-flex Economy Class ticket can book Economy Comfort seats without a surcharge. Flying Blue Gold members will be offered a 50% discount and Flying Blue Silver members 25%. The service in Economy Comfort will be the same as that in Economy Class.

Economy Comfort seats can be booked from the end of November on the KLM web site by clicking here, or at the airport using the self-service check-in or transfer kiosks (where available).  (Source:  KLM)

Friday, October 02, 2009

Severely Wounded Men From U.S. Special Forces are Honored on Bonaire

When we last reported on these special men and their families, visiting Bonaire from the United States, we found them as they were just completing their diving certifications.  The group has had a very busy schedule since that time, and they will continue to enjoy Bonaire until tomorrow, when they leave for home.

The men and their wives and girlfriends spend each morning honing their diving skills with boat dives to various sites on the main island and Klein Bonaire.  Afternoons are spent in a variety of different ways, all focusing upon the island’s special highlights.

Tuesday, after a lunch in Kralendijk at the Palacios family’s Buenos Aires Cafe, the men visited Jewel of Bonaire.  Although they each were provided with a substantial gift certificate, compliments of the store, the men did go a “little crazy” when shopping for gifts for family and friends back home.  That evening, they enjoyed the hospitality of the Palacios family once again at their signature restaurant, Patagonia, where the All-You-Can-Eat Grill Night was definitely a hit.

Wednesday evening brought a special treat--a reception at Bonaire’s Lt. Governor Glenn Thode’s home.  Lt. Governor Thode and his wife were gracious hosts, welcoming the men, their wives and girlfriends, as well as trip leaders, “Big Wave Dave,” Stu, and Marie.  Arriving with a motorcycle escort from Biker’s Bonaire, the group posed for a quick image with their Bonaire Tours & Vacations bus, and then entered the reception.  At this reception, the men were shocked and pleasantly surprised as they were called to the floor to accept their award certificates and silver medals from the Lt. Governor and his wife, as they were named Bonaire ambassadors.  And truly these men will fulfill their roles as ambassadors of our island.  Afterward, it was the men’s turn to thank all of the on-island sponsors who had donated so much to make this dream vacation a reality for them.  Big Wave Dave handed out award certificates to many of the event sponsors, while local television stations filmed the festivities.  The evening’s event was made possible by a donation from Caradonna Dive Adventures, Inc.  View images of the evening’s festivities on the Bonaire Insider Photo Gallery by clicking here.

Today, Friday, is their final full day on island, and this morning, the group is enjoying a sunny day and an island tour, so they can also see what Bonaire offers for topside attractions.  This afternoon, they will go four-wheeling, compliments of Bonaire Quad Tours, and see other parts of the island.  Tonight, they’ll eat like kings at the home of Jack Chalk, general manager of Captain Don’s Habitat, while Jack serves up the famous Texas-styled BBQ for which he is so famous, sponsored by the Jack Chalk Family and Adams Unlimited.

It is due to the tight-knit Bonaire and diving communities that the island can provide such an event to honor these men; it would not be possible without the donations of funds and services by so many who support this cause.  The Bonaire Insider would like to thank the following sponsors, as well as all those who made donations anonymously, for their kind actions:  9Line, Adams Unlimited, Aeris, Alan Gross and Jane Townsend, Bikers Bonaire, Bonaire KFC, Bonaire Talk, Bonaire Quad Tours, Bonaire Tours & Vacations, Budget Car Rental, Buenos Aires Café, Captain Don’s Habitat, Caradonna Dive Adventures, Inc., Care Coalition, Caribbean Travel & Life/Sport Diver/Destination Weddings & Honeymoons/Islands Magazines, Chammyz, DEMA/Be a Diver, Dive Training Magazine, Floris & Nannie, Henderson, Jack Chalk, Jewel Of Bonaire, N.E.K. Advanced Securities Group, NetTech, Oceanic, PADI, Patagonia Restaurant, Princeton Tec, Rum Runners, Scuba Do Rags, Tourism Corporation Bonaire, and XS Scuba.

We will soon say te aworo (Papiamentu for “so long") to these fine men and their families and only add that we hope to see them back on Bonaire again soon.  Even as these folks leave the island, Bonaire’s community still takes care of them!  BonaireTalk.com has even provided their airport departure fees gratis! (Source:  Bonaire Insider Reporter)

Delta Airlines Announces Change in Flights to Bonaire

The Bonaire Insider received an official notification from the Tourist Corporation Bonaire that Delta has made yet another change in their planned flights to Bonaire.

In a communication from Delta to the TCB, Delta said that the Sunday flights did not book as well as the Saturday flights.  Between December 19 and April 11, Saturdays are booked to 49%, but Sundays are only booked to 12%.  Unfortunately, Delta had to make the tough decision to cancel the Sunday flights.  They will still operate on December 27, January 3, and February 21, since those dates were fairly heavily booked.  The other Sunday flights will be removed from the reservations systems tomorrow, October 3rd, 2009.  Passengers will be offered the option of switching to the Saturday flight. It should be noted, however, that effective February 13, the Saturday flight between Atlanta and Bonaire will be upgraded from a 757 with 183 seats to a 767 with 262 seats, which will provide additional airlift on Saturdays of 79 more seats, since this appears to be the day on which most visitors prefer to travel.

The Delta JFK flight will resume in December as scheduled.

Those who may be booked on upcoming Sunday Delta flights should contact Delta or their travel agent as quickly as possible to be re-accommodated.  (Source:  TCB)