Friday, September 16, 2011

The Eleventh Annual Jong Bonaire Swim to Klein Bonaire Will Be Held on Sunday, October 2nd, 2011

The Eleventh Annual Jong Bonaire Swim to Klein Bonaire will be held at the start of Regatta Week on Sunday, October 2, 2011.  Each year, the number of participants grows exponentially, and it’s quite a sight to see hundreds of swimmers making their way across the channel between Bonaire and Klein Bonaire.

The swim will begin from the beach at Eden Beach Resort, and swimmers should arrive no later than 7:00 AM.  The entry fee is $15.00 per person (adult) or $10.00 for kids.  The entry fee includes an event t-shirt, lunch, and drink. Tickets can be purchased in advance at Jong Bonaire, Bon Fysio/BonBida, or Freewieler.

The swim can be done with or without snorkel equipment, and hardy souls even make the swim back.  Plenty of boats are on hand to help with those who tire or need assistance, or those who want to ride in comfort back to the beach.

To avoid long lines on the morning of the swim, there will be a pre-registration available at Jong Bonaire between 5:00 and 7:00 PM Saturday, October 1st, at Jong Bonaire.  Those who are unable to make the pre-registration can still register the morning of the event.

For those visiting Bonaire, it’s a great opportunity to mingle with the locals, who all turn out at what has become an island social event.  See you on the beach! (Source:  Jong Bonaire)

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Enjoy a Wine-Tasting Tonight at Antillean Wine Company

After a short break, Antillean Wine is back to holding their regular monthly wine tastings, and tonight is the night to enjoy some new fine wines.

From 7:00 PM until 9:00 PM, chat and socialize with other visitors and locals while sipping six new wines at their premises at Kaya Industria #23.  Entrance is $10.00 per person and also includes light snacks.

Enjoy!  (Source:  Antillean Wine Company)

Friday, September 09, 2011

Insider Review--Outback Yoga Bonaire

Last week, Desiree and Don Seaver, well known yoga instructors on Bonaire, opened the doors to their new yoga studio, Outback Yoga Bonaire.  The new studio offers a variety of classes each week, at different levels, so that anyone from beginner to advanced can find just the perfect class.

I had the opportunity to try out an intermediate class, taught by both Don and Desiree.  Although I had studied yoga in the past with Desiree, working under Don’s instruction was new for me, and he definitely added an important element to the class.  Both Don and Desiree share responsibility for leading the class at different times, while the other one works to enhance asanas (poses or postures) as needed on an individual basis. 

The studio is located “out back” (and thus the name) at Bon Bida Spa & Gym.  It has a separate entrance from the gym, on the north side of the building, and classes can be taught indoors during the heat of day or inclement weather, but our class opted for an early morning class out on the private deck, equipped with canopies.  Not only was a nice breeze going which kept everyone cool, but during the final meditation, or savasana, the chirps of the parrots and the rustle of the wind through palm fronds was the perfect way to free the mind of everyday thoughts or worries.

Classes can be taken on an “as desired” basis, or, for those visiting Bonaire for a longer term, arrangements can be made to purchase a card good for three, five, ten, or twenty classes.  For more information, visit their web site by clicking here.  (Source:  Bonaire Insider Reporter)

Thursday, September 08, 2011

Mr. Bonaire and Miss Bonaire Body Figure 2011 Named in BodyBuilding and Fitness Competition

Last Saturday saw the annual competition for Mr. Bonaire with Bonaire’s bodybuilders, as well as Miss Bonaire Body Figure for the women’s competition.  Images of the event can be viewed on the Bonaire Insider Photo Gallery by clicking here. 

In the Mr. Bonaire 2011 competition, the following placed in their categories:

Junior, 1st:  Ritshell Engelhart; 2nd:  Naser Mercelina
Lightweight, 1st: Ritshell Engelhard; 2nd:  Naser Mercelina
Light Middleweight, 1st: Angelo Engelhart; 2nd:  Cherry Pikerie; 3rd:  Ruben Sanchez
Heavyweight, 1st: Jose Saleh; 2nd: Roderick Engelhart
Masters, 1st: Jose Saleh; 2nd: Ruben Sanchez

In the women’s category of Body Figure, the following placed:

1st: Carulienne Domacasse; 2nd:  Dedrie Pedersen

Congratulations to all!  (Source:  Bonaire Insider Reporter)

Tai Chi and Qigong and Core Stability Classes at Bon Bida Spa and Gym

The September class schedule at Bon Bida Spa and Gym has been augmented with two new offerings:  Tai Chi and Qigong, taught by Ron Sewell, as well as a Core Stability Class, taught by Miguel Angel Brito.

Tai Chi and Qigong exercises are a preventative medicine approach to health and wellness.  The exercise routines are low impact, but build great body and core strength and are well known to prevent and improve even severe arthritic conditions.  Tai Chi and Qigong exercises provide the opportunity to learn more about your body and how it works, while teaching the student how to move correctly and have good posture.  The routines help to improve physical and mental health, produce a healthy body, and an alert mind.  Participants taking a Tai Chi/Qigong class will experience a gentle work out of all muscles, ligaments, tendons and glands through a series of graceful movements, which also benefit the body with a tranquil state of mind.  Classes are taught twice each week on Tuesday mornings and Friday evenings.

Core stability is the cure for your core!  It’s a common term in the fitness branch and also in physical therapy practices. Core stability is a form of abdominal exercise which provides muscular control of the whole region bounded by the abdominal wall, the pelvis, the lower back and the diaphragm and a person’s ability to stabilize the body during movement. It is the action of the muscles in this region contracting together upon the contents of the abdominal cavity that provides support to the spine and pelvis during movement. It works rather like an air bag for your back. By compressing the abdominal cavity, the pressure inside this cavity will protect and the back is stabilized.  Classes are taught twice each week on Thursday evenings and Friday mornings.

To view the entire roster of health and fitness classes at Bon Bida Spa & Gym, visit their web site by clicking here.  (Source:  Bon Bida Spa & Gym)

Wednesday, September 07, 2011

Insel Air Introduces Comfort Class

In addition to their normal economy class seating, Insel Air has just introduced a new “Comfort Class” seating aboard their entire fleet, with the exception of the small Embraer-Banderaintes aircraft, and this service will be available on all flights with a duration of longer than 45 minutes.

Comfort Class will involve an extra quality to the offered economy services, including alcoholic beverages on board and the possibility of additional luggage.  Comfort Class passengers will be allowed to board the aircraft first, greeted with a beverage or snack, and the seating is situated in the forward part of the aircraft, giving passengers in this class of service an additional legroom of five centimeters, and also additional storage space for luggage. These passengers are allowed to take along extra luggage up to 20 kilos, depending on their destination, according to the airline company.

Insel Air’s Comfort Class passengers will also enjoy a variety of other benefits, including high quality food and beverages during the flight, newspapers, the Insel Air In-flight magazine, and preferential treatment on ground services and admission to the business lounge. Those passengers who are members of Insel Air’s loyalty program, Star Miles, will save 10% extra when choosing to travel in Comfort Class.  If any Comfort Class seats are not sold by the time of departure, an upgrade can be done at the last minute for the special introductory rate of $60.00 per passenger, excluding the option for extra luggage.

Insel Air flies non-stop from Miami to Bonaire each Saturday, and from Charlotte, North Caroline to Bonaire (via Curacao) twice each week.  For additional information, visit their web site by clicking here.  (Source:  Amigoe)

Sunday, September 04, 2011

Sunset Bar and Grill Offers Special Holiday Menus for Labor Day and Bonaire Day

Sunset Bar & Grill, located at the Den Laman Condominiums, has announced some very special menus for the upcoming American Labor Day holiday and also for Bonaire Day.

Those Americans who are spending Labor Day, Monday, September 5, 2011, on Bonaire can enjoy some delicious special menu items at Kirk Gosden’s Sunset Bar & Grill.  Click here to view tomorrow’s special menu (in PDF format).

And everyone on Bonaire will be celebrating Bonaire Day on Tuesday, September 6, 2011.  Sunset will offer a very Bonairean menu, with local favorites such as Sopi Kabritu, Piska Cora Hasa ku Funchi Sauce Criollo, beef, chicken, or iguana stew, and a popular dessert, Quesillo.  View Tuesday’s special menu by clicking here (in PDF format).

For those not on Bonaire this week and therefore cannot enjoy Sunset’s special offerings, but who are planning a trip soon, Kirk has recently informed the Bonaire Insider that Sunset will be continuing to offer their popular summertime lunch package for the near term.  This package includes six lunches over six consecutive days for only $60.00 per person.  There are three menu items from which to choose each day.  To see a sample menu of Sunset’s lunch specials, click here (in PDF format).  (Source:  Sunset Bar & Grill)

Bonaire Day 2011 Will Be Celebrated Tuesday, September 6 in North Salina

Bonaire’s flag day is celebrated each year on September 6th, and the festivities rotate into different barrios, or neighborhoods, every year.  This year’s celebration will be held in North Salina on this coming Tuesday.

This year’s theme is “Maintaining Identity” and the holiday commemorates the day way back in 1499 when Amerigo Vespucci first set foot on Bonaire.  Bonaire Day is an important day for all Bonaireans, as it’s a time when the local culture and way of life can be renewed and celebrated.

This year the events kick off at 10:00 AM and will continue throughout the day and evening.  All are invited to attend.  A program of the day’s events is available by clicking here (in PDF format, in Papiamentu) and the cultural program is available by clicking here (also in PDF, in Papiamentu.)

Those visiting Bonaire should also know that Tuesday is a legal holiday and many establishments will be closed for the day.  (Source:  Island Government)