Thursday, April 26, 2012

Caribbean Wind and Sun Offers Shoulder Season Special

Caribbean Wind and Sun Vacations is offering a distinctive special at either Coco Palm Gardens or Windsock Apartments for the shoulder season months of May and June and even into July. 

Coco Palm Gardens is a casual bungalow-style property located in Belnem. Walk to Bachelor’s Beach or drive just a few minutes to over twenty dive sites.  Now through June 30, 2012, stay for seven nights and pay for six.  Rooms start at only $65.00 per night, double occupancy, including taxes.  Air-conditioning is optional and is $12.50 additional per bedroom per night.  The special applies to new bookings only, and is subject to availability.

Windsock Apartments are also located in Belnem, just south of the airport. The property features a pool and private beach, as well as a dive facility on site.  This property is offering a special where you can stay for seven nights and pay for six, which continues through June 30, 2012.

Or, starting June 1, stay for 14 nights and pay only ten, or really splurge and stay 21 nights, and pay for only 15 nights.  Taxes are additional on this special and are $6.50 per person per night.  This special applies to bookings made through Caribbean Wind & Sun Vacations.  Visit their web site for for applicable rates based upon your chosen occupancy.  (Source:  Caribbean Wind & Sun Vacations)

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Choose From Daily Special Events on Bonaire Over the Next Week

There’s no lack of things to do on Bonaire over the next week, so in addition to diving, snorkeling, and windsurfing, those lucky visitors who are here right now should check out some of the following events.

On Friday evening, April 27th, the year’s first Taste of Bonaire event will be held in Wilhemina Park from 6:00 PM until 10:00 PM.  There will be a variety of stands offering local favorites, as well as international foods, and the Tourism Corporation Bonaire will be offering a welcome drink between 6:00 and 8:00 PM.  Come and enjoy the music and dance groups that will be also performing.

In conjunction with the Taste of Bonaire, the Bonaire Arts and Crafts Association will hold a Happy Hour Market, also in Wilhelmina Park from 5:00 PM through to 9:00 PM.  This is a new weekly event and will take place every Friday, but this week is the inaugural event.

Also, on Friday evening, April 27th, enjoy a Jazzy Happy Hour with Andreina and Friends presented at Hotel Roomer by Club Roomer Bonaire.  Dinner specials are only $10.00 per person, and include pasta, stamppot, or friend rice.  The evening begins at 7:00 PM, and there’s no cover charge.

Saturday, April 28th, is World Tai Chi Qigong Day 2012.  On the last Saturday of each April every year, all the Tai Chi and Qigong clubs as well as all individual practitioners worldwide, practice their exercises from 8 am until noon local time, which creates a global wave of energy that flows around the world from one time zone to another.  Bonaire will be participating on this day in the Wilhelmina Plein from 8 AM onwards. We would like to invite all those who might be interested in watching and perhaps even joining us in a low-impact form of gentle exercises that can be performed anywhere at any time with no special equipment or clothing.

Also on Saturday morning is the monthly Go Green Farmers Market, located at the Pakus di Pruga at Kaya Lib. Simon Blv. 17 from 8:00 AM through Noon.  Visit with some of the people who farm and ranch on kunukus on Bonaire, buy fresh fruits and vegetables, plants and herbs, or simply enjoy the fun of people-watching while they choose their purchases.

Monday and Tuesday, April 30th and May 1st are legal holidays so many establishments will be closed on Bonaire, due to the Queen’s Birthday and Labor Day.  However here on Bonaire, in addition to celebrating the Queen’s birthday, we also celebrate Dia di Rincon, which will be a full day of parties, music, food, culture, dancing, and fun, fun, fun.  The day starts off with the annual 17.5 kilometer Rincon Day walk and run, at 6:00 AM at the soccer stadium in Kralendijk, and will finish at Rose Inn in Rincon.  For more information on the run, click here (in PDF format). 

Then, everyone will head to Rincon for the day to enjoy the festivities of this annual event which gets bigger and better each year.  Rincon’s people have been preparing for weeks already, so visitors shouldn’t miss this unique event which is totally Bonairean.  Happenings will begin about 10:00 AM and go straight through to the wee hours.

Take a rest on Labor Day, Tuesday, May 1st, but then again, on Wednesday May 2nd, CIEE will present its next public lectures from 7:00 PM until 8:00 PM at their headquarters at Kaya Gobernador Debrot 26.  “The Lionfish Invasion of Klein Bonaire” will be presented by Fadilah Ali, M.Env.Sci. Lionfish and Coral Reef Ecology Intern, CIEE Research Station Bonaire.  Since February 11th, 2012, divers having been going out to Klein Bonaire for a 2 tank lionfish removal dusk and night dive trip. Led by Menno de Bree of of LaTina Divers, the aim of this trip is to go out twice per month until no more lionfish can be found at Klein Bonaire. All lionfish caught on these dives were measured and weighed and their stomach contents analyzed on the boat, before they were sold to local restaurants. This public lecture will present the main findings of this study and make comparisons to mainland Bonaire in terms of the progression of the lionfish invasion.

Then, “The Development of an Online Lionfish Control Application” will be presented by Nathaniel Miller, Conservation Project Officer with the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance.  Nat is developing an online repository that records, displays (on a map) and performs some basic analysis of lionfish hunting and spotting data. This data should enable hunters to make more informed decisions on where to hunt. It also, combined with transect data and some of the hunters’ data collection, should provide better insight to lionfish impact and control success. The website and mobile application will be user-friendly, fun, and interactive to encourage reporting and attract interested public. The entire project will be map-based within Google maps.

So, there’s truly something for everyone in Bonaire’s upcoming events.  Be sure to take advantage of these unique opportunities.  (Source:  Bonaire Insider Reporter)

Friday, April 20, 2012

Charles Vos Joins Sand Dollar Condominiums as General Manager

Sand Dollar Condominiums recently announced the appointment of Charles Vos as General Manager. He assumed his new role on April 16, replacing exiting manager Gilberto Lira, who leaves to assume a position with the Dutch Government. 

Mr. Vos brings a breadth of experience that includes 20 years in hotel and restaurant management in The Netherlands. Before moving to Bonaire, he spent five years as the General Manager of two WestCord Hotels including the Golden Tulip & Tulip Inn Amsterdam Art and Fashion Hotel Amsterdam, as well as more than five years in a variety of management positions at the Golden Tulip Barbizon Palace Hotel in Amsterdam. 

Canadian born, Vos moved to The Netherlands at 16 where he studied at the Golden Tulip Business School and the NH University and also earned several certifications from SVH (Stichting Vakbekwaamheid Horeca).  A fanatic road cyclist and marathoner, Vos has been bitten by the scuba diving bug since arriving on Bonaire over a year ago.

Sand Dollar offers some of the most spacious and comfortable ocean front accommodations on island. All units have air-conditioned bedrooms, full kitchens, dining and living areas, and roomy porches or balconies overlooking the Caribbean Sea. These reasonably priced condominiums have an abundance of amenities. Sand Dollar’s quality and flexibility make it an especially popular destination for couples, families, and groups seeking value and relaxation.

For further information contact Carol Bradovchak at Marketing@SandDollarBonaire.com or visit www.SandDollarBonaire.com.  (Source:  Sand Dollar Concominiums)

Thursday, April 19, 2012

STCB Reports Receiving Signals from Turtle Toyo After Seven Months

Bonaire Insider readers may recall the story about Toyo from last August, when STCB staff and volunteers placed a satellite transmitter on a large female loggerhead turtle, named Toyo.

The last satellite transmission of Toyo’s location was received September 3, 2011.  Recently, nearly seven months later, Toyo’s transmitter sent 13 signals confirming her home foraging grounds of Los Roques, Venezuela.

Toyo was already traveling from her breeding and nesting grounds when she stopped by Playa Chikitu of Washington Slagbaai National Park to lay a final nest in the early hours of August 1, 2011.  The Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire team then tracked her to several Venezuelan islands: Las Aves, La Tortuga, La Blanquilla, and Los Roques in a looping migration. Unfortunately Toyo’s transmitter signal gave out after 31 days and 1,200 kilometers of travel, placing her just southwest of Los Roques.  At that time, her home foraging ground could not be confirmed.  Toyo’s looping migration took her over 1,200 km from her nesting site on Bonaire.

STCB now can confirm Los Roques as Toyo’s home foraging grounds.  This archipelago, only 150 km east of Bonaire, is very important for Bonaire’s sea turtles.  In fact, STCB has now tracked all three species of Bonaire-nesting sea turtles (green, loggerhead, and hawksbill) back to these rich foraging grounds.  The island chain is a national protected area of Venezuela, although some turtle harvesting still occurs there.

Toyo’s name is a combination of “Ton” and “Hayo,” in honor of Quartermaster Ton Akkerman and Policy Advisor Hayo Haanstra of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation (EL&I). EL&I sponsored the costs of this satellite transmitter to support STCB’s ongoing sea turtle satellite tracking program.  (Source:  Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire (STCB))

From Vienna to Broadway, Art Marshal and Friends to Perform Saturday, April 21, 2012

The ensemble, Art Marshall and Friends, will perform a live and in-concert musical review spanning eras, continents, and styles this Saturday, April 21st, 2012 at 8:00 PM at Cacique Hall.

The next in the season’s concerts organized by Bonaire’s Classical Music Board, Clarinetist and arranger Art Marshall (stage name of Hein van Maarschalkerwaart), along with friends Andrew Solomon on oboe, singer Monique Andersen, and pianist Ilja Huang will perform a medley of musical selections running the full gamut from European classical and operatic to contemporary tangos and Broadway and Hollywood tunes. You can expect familiar pieces from Mozart, Brahms, Puccini, Verdi and Bizet, Piazzolla, Gerswhin, Marricone and Weill, Blake, Bechet and Jenkins.

Tickets are $20.00 in advance, or $25.00 at the door, space available.  Children’s tickets are $10.00.  Tickets may be purchased at Addo’s Books & Toys, Flamingo Bookstore, Chat ‘n’ Browse, and at the Plaza Resort Reception desk.  (Source:  Classical Music Board Bonaire)

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Earth Day Beach Cleanups Scheduled for This Weekend

It’s going to be a busy weekend making and keeping Bonaire beautiful, as, in addition to the underwater cleanup already announced for Saturday, April 21st, there will also be two separate beach cleanups as well on Earth Day, this Sunday, April 22nd, 2012.

The first of the two beach cleanups is hosted by Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire and STINAPA and plans are to clean the most important sea turtle nesting beaches on Klein Bonaire.

In 2011, a total of 15 loggerhead and 18 hawksbill turtle nests were recorded on Klein Bonaire, and recent monitoring also shows that during 2011 a total of 2075 baby loggerhead and 3417 baby hawksbills emerged from their nests and went into the sea.

The main turtle nesting ground for Bonaire is around No Name Beach, on Klein Bonaire.  STCB already has a full agenda outlined each year to monitor the beaches during the nesting season, collecting data while protecting the nests and hatchlings from natural or man-made threats.  The goal is to protect the nesting areas for turtles to ensure the future of Bonaire’s sea turtle populations.

Anyone can come and join in this beach cleanup at Klein Bonaire on Sunday.  Meet at the Harbour Village Marina (Aquaspace entrance) at 7:00 AM.  The cleanup is planned to end by 1:00 PM. Participants should bring water, a hat, sunscreen, and good closed shoes.  For additional information, call STCB at 717-2225 or 701-0433 or STINAPA at 717-8444 or online here, or on Facebook here.

The second beach cleanup this Sunday will take place at the southern end of Bonaire and is sponsored by the students at the CIEE Research Station Bonaire.  Their cleanup will take place from 10:00 AM through 2:00 PM at Willemstoren Lighthouse, and once again, anyone is welcome to come and lend a hand to help remove debris and trash which has washed ashore from other locations.  For additional information, call 717-4146.

(Source:  STINAPA and CIEE)

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

CIEE’s Spring Semester Students Present Results of Their Reseach

The CIEE Research Station Bonaire would like to invite anyone with an interest to attend the culmination and presentation of research projects of the station’s spring semester’s students.  These presentations will take place over two evenings, tomorrow, Wednesday, April 18th, as well as Thursday, April 19th, 2012.

Wednesday’s presentations will include the following:

--“Size, distribution, and behavioral differences between the color morphologies of Trumpetfish, Aulostomus maculatus” by Devon Chalfant (University of Colorado at Boulder)
--"Diver impact on coral communities: A comparison of sites with varying intensities of diving” by Clare Chisholm (University of Oregon)
--“The effects of damselfish on coral reef benthic composition” by Abbey Elmer (Drake University)
--“Habitat preference of coral dwelling gobies, and the effect of coral disease” by Crystal Wilson (University of New Hampshire)
--“Threespot damselfish gardening and yellow band disease in the Montastrea annularis species complex” by Juli Schroeger (University of North Carolina Wilminton)
--“Incidence of disease in ocean surgeonfish Acanthurus bahianus” by Shelby Penn (Allegheny College)
--“Mating location preference by sergeant majors” by Max Mossler (Arizona State University)

Thursday’s presentations will cover these subjects:

--“Sand Dwelling Organisms in a Coral Reef Environment” by Johnny Appleby (Stockton College)
--“Temporal use of two artificial reef morphologies by coral reef fishes” by Amelie Jensen (Saint Michael’s College)
--"Examining the impact of different grazers on algal biomass” by Catie Alves (Connecticut College)
--“Diel vertical migration and luminescent activity of bioluminescent dinoflagellates” by Juli Pilla (Ursinus College)
--"Comparing fish assemblages of branching artificial reef habitat to adjacent habitats” by Wiley Sinkus (Wofford College)
--"Herbivory and Predation Pressure on Artificial Reefs” by Ashley Marranzino (Regis University)
--"Lionfish Chronobiology” by Hilary Scherer (Occidental College)

Each evening’s presentations will be held from 7:00 to 8:30 PM at the CIEE Research Station headquarters at Kaya Gobernador N. Debrot 26.  All are invited and entrance is free.  (Source:  CIEE)

Jim Gilmour and Band Returns to Play at Club Roomer

Jim Gilmour, his band, and friends will be returning to tour Bonaire again and will present several musical evenings.  A Vermont (U.S.A.) resident, Jim is a musician, singer, songwriter, and sound engineer, and this will be his fourth visit to entertain those on the island.

This year’s visit is a bit different from past year, as Jim has brought his entire band and all of their families with him to share in the joys of Bonairean life and activities.  The five-man group featuring Jim on vocals and acoustic guitar also includes Ryan Dubors on bass, Paul Carrocio on drums, Charlie Rockwell on keyboard, and Jeff Poremski on guitar and vocals.

The Club Roomer Charity Donation Event will be the closing concert and grand finale to Jim’s appearances on Bonaire, and this will take place at Hotel Roomer from 6:00 to 10:00 PM on Friday, April 20th, 2012.  Tickets are only $10.00, and, to make table reservations, telephone Hotel Roomer at 717-7488. (Source:  Club Roomer)

Monday, April 16, 2012

Summer is a Great Time to Plan a Visit to Bonaire--Enjoy Exceptional Summer Savings

During the languid summer months, it’s a great time to plan a family vacation to Bonaire.  The water temperatures are warm, the seas are generally calm, the breezes are balmy, and it’s also easy on the pocketbook, when there are low season savings in place such as those at Divers Paradise Apartments or Den Laman Condominiums.

Divers Paradise Apartments is offering a special for 7-night stays between June 15th and September 2, 2012, with some categories of rooms only $50.00 per night, including all taxes.  For single travelers, it just doesn’t get any better than this, but those who travel in pairs needn’t feel excluded, because to add a second person in the room is only $50.00 for the week.  Three persons?  No problem, just add on another $75.00 for the week.  $350.00 a week for one person, $400.00 a week for two persons, or $475.00 a week for three persons, including all taxes. 

Additionally, those taking advantage of this special might be eligible to receive a discount of 20% of airfills (including tanks and weights) for the week.  Be one of the first seven people to book a room for 7 nights or more and save on diving, too!  One air discount per room. Hurry these additional savings are limited!

Rooms at this rate are capacity-controlled, so it’s best to make your reservation as soon as possible.  Special is available on garden view rooms.  Visit their web site by clicking here for additional information or send an email to reservations@diversparadisebonaire.com.

Also, Den Laman Condominiums just announced a 2-Bedroom Summer Special with a 25% rate reduction on all two-Bedroom categories for travel dates June 2 - July 14, 2012 as follows: Two Bedroom Ocean View: $198.00 per night; Two Bedroom Ocean Front: $225.00 per night; Two Bedroom Deluxe Oceanside: $280.00 per night. The special rates may be combined with Den Laman’s Value Season offer of pay for 6 nights, get the 7th night free.  $6.50 per person per night government room tax will be applied to all nights for guests age 13 and older. The reservation must be made and be deposited by June 1, 2012 to receive the discounted rates. Valid for new reservations only, based on availability. 

The Den Laman complex features 16 fully air-conditioned studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments with high end kitchens, dining and living areas, an on-site restaurant, underwater video/photo shop, and PADI/SSI dive center.  For additional information or to book this special, call toll free: 1-800-382-1094 or the Florida Office at 954 453-5050, visit their web site by clicking here, or email denlaman@diveres.com.

(Source:  Divers Paradise Apartments and Den Laman Condominiums)

Friday, April 13, 2012

Dutch Antilles Express (DAE) Announces Daily Flights to Miami with Curacao Connections

DAE has just announced a new routing with daily flights beginning June 1st, 2012 from Miami to Curacao to return.  They plan to have excellent connections for those going onward to and returning from Bonaire.

The Miami-Curacao flight will depart Miami at 3:00 PM and arriving in Curacao at 6:00 PM, allowing for plenty of time for connections to Bonaire.  The Curacao-Miami flight will depart at 11:00 AM, arriving in Miami at 1:00 PM, also allowing a good amount of time for passengers to get from Bonaire to Curacao in time for the connection.

The plane in service on this route will be MD83, with 153 seats, including 8 business class seats.

There is an introductory special with prices starting as low as $248.00.  Taxes are not included.  Reservations are required and tickets must be purchased no later than 11:59 PM EST June 19, 2012.  The special is valid for travel through June 29, 2012, and are valid on any day of travel during the week.  There is no minimum or maximum stay required. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable and change fees will be applicable should a change in the reservation be necessary.  Seat capacity is limited for the sale fare.  Prices and schedules are subject to change without notice.  Other restrictions may apply.

For additional information, visit their web site by clicking here.  Or, contact DAE:

Bonaire City Ticket Office
Kaya L.D. Gerard
Les Galleries Mall
Tel +599 717 3472
Open Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM

or

Bonaire Airport Ticket Office
Flamingo International Airport
Plasa Maduro SV Thielman
Tel +599 717 0880
Open Monday from 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Thursday from 5:00 AM to 8:30 PM
Saturday from 6:00 AM to 6:30 PM
Sunday from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM

(Source:  Dutch Antilles Express)