Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Executive Council of Bonaire Decides to Set Aside a No-Fish Zone Within Bonaire Marine Park

It was just announced that the Executive Council of the Insular Territory of Bonaire will set aside a portion of the Bonaire National Marine Park as a fish reserve/no-fish zone.  The size and placement of the reserve is not known at this time.  It is stipulated that the Council will ask for the advice of the local fishermen.

From experience with other islands, St. Lucia, for example, it is well documented that a fish reserve will bring many benefits.  Fishermen habitually find larger quantities of bigger fish; dive tourism benefits from higher fish stocks and larger individual fish, and a more stable ecological system develops over time.

To view the government’s release in either Dutch or Papiamentu, click here.  (Source:  Bonaire Government Release)

Hyperbaric Guru Teaches Bonaire’s Medical and Diving Pros

From September 18 through 22nd, 2006, Buddy Dive Resort hosted a five-day course in hyperbaric oxygen treatment organized by the Foundation Deco Chamber Bonaire. 

Since this is not an every day event, Bonaire’s leading dive physician, Mr. Dick van der Vaart, MD, decided to invite the absolute expert in this field, Mr. Dick Rutkowski of Hyperbarics International Inc. to conduct the seminar. Mr. Rutkowski, retired as deputy diving coordinator from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), where he trained over 600 physicians in hyperbaric training programs, is world famous in the dive industry as the co-founder of the International Association of Nitrox and Technical Divers (IANTD).

The group of students that consisted of doctors, nurses, and chamber operators were given the opportunity to learn the most detailed theories on decompression incidents and oxygen treatments as well as the latest information on hyperbaric chambers. During long morning hours, the students were pushed to limits in the classroom and in the afternoon hands-on training sessions followed in and around the hyperbaric chamber on Bonaire.

While Mr. van der Vaart was teaching doctors and nurses inside the chamber during simulated treatments, outside, the operators had to deal with several unexpected problems thrown at them by long time chamber technician Ronald Simonis. At the same time, Mr. Rutkowski held supervision over “the battlefield” as he realized, with a big smile on his face, that he had succeeded in passing on a great deal of his knowledge and experience.

The use of a hyperbaric chamber is a vital tool in modern medicine.  Bonaire’s tourists, diving community and the island’s people will be very pleased to know that another milestone has been reached on the road to safe chamber treatments with the certification of 13 hyperbaric experts.  (Source and Image by:  Martijn Eichhorn)

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Jong Bonaire Holds the Sixth Annual Swim to Klein Bonaire on October 8, 2006

At 8:00 AM on October 8, 2006, many residents and tourists alike will convene on the beach at Eden Beach Resort for the Jong Bonaire Sixth Annual Swim to Klein Bonaire.  This is an event which has become very popular, with the number of participants growing each year. 

The entry fee is NAFl 15.00 (USD $8.43), and tickets can be purchased in advance at Jong Bonaire, BonFysiotherapie, Croccantino Restaurant, or De Freewieler.  Entry fee also includes lunch and a drink upon return. Swimmers may elect to swim without aids, or they can use mask, fins, and snorkel.  Safety boats are available and will return swimmers to Eden Beach, or swimmers may choose to swim back.

Those interested in participating should download the Release of Liability (either adult or child) and bring to registration at the event.

All proceeds go to Jong Bonaire, the teen center for Bonaire.  (Source:  Jong Bonaire web site)

Monday, September 25, 2006

Coco Palm Garden Offers Added Value for its Guests with Kunuku Golf

Coco Palm Garden recently announced that is now provides free Kunuku Golf as an added value for its guests.

Added as an activity for when guests are not diving or windsurfing, Kunuku Golf is available to all Coco Palm Garden/Casa Oleander guests without charge.  There is no need to bring your own clubs, as there are plenty of clubs for you to use that are very suitable to the kunuku conditions of the course (short pitch & put course).

For more information, click here. (Source:  Coco Palm Garden)

Dutch Antilles Express (DAE) Revises Luggage Allowances

Recently, DAE announced new luggage requirements.  Previously, those carrying scuba equipment were allowed an additional 10 kilograms (22 pounds) for their gear on a checked bag, providing arrangements were made in advance of flights.

Under the new allowance, this extra free allowance is no longer available, and the maximum free baggage allowance for checked bags is now 20 kilograms (44 pounds) total.  Overweight fees will vary by destination.  For additional information, click here.  (Source:  DAE Web site)

Sunday, September 24, 2006

2007 Edition of the Bonaire Creations Calendar Released

Following high acclaim for the 2006 Bonaire Creations Calendar released a year ago, Linda & Jake Richter and their company, Bonaire Creations BV, have announced the release of the 2007 Bonaire Creations Calendar.

The new 2007 Bonaire Creations Calendar features new images by the Richters, both of whom are resident artists on Bonaire. The new images present Bonaire in a variety of different and colorful ways and are displayed with large monthly layouts providing Antillean, U.S., Canadian, and Dutch holidays.

Linda Richter is well known in Caribbean art circles for her stunning oil pieces reminiscent of Bonaire.  Jake Richter is equally known for his digital painting, utilizing his own photography as a base.  Together, they bring a magical quality to this calendar - it will remind the viewer each day of their memories of the island of Bonaire.

The calendar is 8.5” x 11” when closed, and 17” x 11” when open, so it can be purchased while on Bonaire and easily will fit in either a carry-on luggage or checked baggage.  It is also printed on high quality, fine-art paper. The new calendar can be previewed at www.BonaireCalendar.com.

The 2007 Bonaire Creations Calendar will officially go on sale for a retail price of US$12.95 on Monday, October 2, 2006 at several local Bonaire stores, including Chat ‘n’ Browse, Jewels of Bonaire, and Photo Tours. Additionally, several resorts and hotels will carry the calendar, including Buddy Dive, Carib Inn, Golden Reef Inn, and Yellow Submarine. For those not on Bonaire between now and the end of the year, the calendar will also be available on-line starting October 2nd at www.BonaireStuff.com and www.CaribbeanArt.com.

Special arrangements are also possible for people and companies wishing to buy calendars in volume for use as Christmas presents and client appreciation.

A launch party, to be held at Antillean Wine Company on Kaya Industria on September 30, 2006 from 7:00 PM until 8:30 PM. The launching will feature complimentary wine and cheese--the wines being specially chosen for this event by Antillean Wine Company.  Non-alcoholic beverages also will be available. Advance copies of the calendar will be available at a special reduce price at the launch event.

Bonaire Creations, B.V., a company started by Linda and Jake Richter in 2004 to help promote and sell their Bonaire-originated art, is based at Kaya R. Statius van Eps 17 in the Belnem area of Bonaire. Viewings of current original art are available by appointment only. Phone number is +599-717-4112. E-Mail: . Web: www.BonaireCreations.com (Source:  Bonaire Creations Press Release)

Sand Dollar Condominium Resort Announces Specials

Sand Dollar Condominium Resort announces two specials that are now available for the coming months.

Sand Dollar Condominium Resort ‘s “Buy One Get One Free” Special:  Book a qualifying hotel and dive package and one diver gets an unlimited week of shore diving absolutely free, plus both divers receive a free Nitrox upgrade.  Travel Dates: For travel between now and December 15, 2006, excluding the week of November 18 – 24, 2006.  Free diving applies to shore diving packages only, and is applied to the second/fourth/sixth etc. diver. Reservations:  Cannot be combined with any other special or discount. Reservations must be pre-booked to qualify for all divers including the “free” second diver. Booking: Please be sure to request the Dive For Free program when making your reservation.

Sand Dollar’s “Pre-Holiday Special” is effective immediately, for all new reservations for the week of December 16 through December 22, 2006, which will be at value season rates instead of high season 2006 rates. Two persons in a one-bedroom condominium purchasing the Ride to the Reef 6-boat dive package save more than $130 per person with this discount, which includes seven nights accommodations in a large one-bedroom condo, free Nitrox upgrades, 6 days unlimited shore diving, daily breakfast buffet, double cabin pick-up truck rental, and room tax.

All units at Sand Dollar have full kitchens, comfortable living and dining areas and ocean views from every private porch or balcony. Property amenities include wireless Internet, lighted tennis courts, restaurant, pool, grocery store, Internet cafe, island art shop, ice cream parlor, and day spa.

For reservations, contact Sand Dollar:  Toll Free: (800) 288-4773 or (954) 453-5025, email: , or visit their web site at www.sanddollarbonaire.com. (Source:  Sand Dollar Resort Condominiums)

Friday, September 22, 2006

American Airlines Announces Caribbean Fare Sale to Bonaire

American Airlines today announced a special Mexico & The Caribbean Fale Sale from a large number of U.S. cities to many Caribbean destinations, including Bonaire. Base fares in this sale are as low at US$299 from Boston, US$259 from New York’s JFK airport, and US$341 from Los Angeles to Bonaire.

Under this sale, tickets must be purchased at least 7 days prior to travel, but no later than October 11, 2006, and are valid for travel through December 15, 2006. A minimum 2 day stay is required, with a maximum stay of 30 day. More details on this fare sale can be found by clicking here. (Source: American Airlines)

Music School Holds Open House on Saturday, September 23, 2006

On Saturday, September 23, 2006, the Bonaire Skol di Musika (School of Music) will hold an open house for all those interested in attending. 

From 12:00 Noon until 5:00 PM, a jamsession is available and students can try several instruments.  Candidate students have the choice of group lessons or individual courses for several instruments, including drum, percussion, piano and kwarta. It is hoped to be able to add voice training, trumpet, and saxophone to the course schedule soon.  Workshops will be scheduled on a regular basis.  The governing board of Skol di Musika welcomes all to come for the open house and see what improvements have been made already and view the future plans for the school.

Skol di Musika wishes to give its thanks to the BC and AMFO for their financial support.  (Source:  Event Organizers)

Kingdom Relations Minister Atzo Nicolai to visit Bonaire, Saba, and St. Eustatius

In the recent Dutch Parliamentary budget discussions, when the 2007 Kingdom Relations budget was presented this week by the outgoing cabinet, it was noted that the issue of constitutional change for the islands won’t be easy.

In a no-nonsense manner, it noted drastic measures are inevitable, but that local authorities do not seem willing to take decisive action and have not wholeheartedly supported The Hague’s gestures to put future Kingdom relations on a firmer footing and arm them against political upheaval.

Despite the uncompromising tone of his budget statement, including acceptance of the so-called non-paper “Partners in the Kingdom” as condition for a Round Table Conference (RTC), the upcoming visit of Kingdom Relations Minister Atzo Nicolaï could provide an opportunity for progress. While he will focus primarily on the three “smaller” islands Saba, Statia and Bonaire that want direct ties with Holland, visits with St. Maarten and Curacao are also planned. (Souce:  The Daily Herald)