Events

Friday, December 08, 2006

Dates are Set for Third Annual Pro-Kids Windsurfing Event on Bonaire

Following on two successful windsurfing events in 2005 and 2006, the third annual Pro-Kids Windsurfing Event has been slated for August 2-5, 2007 on Bonaire.

This year’s event was a success when over 100 kids from around the world congregated on Bonaire to compete for the coveted title of Pro Kid.  Bonaire’s own Kiri Thode was named champion in the 2006 event and will be defending his title in 2007.  Kiri recently attended the world premier of the Pro Kid DVD last week in Kralendijk, along with visiting pros such as Sara Quita Offringa and DVD producer, Dasher. It was a stellar production with visuals and music depicting a special weekend of fun, sailing and camaraderie. The Pro Kids Committee wishes to invite everyone back for the 2007 event.

Click here for additional information.  (Source:  Pro-Kids Press Release)

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Bonaire Wellness Connexions Holds First BWC Mountain Bike Tour

Bonaire Wellness Connexions welcomes all to their first BWC Mountain Bike Tour which will take place on Saturday, December 16, 2006.

Those interested in participating should meet at the Activity Center of Eden Beach Resort no later than 4:00 PM.  Sign up can be accomplished the same day at the Activity Center beginning 9:00 AM.  Please note the participation fee of FL 15.00 (USD $8.43) per person includes a drink and snack.  Helmets are compulsory for the tour. (Source:  Bonaire Wellness Connexions Press Release)

Sunday, December 03, 2006

Former NASA Astronaut, Charles Bolden, Concludes His Visits to Bonaire’s Schools

This past week, former NASA astronaut, Charlie Bolden, spent a week on Bonaire, visiting with Bonaire’s schoolchildren, and giving presentations to the general public.  His lectures were informative and engaging, and he gave inspiring messages to Bonaire’s youth:  “Work hard, and you can achieve your dreams!”

The Lt. Governor and his wife met Charlie and his family upon arrival at Bonaire’s Flamingo Airport on Saturday, November 25.  Sunday he met with trip sponsors, and Monday evening was a press conference, where Charlie announced the contest winners from the schools and presented their awards.

During the week, Charlie and his family (his wife and daughter were traveling with him) were kept busy visiting schools and meeting the youth of Bonaire.  In between school visits, he did manage to get in a bit of scuba diving.

The week’s events concluded with a presentation to the general public, where Charlie discussed his four space missions and explained various facets of space exploration. 

Thanks go to the organizers of the event, Ben and Laura Buchbinder, as well as the numerous sponsors who made the trip possible.  Click here to view images of the various events of the week which are available on the Bonaire Insider Photo Gallery. (Source:  Bonaire Insider reporter)

Monday, November 27, 2006

Brasa Dey on Bonaire Provided Glimpses of Surinam’s Culture and History

On Saturday, November 25, 2006, the Surinamese population on Bonaire, about 320 persons, organized the annual Brasa Dey, or celebration of Surinam’s independence from Holland.

The event begin with a prayer, speeches, and traditional dancing.  Food was plentiful, as was music.  As the evening progressed, a demonstration of different costumes of the various types of people who have populated Surinam was presented, including Antillean, Chinese, Muslim, Indonesian, Colonial Dutch, Jewish, American, and many other cultures. 

Images of the event can be seen on the Bonaire Insider Photo Gallery by clicking here.  (Source:  Bonaire Insider reporter)

Saturday, November 25, 2006

Sinterklaas Arrives on Bonaire

This morning, Sinterklaas (or as he is known in Papiamentu, Sanikolas), arrived on Bonaire, as legend tells, from Spain.  His ship was escorted by a flotilla of sunfish to Town Pier. The Zwarte Piet (Black Pete) performed gymnastic tricks and engaged the crowd, while a drum corp led the parade.  An enthusiastic group of both children and adults awaited the old man eagerly.  Lt. Governor Herbert Domacasse and his wife escorted the old gentleman to Wilhelmina Park.

Legend continues to tell us that Sinterklaas will now spend the next two weeks checking to see if the information he has on Bonaire children in his big book is correct.  On the night of December 5th, he will go to all homes to check who’s been naughty or nice and will leave gifts behind in your shoe, which might just be filled with fresh grass or carrots for the horse. Listen that night to what’s happening on your rooftop--you might just hear the horse and Sinterklaas’ helpers on the night of December 5th--but that’s if you’ve been nice. If you’ve been naughty, you might be put in Piet’s bag and taken back to Spain where you will be trained to be nice and/or become a Piet.

Images of Sinterklaas’ arrival are available on the Bonaire Insider Photo Gallery by clicking here.  (Source:  Bonaire Insider reporter)

Friday, November 24, 2006

Bonaire’s Surinamese Community to Hold Brasa Dey this Saturday, November 25, 2006

Bonaire’s Surinamese community organizes a cultural festival each year to celebrate Surinam’s independence.  This year, it will be held on Saturday, November 25, 2006 at the Centro di Bario (neighborhood center) of Nord di Salina.  “Brasa Dey” literally means “give a hug”, and this year they will be celebrating Surinam’s 31st year of independence.

Those who attend may expect to see cultural dances, music, food, and entertainment in the Surinamese traditional manner.  Food will be available starting at 12:00 Noon, and then the celebration will begin around 4:00 PM.  (Source:  The Bonaire Reporter)

Thursday, November 23, 2006

Sinterklaas to Arrive on Bonaire on Saturday, November 25, 2006

Although traditionally Sinterklaas (St. Nicholas) doesn’t arrive in the Antilles until December 5th of each year, this year he will arrive on Bonaire on Saturday, November 25th.

Legend has it that Sinterklaas, along with the Zwarte Piet (Black Pete), sail from Spain to Bonaire to visit with the children.  This year he is due to arrive at the Town Pier (North Pier) at about 10:00 AM on Saturday.

Festivities will begin at Wilhelmina Park at 9:00 AM and continue even after Sinterklaas’ arrival, and the morning is a fun event for both children and adults.  There is no admission fee.  Additional information is available by calling 717-8482.  (Source:  Fundashon Ata Sanikolas & Zwartepiet)

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Former NASA Astronaut, Charles Bolden, to Announce Bonaire Contest Winners

Former NASA astronaut Charles Bolden will land on Bonaire November 25th, with the goal of speaking with students and awarding prizes in the space essay and poster contests.  He will be met at the airport by Lt. Governor Herbert Domacasse and officially welcomed to the island.

Monday evening, November 27th, there will be a Press Conference at the Divi Flamingo Hotel where Astronaut Bolden will announce the winners of the poster and essay contests and present the prizes to the winners.  Over 100 students from the 6th class, SGB, Pelikaan School, and UniCollege entered the poster and essay contests. 

He will begin his school meetings with six classes of the basic schools on Monday morning in the Sala Grandi at Jong Bonaire.  Sixth grade students from Reina Beatrix and Papa Cornes will meet with the astronaut at 9 am and students from St. Bernardus, Louis Bertran and Kristo Bon Wardador will get to meet him at 10:30.

On Tuesday, November 28th, the astronaut will meet with students of UniCollege and the Pelikaan School in the morning at 8 am and then visit the teens at Jong Bonaire in the afternoon.  Participants of FORMA programs are invited to join the Jong Bonaire session as well as any SGB students who will not get to hear the astronaut speak at SGB.  The Jong Bonaire session will be from 4:00 to 5:30 PM.

Wednesday, November 29th, there will be several sessions at SGB, from 7:30 in the morning until 12:30 PM, after which Astronaut Bolden will enjoy lunch with the Rotary Bonaire.  On Thursday evening, from 7:00 to 8:30 PM, Astronaut Bolden will make a presentation to the community in the auditorium at Jong Bonaire.  The community meeting is open to all and parents are welcome to bring young children.  There is no charge for this event.

When he is not making a presentation to one of the schools or the community, the former astronaut will try to take in some of Bonaire’s scuba diving and perhaps try windsurfing. General Bolden is a scuba diver and he is visiting Bonaire for the first time.

Sponsors for the astronaut’s visit are ReMax Real Estate, Support Bonaire Foundation, Divi Flamingo Hotel, Hertz Car Rental, Jong Bonaire, The Pelikaan School, Jake Richter & family, and the Buchbinders.  The astronaut’s visit has been endorsed by the Board of Education, the RK Schoolbestuur and SGB.  The visit of the former astronaut has been arranged by Bonaire residents Ben and Laura Buchbinder.  Ben Buchbinder worked for NASA for many years before retiring to Bonaire.  It was during his NASA work that he became friends with Bolden.  Buchbinder has also been a consultant to the Hubble Space Telescope project.  During his volunteer work at Pelikaan School Buchbinder realized that a number of young people were very interested in space and so he decided to invite the astronaut to talk with Bonaire’s youth.  (Source:  Press Release)

Monday, November 20, 2006

2007 Jazz Festival Dates are Announced

The Bonaire Jazz Foundation recently announced the 2007 dates for the third annual Heineken Bonaire Jazz & Salsa Festival, which will take place on May 17, 18, and 19, 2007, providing a long weekend of Latin jazz for visitors and residents alike.

This year, entrance will be free for the event on May 17th.  The two main concerts will also run from 7:30 PM until 1:00 AM.  In 2007, a greater emphasis will be placed on local Krioyo bands in the hope that a broader audience is reached.  Although details are still being finalized, event information will be posted on the Bonaire Jazz Festival web site as it becomes available.

(Source:  Various Internet sites)

Sunday, November 19, 2006

Bonaire Windsurf Place is Honored with Second Royal Visit; Windsurfers are Presented to the Queen

Bonaire Windsurf Place has been honored a second time with a visit from the Dutch Royal Family.  In August, 2002, Crown Prince Willem Alexander and his wife, Princess Maxima, made a stop on their Bonaire Tour to visit with sailors, tourists, and Bonaire residents on the beach at Bonaire Windsurf Place. 

And now, most recently on November 9, 2006, Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands also honored Bonaire Windsurf Place with a visit during her tour of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba.  After two busy days of visits on Bonaire, the Queen concluded her tour with a stop at Bonaire Windsurf Place at Sorobon, Lac Bay.

Here, after being welcomed by owners Elvis, Roger, and Constantino, the Queen was greeted with fresh flowers by Julia Martinus and Jurgen Saragoza.  She walked down the pathway lined with windsurf-sails, local children, and others eager for a glimpse of their Queen.  On the balcony overlooking the beach, the Queen met the world champions and admired their trophies—both those who have just embarked on their windsurfing careers, as well as those who have already become world-famous.  The boys/men who were presented to the Queen were: 
0-7 years:  Serginho Finies
8-9 years: Jurgen Saragoza
10-11 years: Amado Vrieswijk
12-13 years: Ezri Heymansa
14-15 years: Björn Saragoza
16-17 years: Demenson Thodé
Amateur Men 18+: Elton Frans and Evertson Frans
Champion overall: Kiri Thodé
The girls who were presented to the Queen were:
0-7 years:  Anais Pauletta
8-9 years:  Chanel Vrieswijk

Then the Bonaire Kids put on a show for her in windy Lac Bay, followed by an even more exciting exhibition by professional windsurfers, including Tati and Tonki Frans and Kiri Thode.

Bonaire Windsurf Place is one of Bonaire’s premiere windsurfing facilities and is located at Sorobon on Lac Bay.  For more information, visit their web site at www.bonairewindsurfplace.com, phone to +(599) 717-2288, or fax to +(599) 717-5279.  Information on Bonaire’s sailors can be found at http://www.prokidsfreestyle.com.

Images of the Queen’s visit to Bonaire Windsurf Place can be viewed on the Bonaire Insider Photo Gallery by clicking here.

(Source:  Bonaire Windsurf Place)