People

News about People on, from, and going to Bonaire

Sunday, April 29, 2012

The Bonaire Kunuku Tradition is Alive and Well--Part Three

In our first two stories focusing upon Bonaire’s kunukerus, or those who farm or ranch on Bonaire, we focused upon two farmers.  In today’s story, we’ll be taking a look at Aletta’s Semper Kontentu Goat Farm.  View images on the Bonaire Insider Photo Gallery which follow Aletta through her working the goats in traditional ways to the making of her popular artisan goat cheese.

In today’s world, finding true artisan quality in any product is rare, but here on Bonaire, it’s as easy to find as Aletta’s Semper Kontentu Goat Farm.  Semper kontentu, in Papiamentu, means “always content,” and as soon as one walks into the milking area, one can see that it truly reflects the demeanor of the goats.  In fact, they appear to be so content as to be smiling.

Aletta moved to Bonaire about thirteen years ago as a physical therapist.  About eight years ago, she began tending a few goats as a hobby, but soon found her true calling.  She quit her job in physical therapy and added to her stock, and now Aletta has about 30 milking goats, a few billy goats, and a number of young goats which will, in a few years, take over from their mothers as the milking stock.  Her ranch is clean and well organized, and it was truly amazing to see the entire process from start to finish.  She really is in her right element.

Her day begins with cleaning up after the animals and then sorting the mothers from their young so they can be milked.  It takes her about two hours to milk all thirty goats, and then she reunites the mothers with the young goats, both of whom eagerly go (interpret:  run!) to a pasture to feed and romp.  One can’t help but smile as one watches these animals, as their enthusiasm and “contentedness” is truly infectious.  The tender, loving care which she gives these animals is evident.

Aletta then goes to the KaasKamer (Cheese Room) to begin her daily work there to process the goat milk into her artisan cheese.  From her thirty milking goats, she gets about 2 kilos (4.4 pounds) of cheese, and the cheese must be processed each day (no weekends for Aletta!).  Her goat cheese has become quite popular on Bonaire over the years and is now a standard found on many fine restaurants’ menus.  It is also sold at Warehouse Supermarket as well as at the van den Tweel Supermarket.  Of course, the best way is to visit the farm and buy it from Aletta, as the visit and subsequent knowledge gained will only add to the enjoyment of eating her goat cheese.  For those who enjoy a stronger cheese, aged goat cheese or herbed or spiced cheeses are also available upon request.

Aletta’s farm is open to the public each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon, and all are welcome to visit her at those times to watch her while she works the goats.  After the work is done, she’ll offer visitors a coffee on the kunuku as she further explains the process.  There’s no entrance fee, but Aletta does welcome any donations toward the care of the animals.  For more information, contact Aletta via telephone at 786-6950.  (Source:  Bonaire Insider Reporter)

Saturday, April 28, 2012

The Bonaire Kunuku Tradition is Alive and Well--Part Two

There’s definitely a revival and renewed interest in growing produce on the island for the enjoyment of those living on Bonaire and its visitors.  Locals, born and raised on Bonaire, as well as “transplants” are embracing the kunuku lifestyle once again.  Those born on Bonaire, much like Papa Lucia, are returning back to their kunukus to revitalize them.  But many people from outside locations are finding that this simple lifestyle, albeit with much work, is better suited for a good life.  One such person is Marjan of Plantage Mi Ramada.

Marjan and her husband lived for some years on Curacao, before returning to Holland.  Once there, they found they missed the Caribbean lifestyle so much that they returned to the Antilles, but decided to settle on Bonaire, a much more quiet island than Curacao.  Seven years ago, they purchased an abandoned and overgrown kunuku, named Plantage Mi Ramada, and began the hard work of lovingly restoring it to its former beauty.  Although there is still much to be done, a visit to the kunuku proved that they are succeeding.

Marjan works at the kunuku each day, propagating vegetables and herbs that can be used for cooking, baking, or even medicinal purposes.  She is working on areas of the kunuku with fruit trees, which she hopes will begin producing fruit soon, as well as a water lily pond with fish.  In fact, she has so many projects in mind that she’ll probably be busy for years to come, happily working the land.

Marjan sells her plants at both farmers markets on Bonaire, but in addition, she makes wonderful Italian-style home-made biscuits and muffins, using the herbs she grows.  She also creates jams and chutneys that work wonderfully with the biscuits.  Her products are also available at Elle’s Deli at the traffic rotary in Hato, but what is really a treat for visitors is that, with advance notice, Marjan will whip up a batch of her biscuits and muffins, and deliver them to your vacation residence along with any of her jams you choose.  What a delight to wake up to such a treat on the Sunday morning after a day of traveling to Bonaire.  For additional information about Marjan’s products, telephone 787-1425 or email her by clicking here.  (Source:  Bonaire Insider Reporter)

Friday, April 27, 2012

The Bonaire Kunuku Tradition is Alive and Well--Part One

As Bonaire hurtles forward toward progress and development, the concern is often voiced that the island runs the risk of losing its unique heritage, culture, and traditions.  And, although this might be true with certain subjects, there is one area of the Bonairean historical culture which is thriving, and that is the working of the island’s kunukus, or farms and ranches.

The Bonaire Insider has visited with three different kunukerus over the recent weeks, and we will highlight each one of them in the coming days, each of which is working their land using traditional methods.  Our first kunukeru (a farmer or rancher) is Papa Lucia, who farms his kunuku with fruits and vegetables.

Papa Lucia tells us that he first became interested in growing food 65 years ago.  When attending school at a young age, all school children had a small plot of land which they had to tend and where they grew vegetables.  It was then that he fell in love with the idea of growing food on the island, an arid island not known for being conducive to growing fruits and vegetables.  However, Papa Lucia can prove that wrong!  He has multiple greenhouses on his kunuku, where he plants tomatoes, cucumbers, a variety of sweet or hot peppers, spinach, eggplant, and other herbs and fruits.  When his harvest comes in, it is so plentiful that he gives much of the produce away, so that it is not wasted.  He grows organically, shunning pesticides or other harmful chemicals.  Although sometimes he might lose a crop to an insectivore infestation, he prefers to keep things organic so they are healthy for everyone.

Papa is experimenting now with a variety of different systems for growing hydroponic produce.  This system does require modifications in his greenhouses, and he is enthusiastic about his goals to find just the right system that will work well on Bonaire.  In many ways, Papa is an optimist:  He feels if everyone on Bonaire could plant two papaya trees, which grow easily on Bonaire, there would be no need to import even one papaya to the island.  Getting the rest of the residents on the island to go along with this idea is the hard part!

As Papa also works within the tourism sector (he conducts tours of the island as well and is especially busy during the high season), his growing season begins about now, and he will continue with his planting and subsequent harvest over the coming six months.  Although many who try their hand at growing their own produce get frustrated when the plants do not do well during the heat of our summer months of July, August, and September, Papa reports that his plants thrive as long as he can control the heat in his greenhouses with cooling water.

When Papa’s next harvest is in, he’ll be opening up a farmers stand at his kunuku where anyone can purchase fresh-picked produce.  His harvest is also always available at the Go Green Farmers Market on the last Saturday of the month, as well as the Kriabon Marshe di Kunukeru on the first Saturday of the month. (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 12, 2012

Karol Meyer, Free-diving Champion, Returns to Bonaire for Fourth Consecutive Year

For the fourth consecutive year, Buddy Dive Resort is proud to organize the Buddy Dive Free-diving Event in 2012 hosted by Brazilian free-diver, Karol Meyer. Karol broke seven world records in her career, and she is considered one of the most complete athletes in the sport’s history.

Karol will host two weekly events, the first of which is April 30 through May 5, and the second of which is May 7 through May 11, 2012.  Karol will host evening presentations to share her exciting adventures, where you’ll share special moments with the champion and also a Free-diving Clinic, for those interested.

Karol’s schedule for the two weeks is as follows:

WEEK 1
Monday 4/30/2012 8:00 PM Speech 1 - Karol Meyer “Free-diving Adventures”
Tuesday 5/1/2012 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM Free-diving Adventure
Wednesday 5/2/2012 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Free-diving Clinic A.I.D.A.*
Saturday 5/5/2012 t.b.a World Record Attempt 1 - SKANDALOPETRA

WEEK 2
Monday 5/7/2012 t.b.a. World Record Attempt 2 - SKANDALOPETRA
Monday, 5/7/2012 8:00 PM Speech 2 - “Free-diving History Skandalopetra”
Wednesday 5/9/2012 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Free-diving Clinic A.I.D.A.*
Thursday 5/10/2012 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Free-diving Clinic A.I.D.A. Level 2**
Friday 5/11/2012 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM Free-diving Clinic A.I.D.A. Level 2**
Friday 5/11/2012 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM Free-diving Adventure

Details for the two levels of free-diving clinics include:

*Free-diving Clinic A.I.D.A.
8:30 AM - 11:30 AM, classroom session
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM, swimming pool session
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Buddy’s Reef sea practice
- Total price for Buddy Dive guests only US$150 (others pay US$215)
- Apnea tournament / record homologation during the practices

**Free-diving Clinic A.I.D.A. Level 2
8:30 AM - 11:30 AM, classroom session
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM, Buddy’s Reef sea practice
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM, Buddy’s Reef sea practice
4:15 PM - 5:15 PM, Written test
- Total price for Buddy Dive guests only US$150 (others pay US$215)
- Apnea tournament / record homologation during the practices

Free-diving Adventure (boat dive)
Total price US$50

Please note: Minimum number of participants per event (clinic and adventure dive) is 4.

Complete packages for the event, including accommodations at Buddy Dive Resort, are also available.  For more details, click here.  (Source:  Buddy Dive Resort, Karol Meyer)

Thursday, November 03, 2011

Best Wishes and Good Luck to Miss Bonaire, Benazir Charles, at the 2011 Miss World Pageant

In October, 2010, Benazir Charles was named Miss Bonaire for the 2010 and 2011 season.  But, besides having a whirlwind year as Miss Bonaire, this lucky lady is currently in London awaiting this weekend’s (November 6th) Miss World 2011 pageant. 

With the Miss Bonaire competition, our island’s young ladies are given the opportunity to make a difference in the world by displaying their elegance, confidence, and intelligence, all essential qualities to become the island’s icon.  Benazir has certainly demonstrated her leadership qualities during the past year of her reign as Miss Bonaire, and the island is rooting for her in the upcoming Miss World Pageant.

The final show of the Miss World pageant will take place on November 6th, 2011 (from 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM local time on Bonaire) and the Miss Bonaire Organization is organizing a get-together in combination with a BBQ at El Mundo Restaurant next to Wilhelmina Park (on Kaya Grandi), where there will be TV screens set up so that everyone on Bonaire can come together and support Miss Bonaire in the Miss World pageant 2011 and watch the final moments live.  Entrance is free to watch the pageant, but if the BBQ is desired, the cost is $10.00 per person, which also includes one drink.  Proceeds from the BBQ go the Miss Bonaire Organization.

Good luck, Benazir, we’re proud of you!  (Source:  Miss Bonaire Organization)

Monday, October 31, 2011

Queen Beatrix and the Prince of Orange, Willem Alexander, Complete State Visit to Bonaire

Her Majesty, Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands, her son, Willem Alexander, Prince of Orange, and his wife, Princess Maxima, completed a whirlwind visit to Bonaire today.  They spent their time on Bonaire, their first state visit since Bonaire became a special municipality of The Netherlands, touring facilities with a special emphasis on education, social services, and Bonaire’s nature.

The Bonaire Insider caught up with the royal entourage at the Mangrove Info & Activity Center at Lac, where the Queen and her son explored the island’s important mangrove forests.  Upon arrival at the center, the entourage was welcomed by Elsmarie Beukenboom (director of STINAPA) and Elly Albers (director of the Mangrove Info & Activity Center).  After a short presentation, the group was then escorted out to the mangrove area, where they took to the water in the center’s solar-powered touring boats.  While on the water, Kalli de Meyer, director of DCNA (Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance) explained the importance of the mangrove ecology and how this area serves as the nursery area for many of the species of marine life that visitors see today on Bonaire’s reefs.  During the tour, Lac’s uniqueness was explained, its RAMSAR and IBA status, some of the threats and challenges for management, as well as the excellent work
being done to protect the bay and restore conch population via the IUCN NL/Lottery funded conch project.

The Queen expressed her gratitude to the parks and DCNA for the outstanding work in protecting nature on the islands. Her Majesty explained that this is why she took the unprecedented step of becoming a patron.

As always, the Queen and Prince Willem Alexander were gracious, exhibiting a keen interest in this facet of Bonaire’s nature.  View images of their visit to the Mangrove Info & Activity Center on the Bonaire Insider Photo Gallery by clicking here.  (Source:  Bonaire Insider Reporter)

Monday, October 17, 2011

Bonaire’s Own Captain Don Stewart Publishes His Next Book, “Sea Trauma”

Sea Trauma, the latest book by Captain Don Stewart, is hot off the press and is now available for sale. The book is an adventure story which carries a strong underwater environmental theme while portraying a series of adventures, leading to an exciting conclusion.

Sea Trauma is a novel about a family and their many adventures, set in a quick-paced and action-packed undersea story. The book interweaves the theme of nature protection when the family and their supporters need to find the courage to challenge various obstacles in an effort to rejuvenate and rescue the oceans, which have been pushed to the brink of death by pollution.

Sea Trauma follows Captain Don’s last book, Reef Windows, and both books are available for sale on Mondays at the Meet the Captain event from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on the Kunuku Terrace at Captain Don’s Habitat. The book also may be purchased at most bookstores on Bonaire as well as at the Captain Locker at Captain Don’s Habitat.  Captain Don will be presenting and autographing copies of his book at a book signing held on Saturday October 29, 2011 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at Addo’s Book and Toys, located at Kaya Grandi #36 in Kralendijk.  (Source: Captain Don Stewart)

Tuesday, August 02, 2011

Bonaire to Host The Wounded Warriors for the Sixth Consecutive Year

For the sixth consecutive year, Bonaire is proud to welcome the Wounded Warriors to their “home away from home” as they use SCUBA diving for rehabilitation and recreation from August 6th through 13th, 2011.

During this week, severely wounded troops and their significant others will travel to the island to complete the final step in the process of obtaining their dive certifications. Representatives of the Diving Equipment & Marketing Association’s (DEMA) Be A Diver Program and the North American office of Tourism Corporation Bonaire will also be joining the group. All accommodations and diving will be provided courtesy of Captain Don’s Habitat Bonaire. Each year the people of Bonaire warmly welcome this group and show them not only the natural beauty and pristine waters of the island, but also the friendliness and genuine hospitality of the Bonairean people.

This year’s contingent of seven Wounded Warriors has suffered life-changing physical injuries which they received in combat while stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan. They and their partners will be kept busy with a variety of activities beginning with the completion of their PADI and HSA dive certifications, which will take place on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday next week. Once certified, they will continue diving throughout the week, both from the dock of Captain Don’s Habitat and via boat dives to Klein Bonaire and other famous Bonaire dive sites. The group will also enjoy shopping, sightseeing, dining, a Texas-style steak dinner, and experiencing the island’s culinary fare at a signature event called “Taste of Bonaire.” The highlight of the week will take place when the Bonaire community gathers to meet these extraordinary troops and their companions at the reception held in their honor at the home of Lt. Governor Glenn Thode.  As in previous years, the Bonaire Insider once again will be following the activities of these very special visitors and will keep readers informed about the Wounded Warriors’ activities throughout their week on Bonaire.

Sponsors to date of the Sixth Bonaire-Be A Diver-Wounded Warrior Scuba Certification trip are: 9Line LLC, Adams Unlimited Public Relations & Marketing, AERIS, Bikers Bonaire, Bonaire KFC, BonaireTalk.com, Bonaire Quad Tours, Bonaire Guided Motorcycle Tours, Bonaire Tours & Vacations, BonPhoto, Budget Rent A Car Bonaire, Captain Don’s Habitat, Caradonna Dive Adventures, Inc., Care Coalition, Caribbean Travel & Life Magazine, Chat & Browse Bonaire, Casablanca Restaurant, Disabled Sports USA, DEMA/Be a Diver, Dive Training Magazine, Henderson, H.S.A. International Training Center of New Jersey, Islands Magazine, Jack Chalk, Jewel Of Bonaire, NetTech, N.V., OCEANIC, PADI, Paradise Moon Bar & Restaurant, Pasa Bon Pizza, Patagonia Restaurant, Princeton Tec, Rum Runners, Scuba Diving Magazine, Sunset Bar & Grill Restaurant, Tourism Corporation Bonaire, and the Wounded Warrior Project.  (Source:  TCB-NY)

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Carl Roessler to Receive Bonaire’s Lifetime Achievement Award

A panel of distinguished media chose Carl Roessler to become the third North American to win Bonaire’s prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. He will travel to Bonaire during the island’s Bonaire Lifetime Achievement Award Week, from August 20-27, 2011, a highlight week of the Bonaire Dive Into Summer Program. 

During his stay in Bonaire, Mr. Roessler will lead various seminars available to visitors and residents on oceanography and photography and will share his knowledge and experience through a variety of activities. He will be accompanied by his family and will be hosted by Captain Don’s Habitat Bonaire.

Mr. Roessler is an internationally recognized and acclaimed pioneer of the dive-travel industry. He has had a long standing commitment to protect and promote Bonaire. He opened numerous international dive locations to western dive tourists. His services to dive tourism, underwater photography, and his ethical standards of developing environmentally sensitive diving, have been recognized by induction into The International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame, and the NOGI Award from the Academy of Underwater Arts & Sciences.

With his long time friend Captain Don Stewart, Mr. Roessler was one of the earliest voices promoting sustainable diving on Bonaire. His history with Bonaire dates back to early 1969 when Mr. Roessler brought regularly scheduled group of divers, who were oriented to photography, on diving excursions to Bonaire. During those early years, he and Captain Don Stewart actively encouraged the Bonaire government to institute sustainable tourism practices. To ensure that Bonaire’s marine life remained both healthy and accessible to divers, Mr. Roessler was active in trying to get areas which had particularly good fish populations set aside for diving rather than a hunting area for fisherman.

In addition to orchestrating early dive tourism and environmentalism in Bonaire, Mr. Roessler actively promoted the beauty of Bonaire’s reefs through a variety of photo articles in Skin Diver Magazine, and brought top dive manufacturing companies to Bonaire, to make a promotional film on the wreck of the Windjammer. During his time in Bonaire, he’s logged over 100 dives on the wreck.

Mr. Roessler is now retired from the diving industry and volunteers his time to the Historical Diving Society, The International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame and The Journal of Diving History.

The Bonaire Lifetime Achievement Award honors long serving, high performance professionals whose careers have truly made a difference. It is for achievement over a period of several years rather than a single contribution and it is awarded for achievement that distinguishes the individual’s work and provides a legacy for future generations. Past recipients of the award include Dr. Sylvia Earle and Dr. Eugenie Clark. (Source: TCB-NY)