Friday, November 10, 2006

Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands Arrives at Bonaire’s Flamingo Airport Amid Fanfare

On Wednesday morning, November 8, 2006, Queen Beatrix of Holland landed at Bonaire’s Flamingo Airport, continuing her visit of all five Antillean islands and Aruba.

Arriving from Aruba, the Queen disembarked her plane and found a Band, Honor Guard, and Fife & Drum Corps awaiting her.  Dignitaries from both the Island and Central Governments greeted her on the tarmac, while the Dutch national anthem was played.  Queen Beatrix then did an inspection of the Guard, before exiting the airport.  Scores of local school childen waving Dutch flags created a walkway from the exit to her waiting transportation.  She then continued on to Wilhelmina Park, where other festivities awaited the Queen.

At the park she was greeted by cheering crowds, and school children sang songs for her in Dutch and Papiamentu. Afterwards she met with Bonaire’s commissioners and councilors. There, in a speech, Lt. Governor Domacasse asked the Queen to personally oversee Bonaire’s merger into Holland next year.

To view images of this event, click here to visit the Bonaire Insider Photo Gallery.

Source:  (Bonaire Insider Staff)