Saturday, October 04, 2008

The Wounded Warriors Complete Their Week with Sightseeing and Shopping on Bonaire

The Wounded Warriors rounded out their week with a day of sightseeing, shopping, and a Texas-Styled BBQ, before packing for their trip home today.  Images from Friday’s events are available on the Bonaire Insider Photo Gallery by clicking here.

Friday, the group began with breakfast in Kralendijk at the new Buenos Aires Cafe.  There, made-to-order breakfasts were quickly served and Hector Delgado awarded a warrior t-shirt to restaurant owner, Ines Palacios.

Soon afterward, they boarded the Bonaire Tours & Vacations bus for an island tour, with American-born Petrie as their guide.  Directly from the tour, the men were dropped off in Kralendijk for a bit of shopping.  Many turned to Jewel of Bonaire, which had been kind enough to award each man a $200.00 gift certificate.

After a quick lunch in town, the men went back to sightseeing, this time driving themselves on quad vehicles, compliments of Jack Chalk.  The day ended up with a Texas-style BBQ at Jack’s home, sponsored by his family and Adams Unlimited.

And so ends this chapter in the lives of the Warriors.  They packed and said their ayo (good-bye) to the island this morning, as they left to return to the States on the Continental Airlines flight.  Those of us on Bonaire know it’s really te aworo (see you soon) instead of good-bye.

Many individuals and companies, both local and international, donated their time, money, or services to make this trip a reality for the Warriors and those escorting them. Thanks go to everyone who made the event a success:

Captain Don’s Habitat for providing accommodations and diving; Bencho Car Rental, Bonaire Tours & Vacations, Budget Car Rental, and the Jack Chalk family for providing transportation and sightseeing; Adams Unlimited, BonaireTalk.com, Buenos Aires Cafe, the Jack Chalk family, KFC, Papaya Moon Cantina, Paradise Coffee, Patagonia Argentinean Restaurant, RE/MAX Paradise Homes, and Rum Runners Restaurant for providing meals or evening events; PADI (The Professional Association of Diving Instructors) for providing training materials and certifications; Jewel of Bonaire for providing gift certificates for shopping; thanks also go to Bikers Bonaire, DEMA, Disabled Sports, HSA (Handicapped Scuba Association), and Tourist Corporation Bonaire.  (Source:  Bonaire Insider Reporter)