Entre Nous is the monthly newsletter
from the Tourism Corporation Bonaire (TCB), Netherlands Antilles.
In this newsletter you will find the accomplishments of TCB
in Bonaire, North America, South America and Europe as well
as the newest developments within the tourism industry.
We hope that you will read it with
pleasure and if you have something that you think is relevant
for the tourism sector to know just fax it to 717-8408 or e-mail
to: info@tourismbonaire.com.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
TCB
BONAIRE
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LOCAL
REPORT
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From
the Director's Desk
 Another
month has passed and the
good news about Continental
Airlines continues. The flights
are arriving full and it
looks like the future bookings
indicate no let-up. We are
continuing our efforts to
increase the aircraft size
and frequency of flights.
In the last Entre Nous
we announced the funding
for the Tourism Awareness
project and I am happy to
see that the process of selecting
consultants for the programs,
etc. is moving along nicely.
We are making sure we are
informing the people and
expect to see a mid-year
start up of the actual program.
It is important to note that
the main focus will be on
the Bonaireans and to have
them benefit from the investment
in terms of education and
training. Of course this
in turn will benefit and
improve our tourism product.
The program will offer more
than this, of course. We
will keep you informed.
Also I would like to update
Entre Nous readers on Dive
Into Adventure Bonaire. The
web site is up and we have
been getting reservations
already! Check out http://www.diveintoadventurebonaire.com/.
Our ads are running and we
are in the full-steam-ahead
mode. What makes this event
different from the past is
that we have included all
of our European partners
as well, plus we are placing
a huge focus on our local
talents and on our on-land
activities, without losing
the core focus, which is “diving.”
We have a wealth of talent
to call upon and they have
become well known to many
in the diving community.
We will have them featured
during the Taste of Bonaire,
our kick-off event and throughout
the week, they are “Bonaire’s
Stars.” I also would
like to thank Nick Davies
from CleverNSmart, Lisa Blau,
Sarah Biggerstaff, Roger
Davids, Lidewij Staal, Annebet
de Lint, Nick Lucey, our
sponsors and all others who
are providing their support.
These folks have been working
tirelessly to make this event
memorable.
Over the next
few months, we will be paying
a lot of attention to Bonaire’s
Marketing Strategy also.
We want to become more “up
to speed”, and to “create
a leap” for Bonaire.
A new branding, more use
of modern marketing tools,
etc. are a few of the components
to be tackled during this
year. To that end, we launched
a survey to obtain data that
we could use to help us frame
this approach. We expect
to cover not only past and
recent visitors, but also
we want to tap into the pool
of potential visitors who
have given us permission
to contact them. We need
to know from all sides what
motivates people to visit
and choose us for their vacation
destination and what intrigued
them to inquire about Bonaire.
This survey will be launched
in all markets, USA, Europe
and South America and will
be combined with other methods
of research, for example,
focus group study and an
analysis of competitors – focusing
on certain specific aspects
of tourism motivation.
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New
Bonaire Ambassadors
AWARDED
GOLD: |
Ernst & Susi
Seeling |
We
are honored with
our GOLD Bonaire
Ambassadors, Mrs.
Susi Seeling and
Mr. Ernst Seeling
from Vienna, Austria.
Back in the 1980s,
they read in a German
dive magazine about
Bonaire and its shore
diving opportunities,
a perfect replacement
for Ernst who suffers
from sea sickness
and was looking for
an alternative to
boat diving. When
they wanted to book
the flight, their
Viennese travel agent
did not know about
Bonaire and almost
sent them to Borneo.
But they finally
made it here and
fell immediately
in love with the
island. Exactly what
they were looking
for: a quiet and
clean place with
friendly and helpful
people and a wonderful
reef along the west
coast. Since then
they have been coming
to Bonaire every
year--giving up their
skiing vacation to
save days to come
for a lengthy vacation
to Bonaire. Ernst
is a very eager underwater
photographer and
many of his award-winning
pictures were taken
on Bonaire’s
reefs. Five years
ago, when they retired,
they were offered
the chance to work
as free-lance photo
journalists for a
dive magazine. Since
then, they have published
numerous photo stories
about Bonaire and
promoted the island
among the Austrian
diving community!
TCB has received
copies of marvelous
stories that have
been published. According
to them, they have
discovered, in the
meantime, that Bonaire
has more to offer
than shore diving.
Their favorite place
on-land is Washington
Slagbaai Park, and
they feel that Bonaire
is a great place
for outdoor people
and nature lovers
also. Susi and Ernst
have made several
friends on the island
and have been visiting
for 23 years and
are planning their
next trip already.
They have visited
many other destinations,
since they retired,
but keep returning
to Bonaire again
and again. “Now
as Bonaire Ambassadors,
we feel even more
motivated to write
about the island
and prove with our
pictures its beauty
both above and below
the sea,” according
to Susi and Ernst.
For
Tourism Corporation
Bonaire it is a great
pleasure to have
Susi and Ernst as
GOLD Bonaire Ambassadors. “We
thank Susi and Ernst
for their numerous
visits, the promotion
they have done for
the island and the
promotion they will
continue doing, "true
Bonaire Ambassadors” according
to Ronella Croes,
Director of Tourism
Corporation Bonaire.
Congratulations!
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AWARDED
BRONZE: |
Aaron
Zetley |
The
first Bonaire Ambassador
for the year 2006
is a young gentleman
of only 10 years
old. His name is
Aaron Zetley. He
visited our island
when he was a baby
for the first time
in 1996, together
with his parents.
This is the 10th
time that he visits
the island of Bonaire.
His passion for the
island is all about
windsurfing. Aaron
takes classes with
Elvis at Bonaire
Windsurf Place. For
Tourism Corporation
Bonaire, it is a
great pleasure to
have Aaron as the
first Bonaire Ambassador
for the year 2006.
Congratulations!
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AWARDED
BRONZE: |
Ron & Marian
Hayden
Kennewick, Washington
U.S.A.
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When
we first visited
Bonaire in 1993,
we were so taken
with the island
that we stopped
on our way to the
airport to leave
for home and bought
a timeshare. That
was a spontaneous
decision we’ve
never regretted – Bonaire
has become our
second home.
The
diving is spectacular,
the weather is
perfect, and the
pace of the island
is just right to
ensure a relaxing
time.
The best thing
about Bonaire is
the people. We’ve met new friends who
we look forward to seeing on our vacations. We’ve enjoyed bringing
friends from home with us to enjoy the island.
Our
Bonairian friends
have treated us
like family and
we think of them
that way. They
are the best !
Bonaire
is home to us,
one that we’ll
keep coming back
to for years.
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To see more of Bonaire's
Bronze, Silver, or Gold
Ambassadors, visit http://www.bonaireambassador.com!
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Bonaire
Scores at Vakantiebeurs 2006
 Vakantiebeurs
2006 was once again a happy gathering of
Bonaire-friends at the TCB/Bonhata-booth.
Tuesday, January 10th was the traditional
trade day and TCB and Bonhata welcomed
over 75 friends and associates. Among them
was this year’s winner of the Bonaire
Promotion Prize: WWF Netherlands. Based
on their efforts to produce the TV-show
Afro’s Wilde Wereldreizen, their
support to make the Stinapa event with
Mr. Pechtold, and, of course, the addition
of Bonaire to the CITO school project,
Carel Drijver of WWF was awarded a plaque
by TCB’s regional director Robert
Bolhuis before the cheering crowd!
Back to the top
Welcome
to the Family!
 As
you all know 2005 was a sad year in which
we lost John Neuschwander, the editor-in-chief
of the Dutch magazine Duiken (one of
TCB Europe’s finest press
relations). This year it’s time
to look ahead and at Vakantiebeurs we
wish to welcome the editor-in-chief,
Rene Lippman, to the Bonaire-family.
TCB’s
Robert Bolhuis presented him the Pink
Egg. This award is presented every year
to a person from whom Bonaire has high
expectations. Of course, Robert invited
Rene to visit Bonaire to experience the
best kept secret in the Dutch Antilles.
Robert also gave a unique and rare Bonaire
watch to three of Bonaire’s finest
friends. Linda Ferwerda of Duiken.tv,
Rob Keersmaekers of Duiken and Coen de
Rooij of Bonaire Fun Travel (see picture).
Back to the top
Third
Celebrity Live at Bonaire Visits
 January
5th TCB Europe’s online
manager Sandrine Koopman launched the
missing party in the trilogy called www.BonaireVisits.tv.
In this campaign three celebrities are
featured and presented to the Dutch audience.
After Barry Hay and Johnny de Mol, this
time award winning movie director Eddy
Terstall’s Bonaire visit was presented
on the internet. Viewers can follow Eddy
while cave snorkeling and can see for
themselves his first effort to learn
to windsurf. See for yourself.
Bonaire
from Zero to Hero
 After
years of being an ugly duck, Bonaire
turned overnight from zero to hero. Why?
For the first time, Bonaire could present
a full screen DVD in their booth. Not
only the destination DVD was presented,
also some of the movies from VisitBonaire
were seen. These movies added the right
European sauce to the more generic destination
DVD where both US and European audiences
have to be satisfied. This DVD will also
play a role in the booth at DuikVaker
next February.
Back to the top
Windsurf
Promotion Netherlands and Germany
This spring Bonaire will
launch its windsurf promotion in two
European countries. Since Holland brings
33% of all Bonaire tourists to our
island, the promotion will of course
target the Dutch windsurfers. But next
to that, TCB Europe manages to involve
the German target group. To shoot the
necessary pictures and movies for this
promotion, a crew went over to Bonaire
the last week of January. Not only
two of the Europe’s most talented
freestyle windsurfers (to challenge
the Bonaire Kids), but also journalists
came to Bonaire. TCB Europe thanks
KLM for its sponsoring, Divi and Kontiki
for hosting, and Budget for facilitating
transportation.
Back to the top
Bonaire
Highlighted at Web site WWF
 The
joint promotion in 2005 with WWF
still results in a lot of spin-offs.
Recently WWF Holland presented a
Bonaire-video in their Web site.
Every visitor now can experience
Bonaire’s
wonderful wildlife in streaming video.
This site will surely attract a lot
of nature lovers and convince them
of Bonaire’s unique selling
points. Over and over again we see
the value of "caring for nature
by sharing nature" attracting
new fans.
Back to the top
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Bonaire
Hosts Press Conference at CHA Marketplace
On Monday, January
16, 2006 at 11:30 a.m. Jack Chalk, Nick
Davies and Candice Kimmel hosted a press
conference in the Press Conference Room
at the Puerto Rico Convention Center during
CHA Marketplace to announce Dive
Into Adventure Bonaire 2006. Media
registered to attend CHA Marketplace
were invited to attend the press
conference which provided details
on the event including sponsors,
activities and more. Questions from
the press indicated their interest
in the event, as well as their awareness
of Bonaire’s
positioning as a leader in Marine preservation.
New
Bonaire EZ News Masthead Makes Its Debut
 The January 9, 2006 issue of
Bonaire EZ News featured the debut of the
new EZ News masthead. Brighter
and bolder than the previous masthead,
the new one features Bonaire EZ
News in a new font accompanied
by five colorful, active photos
- a flamingo, windsurfing, snorkeling,
divers walking into the water for
a shore dive, and mangrove kayaking.
Back to the top
New
Photos Added To Bonaire’s Website
for Dive Professionals
 As part of the 2006 Integrated
Dive Marketing Program, eight new
photos were added to www.bonairedivingpro.com in
January. The photos, which are
copyright free, are available for
downloading in the Retailers’ Toolbox.
Taken from the new photo CD, each
photo (available in three different
sizes) has Bonaire burned below
the image and can be used by the
dive shop to produce their own
flyers and trip brochures. These
photos now bring the number available
on-line to twelve.
The
Bonaire-Sponsored DEMA Scuba Tour Kicks
Off 2006 Tour
 The DEMA Scuba Tour kicked
off its 2006 tour with stops at the Adventure
in Travel Expo in Chicago (January
6-8), the Adventure in Travel Expo
in New York City (January 13-15),
the World Vacation Expo in Boston
(January 20-22) and the L. A. Travel
Show in Long Beach (January 28-29).
The TCB Bonaire joins PADI and
Wyland as Gold Sponsors of the
DEMA Scuba Pool in 2006, and as
such the “Divers Paradise” logo
license plate is prominently displayed
on all of the pool’s signage. Bonaire
also has the right to put Bonaire literature
in the kit handed out to all participants,
access to all of the names and email
contacts of participants and, best of
all, a free booth within the Scuba Tour
space to promote the island.
Back to the top
Dive
Into Adventure Bonaire 2006 Preparations
Continue
In January a number
of tasks were undertaken by TCB-NY in
conjunction with event sponsors and TCB-Bonaire.
They included writing information for
inclusion on Dive Into Adventure Bonaire
Web site, finalizing the March ad for
the event in Scuba Diving magazine, drafting
FAQ sheet on DIAB, working with official
tour operators (i.e., providing
information on the event and responding
to questions, collecting hotel package
information from official tour operators),
drafting an email to be sent to past
Dive Festival participants inviting
them to attend the event, updating
the press release on DIAB and then
distributing to the media in mid-January,
writing and distributing an issue
of Bonaire EZ News focusing on
DIAB on January 23, 2006 and preparing
the DIAB press release for distribution
at Adventures in Travel Expos in Chicago
and NYC.
Tour
Operators Sent Extra Copies of Jan/Feb
Scuba Diving Magazine
 Each
of Bonaire’s tour operators
listed on the EZ News received a
special package of 5 copies of the
Jan/Feb. issue of Scuba Diving Magazine
to draw attention to Bonaire being
voted the Top Dive Destination in
the Caribbean/Atlantic for the fourth
consecutive year. In addition to
the Top 100 List, the issue contained
a full page ad on the upcoming Dive
Into Adventure Bonaire event and
an eight page article on the destination.
A letter included in the mailing
urged the Tour Operators to share
the magazines with their agents to
update them on the latest from the
island.
Dive
Newswire for January
In January one press release
was distributed on Dive Newswire.
The “Bonaire
Rated #1 Dive Destination Caribbean/Atlantic
For Fourth Straight Year In Scuba Diving
Magazine’s 2006 Readers’ Choice
Awards” was distributed on January
9th. Dive Newswire is distributed electronically
to more than 6,000 dive shop owners,
manufacturers as well as media outlets.
Bonaire
EZ News for January
In January two issues of Bonaire EZ News
were distributed to our database of 35,000
consumers and travel agents. The January
9th issue focused on island and airline
news, while the January 23rd issue focused
on Dive Into Adventure Bonaire 2006.
Press
Releases
As part of the ongoing
press release program, Adams Unlimited
researches, writes and prepares a steady
stream of releases for mailings to the
media for applicable editorial
coverage based on editorial calendars
and the need to disseminate timely
news. In January four press releases
were written and distributed. A
press release on focusing on Bonaire
being “Rated #1 Dive Destination
Caribbean/Atlantic For Fourth Straight
Year In Scuba Diving Magazine’s
2006 Readers’ Choice Awards” was
written and distributed to the media
and on Dive Newswire in early January.
A second press release on Dive Into
Adventure Bonaire 2006 with updated
information was written and sent
to the media in mid-January. The
third press release announced the
Bonaire Heineken Jazz Festival. It
was also distributed to the media
in mid-January. The fourth press
release focused on the BONHATA Board
of Directors election. This release
was distributed to travel trade,
hospitality and Caribbean publications
in North America. Additionally in
preparation for the drafting of the
first installment of the Bonaire
Briefs press release for 2006, an
email was sent to hotels, dive shops
and other businesses/organizations
in Bonaire requesting information
for inclusion. Information will be
compiled and the press release distributed
to the media in early to mid-February
2006. The release will also be posted
on www.InfoBonaire.com and
a special, condensed version will
be posted and distributed on Dive
Newswire in February as well.
Press Visits
In January, Adams worked with a number
of writers for press visits during
the first quarter of 2006:
1. Worked with writer and
photojournalist Tim Rock on a press visit
to Bonaire in January/February 2006.
Mr. Rock will be on island to gather
information in order to write the Lonely
Planet diving and snorkeling guide to
Bonaire. This is the first edition of
this new guidebook. Photos and information
gathered may also be used in Sport Diving
magazine.
2. Began working with writer Barb Roy
on a press visit to Bonaire in late January/early
February 2006. Mrs. Roy will be scuba diving,
kayaking, visiting Washington-Slagbaai
National Park to gather information for
articles in Northwest Dive News, Northeast
Dive News, Sport Diver Magazine, Wave Length
Magazine, X-Ray Dive Magazine.
Attitudes
and Usage Survey to Launch Feb. 6
Beginning February 6, TCB-NYC will launch
an on-line survey to measure the attitudes
and travel booking habits of past visitors
to Bonaire. The self –administered
questionnaire takes only a few minutes
to complete, and by completing the survey,
respondents will automatically be entered
in a sweepstakes to win a one-week stay
for two in Bonaire (including airfare
from the nearest Continental, American
or Air Jamaica gateway). The sample will
be randomly selected from the past visitor
database, with invitations to participate
being sent via email. Past visitors who
would like to participate can also complete
the survey on www.infobonaire.com between
Feb. 6 and Feb.28, 2006. Look for the
survey Icon on the home page. When the
completed questionnaires are all received,
the responses will be “sample balanced” to
reflect the O/D make up of the North
American Market to Bonaire.
Editorial
Highlights
The New York Post, the
seventh most read newspaper in the
U.S. with a circulation of 642,844,
featured Bonaire in the cover story
entitled “Be A Sport” in
the January 24th travel section of
the publication. The feature article
focused on the ten most adventurous
activities and places to go with your
kids and Bonaire was included as the
best spot for windsurfing. The only
Caribbean destination included in the
article, general information on windsurfing
was featured “…Lac Bay
- has everything a beginner windsurfer
needs: warm weather, a calm yet steady
wind, and shallow water lined with
soft sand” along with information
on the ABK Boardsports Windsurfing
School at Jibe City. BelMar was selected
as the property to stay at and Sea & Discover’s
classes were noted as the “don’t
miss.”
To view the article click on this
link http://www.nypost.com/travel/59469.htm.
You may need to register (it’s
free) to view the article.
Conde
Nast Traveler (circulation 779,081): Bonaire
is featured in the Deals of the Month
section of the December 2005 issue
of Conde Nast Traveler. Bonaire is
listed in the deals section because
of the easy-access diving as well as
the abundance of activities available
for non-divers. The article recommends
Eden Beach Resort as no-frills but
comfortable accommodations along with
Sun Rentals. The article also mentions
La Guernica as a nice place to eat
in Kralendijk. Bonaire’s Web
site is listed. This article is not
available online.
Scuba
Diving (circulation 185,000): The February 2006 issue of Scuba Diving
magazine hit the newsstands and is
an issue all about BONAIRE! Beginning
with the cover and continuing throughout
the entire magazine, Bonaire couldn’t
be missed. Here is a summary of what’s
inside:
Cover: Headline on the cover: “Eccentric
Bonaire: An island’s most colorful
characters, above and below water.”
Encounters Section: Journalist’s
Ned Deloach and Paul Humann document
their experience studying the wrasse
razor fish of Bonaire, that live in
the salt flats. The razor fish has
developed a defense mechanism that
allows the fish to burrow under the
sand to hide from prey. The article
also talks about other behaviors of
the razor fish.
Dive Deals Section: The number three
special is the “bring a buddy
for free” promotion offered by
Belmar Apartments. Details and contact
information are listed. The number
eleven special is Plaza Resort’s “early
bird check-in” package being
offered to support Continental’s
red-eye flight to Bonaire. Details
and contact information are listed.
The number thirteen special is Sand
Dollar’s “free night, diving
and nitrox” package. Details
and contact information are listed.
Feature Story: “Bonaire: The
Last Pirate and Other Wonders of the
Deep” is a seven page feature
story about Bonaire. Journalist Steve
Chapple writes about his journey to
Klein Bonaire to see sea turtles mating.
Steve also writes about Captain Don
and a few of his many accomplishments,
including inventing and patenting the
sliding screen door. The story includes
this and much more.
In Depth Section: This
section is a supplement to the feature
story and is a travel guide for those
interested in visiting Bonaire. Bonaire’s
toll free number, Web site and many
worthwhile tips are listed in this
section.
Reader’s Choice Awards: In the
2006 Readers’ Choice Awards,
Bonaire received the #1 rating in four
Caribbean/Atlantic categories including,
for the fourth year in a row, Top Caribbean
Dive Destination (96.3%). Bonaire was
also rated #1 for Underwater Photography
(97.4%), Beginner Diving (95.7%) and
Shore Diving (95.4%). Bonaire took
second place in the categories of Marine
Life (94.7%), Healthiest Marine Environment
(94.7%), Visibility (92.3%) and Top
Small Animals (89%), and placed in
the top five in the Top Value (90.5%)
and Top Snorkeling (85.1%) categories.
For the Reader’s Choice awards,
thousands of Scuba Diving subscribers
and web users rated their dive experiences
on a scale of one to five. Final scores
represent the percentage of fours and
five awarded.
These articles are available online
at http://dive.scubadiving.com/current_issue/0106/.
Caribbean
Travel & Life
(circulation 130,000): Bonaire is featured in the Top 20 Reasons
to go to the Caribbean Right Now in
the December 2005 issue of Caribbean
Travel & Life. The number 18 reason
to go to the Caribbean right now is
that windsurfers of all types, from
entry level beginners to highly ranked
pros, are flocking like flamingos to
Bonaire’s Lac to try windsurfing
for themselves.
Also in the December
issue of CT&L
was an article featuring Bonaire as
a great destination for diving, birding,
and so much more. The article talks
about Bonaire’s dive sites, national
park, bicycle trails, horseback riding
trails, beaches and mentions Bonaire’s
upcoming premier event Dive Into Adventure
Bonaire 2006. These articles are not
available online, however, other great
articles featuring Bonaire are available
at www.caribbeantravelmag.com.
Sport
Diver (circulation 100,000): Bonaire
is introduced as, without a doubt,
one of the world’s best
shore diving destinations in the
January 2006 issue of Sport Diver
magazine. The article mentions that
the snorkeling is also world-class
because of the clear water and amazing
visibility. Although the island is
only 24 miles long, the article also
mentions that the island of Bonaire
is full of wildlife including donkeys
and goats that freely roam the island
due to lack of heavy traffic.
Also in the January 2006 issue are
features on Buddy Dive Resort, Captain
Don’s Habitat and Plaza Resort
Bonaire, which are highlighted in the
World’s Best Diving & Resorts
section. Contact information for each
accommodation is listed. This article
is available online at http://www.sportdiver.com/destination.jsp?destinationID=10121.
JUF
(Chicago) News (circulation 100,000): Bonaire is highlighted in an article
about people of the Jewish faith
in the Dutch Caribbean in the November
2005 issue of the Jewish United Fund
News of Chicago. The article reflects
on their history on the Dutch Caribbean
islands, and when it comes to Bonaire,
the article states “it is likely
that they did inhabit the island,
but not much information is available.
What is known is that the island
has clear waters, reefs and about
213 different fish species. None
of them are gefilte.” This
article is available online at http://www.juf.org/news_public_affairs/article.asp?key=6569&highlight=bonaire.
Daily
Herald (IL) (circulation 98,000): Long
time friend of Bonaire and travel
journalist Roberta Sotonoff, featured
the island in a story in the November
6, 2005 issue of the Daily Herald,
a newspaper circulated in the Chicago
suburbs of Illinois. The article
states that the pastel-colored, Dutch
colonial-style buildings give visitors “a
real taste of Europe.” The
article also has a little history
incorporated in it and explains that
the Dutch seized Bonaire in 1633
and mined the salt ponds; and today,
the island is a diving paradise and
the salt ponds are a flamingo sanctuary.
Bonaire’s 800 number and Web
site are listed. This article is
available in the archives section
for a fee of $2.95 at www.dailyherald.com.
Black
Meetings & Tourism
(circulation 28,000): Bonaire
is featured in the area guides section
of the November 2005 issue of Black
Meetings & Tourism. The
article mentions that Bonaire has accommodations
for every lifestyle and budget which
makes the island ideal for meetings
or just to visit on vacation. The article
goes on to list worthwhile visitor
information such as climate, currency
and exchange rate, taxes and air connections.
Bonaire’s toll free number and
Web site are listed.
Bonaire is also mentioned in the Directory
section of Black Meetings & Tourism
and its thriving fish population is
noted. Bonaire’s contact information
is listed again. This article is not
available online.
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Brazil,
a Promising Dive Market
For the upcoming Carnival season, Bonaire
will host a large dive group (almost one hundred),
organized by the tour operator Arribatur. They,
along with TCB, actively promote the island.
The group is coming from Sao Paulo with Avianca
via Aruba, connecting to Bonaire with Dutch Antilles
Express.
From February and throughout the year,
Bonaire will appear well positioned in the home
pages of the online magazine Clubdomergulhadores,
a site which is contacted by the consumers who
want to know more about the marine world and
its activities. Clubdomergulhadores was contacted
by the Bonaire delegation during the Brazil Dive
Show. Visit www.clubedomergulhador.com.br.
Tripping, the
official tour operator for www.varigholiday.com,
has incorporated Bonaire within the diving
destination programs that will be promoted by
the airline in 2006. Paulo de Tharso from Tripping,
who recently visited the island, was very impressed,
not only with the pristine Bonaire Marine Park,
but also for the hospitality and warmth of its
people.
Back to the top
Bonaire in Mergulho
Magazine
Last December this magazine published
an article about Bonaire, written by Ary Amarante,
it generated many e-mails asking for more
information about the island.
Back to the top
Venezuela
Slowly but Surely …
Venezuela is the market generating
the largest number of visitors to Bonaire and
this, due to its proximity, is one of the reason
the population of divers and dive operators
send groups to the island and tour operators
are committed to the promotion of the island
in their Caribbean programs. The activities
come as a result of working closely together
with our office.
2006 Key dates: Carnival Feb
24-28, Easter Apr 12-16, Labour Day Apr 28-May
1, Jul 21-24 and Columbus Day Oct 11-15.
The use of the credit cards to
travel abroad is still limited by the Government,
but now with a little more flexible policy
which has tremendously reactivated
the tourism sector. The packages are promoted
in local currency (Bolivars), because
it is not allowed to do promotions nor the
payment of the packages in American dollars.
Air connections
Transaven /Progressive Air Service
From Caracas & Valencia:
Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday
progressive_airserv@hotmail.com
Telephone: (599 717) 6825,
Fax: (599 717) 6826
Dutch Antilles Express
From Valencia: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday
and Sunday
reservations@flydae.com
Telephone: (599 717) 0808,
Fax (599 717) 0880
Telephone in Valencia: (0241)
8243662/2650
Colombian
Market News
Diving, leisure, eco adventure ... a market
where in previous years we have advanced promoting
Bonaire in trade shows, seminars to the tourism
and diving sector. Nowadays we enjoy better
airlift from Curacao and Aruba to Bonaire and
Avianca with more frequencies via Caracas. Nevertheless,
the Colombian market will be another challenge
for 2006.
A visit to Bogotá in February is scheduled
by TCB during the Anato trade show when we will
meet with the Caribbean tour operators and diving
schools and arrange strategic meetings with Avianca
to deal with the flights connections via Curacao,
Aruba and also Caracas. This would not only benefit
the Colombian market but also the Brazilians.
The Colombian divers travel to the Caribbean
all year. The diving population is centered in
the cities of Medellin, Bogotá and Cali.
Bonaire
Image Campaign
in Ecuador
and Peru
Two markets
continue to
grow with KLM’s
non stop flights.
Even though
they are not
natural markets
for Bonaire
(only Ecuador
has a dive
operation focused
completely
in receptive
tourism activity
toward the
Galapagos Islands),
both countries
constitute
an important
challenge for
2006 which
we have focused
on to reach
the eco tourism
segments. We
are maintaining
an image campaign
in the tourism
press directed
to travel agencies
and now in
the eco adventures
magazines.
Back to the top
Bonaire
Pictures Data
Bank
As
it has been
one of our
strongest promotion
strategies
we are promoting
the island
through beautiful
images which
speak for themselves.
After Carnival
season, our
office is planning
to extend a
weekend invitation
to two photographers,
one for underwater
pictures and
the other one
for top sides,
in order to
update our
pictures data
bank to be
used in our
2006 Bonaire
image campaign.
Host hotels
as well as
TCB, will receive
a CD with the
same amount
of images without
any charge
from the photographers.
Host hotels
interested,
pls contact
Yasmin at flamingorep@cantv.net.
Back to the top
Colombia,
Bogotà
Vitrina de
Anato from
Feb 24th to
the 26th
www.vitrinaturistica2006.com
Brazil, Rio
de Janeiro
Rio Boat
Show from
May 6th to
14th
www.rioboatshow.com.br
Back to the top
|
|
NEWS
FROM THE TOURISM SECTOR
|
Brigitte
Kley Opens at the Cinnamon
Art Gallery with a New
Exhibit of Driftwood and
Unique Cloth Artwork
 A new and unique type of
exhibit will soon premiere
at the Cinnamon Art Gallery.
Starting on Saturday, February
11, 2006, Brigitte Kley will
bring her exciting collection
of found driftwood art and
brightly colored fabric paintings
to the gallery. The exhibit
premiere, which is open to
the public, will take place
from 7pm to 9pm on the 11th
and light beverages will
be served. This exhibition
will continue through March
23, 2006.
Brigitte was born in Berlin,
Germany in 1946, and her
career as a tri-lingual secretary
allowed her to work in France,
Belgium, The Netherlands,
and Bavaria. Additionally,
it offered her the opportunity
to visit a wide variety of
towns in different countries
throughout Europe. This wide
range of travel experience
allowed Brigitte to study
the handicrafts of many different
regions, and this expertise
with many mediums is now
reflected in her current
works.
Brigitte relocated to Bonaire
in 1988 with her husband,
Richard. While in Europe,
one of her favorite hobbies
was knitting, but she found
that in the warm climate
of her new adopted home,
knitted articles of clothing
were not needed, and so Brigitte
began a quest for a new handicraft
hobby.
 Initially, Brigitte worked
totally in driftwood, and
was pleased that a good supply
was readily available around
the island. However, she
soon realized that her new
passion would encompass sewing,
and so her fabric art was
born. The brightly colored
wall decorations are reminiscent
of prized quilts and will
surely add to the décor
of any room. Each one is
unique and have themes which
remind one of shared moments
on Bonaire……diving,
snorkeling, sailing, or one
of many other Bonaire snapshots
which are kept in our memories.
Currently, Brigitte decorates
the vacation lodgings of
Coco Palm Garden with her
own wall hangers. Coco Palm
Garden is a small, intimate
inn in Belnem owned by Brigitte
and her husband.
Cinnamon Art Gallery is
managed by Bonaire Artists’ Foundation,
a non-profit organization
dedicated to promoting the
work of local artists in
a permanent gallery setting.
The Gallery does not accept
any payment for the work
of its featured artists --
when guests purchase Gallery
art, 100% of the monies received
flow back directly to the
artist. Private donations
provide all of the funding
for exhibits and the on-going
cost of maintaining the Gallery.
The Cinnamon
Art Gallery is located at Kaya A.P.L.
Brion #1 in downtown Kralendijk,
just off of Kaya Grandi.
For more information, contact
the Gallery at 717-7103 or
info@CinnamonArtGallery.org.
New
Edition of Bonaire Dining
Guide
The
new edition of the Bonaire
Dining Guide and Recipe book
has been released and is
now available at all restaurants,
hotels, TCB, car rentals
and many other locations
on island. A limited amount
are also available from our
US outlet. Please send an
email to info@chatnbrowse.com and
we will be happy to send
one along. This year, in
addition to our featured
recipes, there are numerous
coupons that visitors can
clip to redeem at participating
eateries and businesses.
Be sure to pick up your
copy when next visiting. The online
version of the new Dining
Guide will launch by mid-February
at www.bonairediningguide.com.
Bonaire
Vacation Rentals Premieres
New Diving Web Site
 Bonaire
Vacation Rentals recently launched
a new Web site aimed at providing
information for the dive traveler
to Bonaire. With information
about the triplet of properties,
there is a type of intimate
accommodation available for
every budget. Bonaire
Vacation Rentals offers you
accommodations at Coco Palm
Garden/Casa Oleander, Ocean
View Villas, and Happy Holiday
Homes in the lovely residential
section of Belnem, and close
to the dive sites on the southern
section of Bonaire's leeward
shore.
And
for diving,
Photo Tours Divers at Dive
Friends Bonaire, recently named
Dive Shop of the Year by Bonhata
members, takes care of all
your diving whims, from instruction,
boat or shore diving, nitrox,
to advanced technical diving.
For more information,
visit
www.bonairediving.org. You
may also subscribe to the e-newsletter
at the same address.
Back to the top
Tourism
Specials Now Available
AB Carrental is
offering a Special for Divers
and Non Divers, in the period
from January 5 through May
1, 2006:
| • For Divers:
A Mazda Pick Up Double
Cabin with power steering
and A/C for USD 37.00
per day including CDW
insurance. |
| • Also available " 4WD
Dive Pick Up Trucks and
4WD SUV 's " with
automatic transmission. |
| • For Non Divers: A Kia
Picanto, 4 door economy
car with A/C for USD
34.00 per day including
CDW insurance. |
| • Also available with
automatic transmission. |
Visit the AB Carrental Web
site at: www.ABcarrental.com
for further details,
or make your reservation
via email: info@ABcarrental.com.
( Ref. Entre Nous Special).
Divers Paradise is offering
a seven-night special including
6 days of unlimited shore
diving, plus 7 days vehicle
rental. Package prices starting
at $ 383.00 per person, based
on 3 people in a one-bedroom
apartment (rates are exclusive
of $6.50 per person, per
night tourist tax). Located
a short drive from Kralendijk
in a quiet residential area,
Divers Paradise offers seven
comfortable apartments complete
with fully-equipped kitchens,
cable TV, radio, personal
safe, bathroom with shower
and bedroom with air-conditioning.
Valid from April 15 untill
December 19. 2006. For more
information visit the Divers
Paradise Web site or
email
info@DiversParadiseBonaire.com.
Bonaire Lagoen Hill is offering
a package that includes 7
nights accommodation, 6 days
of unlimited shore diving
and 7 days vehicle rental.Package
prices starting at $ 353.00
per person, based on 6 people
in a 3-bedroom cottage (rates
are exclusive of $6.50 per
person, per night tourist
tax.) Lagoen Hill is located
in the rolling hills near
Lagoen Bay a quiet residential
setting with great island
views of Bonaire, and only
2 miles from the capital
city of Kralendijk.The Resort
features 30 private cottages,
set among lush tropical gardens.
The bungalows are provided
with cable TV, radio, ceiling-fans,
personal safe, hot water
facilities, a fully equipped
kitchen, a spacious bathroom
with shower and large bedrooms
with air-conditioning. Homes
with all the comfort and
modern amenities needed for
a perfect and affordable
island getaway.
Package prices are valid
from April 15 untill December
19, 2006. For more information,
visit the Lagoen
Hill Web site or email info@LagoenHill.com.
 Harbour Village’s “Free
Diving Special” joins
the Dive Into Adventure Festival
in Bonaire
June 17 through June 24,
2006.
Harbour Village Beach Club
is proud to announce that
its Free Diving Week joins
the Dive
into Adventure Festival as part of the island’s
celebration next June 17-24,
2006. Known for its luxurious
premier beachfront suites,
5-star PADI Dive Center
offering personalized services,
and its onsite dive wreck, “Our
Confidence”, that
lays just off shore from
the beach, Harbour Village
has everything to make
a week’s stay in
Bonaire the most memorable
vacation of a lifetime.
For more information visit
http://www.harbourvillage.com/freediving.
Back to the top
Women’s
Windsurf Week in
Bonaire. July
15-22, 2006
This special windsurfing
week features
Beth Powell Winkler and
Instructor extraordinaire,
Petra Kanz!! Join Petra
Kanz, Beth Powell Winkler
and Ann Phelan on an exciting
windsurf vacation on
the sunny island of
Bonaire. They are offering
a super fun filled
week of instruction
this summer. No
parking and traffic
jams on this sunny
island. Come on down.
 Choose from cozy apartments
or oceanfront condos.
Air land, clinic, car
and gear packages available.
This group is limited to
20 women, so book now.
Air specials from select
cities are available on
a limited basis.
Our package includes:
airport meet and greet,
free on island Concierge
Service and a welcome
cocktail party. You
will have a windsurf
orientation meeting
with Petra and Beth
and then 3 days of
lessons geared for
women and taught by
women. Also available
on site are spa services
by Luna Massage.
Please email Ann at
ann@bonairewindsurfing.com for
more details. She can
arrange special programs
for your children or
non-sailing partner
so please call 1-800-219-0118!
Back to the top
Changes
in Management for Mangrove
Information Center
The Mangrove Info Center
hosted over 5000 visitors
(tourists and locals alike)
during 2005. Also many young
people of Bonaire visited
the center and went out on
a complimantery kayak tour
while participating in the
STINAPA educational youth
programs.
The center
hosted many tour-operators,
journalists and TV crews
as well.
The BBC Natural History Unit,
the producers of the Blue
Planet series, was hosted
by the Mangrove Information
Center, while they shot
an episode for the new series
called "Secrets
Of the Caribbean."
The secret? The best-preserved
mangrove forest in the Caribbean!
Worldwide broadcasting will
start in September 2006.
Recently Elly Albers became
the manager in charge for
all solarboat, kayak, and
mangrove snorkel tours. The
center will soon start
a new educational activity:
Guided snorkeling at the
Lac Bay barrier reef, one
of the most exciting snorkelspots
on Bonaire, comfortably
reached by solarboat--for
experienced snorkelers only.
Gerard van
Erp, the founder of the
center, will remain
in charge of research, and
maintain contact with universities
and several zoos. The
Mangrove Information Center
has a partnership with the
Rotterdam Zoo in the Netherlands
as well as universities
worldwide.
For more information,
email info@mangrovecenter.com.
Back to the top
Construction
Begins on a New Butterfly
Farm
The new plantation
house on Bonaire, Landhuis
De Plantage, completed in
2005, will start building
a butterflyfarm, coming in
February at Kaminda
Lac 101. The butterflyfarm
will be open for the public
in June, 2006 and will be
managed by Gerard van Erp.
The greenhouse (80x55 feet)
will exhibit all kind of
butterflies from the Caribbean
and South America.
The farm will also start
up its own butterfly breeding
program.
The new Butterfly Farm Bonaire
is a member of the International
Association of Butterfly
Exhibitions.
Back to the top
New
DCNA Web Site Follows Miss
Shellie, the
Turtle Who Won’t
Go Home
A
wild sea turtle causes
a stir with her very own
internet diary – by
refusing to leave home.
In September, 2005, the
adventures of a 1.1meter-long
Green turtle were being tracked
by satellite after a state-of-the-art
radio transmitter was attached
to her shell as she laid
her eggs on a beach on the
island of St. Eustatius,
known locally as Statia,
in the Dutch Caribbean.
Schoolchildren – who
christened her Miss Shellie
in a local competition – joined
researchers in logging on
to the animal’s regular
diary on http://www.DCNAnature.org,
the newly launched Web site
of the regional conservation
group, Dutch Caribbean Nature
Alliance.
But Miss Shellie has baffled
marine experts by refusing
to live up to the image of
her species as long-haul
migrants who travel hundreds – or
even thousands – of
kilometers between nesting
sites and feeding grounds.
By the time the battery
in her transmitter failed
on November 15, Miss Shellie
had swum 961 km – without
ever straying more than 5
kms from the spot where she
was electronically tagged.
“She appeared to
be simply swimming around
and around the island,” said
Nicole Esteban, manager of
the marine park on Statia
where Miss Shellie was tagged.
Miss Shellie’s refusal
to leave home is likely to
spark speculation about whether
all turtles really are the
great ocean wanderers that
everyone believes them to
be. Sea turtle expert Dr.
Robert van Dam, who fitted
her transmitter as part of
a cutting edge turtle-tracking
program being carried out
in the Netherlands Antilles,
is now keen to discover whether
other turtles in the area
are as home-loving.
 “Miss Shellie may
simply be an exceptional
animal,” he says. “But
I’d like to fix transmitters
to other turtles in the same
region next year to see whether
they repeat her pattern.
If they do, then we may be
on to something. Certainly
we now need to keep an open
mind about the lifestyle
and travel range of these
animals.”
Kalli De Meyer, executive
director of DCNA, the umbrella
organization for the land
and marine parks on the five
islands of the Dutch Antilles
and Aruba, explains, “A
major concern is that endangered
turtle species swim from
protected areas such as ours
to regions thousands of kilometers
away where they are still
hunted and killed.” Therefore,
it could be good news for
turtle conservation projects
if Miss Shellie’s short
traveling range proves to
be typical of her species.
Mrs. De Meyer continues, “Obviously
it means we have a better
chance of safeguarding existing
populations if we discover
that many of our turtles
actually don’t travel
that far from our waters.”
The story of Miss Shelli
is only one of many interesting
anecdotes that can be followed
on the DCNA’s new Web
site. The site is also filled
with other detailed information,
and aims to become the premier
internet resource for both
professionals and the general
public on issues of biodiversity
and conservation within the
Dutch Caribbean.
The website already features:
• Information on protected
areas, habitats, ecosystems
and endemic, endangered and
vulnerable species including
an IUCN Red List for the
Dutch Caribbean
• Details of ongoing projects
on conservation, management,
and capacity building
• Background information
on the organization its board,
vision, and objectives
According to Mrs. De Meyer, “We
are doing some cutting edge
work in scientific research
and conservation and we want
to use this Web site to share
the data with both people
and organizations working
in our field as well as the
wider general public.”
Coming soon to the Web site will be the results of a year-long baseline study
of protected areas, as well as a fully searchable species database for the
six islands comprised of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba. “These tools
are not only phenomenally useful for our own park personnel and academics,
but they go a long way towards showing our funding sponsors and donors how
effective our techniques are and how productively their money is being used
to promote biodiversity conservation,” continues Mrs. De Meyer. “‘We
aim to make the results of our work available in their entirety on our Web
site as a part of our policy to provide a source of high quality information
to anyone who has an interest.”
Kalli De Meyer came to
work as the Executive Director
of DCNA, based in Bonaire,
in April, 2005. She brings
with her a wealth of practical,
hands-on park management
experience, having set up
the Bonaire National Marine
Park in 1991, and continued
to manage it until 2000.
During this time, the BNMP
turned into a model marine
park, and has been used as
a base-model for many other
marine parks around the world.
Mrs. De Meyer has worked
for the Berkeley based non-profit,
The Coral Reef Alliance,
as their Conservation Director,
as well as running her own
Bonaire-based non-profit,
Fundashon pa Bon Koral.
 Mrs. De Meyer has been
an avid diver since she first
donned SCUBA gear in 1983.
She has a wide range of SCUBA
diving experience and is
a proud member of the Women
Divers Hall of Fame. Mrs.
De Meyer received her Bachelor
of Science in Marine Biology
and Ecology from the City
of London Polytechnic, UK,
and her Masters degree in
Oceanography from Southampton
University, UK.
She lives on Bonaire with her husband and two young sons.
For more information, visit www.DCNAnature.org, email kdm@telbonet.an, or contact
Mrs. De Meyer at + (599) 717-5010.
Back to the top
Caribbean’s
First DonkeyCam is Launched
on Bonaire
Once
again, Bonaire is in the
forefront of new services
with the inauguration of
the new DonkeyCam, the first
in the Caribbean.
Thanks to a
donation last fall by Richard
Mann of New Hampshire, USA,
through Support
Bonaire,
the Bonaire Donkey Sanctuary
received partial funding
to install a WebCam, now
fondly called the DonkeyCam.
To complete the installation,
Caribbean WebCams
donated additional equipment
and expertise.
Although the
DonkeyCam originally went
online in mid-November, 2005,
it has been undergoing initial
testing, which is now complete.
The DonkeyCam is now live
and ready for viewing at
www.donkeycam.com. As with
Bonaire’s other
WebCams, image archives will
be available at www.bonairewebcams.com by mid-February, 2006 for
members of the Bonaire WebCams
site. Live images from the
DonkeyCam will be displayed
there as well.
“We think
the DonkeyCam is wonderful,
as it will show everyone
how precious Bonaire’s
donkeys truly are. Even when
visitors cannot make it to
the Donkey Sanctuary in person,
they can now visit via the
Internet,” said
Marina Melis, manager of
the Bonaire Donkey Sanctuary.
With this
first remote WebCam installation,
Caribbean WebCams will now
be evaluating locations for
additional WebCams around
Bonaire to provided added
value for members of the
Bonaire WebCams Web site.
Bonaire was the first in
the world to premiere an
underwater WebCam in 2000,
along with three shoreline
views.
The Donkey
Help Foundation created the
Donkey Sanctuary in order
to improve the living conditions
of the donkeys currently
living on Bonaire. Before
the sanctuary was available,
the donkeys were left to
fend on their own on the
streets, since, in today’s
modern society, the need
for working donkeys is non-existent.
Roaming free, they could
be hit in passing traffic,
which has steadily increased
in recent years. To form
the sanctuary, the initial
land grant was provided by
The Island Government of
Bonaire for a reasonable
lease-rent, and the foundation
purchased a second tract
of land of 220 acres. Now,
over 300 of Bonaire’s
donkeys are residing within
the spacious confines of
the Donkey Sanctuary, which
provides food, water, and
medical care since
1993. Each donkey has its
own story, but all have
now found a safe environment
where they can peacefully
live.
In March, 2006,
the Sanctuary will premiere
a Donkey Paradise Safari
Park, a drive-through safari–like
experience, with all entry
fees going directly toward
the maintenance of the donkeys.
Also in March, the Sanctuary
will increase its opening
hours, which will be daily
from 10:00 AM until 5:00
PM. However, for entry to
the Safari Park, please arrive
before 3:30 PM.
Caribbean WebCams,
LLC, owner and operator of
the Bonaire WebCams and the
award-winning Bonaire ReefCam,
specializes in all aspects
of commercial WebCam set-up
and installation for resorts
and travel destinations.
Company headquarters are
located in Bolton, Massachusetts
in the U.S.A. Caribbean
WebCams information can
be found at http://www.CaribbeanWebCams.com,
and the company may be
contacted at info@CaribbeanWebCams.com
or by phone at +1-703-783-8370
or by FAX at +1-703-783-8371
in the U.S., or by phone
at +599-7-174112 on Bonaire.
Back to the top
Getting
Around the Islands in Papiamentu:
A Phrasebook for Travelers
and Newcomers
“Impress Your Friends.
Amaze the Islanders. Startle
Yourself.” Those words
announce this fascinating
and useful little phrase
book for Papiamentu, the
Creole spoken locally on
Bonaire, Curacao, and Aruba.
For visitors to the islands,
speaking some Papiamentu
is more a matter of sociability
than survival; they can get
by in English almost anywhere
they go. But getting to know
people’s language
is a good way to get to
know them and their culture.
The book gives essential
dialogues of everyday life,
such as how to buy food,
how to have a really good
gossip, and how to give
comfort in times of sorrow.
Geared exactly to life
on the ABC islands, it
gives the island road signs,
the Dutch and Spanish words
for foods sold in the grocery
stores and off the Venezuelan
fruit boats, as well as
the sentences that are
commonly exchanged day
to day. It is also a cornucopia
of interesting information
about the history and grammar
of the language, as well
as the practices and beliefs
of the people who live
in Netherlands Antilles.
This
new guide is available
at these retailers: Chat
'n' Browse, Sand
Dollar Grocery, Habitat,
Valerie's Airport Shop, Carib
Inn, as well as at the
office of Tourism Corporation
Bonaire.
Back to the top
Rotary
Club Bonaire Hosts Guest
Speaker
 Rotary
Club of Bonaire's first
female acting President;
Marisella Croes, hosted
Registered Nurse and
Nutritionist Larraine
Katzev to the Club
to speak on Nutrition
and Health. Proven analysis
of statistics which
shows direct link between
what we eat and how we
act. This is especially
important in youth development
and school problems
related to students.
Back to the top
First
Quarterly Clean Up Dive
of 2006 Targets the Something
Special Dive Site
On
Saturday, January
14, 2006, an enthusiastic
group of 24 divers met
at Bonaire Yellow Submarine
to coordinate the first
clean up dive of 2006.
Joining them were 8 others
who were committed
to shoreline cleanup as
well as shore support
for the divers.
 After a comprehensive
briefing by Jake Richter,
of NetTech (a co-sponsor
of the Quarterly Clean
Ups), the group geared
up and walked the short
distance to the dive site,
Something Special, on the
southern side of the Harbour
Village Marina. All divers
were informed on what type
of trash to bring up, safety
in regard to boating activity
in the marina, as well
as information on how to
avoid harming the reef
or other marine animals.
Bonaire’s own Dee Scar
also joined the shore support
to ensure as little impact
as possible to marine animals
would occur.
During this
cleanup, the following trash
was collected and removed
for proper disposal: 11 plastic
beverage bottles, 14 other
bottles, 5 caps or lids,
6 cups, 60 pieces of fishing
line, 73 plastic pieces,
3 pipe thread protectors,
73 pieces of rope, 5 straps,
2 vegetable sacks, 8 other
miscellaneous plastic pieces,
26 pieces of foam plastic,
94 pieces of glass, 5 tires
and other items manufactured
of rubber, 39 pieces of metal,
27 pieces of paper, 13 pieces
of lumber, and 39 pieces
of cloth.
That evening,
over 40 persons enjoyed the
camaraderie at the evening
Pot Luck BBQ, when all participants
returned to Yellow Submarine
to feast upon tenderloin,
chicken, and ribs, sponsored
by Yellow Submarine,
NetTech, and PSI/Sherwood
Scuba. Side salads and
other accompaniments
were provided by the
participants themselves.
The next quarterly
underwater cleanup with be
conducted on Saturday, April
8, 2006--all are welcome,
divers and non-divers alike.
Meet at Yellow Submarine
at 1:00 PM. For more
information about the quarterly
cleanups, visit http://www.dive-friends-bonaire.com/clean_up_dives.html.
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Divi
Flamingo Balashi Beach
Bar Grand Opening
 Recently,
Divi Flamingo Beach opened
its new Balashi Bar with
a gala event and ribbon
cutting ceremony by Ronella
Croes, General Manager
of TCB, and Burney el Hage,
Commissioner of Tourism.
Music was provided by the
house band - The Flamingo
Rockers.
Special thanks to Aruba
Balashi, Tio Croes and
Albert Sillie for all their
support.
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|
| Note: Karnival
Events are listed in red. |
Carnival
Adult Parade Dates:
2006 - 2011 |
February
2006
Feb 4
- Carnival--Tumba Festival
Feb 11 - Guest Artist
Opening at Cinnamon
Art Gallery; brightly colored
fabric paintings and found wood-art
by Brigitte Kley. Exhibit runs
through March 23, 2005.
Feb 18 - Carnival--Youth Parade Rincon
Feb 19 - Carnival--Youth Parade Playa (Kralendijk)
Feb 25 - Carnival--Adult Parade Rincon
Feb 26 - Carnival--Adult Parade Playa (Kralendijk)
Feb 27 - Carnival--Farewell Youth Parade
Feb 28 - Carnival--Farewell Adult Parade
TBA - 5km Run, 8:00 am, Sponsor: PA & Associates
|
2006
- Feb 26
2007 - Feb 18
2008 - Feb 3
2009 - Feb 22
2010 - Feb 14
2011 - Mar 6 |
March 2006
Mar 1 - Ash Wednesday
Mar 1 - Little and Senior League Season Starts
Mar 1 - International Fishing Tournament
TBA - 5km Fun Run, 8:00 am
April 2006
Apr 6 - 9 Tentative dates
for the 2006 King of the Caribbean
Apr 8 -
Underwater Cleanup sponsored by Yellow Submarine and NetTech, meet at 1:00 PM at Yellow Submarine
Apr 14 -
Good Friday
Apr 16 - Easter Sunday
Apr 17 - Easter Monday
TBA - Simadan (Harvest) Festival, Rincon
TBA - Karel's Beach Bar Sailing Competition
Apr 30 - Queen's Birthday
Apr 30 - Rincon Day
Apr 30 - Queen's Birthday Windsurfing Race (Tolo)
Apr 30 - Queen's Birthday Race
Apr 30 - 5km, 17km MCB Run
Every Tuesday Night @ 6:30pm -
BonaireTalker Dinner/Gathering
at Gibi's,
known for great local food. Call
Gibi at 567-0655 for details, or
visit
www.BonaireTalk.com,
and search for "Gibi."
Click here for a detailed CALENDAR
OF EVENTS
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*********************************************
Tourism Corporation Bonaire
Kaya Grandi #2
Bonaire
Dutch Caribbean
Tel: 599-7-8322/ 8649
Fax: 599-7-8408
E-mail: info@tourismbonaire.com
Web site address: www.InfoBonaire.com
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