Island news, hotel and restaurant happenings, travel deals and dive specials
Kralendijk, Bonaire (February 3, 2006) – The Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire offers something for everyone – families, divers, adventurers and sun seekers. Helping to make vacationing in Bonaire easy, relaxing and fun, here is some of the latest news from the island.
ISLAND-WIDE NEWS
ABK Boardsports windsurfing clinics – ABK Boardsports teams will host five-day Lac Bay Windsurfing Clinics March 11-18, March 18-25, July 8-15 and July 29-August 5. For more information contact Sailboard Vacations at tel 1-800-252-1070 or e-mail info@sailboardvacations.com.
Bonaire Dining Guide – The new edition of the Bonaire Dining Guide and recipe book is now available at locations around the island. This year, in addition to featured recipes, visitors can clip a number of coupons to redeem at participating eateries and businesses.
Bonaire National Marine Park (BNMP) – The BNMP has launched a reforestation of Klein Bonaire project, with the objective of planting fruit plants native to Bonaire. Volunteers are needed for this project. To volunteer send an e-mail to info@stinapa.org. Reminder: All people using the waters around Bonaire must pay the BNMP fee of $25 per year/$10 per day for divers; $10 per year/$2 per day for all others using the waters. Tags, which also provide entrance to Washington-Slagbaai National Park for the year they are valid, are available at locations throughout the island.
Bonaire Tours & Vacations – Assuring maximum passenger comfort and enjoyment Bonaire Tour & Vacations has added new buses to its fleet. The new fleet includes an air-conditioned, 12-seat Mercedes Sprinter minibus and custom-designed Volkswagen touring buses. For information on tours contact Bonaire Tour & Vacations at tel (599) 717-8778 or e-mail info@bonairetours.com.
Dive Friends Bonaire – Photo Tours Divers and Bonaire Yellow Submarine, both divisions of Dive Friends Bonaire, were awarded Dive Operation of the Year for the second consecutive year by the Bonaire Hotel and Tourism Association. Dive Friends Bonaire has four locations in Bonaire. For more information contact Dive Friends Bonaire at tel (599) 717-2929 or e-mail info@dive-friends-bonaire.com.
Donkey Sanctuary – The Caribbean’s first donkey cam has been launched at www.donkeycam.com thanks to a donation by Richard Mann of New Hampshire, through Support Bonaire, and additional funding and technical assistance from Caribbean WebCams. In March 2006 Donkey Sanctuary Bonaire will premiere a Donkey Paradise Safari Park, a drive-through safari-like experience. For more information e-mail the sanctuary at info@donkeysanctuary.org.
Dutch Antilles Express (DAE) – DAE’s new flight schedule includes multiple round-trip flights per day between Bonaire and Curaçao, Aruba and St Maarten. Their new call center is open Mon-Fri 9am-6pm; tel (599) 717-0808; fax (599) 717-0880; e-mail reservations@flydae.com.
Macho Scooter Rentals – New Peugeot Viva City 50cc and Ludix 50cc scooters and mopeds are now available for rent. On island visit their office at Plaza Resort Bonaire or call (599) 717-2500 or e-mail at machoscooterrentals@yahoo.com.
Plantation House – Construction on a butterfly farm at the new Plantation House (Landhuis De Plantage) will begin in February 2006. The eco-project, which features a large greenhouse with plants, butterflies and ponds with fish will be located on Kaminda Lac 101. The farm is expected to be open in June 2006 and is a member of the International Association of Butterfly Exhibitions. For more information e-mail info@butterflyhouse.info.
Papiamentu phrase book – A new phrase book for Papiamentu, the Creole spoken locally on Bonaire, is now available. The book provides information on island road signs, words for foods, as well as the sentences commonly exchanged as part of day-to-day life. Information about the history and grammar of the language and the practices and beliefs of the people who live in Netherlands Antilles is also included. The book can be purchased for $10 from a number of locations, including the Tourism Corporation Bonaire (TCB) office on the island.
Washington-Slagbaai National Park – A Scientists House has been added at the entrance to the park. Ideal for researchers, the solar-powered house features two bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, and a roomy living and kitchen area with a big table where researchers can do their work. With the addition of this building more scientists and/or students will be able to do research in the national parks.
Wannadive Bonaire – Wannadive Bonaire has opened its fourth location at the Golden Reef Inn. The full-service dive shop offers a large central dive locker, showers, rinse basins and multilingual PADI dive instruction. A rental and retail shop will be added soon. For more information call (599) 717-8850 or e-mail info@wannadive.com.
RESTAURANT NEWS
Anthony’s Extreme Cuisine – With renowned chefs, Frank Goeloe and Anthony Anthony in the kitchen, Anthony’s Extreme Cuisine offers a fusion of traditional Bonairean and Caribbean cuisines. The restaurant is located at Kaya Prinses Marie #8 in Kralendijk and is open Mon-Fri 11am-2pm for lunch and Mon-Sat 6-10pm for dinner. Tel 011-599-717-4311.
Den Laman Restaurant – Situated at the same oceanfront location where the former Den Laman had been, the new Den Laman features a state-of-the-art open kitchen and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in a relaxed but elegant setting. Den Laman Condominiums is located above the restaurant, which is located at Kaya Gob N Debrot 77. Tel 011-599-717-4106, e-mail denlaman@mac.com.
Restaurant Mezani – Restaurant Mezani, meaning “dining room” in Swahili, welcomes guests with a cozy atmosphere and international cuisine. The menu offers great variety, including a children’s menu. Restaurant Mezani is situated on Kaya L D Gerharts in Kralendijk and is open from 6pm-12 midnight (the kitchen is open until 10pm). Tel 011-599-717-8454.
HOTEL NEWS
Belmar Oceanfront Apartments – Recent upgrades at Belmar Oceanfront Apartments include the refurbishment and extension of the front office and dive shop. A cozy corner where guests can enjoy a complimentary cup of coffee/tea with a freshly baked croissant or muffin has been created and Wi-Fi has been added. In the guest rooms, vanity cabinets in bathrooms have been replaced and new fabric curtains have been added in all bedrooms and living rooms. To celebrate these and other upgrades, Belmar is offering a summer special – in June, July and August 2006 every seventh night is free, a discount of nearly 15 per cent. Tel 1-888-655-0605, e-mail info@belmar-bonaire.com.
Black Durgon Inn & Scuba Center – Specializing in bringing students or uneasy divers to a proficient comfort level, Black Durgon announces Special Personalized 2006 Package Weeks: *Go Pro Week (October 28-Novemer 4) – SSI Instructor, DiveCon/Dive Master, (Assistant Instructor) Course and Evaluations; Quality Time (June 17-24), interact with your children; Bonaire Beginnings (August 26-September 2), skill enhancement for divers and want-to-be-divers; Bonaire Beyond (December 9-16), adventure diving away from the norm (east coast and wreck diving); Senior’s Week (December 2-9); and Single’s Week (September 23-30). Packages include accommodations, breakfast, lunch, five dinners, island tours, diving, snorkelling and more for $699 per person, based on double occupancy (*call for Go Pro pricing). Tel 011-599-717-5736, e-mail bonaire@blackdurgon.com.
Bruce Bowker’s Carib Inn – Guests who have their own laptops can now enjoy receiving e-mail and catching up on the Internet with the inn’s new free wireless Internet access. Valid through November 2006, Bruce’s Special includes seven nights in a pool patio room, six days of unlimited shore diving (for boat dives add $15 per trip) and taxes for just $488.95 per person, based on double occupancy. Tel 011-599-717-8819, e-mail info@caribinn.com.
Buddy Dive Resort – In September 2006 Buddy Dive Resort will, for the third consecutive year, welcome well-known naturalists, marine biologists and authors Ned and Anna DeLoach. Throughout the month they will conduct seminars and lectures, and lead guided dives and mangrove snorkel trips. In celebration of their return to the resort, Buddy Dive is offering a Buddies Dive For Free, plus Free Unlimited Nitrox special (every second diver dives free and gets unlimited Nitrox). In September Drive & Dive packages start at $547 per person, based on six people. Tel 1-866-GO-BUDDY, e-mail reservations@buddydive.com.
Den Laman Condominiums – This summer Den Laman is offering an Island Explorer Package in conjunction with Bonaire Dive & Adventure, its on-site dive and adventure center. As of April 15, 2006, seven-night packages including accommodation in a fully air-conditioned waterfront unit, seven day’s rental car, five adventures (activities include mangrove kayaking, nature tours, mountain biking, sea kayaking, island tours, cave exploration and land sailing, and are suitable for all ages and abilities) and government room tax begin as low as $691 per person, based on double occupancy. Tel 1-800-382-1094, e-mail denlaman@diveres.com.
Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino – In mid-January 2006 Divi Flamingo celebrated the opening of the Flamingo Balashi Beach Bar, located right over the water next to the Calabas pier. Open daily 8am-8pm with a daily happy hour 5-7pm, the bar hosts a Managers Cocktail Party each Friday and Ladies Wine and Cheese Night each Tuesday. In January Divi Flamingo also welcomed its new general manager, Sara Matera. Seven-night dive packages start at $827 per person, based on double occupancy. Tel 1-800-367-3484.
Eden Beach Resort – Eden Beach Resort announces new rooftop studio rooms with views and outside patio terrace seating. This property features a 400-foot white-sand beach, pool, restaurant and bar. Tel 011-599-717-6720.
Harbour Village Beach Club – Harbour Village’s Free Diving Week will take place June 17-24, 2006. Packages from $1,157 per person, based on double occupancy, include seven nights in a luxurious one- or two-bedroom beachfront suite, full American breakfast daily, six days of diving (one-tank boat dive per day), unlimited shore diving, use of tanks, weights and belts, unlimited use of the fitness center, tennis courts, kayaks and sailboats, round-trip airport transfers and free Internet access. Tel 1-800-424-0004, e-mail reservationsusa@harbourvillage.com.
KonTiki Beach Resort – KonTiki Beach Resort’s 2006 dive package includes seven day’s accommodation in a studio, seven day’s car rental (pick-up truck), six day’s unlimited air with Wannadive Bonaire and all taxes and service charges. The special package rate is $444 per person, based on double occupancy (booking code KBR-D06), and the package is valid June 1-November 30, 2006. Tel 011-599-717-5369, e-mail info@kontikibonaire.com.
Sand Dollar Condominium Resort – Sand Dollar Condominium owners, hotel staff and dive staff have joined forces to institute a pilot program dedicated to the production of artificial reefs. As part of this program with the Bonaire National Marine Park, Sand Dollar built and placed twenty 600-pound reef balls, most of them into the water immediately in front of Sand Dollar and adjacent to Bari Reef, in late January 2006. Tel 1-800-288-4773, e-mail usreservations@sanddollarbonaire.com.
SunRentals – SunRentals has completed the renovation of all one-bedroom Bonaire Oceanfront Apartments. The repainted apartments feature new bathrooms and kitchens and restyled living rooms. Rates for 2006, including service charge and tourist tax, start at $100 per unit, per night. Kids up to 12 years are free in room with parents. Tel 1-866-464-1786, e-mail info@sunrentals.an.
Zambezi Lodge – This year Zambezi Lodge, with its authentic African-styled thatched roof, open dining hut, pool, full-service dive shop and mini spa, will be built south of Kralendijk. The upscale, all-inclusive boutique property and dive resort will feature 17 spacious guest rooms with four-poster beds and every modern convenience. Guests will be able to take part in a Bonaire dine-around program and the hotel will only be open to visitors more than 16 years of age. Nick Davies, former manager of Harbour Village Beach Club and Captain Don’s Habitat, will manage the property. Tel 011-599-717-2606, e-mail info@zambezilodge.com.
Located eighty-six miles east of Aruba, the Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire offers year-round sunshine, pristine coral formations and the most thriving fish population in the Caribbean. Ideal for adventurers, explorers and sun worshippers alike, Bonaire offers myriad eco-adventure activities, including world-renowned scuba diving and snorkelling, windsurfing, mountain biking, kayaking, horseback riding, nature tours, hiking, birdwatching, sailing and deep-sea and bonefishing. With a selection of accommodations ranging from full-service oceanfront resorts and condominiums to guest houses and small inns, Bonaire has something for every lifestyle and budget.
Disclaimer: The information in this article/release was accurate at
press time; however, we suggest you confirm all details and prices
directly with vendors.
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