Bonaire announces island improvements and upgrades
New recompression chamber, WiFi access, sustainable energy and more
Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles (June 18, 2007) – There's always something exciting happening on the Dutch-Caribbean island of Bonaire. Here is some of the latest news from the island:
NEW RECOMPRESSION CHAMBER
In April, the Fundashon pa Desaroyo Ekonomiko (Foundation for Economic Development) along with Minister Burney el Hage, Minister of Economics and Labor, announced their approval of funding for a new recompression chamber for the island. A dedicated foundation focused on the installation of the new chamber has been initiated and brought to the attention of other stakeholders.
A recompression chamber is essential for a destination such as Bonaire, which is dependent to a large degree on tourism, and dive tourism specifically. Additionally, the recompression chamber can be used to treat other diseases, such as complications due to diabetes and wound treatment. Although the chamber that the island has used for many years is still functioning, it is time to replace it while it is still in good working order.
Together with the funding from the Foundation for Economic Development, the foundation is also allocating financial resources to this cause. Support is still needed to complete this project. For more information, contact Henk Schrijver, the treasurer, at h.schrijver@bonairelive.com.
DOWNTOWN KRALENDIJK BECOMES A WIFI HOT SPOT
Telbo, the telecommunication company of the island, launched Wi-Fi Internet service in downtown Kralendijk in May 2007. The service is especially convenient for tourists, as there are more than 15 hotspots from where Internet signals can be received on a laptop. This is just the beginning phase of launching Wi-Fi signals on the island. Soon it’ll be possible to browse the net almost anywhere on Bonaire. Prices to use the Wi-Fi service start at NAFl 5 for one hour of Internet use and NAFl 50 for 15 hours.
BONAIRE TO BE CARIBBEAN’S FIRST SELF-SUPPORTING ISLAND WITH SUSTAINABLE ENERGY
EcoPower Bonaire BV has signed a contract with the Water and Energy Company of Bonaire (WEB Bonaire NV) to build a new wind turbine park. This is the first step in a wind/bio-diesel project that will provide the whole island with electricity by the end of 2008. It will drive energy prices down while at the same time reduce Bonaire’s dependence on fluctuating oil prices. The main objective of the project's first phase is to gain experience with wind energy on Bonaire and to reduce short-term electricity costs. The final system design will rely on 40 per cent of the total power requirement coming from wind. The remainder will be supplied with fuel oil, in the form of bio-diesel. By 2010, Bonaire will get all of its electrical energy from natural, renewable sources.
STINAPA LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE
STINAPA, the entity responsible for the management of Bonaire’s national parks, which encompass the Bonaire National Marine Park and the Washington-Slagbaai National Park, launched its new website, www.stinapa.org, on May 24, 2007.
The new site offers information about the foundation, its history, the Board of Directors, personnel and the volunteer group. The site also offers information about the Nature Fee, which is collected from users of the parks, and how the foundation uses this income to manage the parks. Additionally, on each park, ample information is given on the history, flora and fauna, monitoring and research, activities one can engage in and the rules and regulations. There are downloads, brochures and maps (including a dive map) available, as well as a virtual tour. Information about the Visitors Centers at Washington-Slagbaai National Park, Lac and Klein Bonaire is also included.
BONAIRE WEBCAMS FAMILY GROWS
A new Bonaire ReefCam has been installed in a protected area under the pier at Bonaire’s Eden Beach Resort in about five feet of water, while the original ReefCam has been remounted and upgraded to now show views across the hull of the Bakanal, a sunken yacht located at a depth of approximately 60 feet. Additionally, a new Bonaire WebCam has been installed at Dive Friends Bonaire and features a view of their dock and the anchorage ocean-side promenade fronting their Kralendijk facility. The three land-based Bonaire WebCams located at the Eden Beach Resort have also been upgraded and re-cabled to provide long-term use and viewing pleasure, joining three other land-based WebCams on Bonaire: the DonkeyCam, the WindsurfCam and the DowntownCam. The WebCams can be viewed any time at www.BonaireWebCams.com.
CAPTAIN DON CELEBRATES 45TH ANNIVERSARY ON BONAIRE
On May 21, 2007 at the Monday Manager’s Party at Captain Don’s Habitat, Tourism Corporation Bonaire presented Captain Don Stewart, Bonaire’s pioneer of marine conservation, with a Diamond Ambassador Award to recognize his arrival on the island 45 years ago and to thank him for pioneering Bonaire’s tourism development.
In 1962, Captain Don was sailing from Curaçao with the intention of reaching Antigua. With only 63 cents and the papers for his boat in his pocket, he and First Mate Percy Sweetnam (from Aruba) arrived in Bonaire at 2:30pm. Shortly after his arrival, Captain Don played a pivotal role in developing Bonaire’s tourism industry and developing Bonaire’s marine parks in order to preserve the health and beauty of the island’s reef.
For more information on Captain Don’s Habitat, see their listing under Bonaire – Accommodations at www.caribbean.com.
Located 86 miles east of Aruba, the Dutch-Caribbean island of Bonaire offers year-round sunshine, low annual rainfall, 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, snorkelling, windsurfing, kiteboarding, landsailing, mountain biking, sea and mangrove kayaking, horseback riding, nature tours, hiking, birdwatching, sailing and deep-sea and bonefishing. And 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.
For more information on Bonaire, contact the Tourism Corporation Bonaire in the US at 1-800-BONAIRE.
For your FREE on-line Bonaire travel guide, visit www.caribbean.com.
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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