EXPERIENCE BONAIRE

EXPERIENCE BONAIRE
4 th Edition, 2014/2015
FREE
MAGAZINE
Find us @ the Plaza Resort Marina
Tel: (+599) 782 7660 / 700 8677
[email protected]
www.southcaribbeansailing.com
Sailboat Rentals
Motorboat Rentals
Kayak Rentals
Sailing Lessons
Sailing & Snorkeling Trips
Sunset Trips
Beach Tennis and other sport events
Sail with us to Curacao or even the Las Aves islands
3
FROM THE EDITOR
The world is changing, so are the people and so is Bonaire. We
find ourselves in a rollercoaster of development since Bonaire
became a special municipality of the Netherlands.
Upgrades in infrastructure, the introduction of sewage systems,
more reliable and greener energy supply, a larger police force,
growing numbers of inhabitants, lots and lots of project
developments and so on.
Bonaire is changing, some see it as the loss of the old island
charm and others embrace these changes as a step up to a
brighter future. These changes also lure creative people to
the island, people that see change as opportunity. You will
encounter some of these people as they offer a wide range of
services and products to you, the always so important visitors
and inhabitants of Bonaire.
This magazine is a production of the Bonaire
Design Studio.
For information and questions about articles
or advertisement, mail us at:
[email protected]
Like our page on Facebook to stay up to date
with the fun side of Bonaire. There is also an
online version of this magazine:
www.experience-bonaire.com
Facebook/ExperienceBonaire
With this magazine we hope to give you a glimpse in the many
wonderful joys that Bonaire has to offer and explain a little
about the island culture and history.
Together with my trusted co-editor and magazine development
partner Jane Dorrestein and our new writer Patricia Bergwijn,
I am proud to have you read this fourth edition. We welcome
you to Bonaire, we welcome you to our world!
Willem J. Kalkwiek
For many of the businesses that you'll find in this magazine,
you can find great information and reviews of their services on
Tripadvisor and Facebook. Share your experiences too and help
the friendly and creative people of Bonaire in their efforts to
make this island your ideal vacation getaway.
5
CONTENTS
SEE:
Bon bini na nos dushi Boneiru
History of Bonaire
Made on Bonaire - Local products
A bird's eye view
9
9
14
16
DO:
Enjoy Bonaire's National Marine Park
Coral restoration
Lionfishing
Things to do when not diving
21
22
26
31
TASTE:
The Bonaire Culinary Team made history
restaurant listing
35
47
LIVE:
Bonaire’s sustainable bright future
49
Cover photo by Zsuzsanna's Shots of Life
Rear cover - Island map
COLOFON
Concept and realization
Willem Kalkwiek
Jane Dorrestein
Design and Production
Bonaire Design Studio
Writers
Patricia Bergwijn
Willem Kalkwiek
Photography
Bon Photo
Fish-Eye Photo
Willem Kalkwiek
Zsuzsanna's Shots of Life
Points of interest
Emergency Numbers:
Emergency 911
Ambulance direct
912
Dive Medical Services
700 5230
Hospital / Decompression Chamber 717 8900
Pharmacies:
Botica Bonaire
Botica Korona
Botica Nikiboko
Botica Rincon
717 8905
717 7552
717 5638
717 0130
Geographic Information:
Island size: +/- 110 mile² / 285 km²
Location: +/- 50 miles / 80 km off Venezuela &
30 miles / 48 km off Curacao
Highest peak: Seru Brandaris 791 feet / 241 m
Climate:
Temperature averages 82°F / 28°C, The hottest period
is in September/October due to low winds.
Water temperature averages 80°F / 26°C
Currency: US Dollar (Since 2011)
Languages:
The official languages are Dutch and Papiamentu. Very
common are English and Spanish. You may also hear people
speaking Portuguese or German.
Electricity:
Most homes and resorts operate 127 Volts (50Hz) and 220V.
Water:
Drinking water is usually fine from the tap, but there is
always bottled water available in practically all stores.
Traffic
Traffic coming from the right doesn't always go first. On
most T-crossings, traffic going straight forward has the right
of way, even if they come from your left. Mind the road
signs that indicate right of way.
Maximum speed within urban areas is 40km/25mph
Maximum speed outside urban areas is 60km/37mph
There are no stoplights on Bonaire.
We are a new dive
operation and we
will offer monthly
dive specials!
Kaya Norwega #1
Kralendijk, Bonaire
(+599) 717 6860
www.bluedivers-bonaire.com
7
8
Bon bini na nos Bonaire history
dushi Boneiru
- Written by Patricia Bergwijn
- Written by Patricia Bergwijn
Bon bini na nos dushi Boneiru means
"welcome to our sweet Bonaire" in
Papiamentu. Since 2007 Papiamentu is
the second official language in Bonaire,
besides Dutch, and only spoken in
Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire. The
Papiamentu on Bonaire is similar to the
one in Curacao, Aruba uses a different
phonetic spelling.
To understand Bonaire, its heritage, its
culture and its people one has to know
a little bit more about its history.
A history that is quite compelling
considering the 112 square miles size
of the island and the amount of people,
in 2014 18.413 (Central Bureau of
Statistics) and in earlier centuries far
less of course.
The people of Bonaire welcome you on
their island and in their lives. Bon Bini!
To understand Bonaire, its heritage, its culture and its people one has to
know a little bit more about its history. A history that is quite compelling
considering the 112 square miles size of the island and the amount of
people, in 2014 18.413 (Central Bureau of Statistics) and in earlier centuries
far less of course. Bonaire was seized and ruled by the Spanish, the Dutch
and the English several times.
The ‘Islas inutiles’ or useless islands?
Although the Spanish were the first Europeans who ever set foot on Bonaire,
they were not very impressed. They referred to the islands in the Dutch
Caribbean as "islas inutiles" (useless islands) as Bonaire, nor Curacao and
Aruba, had neither precious metals like silver or gold nor much vegetation.
In fact Bonaire was and is a big mountain, mostly under sea level, consisting
out of igneous rock mainly covered with limestone that emerged out of the
sea. Although history would proof them wrong the Spanish couldn’t care
much about Bonaire.
After Alonso de Ojeda Curaçao, accompanied by Amerigo Vespucci,
conquered Curacao and Bonaire in 1499, the only use Bonaire had to offer
according to the Spanish were the so called ‘red slaves’. The native group
of Caquetios that came to the island around 900 AD was living on Bonaire
in those times. At Boca Onima you can still find their drawings. Since these
Arawak, or Taíno people, as they are called in the Caribbean islands, were
living primitive nomadic lives, they were no match for the Spaniards. The
Spanish captured and enslaved Bonaire’s 2000 inhabitants in 1515 and send
them to work in copper mines in Hispaniola (Haiti and Dominican Republic).
By the time of 1526 the Spanish came back and build a little settlement
called Rincón ("corner" in English) around 1527. Rincon is the second of
Bonaire’s two villages nowadays. Kralendijk, the first, is Bonaire’s ‘capital’.
Safely hidden in the valley in the inland of Bonaire Rincon was naturally
protected against pirates and raids. From 1526 on the Spanish made Bonaire
a penal colony where Spanish convicts had to do their penal labor in the salt
extraction. Later on the Dutch would do the same on a much larger scale
and with African slaves who called these salt ‘plantations’ the White Hell.
9
Besides the salt winning, the Spanish brought donkeys, goats, pigs, sheep and some horses to maintain and breed. In those
days travelling and conquering the world was a tricky and very dangerous business. Apart from the brigandage, ships would
be on the sea for months and without any substantial food it often led to death by scurvy. Therefore the possibility to ship
in salted meat or even better: living cattle for the long journey home could be life saving. Although it is believed that the
Spanish wanted the cattle mainly for their hide. The Dutch maintained and bread the goats and donkeys mainly for their
meat. A very popular local dish stobá di kabritu (stewed goat) on Bonaire is made out of stewed goat meat. This Bonairean
dish most likely originated from the sixteenth and seventeenth century.
Bonaire’s salt
Due to the expansion of the Dutch shipping industry, its imperialistic ambitions and its herring fishery salt became extremely
important for the Dutch. After the ending of the 12 years truce (1621) during the Dutch War of Independence or "Eighty
Years’ War" (1568 - 1648) the Spaniards had made it impossible to get salt from Punta de Araya in Venezuela. Punta de Araya
was the main salt supplier for the Dutch as over 30.000 tons were shipped and taken to Amsterdam per year. When this
came to an end and 106 salt ships came back empty, the Dutch intensified their search for other places. One of those places
in the Caribbean was Bonaire, the other was St Martin, which was called the land of salt. Unlike the Spanish the Dutch
deemed Bonaire attractive and very useful. The white gold was just lying in the natural salt pans for them to grab. And this
salt could be taken without any resistance.
Inside the southern
salt flats still lie the
original salt pans
where the slaves
collected the salt.
Livestock
Here you see the
original Red salt
pans, marked with
the red obelisk
and slave huts.
The goats and the donkeys on the island proofed to be strong enough to endure the long dry seasons on the island and
therefore provided livestock, meat for the long journey home.
Almost 400 hundred years later goats are still walking around freely on Bonaire. There are also a few donkeys that are still
enabled to walk around free, but recently within a short amount of time the majority is captured and taken care of in the
Donkey Sanctuary. Because the donkeys became part of Bonaire’s culture, identity lots of people miss their presence.
Not only the salt, donkeys and goats were important. The island Bonaire was close to Venezuela (50 miles) and Curacao (30
miles). Its strategic position was reason for the Spanish and the English in the seventeenth and eighteenth century to try
and annex it from the Dutch more than once. And last but not least the Dutch needed a stopover for their ships on their way
back from Surinam, Brazil, New Netherlands (the name of New York at that time) to Holland.
11
Geoctroyeerde Westindische
Compagnie
(GWC or WIC) (1621–1792)
The Dutch West India Company
was originally named in Dutch:
Geoctroyeerde Westindische Compagnie,
explaining why the logo in its flag
consists of the letters GWC.
It was a chartered company (known
as the "WIC") of Dutch merchants.
Among its founding fathers was
Willem Usselincx (1567–1647). On
June 3, 1621, it was granted a charter
for a trade monopoly in the West
Indies (meaning the Caribbean) by
the Republic of the Seven United
Netherlands and given jurisdiction
over the Atlantic slave trade, Brazil, the
Caribbean, and North America.
12
The West India Company
In the same year the truce with the Spanish ended, the West India Company
(WIC) came into existence (1621). Besides privateering Spanish and
Portuguese ships the WIC was responsible for trade and the colonization of
the West (the America’s, the Caribbean and parts of Africa). The WIC made
the Netherlands rich through their area monopoly, their freebooting and
their lucrative triangular slave, salt and sugar trade.
For example the WIC would ship in a $ 5.000 worth load, sail to Africa, sell
its stock for $ 10.000 and buy slaves. These slaves would then be sold for
a total high price of $ 100.000 on the slave markets in either St. Eustatius
or Curacao. With that slave trade money mainly sugar, molasses and salt
were bought and shipped in for the markets in the motherland. In the
Netherlands these commodities were sold for an even higher price.
This trade was the pillar of the whole Dutch famous Golden Age. Without
the slaves, Caribbean islands like Bonaire and colonies like Surinam, the
booming economic growth of the Netherlands during the sixteenth and
seventeenth century wouldn’t have been possible.
Slavery, salt and politics
To solve its salt and stopover problem, the WIC first conquered St. Martin
from the Spanish in 1631 to lose it again to the Spaniards in 1633. As a result
the WIC then seized Curacao in 1634 and Bonaire in March 1636. Learning
its lessons from St Martin, the WIC immediately started building forts after
the conquest. Under Dutch WIC rule, Bonaire’s main commodities became
salt and (goat) meat for the ships heading back. At Washington Slagbaai or
‘Slachtbaai’ (literarily translated "Slaughter bay"), tons of goats, butchered
and salted or alive were loaded for the journeys.
It wasn’t until 1643 the WIC officially started to exploit Bonaire. This meant
sending more slaves to work on the salt plantations. Around 1800 there
were more or less 300 slaves living on Bonaire. Bonaire’s salt was mainly
sold as Curacao salt. Salt traders in Curacao would buy almost all of Bonaire’s
salt because Bonairean salt was cheaper than the salt of Curacao. Bonaire
had natural salt pans. In Curacao the salt pans had to be constructed.
The "White Hell"
Just like the Spanish, the Dutch used Bonaire as a penal colony. Criminals, rebellious and or runaway slaves were being
punished by sending them to Bonaire. The labor in the salt extraction was extremely heavy and painful. As mentioned
the enslaved Africans would call it the White Hell. Slaves would stand in the crystallized salt pans with bare feet in highly
concentrated salt water having to break the salt chunks with pickaxes or their bare hands while the sun was burning and
reflecting on the water and white salt plains. After a day work they had to sleep in their wet salted clothes in primitive selfmade huts of leaves. The famous stone two-persons slave huts next to the salt pans at the South-West coast of Bonaire that
gave the slaves some shelter and space for personal belongings were build only thirteen years before the Dutch abolished
slavery in 1863. The construction of these slave huts was the Dutch WIC answer on (inter)national questions about the
maltreatment of slaves.
The strategic position of Bonaire, the fight for economic power over the Caribbean made Bonaire change hands lots of
times. The Spanish tried to get their former Islands back in 1642 and stayed a week on Bonaire. The English occupied
Bonaire twice at the beginning the nineteenth century. Even the French tried to gain control over the Dutch islands in
the seventeenth century. But in 1816 Bonaire is definitively handed over to the Dutch Government as the WIC had gone
bankrupt for the second time. The strong sentiments of independence and decolonization after World War II were reason
for the Netherlands to give Bonaire its autonomy within the Kingdom of the Netherlands as a member of the Netherlands
Antilles in 1954. On 10 October 2010 the Netherlands Antilles were dissolved thereby making Bonaire, St. Eustatius and
Saba (the BES islands) a special municipality of the Netherlands. In 2015 this new structure will be evaluated.
www.tourismbonaire.com
#Bonairetourism
Once a Visitor Always a Friend.
We invite you to experience the myriad of activities our island offers, both on land and in our marine park. We encourage
you to explore, to enjoy, and to become a part of Bonaire by absorbing our nature, our culture and our cuisine.
For more information visit www.tourismbonaire.com
15
13
Onima Aloe Vera - made on Bonaire
Onima Aloe Vera is a Bonairean-based company that offers a range of organic Aloe Vera products made from pure Aloe
Vera gel, famous for its moisturizing and soothing properties. Onima Aloe Vera has a wonderful selection of Beauty and
Health Care products. Onima Beauty and Health Care products only contain the pure gel of the Aloe Vera plant, combined
with natural ingredients. Onima Aloe Vera gel penetrates deep into the skin, stimulating the effectiveness of the other
ingredients.
On our Onima Aloe Vera plantation we combine traditional craftsmanship with advanced technology, to give you Aloe Vera
products that offer optimal effectiveness. The whole process is in our own hands: from the culture of the plants through
harvesting and the extraction of the Aloe Vera gel. Because we control the whole process ourselves and only use the purest
Aloe Vera gel, we can guarantee you the very best quality.
Did you know?
Aloe Vera has been cultivated on the Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire since the mid 1800s. The farming of this wonderful
Aloe Vera plant is part of Bonaire’s cultural heritage. The Onima Aloe Vera plantation is a wonderful example of preservation
of cultural historical heritage of the island of Bonaire. The family business that is Onima Aloe Vera also cuts and processes
all the plants by hands. We do not use any pesticides or artificial fertilizers and are a 100% ecological plantation where even
free-roaming donkeys, goats, iguanas and lizards are loved, petted, given names and cherished.
Arawak Origins
‘Onima’ is a word taken from the language of the Arawak Indians, the first inhabitants of Bonaire. They settled in the
Caribbean around the year 1000 and used the name ‘Onima’ to design a place that offered everlasting humidity - a source
of well-being and life, like the Aloe Vera plants we grow on our plantation today.
Our wonderful 100% pure Onima Aloe Vera products are sold in stores on Bonaire, and online at www.onima-aloe.com,
for news and updates, please ‘like’ our Facebook page/Onima Aloe.
Bring home a little of Bonaire
Are you looking for the perfect gift from Bonaire?
Would you like a great souvenir to bring back home?
Do you want to find an authentic present full of
local flavor? The best handmade local products of
Bonaire are found at La Placita, a great hide-away
in the heart of Kralendijk.
La Placita is well known on the island as the
celebrated home of Mr. Saltman and his original
Sea Salt products from Bonaire. This beautiful
Salt Shop embraces the true spirit of the cultural,
natural and historical heritage of Bonaire. Not only
will you find superb Sea Salt products, they also
have a wonderful selection of ‘Made in Bonaire’
products.
(+599) 717 6886 | www.laplacitabonaire.com
Think of hand-made ‘Onima’ Aloe Vera products,
Aletta’s goat cheese and great-tasting locally distilled
liquors from ‘Tekibon’ and the ‘Cadushy distellery’.
Just head out into Kaya Grandi, our main shopping
street. Look for the Salt Shop, located in a red and
blue building and jump into the small World of
La Placita…. only for "Made in Bonaire' gifts and
products.
G.N. Art
Germaine Nijdam and Inge van der Linden have their creative
Art workshop in Republiek. Whether you are visiting or living
on the island, you are warmly invited to visit the workshop/
studio at the house with the sun. See their handmade local
art, driftwood art, authentic souvenirs and customized gifts.
When driving up the hill, look for the driftwood painted signs
that lead the way.
GN Art, open Monday till Saturday 8am-12.30pm.
Kaya Onix #1, Bonaire Tel (+599) 717 2203 / 786 1714
www.gnartbonaire.com
15
16
A bird's eye view of Bonaire
- Photos by Fish-Eye Photo
A tin voice sounds through the thick headphones, distilling the hum of the engine: "November One Niner Eight Four Two,
cleared for takeoff" That's the moment the surge of adrenaline hits you. A gorgeous adventure is about to start.
But first, let's take it back a few steps. We met at the airport cafe. Bonaire Aviation owner and pilot Bert Foks welcomed
us with that all too familiar Bonaire smile, typical for people enjoying life on a tropical paradise. He ran us through a short
but clear briefing, explaining us what to expect , and had us fill out the required Immigration Form, leisurely answering our
questions about the trip and what we might see. We then proceeded through customs and minutes later we were guided in
his well maintained 4 seated Cessna 172, which Bert brought from the United States in 2011 by flying it from Tampa, Florida,
through the Bahamas and Dominican Republic with a friend who is a pilot with the KLM. A pre-flight briefing explaines
about safety and comfort and at the flick of a switch, the engine roars into action.
Cleared for take-off, last pre-flight check, taxiing onto the runway and we were good to go. The route starts along the
Donkey Sanctuary and curves over Kralendijk back to the western shoreline, heading north. The sight of Bonaire from the
sky marvels instantly. The beautiful colors of the island are clearly visible in every direction: the pink and light blue salt pans
in the south, the blue and green of Lac Bay and its mangroves in the east, the brown and green of the hills up north and
the light blue western shoreline.
Along the flight, Bert explains what we're seeing as an experienced tour guide. We pass a curious looking, propeller shaped
site which used to host the massive antennae rig of Radio Nederland Wereldomroep. We pass the cavern filled wall of the
Tolo area and the Goto Lake, which is gradually getting its normal color back after being heavily polluted by the Bopec oil
fire in September 2010. We can even see tiny pink specs of Flamingos that are slowly migrating back to what used to be
a popular flamingo sanctuary but was left deserted as the water was too polluted to offer them the nutrients they need.
17
The hills of the Washington Slagbaai national park look gorgeous from the sky and the north-east bays offer amazing views
as we pass the clearly visible middle and high terrace walls, showing the evolution of the island itself.
Along the flight, Bert explains how he doesn't only do touristic sightseeing flights, but also does environmental flights for
the government, photo flights, orientation flights and he occasionally flies travelers to and from Curacao (private charters).
He tells entertaining stories and explains how you can clearly see through the water surface when the wind lies down,
revealing shipwrecks along the shore, impossible to see from land.
The flight takes us along the Spelonk lighthouse and caves, past the immense Washikemba blowhole and along the eastern
Bonaire golf course. We fly along the bright colors of the mangroves and Lac Bay where the popular White Hole dive site
is clear to see. Then, further to the south, Bonaire's most amazing colors come into view: the immense salt flats and salt
pans. Within the salt flats we see two networks of submerged tiny walls at White slave and Red slave and Bert explains that
those are the original salt pans where Bonairean workers used to collect salt in the old days. Also these are invisible from
the ground, Bonaire opens up to a view from above.
We continued with a pass over Klein Bonaire and over Kralendijk before landing. This is the time for the, apparently popular,
game to spot your accommodation if you can. Bert aligned the plane for a smooth touchdown and easily taxied back to the
starting point. We were guided back through customs and wished a good remainder of the day with that same smile as we
saw when we first met. Bert gave us a friendly, but mostly an awesome and unforgettable experience.
If you like to see some of the amazing views of Bonaire from the sky,
check out www.bonaireaviation.com or his Facebook page. Of course
you are more than welcome to join Bert in the air. A roundtrip takes
about 1 hour and the plane has room for 3 passengers.
Call for reservations: (+599) 786 7720.
18
21
Photo by BonPhoto
20
Enjoy Bonaire's National Marine Park
Bonaire offers a lot of possible activities, many of them in
or on top of the beautiful turquiose waters surrounding the
island. When entering the water, please keep in mind that
you are entering a Marine Protected Area, called the Bonaire
National Marine Park.
Bonaire's reefs are home to 57 species of soft and stony coral
and more than 350 recorded fish species. Our reefs provide
a safe refuge for 111 endangered species and have been
maintained and conserved for over 40 years.
The Marine Park offers a total of 89 snorkel- and dive sites
along the main island's shoreline and Klein Bonaire. From the
shore, these are marked with names on yellow stones.
Most island maps show the locations and names of these
sites so make sure you get one of those. In most dive- and
activity centers you can find STINAPA's own Bonaire National
Marine Park brochure, which includes a map and important
and fun facts about the Marine Park, such as the rules and
regulations. Also check out their website: www.stinapa.org
Help STINAPA help the reefs
STINAPA Bonaire is a non-governmental foundation that
manages the protection of the Bonaire National Marine Park
All users of the Bonaire National Marine Park pay a Nature
Fee as admission. For divers, this fee is $25 and for swimmers,
snorkelers and other topside watersporters, the fee is $10.
This fee covers admission to the Marine Park for one calendar
year and, in case of the Diver's fee, also admission to the
Washington Slagbaai National Park in the north of the island,
when shown together with a picture ID. Children under 12
and residents of Bonaire don't have to pay the non-divers
$10 Nature Fee. They do have to pay the tag for diving.
DID YOU?
BUY YOUR TAG.
Enjoy the beautiful waters surrounding Bonaire!
They are part of the internationally recognized
Bonaire National Marine Park. Before
entering these waters you are required
by law to purchase the STINAPA Marine
Park Tag (Nature Fee), for any and all water
activities. This tag is your personal access pass
to the Bonaire National Marine Park.
Where to get your Marine Park tag
The Marine Park tag can be purchased at
any dive shop and watersport operator.
By paying for the tag you provide the
funds to manage the parks and guarantee
our lasting success in nature protection
and conservation.
21
Coral restoration
Since the 1980's, coral diseases, bleaching events, loss of sea urchins, deteriorating water quality and overfishing
have affected coral populations throughout the Caribbean. Acroporid corals, such as Staghorn- and Elkhorn corals, are
fast growing, framework building corals that play a key role in reef building throughout the Caribbean and Tropical
Western Atlantic. They provide protection and structure for many species of reef inhabitants and are visually stunning
representatives of coral reef systems.
Hard coral cover has declined by 80% on Caribbean coral reefs since 1977 (Gardner et al. 2003). Acroporid corals have
suffered up to 97% decline in areas of the Caribbean, due to the combined effects of thermal stress, disease, hurricanes,
and loss of sea urchins.
Bonaire
Most of the west side of Bonaire had extensive shallow reef areas that had been heavily damaged by hurricanes Lenny in
1999 and Omar in 2008. These intense storms exposed the western sides of the island to relentless pounding from large
waves. As a result, the shallow areas along the west coast were left with a devastating decline in coral cover. Imagine the
long stretches of sandy shallows along the south-west coast, now think of all the coral debris on the shore along this same
coastline. These used to be healthy, thriving shallow reefs of Staghorn- and Elkhorn corals.
Hurricane Lenny would have had devastating impacts to shallow water reefs regardless of their condition, but these reefs
broke apart more easily because the populations of Elkhorn and Staghorn corals had already been weakened by the white
band disease and the loss of sea urchins in the early 1980’s. In 2008, Hurricane Omar destroyed most of the remaining
healthy patches of Elkhorn and Staghorn, resulting in a much degraded, fragmented shallow water reef system along most
sections of the northern and western shores of Bonaire.
22
The Bonaire Coral Restoration Foundation (CRF Bonaire)
CRF Bonaire is a nonprofit organization dedicated to restore the shallow water populations of Elkhorn and Staghorn coral
along the coast of Bonaire. CRF Bonaire was born in 2012, when Ken Nedimyer, founder of CRF based in Florida USA, was
invited by Buddy Dive Resort to work with and assist Bonaire with their continued efforts to preserve Bonaire's greatest
assets, its reefs.
By setting up coral nurseries and transplanting mature Staghorn and Elkhorn coral onto degraded areas, the CRF Project
aims to restore a portion of the coastal coral reef of Bonaire. To date, more than 6000 coral fragments are growing in the
nurseries and almost 1500 have already been transplanted on the reef.
Nurseries
If you visit a nursery, you'll notice that the growing corals are hanging in what seems
like underwater Christmas trees. In these "trees" the corals are suspended so they can
optimally feed on the nutrients in the water while their predators, such as sea snails
and fire worms, have a hard time getting to the suspended coral branches. Algae are
competitors for light and space and as they get onto the corals, the staff and volunteers
of CRF Bonaire are brushing them off in their ongoing coral maintenance.
The corals are suspended by buoys and anchored with long rods in the rock bottom,
tied with strong lines so they can move with the water motion, protecting the corals
from impact in case of stormy weather. In these optimal conditions, the growth rate
of the corals have amazed everybody involved, reaching up to 8 times the natural
growth rate. CRF works with marine scientists to ensure that the corals grow strong
and healthy and not too brittle to survive future natural impacts. The CRF team and
helping volunteers maintain the nurseries and the growing corals regularly every week
to ensure optimal coral growth.
Transplantation sites
The transplantation sites are a sight that will make any diver feel happy instantly. Long bars form a basic framework for the
corals to grow on, while they are still slightly suspended from the bottom to allow for optimal growth until the corals are
large and strong enough to touch bottom and survive their natural impacts. Corals overgrow the rebar on a shorter time
scale, forming a fully grown habitat and new healthy coral reefs. You can easily see the direct impact of these transplantation
sites, as they are swarming with colorful fish seeking shelter in their thriving structures.
Another method of transplantation is to "glue" the corals to the
ground with epoxy that is immediately overgrown by the corals
and dissolves over time, also leaving the reef in a natural habitat.
This method proved to be more difficult and time-consuming
for certain bottom compositions, so the bars are a more popular
method. The idea behind the developments of methods by the
Coral Restoration Foundation is that anybody must be able to
do it at any location.
23
Corals
The Staghorn and Elkhorn corals you see in the nurseries are picked from 10 different locations, offering 10 genotypes for
optimal spawning conditions in the transplantation sites. The location of the transplantation sites are chosen, based on the
bottom composition, temperature, pollution and the original location of the corals that were picked for the nurseries. The
primary factor considered is the pre-existing wild population of Elkhorn and Staghorn corals in the chosen area
coral restoration diver course
picking and preparing corals to be transplanted from the nurseries to the restoration sites is a delicate task and CRF needs all
the hands they can get to keep pursuing their goals. PADI has approved the Coral Restoration Diver Specialty Course so you
can join the efforts by helping the CRF in their nurseries and transplantations and in the mean time help fund their efforts
by taking the course. The CRD course is taught at the Buddy Dive Resort dive center and soon also at the Harbour Village
dive center. CRF hopes that other dive centers on Bonaire will also join their efforts in teaching the courses. Restoring the
Caribbean coral reefs is a massive effort and needs all the help imaginable.
Locations and contact
If you want to know where you can find the nurseries and transplantation sites on Bonaire, open Google maps and type
"Coral Restoration Bonaire". You will find the locations and updated info on their status.
More info about the Coral Restoration Foundation can be found on
www.crfbonaire.org and their Facebook page.
For more direct contact, email: [email protected]
24
Are you fit for diving?
Sometimes you may wonder whether you should go diving or stay topside. Sometimes you may have to fill out a "yes" at the
medical questionnaire for diving and you wonder if getting a doctor's appointment may cost you a day of your vacation. Then
you haven't heard of Dive Medical Bonaire yet. This medical service is specialized in diving related topics and situations, both
before- as after diving. Any question or concern you may have will be handled adequately and fast by Dr. Carola Roeters.
Fit-to-Dive Check: For safe diving, we advise divers over the age of fifty to take a complete medical check every year. If you are
over the age of thirty, healthy and have no medical concerns, then a complete check is still advised every three years. If you
are younger, once every five years will do. The Fit-do-Dive Check is a comprehensive dive physical that will provide you with
the advice concerning medical dive safety and dive-specific medical conditions, as well as information regarding your general
health. You will receive a complete medical report to show to your own physician and all tests takes place right here, there is
no long waiting time for lab results. (Time: Approximately one hour; Cost: $145.00)
Pre-Diving Check: Our physician will address any questions or concerns you may have about a specific medical condition that
might influence diving. We can offer you a clear "go or no go," as well as information about the risks you may be taking, while
trying to find a solution for your personal situation. (Time: Approximately 20 minutes; Cost: $50.00)
Post-Diving Check: We can diagnose and treat medical symptoms that you may experience after diving. If necessary, we can
refer you to Bonaire's recompression chamber. (Time: Approximately 20 minutes; Cost: $50.00)
Call us to make an appointment for the same day or contact us about your preferred day and time.
WEEKDAYS OPEN AT 7:30am WALK IN OR CALL
WEEKENDS CALL FOR PROMPT ATTENTION
Lionfishing
The clear waters around Bonaire are as pretty as you can imagine and the brilliantly colored fish swimming around are like
something from a crayon box, but a serious problem lurks behind this beautiful facade: the lionfish.
Lionfish are not native to the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean basin. The venomous, fast reproducing fish are aggressive
eaters and will consume anything and everything. As a non-indigenous species, lionfish are especially dangerous to
the ecosystem because indigenous fish lack a native instinct to stay away from them. Due to the 23 venomous spines,
confrontations with the lionfish are most common to end up in certain death for all other marine species. With few known
predators (human beings are #1 on the list) they can wipe out most of a reef habitat and destroy the fragile balance of the
coral reef ecosystem. Scientists will tell you it's up to humans, the fish's main predator, to try to save this ecosystem.
26
Lionfish tracking/hunting dive courses
If you want to help the cause and protect Bonaire's reefs from this
invasive species, you can learn how to track and hunt them too! Stinapa
set-up a Lionfish hunting course and provide the required Stinapa ELF
(Eradicate Lion Fish) short range Lionfish spear. Several dive shops, such
as VIP Diving, offer this educational and exciting course where you can go
out to track and hunt the lionfish.
The Buddy dive Resort also offers the PADI Distinctive specialty course
Lionfish tracking, in which you also learn how to track and hunt the
lionfish and, after completing the course, you receive a PADI certification
card for your collection.
Eat Lionfish
Local divers and tourists who completed the Lionfish hunting course are
prowling our reefs every day. Armed with the ELF and a large tube-shaped
container they catch as many lionfish as they can. Luckily, the fish is
incredibly popular to eat as its consistency is often compared to delicious
crab- or lobster flesh. The caught fish are stripped of their dangerous
spines and filleted, to be delivered to numerous restaurants on the island.
You can have lionfish burgers, lionfish sushi, lionfish ceviche, lionfish pizza
or just a filet, prepared in many different ways.
Even though many divers are catching the fish and supplying the
restaurants, the popularity creates a demand that is often greater than
the supply, so every diver is encouraged to join the program and every
visitor is encouraged to taste this beautiful abomination.
Help save the reef, eat lionfish!
27
The Dive Butlers have a new home!
On the corner of the J.A. Abraham Boulevard, opposite the Plaza Resort beach entry, you'll find our brand new dive shop.
With air- conditioned classrooms and air + nitrox filling station, convenient drive-through tank service and our customized
teaching pool, we offer you a world class Dive Training Center. We feature a well-stocked retail outlet (with razor sharp
pricing) and a friendly knowledgeable dive shop.
The new home of VIP Diving is located between two notable dive sites and next to the expansive sandy beach of the Plaza
Beach Resort. We offer rental gear and air + nitrox packages. Come in and have a look at our brand new facility. We will be
very proud to show you around, and offer you a fresh espresso.
James and Jones
The Dive Butlers are our team of Instructors and Divemasters who are passionately ready to serve you. They are long-term
Bonaire residents who know the island both above and below the water, and will gladly share their knowledge with you.
Having your own Dive Butler means you need only ask, to make this your perfect diving vacation.
Your Dive Butler can be a 'James' and make your dives stress free and relaxing as a walk in the park. But they can also be a
'Jones' and show you the coolest and most awesome adventures you can imagine. How about diving the rough East Coast or
other challenging remote sites? One of the world famous fluorescent UV night dives? Going on a lionfish hunting safari? The
Dive Butlers from VIP Diving will make it an unforgettable experience.
#1 on Tripadvisor!
From the beginning the goal at VIP Diving was 100% customer
satisfaction. This has resulted in VIP winning the Tripadvisor
Certificate of Excellence award four years in a row! We’re also
the number one spot on the list of the Best Things to Do while
you're on Bonaire. All of this, and you’re the VIP!
you are the vip
I'm Jones.
Adventure, excitement
and a little bit of
adrenaline is what
I'm all about
-
My name is
James. I can offer you
luxurious and relaxing
dives on and off the
beaten track
Come and meet the dive
butlers at their new home
www.vipdiving.com
[email protected]
(+599) 701 7701
J.A. Abraham Blvd #77 (opposite Plaza beach entrance)
we are the dive butlers
We decided to get the
VIP treatment this time
around and boy did
we get it!!! *
* Quote from TripAdvisor review August 2014
29
An exotic adventure awaits you on a ship as rare
as the beautiful coral reefs over which she sails...
Come sailing with your friends and family to
enjoy a “Green Flash” sunset sail and our famous
“Samur Smash” rum punch.
30
Things to do when not diving
When even the license plates tell you that you are on a diver's paradise, you can't really get around it anymore, but slowly
the masses of tourism are discovering so much more that our rapidly growing slice of paradise has to offer!
Bonaire residents can tell you all about it. Some dive tourists barely leave the full service comfort of their resorts and when
they chat with the locals you can see their eyes open up. "Really? Is all that right here on Bonaire?". It's true that much
of the beauty of Bonaire lies under that shimmering surface. It's also true that the diving industry is a cornerstone of the
Bonaire economy. Still, it pays off to take a look up and out of the crystal clear waters. Or at least a bit more shallow.
Divers mostly pass by the reefs at certain depths, enjoying the weightlessness while passing by lively reefs, but if you stay
topside and go snorkeling with any of the many that offer their easy-going guided snorkel tours, you may find that you are
seeing much more. Especially when you snorkel at the gorgeous reefs at Klein Bonaire. Some of these reefs grows all the
way up to the surface and with the corals, sponges and colorful fish so close to your mask, you see the vibrant colors they
really possess much better than when at depth with loss of sunlight's brightness and hue. The bubbles you breathe out
when diving often keep sea life at bay, while snorkelers (as long as they keep their limbs in calm motion) can get much closer
to the underwater wonders. Sea turtles often come up to breathe in the midst of a group of snorkelers as long as the people
remain calm and don't chase the turtles away. Experienced guides will explain about this when entering the water.
If you ever get the chance, you should try viewing the coral reefs in fluorescent reflections with a special light and color
filtering visor, now that's a trip you will never forget. Coral reefs around you will be lighting up like neon nightclubs
While people gaze down into the blue or dive on depth along the reefs, something else passes by. A group of people
laughing in silent motion as the wind pushes them wherever they are heading. There are quite a few sailing vessels that
offer the excitement of speedy sailing or the leisure of relaxed gliding over the surface with a drink and a snack. These are
the tours that offer the best opportunity to spot dolphins as they mostly pass by too far away from the reefs for snorkelers
and divers to enjoy. Go for pure sailing if the rush is your goal or lay back with a cold drink and a delicious BBQ at sunset
while the wind gently blows you forward. If you wish to enjoy the amazing coral reefs, but rather stay dry, you can view
nature's work through glass while gliding along.
For those more action minded visitors, there are water sport companies and boat rentals that offer you the possibility to be
your own captain or have somebody guide you in action packed water sports, such as banana- and floating mattress rides,
wakeboarding and waterskiing. There is even a wakeboarding club on Bonaire, located at the Plaza Beach Resort.
Rent a boat and tour the coastline, visit the pristine beach of Klein Bonaire or go out with friends or family, showing off your
moves on waterskis or a wakeboard. If you need lessons, just ask your friendly rental company host.
Sailing, snorkeling &
semi-sub glass bottom
Aquaspace
Bonaire
Breakfast, Sunset BBQ &
customized trips
Tel. (+599) 701 2782
[email protected]
www.aquaspacebonaire.nl
Located at the
Harbour Village marina
Horseback riding lessons and tours
(+599) 788 8668 / 786 7321
www.rancho-washikemba.com
[email protected]
32
MANGROVE INFO CENTER
Mangrove kayaking, electric boat
(+599) 780 5353
www.mangrovecenter.com
When staying out of the water, you still have a wide variety of activities to choose from. Just about every touristic location on
this planet offers sightseeing tours, why should Bonaire be any different? Take your pick from open-, air-conditioned-, 4x4
tour vehicles or even buggies to drive around, depending on the length of the tours and the terrain they follow. Bonaire's
topside nature is beautiful to explore and what do you think about seeing the salt flats, slave huts and other cultural
highlights, accompanied by explanations from experienced tour guides?
If you feel like a more natural way to explore the topside world without the sound of an engine, take a fun trip in the outback
of Bonaire on horseback with the Washikemba horse ranch. You can even go swimming with the horses in the beautiful
Lagoen bay and Rancho Washikemba is also your stop for horse riding lessons.
Another must-see on the east side of Bonaire is the outstretched mangrove forest, opposite of the Sorobon windsurfing
area. This important nursery for the coral reefs offers a massive variety of both underwater- and bird life. You can take a
kayak and follow the tours through the dense bush in this luscious green habitat and be amazed by what you find underneath
the mangrove roots when you go snorkeling in there.
Aside from all that, there are cave tours too. Dry caves to explore and even wet caves where you can enjoy a swim
underground. Ever tried that before? Safely exploring caves with experienced guides is an excellent adventure for young
and old. Learn about the many different soil types and formations while you venture in an ancient world.
There are also large caves in the north-east corner of Bonaire that you can visit by yourself, called the Spelonk caves. You
can find ancient indian drawings and some bats still hiding out in the dark.
34
The Bonaire Culinary Team made history
For the first time in history, a female Chef has been crowned "Caribbean Chef
of the Year" in the Taste of the Caribbean, the Caribbean’s most prestigious
culinary competition. And where does this amazing talent come from? Indeed:
Bonaire!
The exciting 5-day Taste of the Caribbean 2014 featured head-to-head
competitions between 10 Caribbean culinary teams from Anguilla, Bahamas,
Barbados, Bonaire, Curacao, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, Suriname and
the U.S. Virgin Islands. The 2014 edition of the event was held at the Hyatt
Regency in Miami, from June 28th till July 2nd.
The teams had to showcase their talents during many competition elements,
both as a team and on individual basis. Bonaire brought home gold with
Rashindra Donge becoming the first female Caribbean Chef of the Year.
Gold
Rashindra Donge prepared a Caribbean spiced surf & turf dish with a
chocolate sauce and a spiced garlic chive mayo. During the Awards Dinner
Rashindra was announced to be the overall winner and with that entered the
Taste of the Caribbean Hall of Fame. Additionally, Rashindra earned a place in
the history books as the first female ever to win this prestigious award.
Silver
Silver medals were earned by the entire team in the Team of the Year
competition in which Bonaire prepared a 3 course lunch using several local
products including Aletta’s goat cheese and Cadushy Liquor. Another silver
medal was won by Giovannie Veld in the Junior Chef competition.
Bronze
Bartender Jay Frans earned a bronze medal with cocktails based on Rom
Rincon and Cadushy Vodka. Ronald Gosepa earned a bronze medal in
the Seafood Competition and Tjitte Knol won a bronze medal in the Beef
Competition.
Honorary mentions were made for Junior Janga in the Pastry chef competition
and Tjitte Knol in the Cheesecake element. To top it off Bonaire was awarded
the “Tony Mack Spirit of the Competition” Award for their team spirit and
camaraderie. This award captures the impressive and motivating attitude the
entire team showed and is an example for all.
35
36
37
39
IT RAINS FISHES
A full day of service
Welcome to Bonaire and we hope to
serve you at any moment of the day.
At It Rains Fishes we offer excellent
breakfast-, lunch- and dinner service. If
you wish to come in and enjoy a cocktail
and a snack or just a drink at the bar you
are of course also more than welcome.
2 Course Lunch special
Please ask your waiter for our daily
changing 2 course lunch specials.
Including 1 non-alcoholic drink for only
$14,75.
It Rains Fishes Sliders
A variety of 3 small sandwiches with
home made potato chips and a cold
garlic sauce, served at the bar while
enjoying delicious cocktails and the
perfect sunset.
38
IT RAINS FISHES
It Rains Fishes
Welcome to restaurant It Rains Fishes. This completely restyled restaurant
offers unforgettable dining experiences on the waterfront of our truly
gorgeous Caribbean island in the Dutch Caribbean.
Fresh Fish Market
Visit our small Fresh Fish Market, where you can see your fresh fish and
seafood just before it is served on your plate. Real fish lovers will feel like a
fish in the water. But there is more... If you want to take some fresh fish or
seafood home to cook yourself, or some special products related to fish or
cooking, please check out the Fish Market. Our staff is glad to help you and
explain the different fish, seafood and more to you. And for our guests who
don't want to eat fish, yes, It Rains Fishes serves more than only fish!
The history of the building
Many diners visit our restaurant and enjoy its culinary offerings, outstanding
service and appreciate its architecture, unaware of the history of the actual
building.
The building is more than 100 years old and housed some of the most
respected families in Bonaire history before it was turned into one of the
most succesful restaurants. The house used to be called "Kas di Pa Kachi
Craane and Ma Seshi Craane-Graavenhorst". On our website you can read
more about the history of the building of It Rains Fishes.
It Rains Fishes opening hours:
Open 6 days a week. Closed on Sundays
Monday-Friday we serve:
Breakfast 7:30am - 11am
Lunch 10:30am - 3pm
Dinner 5pm - 11pm
Bar open from 5pm till late
Contact us:
(+599) 717 8780 / 717 2205
[email protected]
www.itrainsfishesbonaire.com
39
41
39
®
®
®
®
®
®
®
®
®
®
SPICE BEACH CLUB
46
On the Caribbean coast, just outside of town, the beach, the pool, the beach
bar and the restaurant form: Spice Beach Club! A contemporary, yet relaxed
environment where you can wind down and throughout the whole day
enjoy a nice cup of coffee or cappuccino, a fresh smoothie, a cold beer, soda,
cocktail or delicious mixed drink.
On a comfortable beach chair or a lounge bed you can enjoy a lazy day.
Are you interested in snorkeling or diving? Visit the dive shop and enjoy the
water. Would you like to try other fun watersports? At Spice Beach Club
everything is possible, there is even a Spa at Spice Beach Club.
We serve anything from eggs at breakfast, cold- and warm sandwiches
and salads at lunch to mouthwatering entrees and salads at dinner. Our
bartenders create some of the finest cocktails for you to enjoy and you
should try our "In Betweens" menu with a variety of small dishes with wich
you can compose your own dinner. Ask your waiter for our Lionfish specials,
when available.
Live Music and Events
In the weekends Spice Beach Club offers the popular Friday Evening Chill
& Grill where you can enjoy great BBQ food accompanied by the musical
talents of a local or international DJ or live band. We regularly host large
scale performances of renowned artists on our main stage on the beach and
every Wednesday, there is live music on the beach by local musicians.
We also offer the possibility to organize your own private party on the beach
or the upper terrace with amazing view over the Caribbean Sea. Spice Beach
Club is an excellent location for your wedding celebration. Did you ever try
our romantic Sunset Cabana Dinner on the beach?
Spice Beach Club Opening Hours:
7am - 10am for breakfast service
11am - 5pm for lunch service
6pm - 10pm for dinner service
Beach Bar open Daily from 9am - 11pm
Happy Hours: Friday-Sunday 6 - 7pm
Contact us:
(+599) 717 8060
[email protected]
www.spicebonaire.com
43
Welcome to the resort that has it all
Plaza Beach Resort Bonaire is an all-inclusive resort but that doesn't mean
that you are not welcome to join us and our guests on our many special theme
nights and activities. In fact, we invite you to join us on any day or night.
Our Buffet style restaurant Tipsy Seagull is the most beautiful spot on the
Island overlooking the bay of Kralendijk. Come and try our special theme
nights, whether you enjoy the rich flavors of Italian cuisine, the tropical bite
of Creole- or Mexican food or a delicious BBQ on the beach, we have it all!
Aside from the restaurant, our resort hosts all kinds of fun activities, such
as Salsa Night, where you can learn and enjoy true Caribbean dancing. We
host a Movie Night outside on the beach at our Coconut Crash Beach Bar.
Furthermore you can enjoy all kinds of beach sports. Beach Tennis and
Volleyball being the most popular ones.
On Sundays we open the resort and the swimming pool to all and welcome
you to spend your day having fun with your children on our special Family
FUNday Sunday. A DJ will be playing music during Happy Hour and you can
eat freshly made hamburgers or other specialties on the beach.
.
Restaurant opening hours
Breakfast: 7am - 10am
Lunch: 12.30pm - 2.30pm
Dinner: 6:30pm - 10pm
BBQ on the beach
6:30pm - 9pm
Monday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:
Sunday:
Tuesday:
Saturday:
Sunday:
Restaurant theme nights
Steak Night
BBQ Night on the beach
Italian Night
Mexican Night
Creole Night
Beach activities
Movie Night
Salsa Night
Family FUNday Sunday
Contact us:
(+599) 717 2500
www.plazabeachresortbonaire.com
[email protected]
Eddy's Bar & Restaurant
Opening Hours:
Lunch: Monday - Saturday
11.30am-2.30pm
Dinner: Monday - Saturday
6pm-9.30pm
Located at:
Kaya Gob. N. Debrot
(Next to Tennis courts)
Tel. (+599) 717 6731
Bistro de Paris & Zazu Bar
Opening Hours:
Lunch: Monday - Friday
11.30am – 3pm
Dinner: Monday - Saturday
6pm – 10pm
closed on Sundays.
Located at:
Harbour Village Marina
Tel. (+599) 717 7070
[email protected]
www.bistrodeparis.com
Sebastian's Restaurant
Opening Hours:
Monday - Saturday
5.30am-11.00pm
Located at:
J. A. Abraham Blvd. 60
(+599) 717 1697
46
[email protected]
www.sebastiansrestaurantbonaire.com
Restaurants & Bars
At Sea
Beach Hut (Sorobon)
Bistro de Paris
Bobbejan BBQ
Cadushy Distillery (Rincon)
Capriccio
Chez Madeleine
Chibi Chibi (Divi Flamingo Resort)
Courses (Sorobon Beach Resort)
Cuba Compagnie
Donna & Giorgio's
Eddy's
El fogon latino
El Mundo
Go Green
Hang Out Beach Bar (Sorobon)
Ingridients (Buddy Dive Resort)
It Rains Fishes
Joe's Grill Restaurant
Karel's Beach Bar/Zeezicht
Kontiki Beach Club (Lac/Sorobon)
La Guernica
Le-Ma-Se (Rincon)
Little Havana
Mona Lisa
Osaka Sushi & Teppan Yaki
Pasa Bon Pizza
Patagonia
Posada Para Mira (Rincon)
Rum Runners/Pizza Temple
Sebastian's
Sonia Home
Spice Beach Club (Eden Beach Resort)
Subway
The Ribs Factory
Tipsy Seagull (Plaza Beach Resort)
Unbelievable
Wattaburger
701 0134
701 6500
717 7070
717 4783
786 8769
717 7230
782 1714
717 8285
717 8080
717 1821
717 3799
717 6731
717 2677
717 4601
700 5488
717 5064
717 1684
717 8780
717 9182
717 8434
717 4514
717 5022
717 6343
700 5927
717 8718
782 3140
780 1111
717 7725
701 7060
717 8290
717 1697
717 1758
717 8060
717 2110
717 4600
717 2500
717 3000
717 3547
47
48
Bonaire’s sustainable bright future
- Written by Patricia Bergwijn
Bonaire is a typical example of what is called a Small Island Developing State
(SIDS). Basically this means Bonaire needs to promote economic investments and
address local issues and the responsible use of its limited natural resources at the
same time.
To do so the Bonairean government chose the Green Economic Model (GEM)in
2013. This model looks beyond the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which is an
important indicator to measure economic growth. For Bonaire the GDP in 2012
based on a population of 16,975 was 372 million. Using the US dollar and US price
levels as a standard, the GDP per capita was approximately twenty four/-five
thousand US dollars. GEM uses a list of Key Performance indicators containing four
interconnected areas: economic development, social inclusion, environmental
sustainability and good governance. These indicators will be mainstreamed in
a national account system that monitors and stimulates sustainable economic
growth on Bonaire even better.
The islands main source of income is tourism. About eighty percent of Bonaire’s
growing and developing economy depends on the tourism industry. Bonaire’s
natural wealth above and under water, its laid back island life and its peaceful
style of living keeps on attracting tourists, migrants and investors all over the
world. The other twenty percent, the public sector, salt industry, oil storage and
provision of services of its economy is developing as well.
By establishing an Exclusive Economic Zone through the dollarization of Bonaire,
Statia and Saba in 2011, the government aimed for future macro-economic
stability and economic and financial integration in the region. The dollarization
also stimulated international trade and made it winsome to invest on Bonaire.
And to make Bonaire even more attractive for investors, the government lowered
the real estate tax from 1 to 0.8 percent and for hotels and apartments from 0.8
to 0.4 percent in 2012.
Infrastructure
To keep the motor of your growing economy running one also needs to work
at ones infrastructure. And although some people are complaining about the
roads being closed due to construction activities the last few years have shown
lots of improvements. Bonaire is building, improving and constructing digital and
physical roads, buildings and businesses. Developments are countless and huge.
49
Project
TERRAMAR
High class sea-view shops & apartments
Terramar is a high-quality retail and
residential development in an outstanding
central location on the lively boulevard of
Kralendijk in Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean.
A mix of 13 high-quality shops and 13
apartments, a panoramic view of the
Caribbean, allocated parking and the use
of top quality products are just a few
of the principles that characterize the
development.
In the middle of all this you will find the
fully renovated historic music school,
planned to be reopened as a Bonaire
cultural, archeological and historical
museum.
Terramar NV
[email protected]
www.terramarbonaire.com
50
At the harbor the South pier will be constructed to host the growing amount of incoming (cruise) ships. Bonaire’s International
Airport (BIA) will be enhanced and enlarged to receive more airplanes and to become a future hub for the region and Latin
and South America. The main roads through Bonaire are being newly asphalted and made safer by adding bicycle paths
and roundabouts. And last but not least, as mentioned earlier the digital highway on Bonaire is also being modernized and
improving. Telefonia Bonairiano (TELBO), the leading media-technology company on Bonaire offers most parts of Bonaire
a fibre optic network with reliable, quick and modern high speed broadband internet access. Their ambition is to include
the whole island.
All these developments are promising and make Bonaire even more attractive for business and investors. Which means
Bonaire is definitely getting ready for her bright future!
Living the ‘green’ life on Bonaire
Bonaire has a long history of being one of the most ‘green’ and ecological islands in the Caribbean. Bonaire was the first
Caribbean island to appoint protected nature areas and create reserves. When your main income and attraction is your
nature, you better make sure you keep it safe. And when you know all coral reefs worldwide are being threatened by climate
changes, pollution and debris you want to keep yours clean and secure for future generations. Everybody makes an effort.
Both tourists and inhabitants love to spend time in the precious nature of Bonaire, both underwater and on land.
On top days fifty percent of Bonaire’s energy is generated by its windmill
turbines. Contour Global’s (a New York based international power
generation company) 24 MW integrated wind and diesel power plant is
the sole supplier of Bonaire’s energy distribution company WEB (Water
and Energy Business). But the wind isn’t Bonaire’s only natural power
source. Bonaire has the sun. There isn’t a day the sun doesn’t shine. So
we might as well use it to our advantage.
Since a few years solar energy is developing and getting more and
important on Bonaire. Besides all private initiatives of some Bonairean
home owners to install solar panels on their rooftops, energy companies
on Bonaire are looking into the collective benefits of this green solar
energy as well.
After the 2011 study of IMARES (Institute for Marine Resources and
Ecosystem Studies, University Wageningen in the Netherlands) about
the functional valuation of ecosystem services and their socio-economic
value on Bonaire, companies like WEB, Contour Global and Caribbean
Energies became fully aware of the necessity to use green energy on
Bonaire and the devastating impact on its nature if they wouldn’t.
Together these companies started a study on the feasibility of large scale
production and use of solar energy. Pending the results WEB’s ambition
is to realize a park of solar panels at Barcadera (former precincts of the
51
52
World Broadcasting Services). In a joint venture with Bonaire’s Institute for Secondary Education (SGB), WEB already
supported and assisted in placing solar panels on the rooftop of the new school building. Even the 25 new streetlights on
the way to Rincon are working on solar energy and this year’s regatta (4-11 October 2014) solar boats are being introduced
for the first time on Bonaire.
Keep Bonaire clean - Tene Boneiru limpi
But that‘s not all. There are more areas and aspects of life that can be greenified. We can be more conscious about our
waste management, our sewerage, our help and assistance to keep Bonaire clean and raise awareness. These areas are all
developing as well.
In 2013 SeliBon, Bonaire’s company for waste management started its
campaign on separating rubbish. For Bonaire this meant something
completely new. To make the people of Bonaire more aware SeliBon also
launched its brochure for children: ‘Kliko ta konta’ (Rubbish bin tells). By
educating the children through the story of ‘Kliko’ the rubbish bin and its
lively images, SeliBon made an effort to reach parents and elders as well. At
the same time the company opened its brand new Recycle Center named
Plasa Medio Ambiente on the Kaya Industria.
In a joint-collaboration the local companies Bon Recycling and SeliBon collect
and sort waste products such as old corrugated cardboard (OCC), paper,
plastics, glass, E-waste, white goods, used oil, batteries and scrap metal.
These materials are then shipped to locations where they can be processed
adequately.
Water management
Our new sewerage and sanitation system is another example of how Bonaire
takes better care of its natural wealth and resources. Removing wastewater
from the coastline in order to protect the coral reefs that surround Bonaire
was and is extremeley necessary.
Wastewater contains large amounts of nutrients. These nutrients not only
cause the growth of bacteria which can be harmful for the public health, they
also damage the natural equilibrium underwater and stimulate the rapid
growth of algae. These algae smother the sensitive coral polyps, resulting in
dying coral and irreversible damage to the coral reef ecosystem.
The newly-installed sewage treatment system costed an astronomical
amount of money. But at least 750 of the 900 companies and households
are now using the sewage system that pipes the wastewater from facilities
within 200m of the most populated coastal zones to treatment facilities
53
near the center of the island. The cleaned and treated water will be used for agricultural purposes. This way wastewater
won’t end up polluting our sea and killing our reefs.
Bonaire cares
Voluntary private and corporate initiatives on cleaning up Bonaire under and above the water are countless. SeliBon’s World
Clean Up day Bonaire to clean up (illegal) dump and or waste sites, the quarterly Cleanup Dives of Dive Friends Bonaire and
its Debris Free Bonaire campaign to get rid of litter and plastics under and above the water, the monthly cleanup of Lagoon
beach by the junior rangers of STINAPA, the monitoring of beaches by the beach keepers of the Sea Turtle Conservation
Bonaire (STCB) just to name a few all stand model for our heart kept natural treasure. And we can always use hands.
Because where there are people there is waste to clean up, nature to care for, and a bright future for Bonaire to cherish.
So whatever plans you have on our lovely island either you come as a visitor, an investor in our growing economy and or as
a (future) inhabitant, help us to help you and everybody else and keep Bonaire’s nature enjoyable, worthwhile, alive and
prosperous now and in the future.
Bonaire cares, will you care with us?
54
55
59