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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Tourism
Corporation Bonaire Recaps
2005 Successes and Announces
New Tourism Products and
DEMA Show 2005 Raffle at
On-Island Event
TCB
Selects Official 2006 Bonaire
Calendar
 On
Friday, September 23, 2005,
the Tourism Corporation Bonaire
(TCB) presented several new
products and services available
to the tourist. Opening the
evening's presentation, Ms.
Ronella Croes, General Manager
of TCB, presented some of
the highlights and successes
of 2005, including a 5% increase
in overall tourism in the
first six months of the year. Other
notable achievements included
the guarantee of additional
funding which will be used
to enhance and expand Bonaire’s
marketing and promotions,
as well as the agreement
with Continental Airlines
to begin non-stop Houston-Bonaire
weekly flights on December
16, 2005. Also highlighted
was Bonaire’s cruise
tourism industry and the
forecasted increase of close
to 100% for the 2006-2007
Season.
Following her presentation,
Mr. Burney el Hage, Commissioner
of Tourism, provided his
comments on the successes
achieved to date, and congratulated
Ms. Croes on her many accomplishments
since January, when she accepted
the position as General Manager
of TCB.
 The
evening's presentation continued
with the premier of the new,
Official 2006 Calendar of
Bonaire, produced by Bonaire
Creations. The Official 2006
Calendar of Bonaire is a
large, high-quality wall
calendar featuring gloss
varnish-protected images
of Linda Richter's oil paintings
and Jake Richter's digital
paintings on art quality
paper (six from each artist).
Each month features Bonairean,
Antillean, Dutch, American,
and Canadian holidays and
the back page of the calendar
provides a translation between
Papiamentu, Dutch, English,
and French for the months
of the year and days of the
week. The first copy of the
Official Bonaire 2006 Calendar
was presented to Commissioner
Burney el Hage by Jake Richter.
For those attending DEMA
Show 2005 October 4 – 7
in Las Vegas, NV, the artists
have donated eight autographed
copies which will be given
away in a raffle each day
during the Show (two per
day).
The evening closed with
the airing of a sample of
the new Mega FM Bonaire Tourism
Radio. Geared to keeping
tourists abreast of current
happenings while they are
on Bonaire, the new Tourism
Radio will be aired in English
at various times of the day
and will include current
news as well as tourism happenings
and events. Tune into
Mega FM, 101.1 FM and listen
in. |
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Google
Campaign Holland starts October 1st
The first and the fourth are always the
quarters that count in European marketing.
Trade professionals are focusing on the
next selling season and their summer programs
for 2006. Tourists are planning on their
next winter vacation and are discussing
where to go to for their winter sunshine.
For TCB Europe, it is always a period of
high activity, starting October 1st. Since
research showed that, next to ‘word
of mouth’, the internet is by far
the most important source of information,
TCB Europe started a campaign together
with Google Netherlands to attract more
visitors to our Web site. This campaign
is of course based on key words to make
sure we target the right tourists.
Back to the top
Rob
Al on Tour Secondary Markets
Rob Al, our marketing manager
for the secondary markets, has left the
summer behind him to start his tour around
our potential markets. The first visit
was to Denmark and Sweden (last week
September) to attend trade workshops.
He will contact and contract trade professionals,
tour operators, as well as members of
the press. He will attend Dive Birmingham
upon his return, and, in mid-October,
Rob will visit the Belgian trade workshop
on behalf of TCB Europe.
Back to the top
Viral
Campaign Launch October 1st
Bonaire’s first of
two viral winter campaigns will be launched
October 1st. Thanks to our sponsors among
which are Habitat, Caribbean Club, Divi
Flamingo, Golden Reef and KLM, both campaigns
will have attractive prizes and this
will benefit quite an increase of our
direct email database as well as a wonderful
promotion for Bonaire. Two campaigns
are launched simultaneously, one for
the Dutch market and one for the European,
but non-Dutch, market. Want to play
and see for yourself? Surf to www.panoramikarace.nl for the Dutch version and to www.panoramikarace.com for the English version. As you can see
this game is based on Bonaire’s
online game as introduced over a year
ago.
New
Service Tour Operators Secondary Markets
Rob Al’s efforts
are, of course, supported at home base
with new tools to service our tour operators
in our secondary markets, the UK, and
Germany. TCB Europe will launch a new
tool for specials similar to the one
we use so successfully for the Dutch
market (see www.infobonaire.com/dutchspecials.html).
As agreed upon in the long term marketing
strategy for Europe, this is once again
an example of how an innovative and online
marketing tool can and will be rolled
out throughout all markets after being
proven successful in our home market
the Netherlands.
Back to the top
 Banner
on Image Bank Already Working Out
As we said in previous
editions of Entre Nous, TCB Europe
added non-animated banners to the image
bank. This is already paying off since
we spotted the first partners to use
these and so endorse Bonaire-in-Motion.
Shortly also there will be
animated banners that will be added
to the image bank. This database is
one of the various online marketing
tools for our tour operators. Rob Al
has a brand new laptop with wireless
and GSM internet access everywhere
to make sure we serve all our partners
in all markets of Bonaire’s
highly innovative and successful service
and support to trade professionals
and press.
Back to the top
Dutch
Key partners Surprised by Pink Flowers
September 6th was Bonaire
Day. For TCB Europe of course a day
to celebrate with our trade and other
partners in the Netherlands. It gave
TCB Europe a wonderful opportunity
to once again say, "we
love you", to
our key partners. As the saying goes,
even in a happy marriage one needs
an "I love you" from
time to time. KLM, the most important
tour operators, Duiken magazine,
and others were surprised by a pink
colored bouquet of flowers to celebrate
Bonaire Day at their offices! E-mails
and phone calls were PR-manager Marieke
Raaff’s reward of this gesture
personal marketing!
Back to the top
TCB
Europe Joins CTO Holland’s
Training Program
October 2nd CTO Holland will organize
a Caribbean training program for
travel agents. Of course TCB Europe
is joining together with Bonhata.
We participate not only the kick
off day this Sunday October 2nd
but also the training program to
follow afterwards. We will keep
you posted on the results and hopefully
we can present some pictures of
the opening event in next Entre
Nous!
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Count-down
to DEMA Show 2005 Continues
With the clock counting
down quickly, last minute preparations
for the DEMA Show in Las Vegas, October
4-7 are well underway, with Bonaire's
hoteliers, dive shops, and other members
of the tourism sector stepping up
to the plate to see that Bonaire's
message is heard loud and clear.
The week's activities will kick off
with TCB and BONHATA's sponsorship
of the Adventure Travel Symposium and Luncheon
the day before the Show opens. On opening
day, thanks to the space selection committee,
Bonaire will welcome participants from
a great floor position. Due to Bonaire's
sponsorship of the Scuba Pool, Bonaire
will have a second area of focus
around the pool. The new Dive DVD
will make its debut at the Show,
being given out at all participants
at the Adventure Travel Symposium
and during the Show. At the end of
each day, two of Bonaire's Official
Calendars (provided by Linda and Jake
Richter) will be given away. Our small "fuzzy
divers" will also make an appearance.
In their individual booths, our hoteliers
and dive shops and other suppliers will
have their own promotional materials and
(no doubt) surprises of their own. Tune
in next month for the official "wrap
up."
Continental
Reservations Center Houston Receives Bonaire
Delegation
A Bonaire delegation comprised
of Bous Scholtz, Serge de Groote, Corinna
Wegerer, Steve (Muys) Cieremans and
Marie Rosa (from TCB-NYC) visited
Houston Reservations Center on September
13, as part of a 5 day sales blitz of the
Houston area. After receiving a tour of
the operations and visiting a training
class for International Reservationists,
the group settled in the cafeteria
for ongoing presentations to the
agents.
Bonaire information packages comprised
of the Dive Flyers, Bonaire post cards
donated by Linda and Jake Richter,
a Continental Schedule, island maps and BONHATA
and BHG brochures were handed out. A special
surprise was also given away to the agents.
(See item on Continental Blue).
The remainder of the week was spent calling
on the 27 individual dive shops and giving
a presentation to the Houston CTO travel
agent chapter. The reservations centers in
Salt Lake City and Tampa will be visited
on October 25 and October 27 respectively.
Back to the top
If
You Please, I'd like Mine in Continental
Blue
 As a special reminder of Bonaire,
small, plush furry balls, sporting snorkel
gear and a banner proclaiming the Dec.
16 start of service were given to
reservations agents to stick on
their computers. Fondly nicknamed
the "fuzzy divers," these special
souvenirs came in all colors. However,
the deep reflex blue seemed to be the
most popular. When asked what was so special
about the blue ones, the delegation was
told they are the most popular because
they are Continental Blue!
Post
Card Mailing Goes Out
A colorful multi-image postcard
depicting the variety of activities available
on Bonaire was sent to the entire North
American data base, including both post
mail and email addresses. A bright yellow
message on the front of the card announced
the start-up of Continental Service.
The back of the card carried the specifics
of the service.
Back to the top
Bonaire
is Scuba Diving Magazine's Destination
of the Month
In October, Bonaire will
have top placement on the home page of
www.scubadiving.com. The placement will
feature the special Fall Promotion which
offers a free Henderson dive skin to the
first 100 divers to book a fall package.
The special sweepstakes to win a trip to
Bonaire will also be featured, providing
the chance to win the dream trip to a much
larger audience. The site will also have
links back to www.infobonaire.com and www.bonairedivingpro.com and those hotels participating in the
promotion.
Dive
Newswire for September
In
September two press releases were distributed
on Dive Newswire. A press release
announcing TCB and BONHATA's co-sponsoring
of the DEMA Adventure Travel Symposium
at DEMA Show 2005 was distributed on September
14th , and a release announcing the debut
of the new dive video at the DEMA Show
was distributed on September 28th. Dive
Newswire is distributed electronically
to more than 6,000 dive shop owners, manufacturers
as well as media outlets.
Bonaire
EZ News for September
In September two issues of Bonaire EZ
News were distributed to our database
of 35,000 consumers and travel agents. The
September 13th issue focused on getting
married in Bonaire and island news, while
the September 26th issue focused on special "early
arrival" services offered to Continental
passengers by Bonaire's hotels.
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 September
one press release was written and distributed
to the dive and travel trade media: a press
release announcing TCB and BONHATA's co-sponsoring
of the DEMA Adventure Travel Symposium at DEMA
Show 2005. This press release was also
distributed on Dive Newswire.
Press
Visits
Finalized arrangements for the press visit
of writer Vernon Ramesar, who was on assignment
to edit the Bonaire chapter for the 2007
edition of Fodor's Caribbean guidebook which
will be published in August 2006. Vernon
visited Bonaire September 20 - 26, 2005 to
check out hotels, restaurants and attractions
for his update of the Bonaire chapter of
this popular guidebook.
Editorial
Highlights
 New York Times (circulation
1,680,582): The Sunday, September
11, 2005 travel section of the New York
Times featured an article about handicapped
travelers and the destinations that have
made an effort to accommodate them. Bonaire
was one of eight Caribbean destinations
featured, and was noted for having
a wheelchair accessible boardwalk and
handicapped accessible sidewalks throughout
Kralendijk. The Divi Flamingo Hotel & Casino
was also featured for having 8 designated
handicapped accessible rooms that were
recently overhauled to make them more
ADA compliant. Divi Flamingo's 800 number
and Web site are listed. For your viewing
pleasure, the article is available by clicking
on the thumbnail image.
Kansas
City Star (circulation 385,109):
Bonaire was featured as an educational
travel destination in the August 7, 2005
edition of the Kansas City Star. Bonaire
was recognized for being a great place
to learn to scuba dive thanks to the
year-round clear, calm and warm water.
While it is possible to get certified
in the cold water of the Midwest, Bonaire
is ideal where it can be easier to learn
skills such as underwater navigation.
This article is available online at www.kansascity.com,
however, a fee is required to view the
article. This article was also picked
up by the Belleville (IL) News-Democrat
(circulation 54,255) and is available
online at http://www.belleville.com/mld/belleville/living/travel/12314068.htm.
Travel
Girl (circulation 80,000): Travel
writer Victoria L. Hansen documents her
first ever visit to Bonaire in a 7-page
article in the September/October 2005
issue of Travel Girl magazine. The article
includes a variety of color photos for
readers to enjoy as they read about Hansen's
journey. Hansen writes about her accommodations
at Harbour Village Beach Club; meals
at Lighthouse Bar & Grille,
It Rains Fishes, La Balandra, City Café and
Rum Runners; and her exploration of the
island including several dive sites,
Lac Bay, Mangrove Info & Kayak Center
and a sunset cruise on the Harbor Queen.
For your viewing pleasure, the
article is attached (1 MB).
Jax
Fax (circulation 26,000): The press release announcing Ronella Croes'
appointment to Director of Tourism that
was written and distributed by Adams
Unlimited was published in the August
2005 issue of Jax Fax. The article notes
that the Director of Tourism will oversea
all marketing, public relations and advertising
programs along with the four tourist
offices. The article also gives detail
of Croes' past experience in the tourism
industry. This article is available online
at www.jaxfax.com.
TravelWeek
(circulation 13,850): The Bonaire Briefs press release that was
written and distributed in July by Adams
Unlimited was published in the August
4, 2005 issue of TravelWeek. The article
includes airline news, hotel specials
and joint package from Photo Tours and
Yellow Submarine. All parties mentioned
have contact information listed along
with Bonaire's official website. This
article is not available online.
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Venezuelan
Wholesalers Visit Bonaire on FAM Trip
In response to an
invitation from Adventure Travel and of properties
who recently visited Venezuela, a group of
operators visited the island on September 25th
to the 29th to get familiarized with
Bonaire, its properties and, most importantly,
to give support to the non-stop flights
from Venezuela to Bonaire operating twice
a week Thursdays and Sundays from Caracas
and soon from Valencia.
The host hotels were Plaza Resort,
Divi Flamingo, Captain Don’s, SunRentals,
Bonaire Inn, and Buddy Dive. More information
about this wholesalers FAM trip in our next Entre
Nous.
Back to the top
 Bonaire
Promoted in Mergulho Magazine - Brazil
In its September edition of the
prestigious magazine Mergulho, the island of
Bonaire is shown in an impressive full color
half-page advertisement showing Salt Pier,
an image by Ary Amarante, the well known
Brazilian photographer.
The ad, which has received feed back, shows
a unique diving destination highlighting
unlimited shore diving, pristine coral reefs,
excellent visibility, shipwrecks and more
than 86 diving sites all around the island.
It invites divers to contact their favorite
Dive Operators.
This September edition will be
distributed at the Sao Paulo Boat Show taking
place from October 27th to November 1st, an
event where Bonaire will have a booth at the
diving pavilion and an official presentation
along with the participation of the diving
schools located in Sao Paulo.
Back to the top
Aserca
Airlines On-Board Magazine
With two full color center
pages, Bonaire will be promoted in the on board
magazine of Aserca International Airline flying
to Aruba, Curaçao, Dominican Republican,
and all the domestic flights in Venezuela.
This interesting report about
Bonaire will be available from September to
December; an excellent opportunity to reach
the Caribbean travelers familiarizing them
with all that dushi Bonaire has to offer its
visitors besides its pristine diving.
Bonaire
... Blue Paradise by Ocean Drive
As a result
of our invitation
to attend the
King of the
Caribbean event
on island,
the journalist
Adriana Herrera
from the high
society magazine,
Ocean Drive,
published an
article in
a full-color
page highlighting
all the activities
on island,
especially
windsurfing
and diving.
It also highlights
the hotel accommodations
mentioning
Plaza Resort
and Harbour
Village. This
article tells
its readers
how to get
to Bonaire
from Caracas
or Valencia
with the Transaven/PAS
flights. It
is a very informative
article accompanied
by beautiful
images of windsurfing,
snorkeling,
the lobby of
the Plaza Resort,
and the Millennium
Monument.
FITCAR
International
Tourism Trade
Show
Caracas
is getting
ready to host
all the international
destinations
around the
world participating
in its first
International
Trade Show.
It will run
from October
5th to the
7th at La
Carlota Airport.
All the exhibitors
have been
assigned
a 20-meter
booth at
no cost to
promote their
destinations.
Of course
Bonaire will
be represented!
All hotels
are invited
to participate.
For more
information
contact Yasmin
at southamerica@tourismbonaire.com.
Back to the top
Progressive
Air Service
Flights
to Venezuela
Little
by little,
this small
company
from Bonaire
is becoming
well known
among the
travel
agents
in Venezuela
through
its weekly
flights
between
Valencia
and Bonaire
with Let
19-seat
planes.
Since last
August,
PAS started
flying
from Caracas
to Bonaire
twice a
week on
Fridays
and Sundays.
E-mail:
progressive_airserv@hotmail.com.
Back to the top
Hotel
Packages
Promoted
in
SA
Giving
support
to
the markets
and
committed to
the tour
operators,
the
hotels in Bonaire
are
promoting their
properties
in
South American
with
a basic
package which
includes:
3 nights
stay,
breakfast,
transfers,
taxes,
and
service
charge
included.
For
all
those
hotels
which
are
interested
to
promote
their
packages
in
SA,
pls
contact
Yasmin
at
southamerica@tourismbonaire.com.
Back to the top
Upcoming
Events
Caracas,
Venezuela
Fitcar – Oct
5th to
the 8th
- Aeropuerto
La Carlota
Avavit – Nov
14th to
the 16th – Qta
La Esmeralda
Sao Paulo,
Brazil
Sao Paulo
Boat Show
- Oct 27th
till Nov
1st
Back to the top
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NEWS
FROM THE TOURISM SECTOR
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Rum
Runners Restaurant Holds
Employee Day
 Rum
Runners Restaurant, held
an Employee Day Picnic
at Sorobon, Lac Bay on
Monday September 12, 2005.
All staff were invited
to come and enjoy themselves
with lots of eating, drinking,
kayaking, and team swimming
events. The restaurant
held the picnic to thank
their employees for their
loyalty, and also to foster
a great team spirit and
motivate their staff for
another high season.
New
Products by Bonaire Artists
Featured at Cinnamon Art
Gallery
 Three
of Bonaire's resident artists
have just announced new products
based on their original artwork.
Linda Richter and Jake Richter
released the Bonaire
Creations 2006 Calendar in
mid-September, designated as
Bonaire's Official Calendar
by Tourist Corporation Bonaire.
The 2006 Bonaire Calendar is
a large, high quality wall
calendar featuring images of
Linda Richter's oil paintings
and Jake Richter's digital
paintings on art quality paper.
Each month's image is protected
by a gloss varnish, while the
monthly calendar on each page
lists Bonairean, Antillean,
Dutch, American, and Canadian
holidays. The back page of
the calendar provides a translation
between Papiamentu, Dutch,
English, and French for the
months of the year and days
of the week as well.
The 2006 Bonaire
Creations Calendar sells
for US$25 and is available
now from several
local Bonaire merchants,
as well as at the Cinnamon
Art Gallery from the artists
themselves. The calendar is
also available
via the new on-line
Caribbean Art shopping site,
www.CaribbeanArt.com,
for those in North America
and Europe.
The Richters
have also released a set of
20 postcards - ten different
images each by Linda and Jake
featuring a range of subjects
from above and under water
around Bonaire. The postcards
are available now from local
Bonaire merchants as well as
on-line. And, a Bonaire Creations
coffee mug has been created
and also can be seen on-line
at www.CaribbeanArt.com.
 And, after several
years of work, Avy Benhamron
has arranged with the Antillean
postal service to create a
set of three limited edition
stamps featuring his African-themed
art work. Each of the three
series contains six stamps
which are certified, registered,
and numbered by Bonaire's own
post office, Nieuwe Post N.A.,
and each attached print comes
from Avy's personal art collection.
A Certificate of Authenticity
is available for each limited
edition sheet. Avy's unique
stamps are on display at the
Cinnamon Art Gallery, which
is located at Kaya A.P.L. Brion
1, in downtown Kralendijk,
right off Kaya Grandi.
The
Cinnamon Art Gallery can be reached
at 717-7103 or via e-mail at
info@cinnamonartgallery.org.
Back to the top
Buddy
Dive Resort Bonaire Welcomes
Continental Guests
Buddy Dive Resort is
pleased to announce its special
check-in procedures and services
for guests using the Continental
Airline flight from/to Houston
that commences December 16
2005.
“In Buddy’s
tradition we are here to
make our guests stay a true
vacation--says Buddy’s
General Manager Jan Willem ‘t
Hooft – and for people
arriving with the “red-eye”--flight
there is no need to book
an extra night. In our usual
way, we will make the impossible
possible; a minimum of waiting
time, no extra charges and
check-in procedures that
have proven to give our guests
a relaxed start into their
vacation.
Since our popular Drive & Dive-package
includes transfer from/to
Flamingo airport our Front
Office
staff will be at the airport
to welcome our guests while
upon arrival the luggage
will be brought to the rooms.
From 6.30 AM our sumptuous
American breakfast buffet
opens and for those who booked
our Drive & Dive-package
can use the breakfast buffet
as the first breakfast of
their package. After breakfast
guest can either relax on
the beach or do their mandatory
dive orientation at the dive
shop while we are striving
to have all the rooms ready
for check-in at 9.00 AM.
Upon departure we will offer
a complimentary breakfast
box to take to the airport
and/or plane.”
“At Buddy Dive Resort," Jan Willem ‘t Hooft continues, "we
are known for personable service and a casual atmosphere, and, together with
our staff, I personally will assure that those standards are adhered to even
for guests arriving and departing very early in the morning. We don’t
believe in extra charges, additional fees or whatsoever, and every guest that
books our Drive & Dive-package using the Continental Airline flight can
start enjoying his vacation from the first minute after getting out the plane.
A breakfast buffet waiting for them, a flexible time for the dive orientation
and a smooth and early check-in confirms our slogan, “Eat, Sleep,
(Buddy) Dive” and our commitment to deliver true hospitality.
For more information and
reservations contact your
favorite travel partner,
call
1-866-GO-BUDDY, email buddydive@travelmarketing.com or
visit www.buddydive.com.
For non-US
reservations or on-island
inquiries please e-mail to
reservations@buddydive.com or
call + 599 717 5080.
Back to the top
New Guest Exhibition at Cinnamon Art Gallery
 Sipke Stapert and Dianir
Rivas Torres are the Cinnamon
Art Gallery's special guest
artists starting on Saturday,
September 24th, where they
are highlighting an exhibition
of their latest works,
including a variety of
ceramic pieces, jewelry,
underwater photography,
and driftwood sculpture.
The exhibit opening, which
was open to the public,
took place on the September
24. This exhibition will
continue through October
24, 2005.
Sipke
and Dianir met in 1997, and
they were both impressed
by the unique nature of Bonaire. Using
the environment as their
inspiration, they combined
their individual talents,
and, soon thereafter, they
opened up their own studio.
Dianir creates one-of-a-kind
pieces made with driftwood
and drift-seeds from the
South American mainland,
which find their way to Bonaire’s shores via ocean currents. She adds
a burst of life to her works
of art by garnishing them
with the flora of Bonaire,
with which the island kindly
supplies during rainy spells.
The
images presented in this
exposition are Sipke’s
unique and colorful close-up
photographs taken in the
shallows of the Bonaire National Marine Park. The driftwood
has been used in different
ways: solitary one-of-a-kind
pieces, lamps, mirrors, and
more. A large collection
of drift-seeds is the basis
of beautiful pieces
of botanical jewelry. In
addition to the drift-seeds,
sea-glass, gemstones, crystals,
and freshwater pearls are
also employed in their jewelry
creations. The
ceramic pieces are inspired
by both the under- and above-water
world. The different techniques
used to create these ceramic
pieces result in some surprisingly
innovative designs. Sipke
Stapert lived the first seven
years of his life on Curacao where,
under the guidance of his
father, he developed a life-long
interest in nature. After
graduating from the Academy of Physical Education in Holland,
he came to Bonaire in
1995 for a three-year teaching
contract. With underwater
photography as one of his
hobbies, he had some award-winning
images in various Bonaire
Dive Festivals. Some
of his images have been published
in the well known Reef Fish
and Reef Creature Identification
series. Other images have
been used by the Tourism
Corporation Bonaire, Scuba
Diving Magazine, and National
Geographic. Sipke added to
his mastery by taking additional
courses in woodturning and
borosilicate glass.
Dianir Rivas Torres was born in Venezuela where
she studied artistic handicrafts and high- and low-temperature pottery at
the Universidad de los Andes in Merida,Venezuela. She participated in several
expositions in Venezuela and Cuba, and her pottery is well known and sought
after in Merida, Caracas, and Puerto la Cruz. Dianir studied
additional courses in: wood painting techniques, jewelry-making, borosilicate
glass, glaze, and painting technology. Here on Bonaire she was invited and sponsored by the Venezuelan
Consulate to teach some basic clay courses. Dianir is a regular participating
local artist at the annual Dia di
Arte on Bonaire
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.
Back to the top
Regatta
Residence Launches New Web
Site and Begins Accepting Pre-Construction
Sales
 Bonaire's exclusive
Regatta Residence project is
a lifestyle concept created
for those who welcome privacy
and security. Centrally located,
it is close to town as well
as to the beaches, marinas,
and airport. The uniquely designed
residential area consisting
of 53 quality bungalows, gardens,
and swimming pool, make for
a warm and friendly gated-community.
All ground floor
houses are constructed of top
quality materials, with walls
and roof highly insulated against
solar heat. The beautifully
designed kitchen is fully equipped
with refrigerator, gas stove,
oven, and washer and dryer.
 To assist with
disseminating information about
this exciting project, Regatta
Residence has just launched
a new Web site, currently available
in English with Dutch to follow
shortly. The Web site can be
viewed at www.regattaresidence.com,
and was designed by NetTech,
N.V.
Back to the top
Sand
Dollar Resort Announces Special "Ride to the Reef" Promotion
Sand Dollar
Condominium Resort is pleased
to announce a promotional special
for guests traveling between
January 5th and April 21st,
2006. Book a week and receive
all the following for one low
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