http://conchbonaire.org/
What a great program!!!
Posts Tagged ‘Bonaire’
Adopt a Conch Program
March 12, 2011Bonaire Bliss In Oct.
October 15, 2010
Invisibles
October is typically low season but being a year round dive destination, Bonaire is relatively busy. Today commences cruise ship season. My friends and I headed south to Invisibles for a snorkel session and a lovely day at the beach. We saw critters above land and some amazing sea life below. Enjoy my bliss.
To book your Bonaire escape email ann@bonairecaribbean.com. Mention Bonaire Bliss and earn a dining credit at Wil’s Tropical Grill. Book by Nov. 1 for 2010 travel.
As we drove off, we saw an Osprey mid air with a Queen Angel Fish. We stopped to spy on his lunchtime session.
January 2011 Bonaire welcomes the US Dollar as their Official Currency
May 28, 2010Commencing January 2011, the US Dollar will be the official currency of the BES Islands. The governing officials overseeing the monetary exchange is the DNB, Der Nederlandsche Bank, the Dutch National Bank, is the entity responsible to transition and oversee the conversion from the guilder to the dollar. Times of change.
On 10-10-10 The BES islands become municipalities of Holland. Bonaire is the B, Statia the E and Saba the S. They will no longer be part of the Netherland Antilles but be referred to as the Dutch Caribbean. The Netherland Antilles will include Sint Maarten and Curacao. One question I have is, when I go to Curacao or Sint Maarten may I enter the Resident line still?
What do you think of this new plan?
Bonaire heads to the USD
April 12, 2010From BONHATA
Introduction of US dollar on Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba as from
1 January 2011
Information for enterprises, retail businesses and institutions
In view of 10 October 2010, the date on which the Netherlands Antilles will cease to exist, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba have chosen to adopt the US dollar as their new currency.
As from 1 January 2011, De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) will be responsible for payments on Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba. In view of this capacity, the Dutch Ministry of Finance has requested DNB to organise the transition to the new currency. Within this scope, DNB has developed a scenario for the currency changeover, which will be worked out in detail with the parties involved, like banks, enterprises and retail businesses, in the coming months. Under this scenario, every party is responsible for the necessary preparatory measures, including the costs involved, and DNB is in charge of the direction and progress monitoring.
GENERAL
The currency changeover scenario for Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba is derived from the euro introduction scenario applied in the Netherlands, but adapted to the local circumstances. The scenario describes the smoothest possible way for realising the currency changeover, distinguishing between a cash part and a non-cash part.
The key moment for the changeover will be Saturday 1 January 2011 at 00.00 hr. On that moment, the US dollar will become the legal tender on Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba. As from that moment, non-cash payments will only be effected in US dollars. Account balances in guilders will automatically be converted to US dollars. For cash payments on Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, guilder banknotes and coins will still be accepted until 1 February 2011. After that date, the guilder will continue to be legal tender on Curaçao and Sint Maarten only.
The official exchange rate at the moment of introduction of the US dollar is set at Naf 1.79 for 1 US dollar. It has been provided by law that all guilder amounts will be converted to US dollar amounts by operation of law. This implies that citizens and enterprises will not need to take action in this regard. The same holds for loan agreements, mortgages etc.
THE CASH CHANGEOVER:
• To promote a smooth changeover for banknotes and coins, banks shall, as from 1 January 2011, only issue US dollars, both via ATMs and counters.
• Retailers are requested to make sure that as from 1 January 2011 they give back change in US dollar notes and coins only.
• Residents are advised first to use up their guilder notes and coins for payments on and after 1 January 2011.
• When paying in shops, residents are advised not to use large quantities of guilder coins and to avoid the use of two currencies in one payment transaction.
• Cash payments in guilders shall in principle be accepted until 1 February 2011.
• As from 1 January 2011, cheques shall be paid out in US dollars, also when written out in guilders.
• As from 1 January, cheques may only be written out in US dollars.
For a smooth changeover, it is important that the guilder has been taken out of circulation as much as possible prior to 1 January 2011. The public will be advised to exchange coins at a bank prior to October 2010 or deposit coins on an account.
On 31 December 2010, there shall be a sufficient supply of dollar coins and notes (including the lower denominations) available on Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba.
After expiry of the period during which payments can be made in either guilders or dollars, citizens shall still be enabled to exchange guilders at banks on Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba against dollars, free of charge, until a date yet to be decided. From that date onwards, exchanging guilders shall be subject to the same fee as the purchase and sale of foreign currency.
THE NON-CASH EXCHANGE
On 1 January 2011 at 00.00 hr., all guilder accounts held with bank branches on Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba shall automatically be converted to dollar accounts. It will not be possible for citizens and enterprises to convert their existing accounts to dollar accounts prior to the changeover.
• Enterprises and retailers shall make the necessary arrangements to ensure that they can effect all non-cash payments in dollars as from the date of the changeover.
• To this end they shall make sure that their accounting systems are adjusted accordingly in time and able to work in dollars. Cash registers with pre-programmed conversion buttons shall be adjusted.
• Banks shall be ready in time for the conversion of non-cash balances to dollars and the transition of non-cash payments to the US dollar.
• DNB will closely monitor the progress of the conversion to the systems.
COMMUNICATION
The success of the changeover hinges on good communication. The authorities will see to the public information. DNB will distribute information on payments. Banks, enterprises and institutions will need to inform their customers on branch-specific subjects.
The changeover in brief:
Prior to 1 October 2010 Exchange as many guilders as possible
1 January 2011 Introduction of the US dollar
1 February 2011 Guilder ceases to be legal tender on Bonaire, Sint Eustatius & Saba
My Favorite Past Time In Bonaire..and..
April 12, 2009apparently Geoff and Carlea’s too..
Carnival 2009
January 30, 2009
I have been to quite a few Carnivals in the past years. Antigua Carnival was always a favorite. It’s a week long event with J’Ouvert Morning being the climax. The Burning Flames were always a favorite act to follow at Jam Pond and during Carnival. I saw Carnival in St. Kitts and Sint Maarten as well. Never did I experience the big one in Trinidad. Someday. I have been to Carnival a few times here in Bonaire. It’s a small local event but colorful and fun filled just the same. Typically the earlier parades start mid day. The final parade is at night finishing with the burning of the Carnival King, Momo (a stuffed character). Dress with fun in mind but wear comfy shoes if you follow the parade. There is plenty to drink in town and some restaurants are open serving food. It all starts this year Feb. 14:
Feb. 14 Kids Parade in Rincon
Feb. 15 Kids Parade in Kralendijk
Feb. 21 Adult Parade in Rincon
Feb. 22 Carnival Parade in Kralendijk
Feb. 25 Farewell Parade in Kralendijk
Bonaire Snorkeling
January 13, 2009
Bonaire, best known for being “Diver’s Paradise”, happens to offer a myriad of shore snorkeling options. I would guess there are over 40 snorkel sites right off the road. The sites, marked with yellow rocks are managed by our amazing park authority, STINAPA. I happen to have a few favorite sites to share. A few meters past the Invisibles rock (past Cargill Salt) is an easy entry access that offers great snorkeling. Here you may see a spotted eagle ray and many juvenile fish. Post Omar (Oct.) the entry is mostly rubble but I went in the other day with bare feet. Another great spot is Tori’s Reef. Park at Pink Beach and drift/snorkel north towards Tori’s at the bridge. It’s an undersea garden of delightful corals and fish. It’s an easy walk back to Pink Beach or snorkel back.
My favorite Northern site, Andrea I was hit with Omar and I have not been back since but it’s got to be the nicest spot. I snorkel barefoot so the entry was a little tedious but the schools of blue Doctor Fish, the eels and the other sea creatures always thrilled me.
My favorite escape is to take the water taxi to Klein Bonaire. This quiet little island has great snorkeling and a pristine beach. This is where our turtles nest so tread carefully and look in the sea for a lovely mother swimming along. Go on the first taxi as the mid day sun is strong and there is little shade. Enjoy the day and leave only your footprints behind.
What is your favorite snorkel spot?
Welcome to My World
November 3, 2008
Come see Bonaire thru my senses. I will introduce you to the sights and sounds of our tranquil island. Learn some simple Papiamento phrases. Get a first hand look into the climate and culture of this diverse island. I will share my tips on where to dive and dine. Learn about the famous Team Bonaire, a group of professional windsurfers who have changed the landscape of the windsurf world. Bon Bini!
