kralendijk

Annual Events on Bonaire: Swim To Klein Bonaire

Marjorie Keith Bonaire , , , ,
swim to klein bonaire

Annual Events on Bonaire: Swim to Klein Bonaire

Planning on coming to Bonaire this fall? Want to participate in a fun local event, do some sightseeing and get some exercise at the same time? Try the Swim to Klein Bonaire! Swim from the closest point on the main island to the small uninhabited island of Klein Bonaire. This is one of Bonaire’s most fun and iconic annual events and of course everyone is invited. 

Proceeds from the event go to benefit Jong Bonaire, the local, very active, youth foundation. The Jong Bonaire youth development program provides young people on Bonaire the chance to learn new skills, find potential career paths and receive guidance from professional youth leaders — all while having fun. For instance, Jong Bonaire organizes hundreds of activities for kids including everything from educational events to table tennis to musical instruments to beach clean-ups. Because the foundation organizes events for all the youth and sometimes adults of Bonaire every youth on the island has likely been touched by the organization in one way or another. So check out their website for info on making donations and for upcoming events.

Annual Swim to Klein Bonaire Logistics

  • Location: Spice / Eden Beach Resort , north of downtown Kralendijk
  • Date: each year this event kicks off Regatta Week. It’s usually the first or second Saturday in October. Check this space for updates on next year’s race
  • Time: the race is typically at 9am. Look for updates on Facebook for Jong Bonaire Swim to Klein Bonaire for 2020 regarding the race this October.
  • Who can participate: Everyone is invited and everyone can do it. Kids from age 3 to adults to age 93 have participated. The race attracts about 500 participants yearly.
  • Cost: The price last year was $15/ adult and $10/child and includes T-shirt, lunch and a drink! Price may vary from year to year.
  • What to bring: you can use floats, you can use goggles, you can wear a wetsuit. A fun swim, with no need to be competitive
  • Who organizes this event? Jong Bonaire, a not for profit youth foundation, organizes the Swim to Klein Bonaire each year at the beginning of October.
  • For additional information, call Jong Bonaire at 717-4304

What to expect

This physical and social event brings together families and individuals of all ages, with tourists swimming next to local residents and young and old alike swimming side by side. All this supports the children of Jong Bonaire and consequently the children of Bonaire itself. If you don’t want to swim come and cheer from the shore and enjoy the festivities at Spice Beach Club.

The Swim to Klein Bonaire is not a race, but a fun swim although there is a competitive element at the top end. For those who do not wish to swim back, there are many, many boats available to pick up swimmers and return them back to the shoreline. Participants can use fins, masks, or even flotation devices. Tens of Rescue boats, canoes, kayaks, etc. line the entire route so if you feel tired you can hop in and end your swim early. No judgement! Lots of swimmers just go for a short distance and hop into a boat.

Those who wish to save time in the early morning of the swim should purchase their ticket in advance, but all participants must be on the beach by the start of the race.

Everyone is welcome.

The annual Swim to Klein Bonaire is a super fun event for tourists and locals alike. Participants in the swim to Klein Bonaire are all ages, shapes and sizes. Swimmers can bring goggles, mask, snorkel, fins, floats, wetsuit – in short whatever makes you comfortable. Swimmers depart from Spice Beach Club at 9am and swim out to meet The Woodwind Snorkel Sail Trimaran.

What? well, almost swim to Klein Bonaire

Although it’s called the “swim to Klein Bonaire” swimmers do not actually set foot on the small island of Klein Bonaire. Instead the end point of the race is the Woodwind Snorkel Sail. At the woodwind you check in with your name and make the decision to swim back or get a lift. Lining the entire route from Spice to the Woodwind (and back) are volunteer rescue boats. Any swimmer too tired to continue is simply picked up by a rescue boat and taken back to Spice Beach. Swimmers can choose to end their swim at The Woodwind or turn around and swim back to Spice Beach. Generally speaking the swim TO Klein Bonaire is an easier swim than the swim BACK to the main island of Bonaire due to the direction of the wind and waves. If there’s a wind reversal, an unusual event, the swim to Klein Bonaire will be more difficult and the swim back would be easier. The total distance of .5 miles is do-able for most everyone so give it a try!

 

Places to Eat on the Beach: Jibe City Hangout Bar

Marjorie Keith Bonaire , , , , ,
lunch at jibe city bonaire

the hangout bar at jibe city where to eat lunch in Bonaire  red snapper and pita jibe at jibe city

best places to eat lunch on the beach  jibe city hangout bar pina colada and beer

Places to eat on the Beach:

Looking for the best places to eat on the beach? Seven days a week at Jibe City Hangout Beach Bar dine on sandwiches, salads, fresh fish, ribs and more. If you are on Bonaire to windsurf this is your home restaurant! Divers tend to discover this place on their last, non-diving day. The good news is that if they weren’t already planning a return visit this little excursion will likely seal the deal.

The relaxed atmosphere, good food and friendly service at Jibe City Hangout Bar make it a great spot to unwind after a tough day on the water. But what makes it spectacular is the waterfront location. Just look at where that hamburger is located in the photo above! So close it may fall right in.

Hangout bar hours of operation:

Get to Jibe City as early as 8am for a nice cappuccino or coffee served with a gingerbread cookie or stay for lunch. The hangout bar is open until 7pm daily and 11pm on Thursdays and Fridays. Thursdays make a reservation for their famous Table BBQ night where you grill your own dinner right at your own BBQ on your dinner table! Special tarps cover the restaurant when wind would make this event into a fire hazard! Friday nights Tapas are served until 11pm.

What to eat:

On a windy day like the one pictured below we suggest avoiding the salads  on the menu. Not because we don’t like them – but because eating a salad in this much wind doesn’t work so well. We suggest burgers, chicken sate, or the smoked salmon sandwich served with capers and onions on your choice of white or whole wheat fresh soft baguette. Our overall favorite is the “Pita Jibe,” a pita chicken wrap served with a basil pesto, tomato and cheese with chips on the side. I tried the Pita Jibe on my first visit to Bonaire in 2003 and it’s still a favorite 16 years later. The special on the day I took these shots was the garden salad with crispy fried red snapper and a mango dressing – pictured above. Delicious!

Places to drink on the beach?!

You cannot get closer to the water. And as an added bonus you get to watch some of the best windsurfers in the world race right by you as you sit back and enjoy every minute.

If you get a tropical drink any time of your life, do it now! A traditional beer after windsurfing with friends – your choice of Heinkeken, Amstel, Amstel Bright (extra alcohol), Corona, or the Curacao based Polar. Brewery craft beer has not hit Jibe City quite yet so if you don’t like the old school beers try my personal favorite tropical drink a pina colada. Jibe City also makes a great mojito. Bon appetit and cheers!

 

What are The Best Beaches on Bonaire: Thousand Steps

Marjorie Keith Bonaire , , , , ,
must see beaches of bonaire - thousand steps

One of the best beaches on Bonaire: Thousand Steps

Put Thousand Steps Bonaire on your list of must see beaches for your next trip to the island. 1000 Steps entrance is at the top of a long staircase. Not exactly one thousand steps high so don’t let the name intimidate you!

Getting there

To get to Thousand Steps, drive North through Kralendijk, turning to the right past Caribbean Club Bonaire and continuing along the Queen’s Highway. Although it’s called a highway, it’s actually a narrow, oceanside road with two way traffic. In my opinion the Queen’s Highway is the most scenic road on Bonaire. Come back to the Queen’s Highway for a scenic walk or run if you enjoy this drive.

What to bring

Bring snorkel gear – mask, fins, rash guard, bathing suit, towels, sunglasses and sunscreen.

There is no place to sit and no facilities at Thousand Steps. Bring a folding beach chair if you plan to stay a while or want to get comfortable outside of the water. Snacks and water can’t hurt either. At breezybonaire we provide a cooler, cool pack and folding beach chairs for  these off-the-beaten-path beach excursions.

There is no shade at all at this beach so bring sunglasses, hat and if you have access to it bring a beach umbrella. Expect hot, sunny weather and not too much breeze.

Tips:

When I visit Thousand Steps it’s usually for a short snorkel and some sightseeing. I don’t tend to stay too long because of the lack of shade. It’s a great place to check out the coral on the beach. I’ve often found hermit crabs with my kids, sometimes by the hundreds if you know where to look. There are some cave-like areas and lots of exploring to be had for children. When along the Queen’s highway stop off at the lesser known Jeff Davis Dive site, Tolo and Weber’s Joy as well.

 

The Lazy Tourist’s Guide to Shopping for Gifts on Bonaire

Marjorie Keith accommodation, accommodation, Bonaire, Kralendijk, thingstodo, travel, vacation rental, vacation rental bonaire , , , , , , , , , , , ,
bonaire gourmet sea salt

photos sold at the grocery store with island scenes        tekibon liquor made on bonaire   van den tweel shopping bags make great gifts       souvenir bonaire photo mugs

 The lazy tourist’s Guide to Shopping for Gifts on Bonaire

Lazy, eh? Don’t get me wrong. I love shopping but I don’t particularly love shopping for gifts on Bonaire nor do I want to spend my vacation doing so. Get me out of the gift shops and out/in/on/around the Caribbean SEA! But… someone is feeding the fish, someone’s getting my mail… I may even have left a child or two back home. They’re going to need something to ease my guilty mind and tanned body… So here we go with the lazy tourist’s guide to shopping for gifts on Bonaire.

Van Den Tweel Supermarket for easy gift shopping on Bonaire

Of course when on Bonaire I always make a trip or two to the grocery store to load up for the week (or the month…) Conveniently nowadays the grocery store IS the lazy tourist’s gift shop. The folks back home will never know.

I snapped the pictures in this post at Van Den Tweel supermarket located on Kaya Industria about a mile or so from my apartment at breezybonaire. Choose from mugs embossed with glossy Bonaire Scenery, liqueurs – TikiBon Brand, or beer – Bonaire Blond brand, made and bottled right here on Bonaire. Other options include postcards, calendars with colorful Bonaire art and photography, a pretty good variety of local sea salt of both the edible and the spa treatment variety. Scenic photographs ranging from postcard size to just barely fitting in your suitcase also make great gifts or better yet, souvenirs of your trip. For friends that have actually been to Bonaire before some grocery bags with Bonaire scenery will remind them of their own visits to the island.

Food products to bring back from Bonaire as gifts

You can also get more creative by touring around the supermarket and looking for Dutch or Bonairian food specialties to bring home. When I’m on Bonaire I usually come back to the US with at least 8 or 10 packs of stroopwafels (A type of waffle cookie filled with caramel often served heated up). Unfortunately those are becoming more common in the US and as such, slightly less interesting as a gift idea. Still they are inexpensive, pack easily in your suitcase and pretty much a delight to anyone receiving them. As an aside – if you buy them before getting on the plane, store them in the refrigerator until time to pack up and go home.

To be honest, although simple, easy and yes – lazy, these ideas appeal to me more than t-shirts or little trinkets. If this isn’t your cup of tea there are a large variety of gift shops on Kaya Grandi, the main road in downtown Kralendijk. You’ll find t-shirts, key chains and Bonaire mugs. Try to avoid downtown when a cruise ship is in port.

Where to eat lunch on the Beach in Bonaire: Spice Beach

Marjorie Keith Bonaire , , , , , , ,
lunch on the beach at spice

lunch on the beach at spice beach club  dinner at spice beach club bonaire

At Spice Beach Club lunch is served here: right on the beach (left) and breakfast and dinner are served in the covered restaurant on the right.

Where to eat lunch on the beach in Bonaire

When visiting the island for a week you want to find that perfect combination of beach vibe, good food and view. Maybe you noticed from my previous blog posts, but I’m always after that relaxing turquoise view. I search for great places to relax and have a meal right on the water.

I like Spice Beach Club especially for lunch as you can dine with your feet in the sand and your eyes on the water. The food is decent – the atmosphere relaxed. And best of all you lunch barefoot in the sand with turquoise water views.

What to eat

On our last visit we tried the catch of the day, mahi-mahi, pictured above. It comes with fries and a small salad. Spice chefs serve up a simple, fresh and filling meal – not fancy but just right. If not more than right at $14.75 for fresh fish, ocean view and feet in the sand. I also recommend chicken Sate –  a good choice for picky kids and adults alike. On the day we lunched at Spice the special was a big slice of meat Lasagna, another crowd pleaser again at $14.75.

What not to eat:

Try the “Dutch treats” if you’ve never tried them – bitterballen, krokets, frikandel and other fried, crunchy and sometimes slimy goodies comprise these so-called treats. We are not huge fans if you didn’t gather from the use of the word slimy.  But frikandel, a fried sausage made from chicken, pork and beef, bitterballen, breaded balls of meat and stew, krokets, a fried cylinder shaped snack filled with ragout and described by google as containing “strands” of meat are well known Dutch comfort foods. These and other Dutch treats are a sort of tradition in the way Americans traditions include peanut butter and Australian traditions include Vegemite. The Dutch comfort themselves with these little balls of fried meat and goo. Have I convinced you to try them yet?

Restaurant Hours:

  • Breakfast in the dining area 8-11am
  • Lunch at the beach hut 11am-6pm
  • Dinner in the dining area 6pm-10pm
  • happy hour every day – call for hours
  • live music friday nights
  • beach bbq Friday nights

The Spice Beach Hut is open in the evenings for happy hour and has live music and other entertainment on Friday nights as well as a special BBQ night on Friday evenings.

What else to do at Spice

Bring your bathing suit, mask and flippers. Jump in the sea after lunch and go for a snorkel. Beach chairs and cabanas are available for rent. It can be crowded on the beach and we actually prefer more isolated spots but this is a kid friendly way to pass some time and not a bad place to park your family for a day of relaxation on Bonaire.

What to do on Bonaire: Land Sailing

Marjorie Keith accommodation, accomodation, Bonaire, landsailing, off-the-beaten-path, off-the-beaten-path, sailing, thingstodo, travel, vacation rental, windsurfing , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
land sailing Bonaire blo karts

Land Sailing Bonaire: An outstanding windy adventure

As an experienced windsurfer I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about land sailing. My thoughts were – why, why, why? If you fall off your board while windsurfing on Bonaire you fall into some turquoise pool like water – or as my family calls the color,”Lac Bay.” At worst you’ll swallow some salt water and maybe a little pride. If you fall off of your “Blokart” while land sailing you hit dirt, earth, cactus, rock, rock and more rock. I was scared.

So why risk it on wheels? And if windsurfing is as challenging as it is then how could one possibly get this right and not get hurt?

How to Land Sail?

Well, it turns out that land sailing is a lot like going go-carting. Anyone can do it. On Bonaire Land Sailing’s website they advertise it as “fun, fast, safe and easy!” Control of the sail is a lot like control of a gas pedal. A handlebar shaped wheel steers the blokart, unlike a windsurf board where you have to steer using sail technique. And then a pulley controls your speed. The more you pull, the more wind you expose to your sail and the faster you go. The wind on Bonaire blows steadily in more or less the same direction and the land sailing course is designed with this in mind.

You speed around the same track over and over and you always have wind in your sail – you just control the amount by pulling on a rope. Some real life human help (with a smile) awaits you at the sharpest turn where power goes out of your sail and you may need help getting moving again or making it around that one tough turn. The wimpier you are – uh…me… the more help you need because you’ll slow waaaay down for the sharp right and need help to speed up again.

The people running the show are fun, friendly and laid back. You’ll get a good explanation of what to do, how to sail, how to start and stop and what not to do prior to starting to sail. The lesson lasts about 10 minutes. Everyone gets a helmet, seatbelts and gloves to keep a good grip on things.

What can go right and what can go wrong…

My daughter, age 10, got distracted at one point and managed to go straight over the middle of the course, over all that rock and earth I was just mentioning.  I am not sure the people working there even noticed. I also had a bit of a hard time at the end of my course and sort of crashed… It hurt.  I’d counted on my windsurf expertise but instead I think my fears got the most of me. Despite the crashes and burns it was an exhilarating ride and we WILL be back.

The kids loved it. This makes the list of kid-friendly Bonaire activities and will certainly win you some points with yours. You do need some wind and it can’t hurt to make reservations in advance.  When we were there we only saw 8 blokarts, making reservations all the more meaningful.  Fun, fast, safe, easy… well, for some of us.  Some went fast, some stayed safe, some found it easy and we absolutely all had fun!

child land sailing on the course at bonaire blokart
A land sailor coming around the bend on a blokart on Bonaire’s East Coast
anyone can try land sailing on bonaire
Catching some wind land sailing on Bonaire

Details, details…

  • Location: Road to Rincon beside Arawak Center on the East Coast of Bonaire
  • Hours: Open Monday to Friday from 1 – 5pm and weekends and holidays or by appointment starting at 9am
  • Reservations are encouraged but you can drop in M-F 1-5pm
  • Number to call for reservations +599-786-1572
  • price $30 for 30 minutes, $50 for an hour and $60 if you need a ride from your accommodation on Bonaire, $350 for the entire track if you are hosting a special event or have a large group

Where to eat on Bonaire: We LOVE Kite City Food Truck

Marjorie Keith Bonaire , , , , , , , , , , ,
best lunch on bonaire at kite city food truck
sashimi on the beach kite city bonaire
Sashimi Platter at Kite City Food Truck! Sashimi on the beach!
ordering at kite city food truck bonaire
Step up to order! The truck is located at Te Amo Beach
kite city food truck parked at te amp beach bonaire
You can see the Kite City food truck from the road right in front of the airport. Hours are 11am – 4pm daily

We LOVE this place and here is why:

  • they love their customers back
  • freshest of fresh food
  • right on the beach
  • you can have their sangria, beer, soda or bring your own! (we supply a cooler in the apartment you are staying in so you can byob or bring your own drinks and snacks)
  • the barracuda wrap!
  • the sashimi!
  • the fresh tuna burger!
  • did we say fresh? did we tell you how they always recognize you when you come back?
  • This is real, oceanfront, open-air dining at ridiculously reasonable prices with the best view and friendly faces
  • food is served on a ceramic plate – not on styrofoam or cardboard

The kite city food truck always comes highly recommended – just look at their reviews online. You pretty much cannot go wrong. Super friendly service, crazy fresh fish, reasonable prices and right on the beach.

The kite city food truck parks at Te Amo beach across from the airport. Opening hours are for lunch only – 11am-4pm every day. They are responsive to Facebook messages so if you have any doubt about hours or want to plan a special event you can get in touch with them easily. They do catering for small to medium size events including weddings and for large groups staying in villas.

Tips for visiting Kite City:

  • Kite City places  a couple small bar tables in front of their truck. For more seating or if you want to sit on the beach to eat, bring chairs from your vacation rental
  • Bring your own bottle of wine or beer. At breezybonaire apartments we offer our guests beach chairs,  a cooler, cold packs and acrylic wine glasses that you can bring to the beach
  • Bring a side dish or order a sashimi appetizer. Sandwiches are served either alone or with a few potato chips
  • Get there early for the best selection
  • Bring Cash; credit cards are not accepted. There is an ATM machine at the airport right across the street.
  • Bring your snorkel gear – this is a GREAT place to go for a snorkel and swim after lunch

Should I visit Bonaire during Hurricane Season?

Marjorie Keith Bonaire , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
visit bonaire in hurricane season for this weather

Should I visit Bonaire during hurricane season?

September? May? What is the best time of the year to come? A frequent question from new Bonaire visitors regards vacationing on Bonaire in hurricane season. Bonaire, along with Aruba and Curacao are considered to be relatively free from hurricanes during Atlantic hurricane season which runs from May to November.  Yes, we will experience some rain and yes, there will be some puddles to walk through, but we snapped this photo in November 2019,  during the low (hurricane, rainy) season. Rainy season does not mean that it actually rains all day. Bonaire experiences typically sunny weather with occasional rain in very short bursts during rainy season. In the windier months there may be more cloud cover as well.

Pros of traveling to Bonaire in the low season:

  • fewer tourists and crowds, fewer cars on the road than in winter (high season) months
  • cheaper plane tickets than in high season
  • cheaper car rental and low season prices in most rentals and hotels
  • much less worry about bad weather than in other Caribbean destinations

Cons of traveling to Bonaire in the low season:

  • this is the warmest time of the year on Bonaire. September is considered the warmest month
  • more chance of rain but expect heavy, isolated downpours occasionally combined with a lot of sunshine for most of the day
  • more mosquitos (stay in a place with mosquito screens!)
  • fewer flight options; many airlines servicing Bonaire cut down the number of flights. For example Delta Airlines offers service from Atlanta on Saturdays and Sundays throughout most of the year but only on Saturdays in the fall months.
  • winter months are often considered more ideal because tourists are escaping the harsh winter months back home. This makes winter more desirable for those of us that don’t live in Florida, Texas or the like – but travel costs also go up in the winter along with the crowds

Activities and things to do, restaurants and nightlife are more or less the same in high, medium and low season.

Fun events take place throughout low season to keep things interesting. The annual Bonaire Regatta takes place in October. The annual swim to Klein Bonaire is a fun event for all ages that takes place in early October. There are usually major windsurf races in June, classes for Divers, courses to learn to kite surf, etc.  And of course you can dive, snorkel, sail, sunfish, kayak and explore Bonaire 365 days of the year. Should I visit Bonaire during hurricane season. YES absolutely!

What’s on Bonaire? Guided Sunset Hike Bonaire – in the National Park

Marjorie Keith Bonaire , , , , , , , , , , , ,
sunset hike in the national park bonaire - trailhead sign

Hike to the Top of Bonaire after hours – Sunset Hike Bonaire

What: Climb during daylight and watch the sun set from the top of Mount Brandaris, the highest peak on Bonaire.

When:  Sunset, Sunday November 4 from 4pm to 7pm. A guided hike to experience the sunset from Bonaire’s highest peak. 

Where: Meet at the entrance to Washington Slagbaai National Park before 4pm.

Why: You get a rare opportunity to be in the park after it closes and get to witness the sunset from Bonaire’s highest peak. Normal park hours have you at back at the main entrance by 4pm but in this instance 4pm marks the START of your adventure in Washington Slagbaai National Park.

How much: Admission price $10 for all pre-registered sunset hikers. 

Who: The Sunset Hike Bonaire is presented by STINAPA Bonaire (the national park association of Bonaire). There is space for 20 participants. Call +599 717-8444 to reserve your spot. Registration is required for participation. In addition participants must arrange their own transportion to and within the park. You will be back at the park entrance at 7pm.

What else: This is an uphill climb on rocky terrain and some of it in the dark. You need to be in good shape and, have a light and have shoes appropriate for hiking.

What to bring: Water, snack, flashlight, hiking shoes. Keep in mind that part of the descent will be after sundown so it’s important to have a working flashlight. 

Have fun!

Did you miss this event?

If you weren’t on the island November 4th, you can do this hike on your own during daylight hours:  Information about hiking Mt. Brandaris

Watch for future full moon or day time guided walks, hikes, birdwatching events on Stinapa’s website.

Lazy Sunday Music and Lunch at Lac Cai Bonaire

Marjorie Keith Bonaire , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
catch of the day at Lac Cai

Lac Cai Bonaire

Sunday lunch, or brunch at Lac Cai should not be missed if you are looking for real local food and a real local experience.

Lac Cai, a nature reserve with a large mangrove forest, white sand beaches, a small scale restaurant/bar finds itself pretty far from most tourist itineraries. So lunch at Lac Cai is a secret for those in the know.

Conch shell hills:

If you are familiar with Sorobon Beach and Lac Bay, you may have noticed l a couple small hills on the inlet in the distance. Those hills consist entirely of conch shells discarded by fishermen at a time when hunting conch was still legal on the island. The hills of shells now serve as a reminder of those times.

Off-the-beaten-path Bonaire

Lac Cai is definitely off-the-beaten-path. Although visible from Jibe City and Windsurf Place it can really only be accessed by a long, windy dirt road; or by windsurf board and sail! You will need a vehicle that can withstand the bumps to get you there along the long dirt road, but it will be worth it, especially if you go on a Sunday at lunch. You can go any day of the week to just relax in unspoiled surroundings but on Sundays with the locals, music and fresh fish prove the most entertaining.

Lunch and Music at Lac Cai Bonaire

The small restaurant at Lac Cai serves lunch every day of the week except Mondays. Live Bonairian music and entertainment takes place most Sundays.

Get away from it all!

A great place for an isolated beach day, Lac Cai boasts great snorkeling, swimming, and definitely some bird watching. Sunday’s you won’t get much privacy but other days of the week you may find yourself all alone. The perfect place for some serious “getting away from it all.”

Lac Cai Tips

Bring everything you would need for a beach day – snorkel gear, rash guards, water, beach chairs, etc. And bring your appetite. Oh and cash. If it’s not a Sunday we don’t guarantee finding the restaurant open but according to their website they serve food six days a week. On Bonaire you never know. So bring food if you want to be absolutely sure. A cooler, cool pack and acrylic wine glasses are located in your apartment if you are staying with us at breezybonaire apartments.

Getting to Lac Cai

Check google maps for “Lac Bay Bar” to get to Lac Cai. Lac Cai is at the end of a long, windy, bumpy dirt road located off of Kaminda Sorobon. You can’t really mess it up – only one road leads to Lac Cai.

Pictured above is the fresh catch of the day with pumpkin, plantains and yucca -it was $11 in August 2018. And pictured below that are some fishing boats and kayaks at Lac Cai during the same Sunday Brunch in August 2018.

Have a very lazy Sunday and enjoy your lunch!

 

What’s on Bonaire? A Taste of Bonaire Monthly Event

Marjorie Keith Bonaire , , , , , , , , , ,
A taste of Bonaire

Meet the locals: What’s on Bonaire? A Taste of Bonaire Monthly Event

A Taste of Bonaire is your chance to sample local food specialties, taste the signature dishes of your favorite Bonaire restaurants at reduced prices, check out some handicrafts and artwork, listen and dance to local music played live on stage and get a taste of not just Bonairian food but also Bonairian culture. What a fun place to people watch and also get a taste of life and living on Bonaire. ATOB, a popular event with people living on Bonaire as well as with tourists takes place the first Saturday of the month about six times per year.

What goes on at Taste of Bonaire

Peruse the booths set up in the park for food and gift vendors and relax at tables and chairs set up for visitors. Vendors serve food in disposable carry-out containers or paper plates. A band plays on the round concrete stage, a fixture of Wilhelmina Park. Event organizers sometimes give short speeches. ATOB, a casual, social event, takes place approximately one time every two months. Since the event takes place irregularly, check their Facebook page for upcoming dates. As of this writing the next edition of ATOB is scheduled for August 4th from 6-11pm and then September 2nd 6-11pm. The September 2nd Edition will be honoring Bonaire Flag Day and is the Dance Edition. Look for a different theme each month. For example, past events include the Recycle edition, the carnival edition, talent edition, tourist edition and more.

Check out this video of someone enjoying herself and tasting local food at the ATOB event:

Details about the monthly event

  • Where: Wilhelmina Park in Downtown Kralendijk in front of Cuba Compagnie Restaurant on the water side
  • When: The first Saturday of each month except December
  • When Exactly: 6pm – 11pm
  • What to bring: Cash and an open mind to try new flavors!

Bon Appetit!

Dunkerbeck Pro Center

Marjorie Keith Bonaire , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
dunkerbeck pro center

Dunkerbeck Pro Center – the new windsurf school on Lac Bay. What’s it all about?

For years only two windsurf schools and places to rent gear on Bonaire existed: Enter Dunkerbeck Pro Center!

Sorobon Beach Resort, the only hotel on Lac Bay, is now home to a small scale windsurf school and rental shop. The other two windsurf shops on Bonaire,Jibe City and Bonaire Windsurf Place, are direct competitors and next door neighbors right on Lac Bay.

What’s on offer at the new pro center

Dunkerbeck Pro Center, founded by Bjorn Dunkerbeck and Phillipe Bru, well known professional windsurfers will host many upcoming annual windsurf events. These two founded the 1000+ racer DefiWind in France. In 2016 they brought the DefiWind to Bonaire and in 2018 they opened the Dunkerbeck Pro Center at Sorobon Beach Resort. The shop, located right next door to Jibe City and directly on Lac Bay with a large stretch of beach front offers high end gear rental and lessons. The Pro Center offers gear rental mainly for slalom sailors as well as windsurf lessons for all levels, beginner through professional. You can also rent foil boards and learn windsurf foil with the pros. On days when the wind isn’t blowing too hard, rent a stand up paddle board or SUP or give wind foiling a try.

It costs a bit more but…

Dunkerbeck Pro Center, set up mainly for guests of Sorobon Beach Resort is also open to the general public. Expect higher rates than Jibe City and Windsurf Place and add on an extra 20% if you aren’t a guest of Sorobon Beach Resort. The price is a disadvantage but the gear is new. The shop prides itself on quality equipment and service and they open a half hour earlier and close a half hour later than their only two competitors. The wind, traditionally strongest in morning and evening means the extra hour added on to the day could outweigh the price as a deciding factor for serious windsurfers. Plus Tonky Frans works there. Get your equipment rigged and lessons taught by a windsurf legend.

Lessons at the new Pro Center

Lessons at Dunkerbeck pro center make use of headsets and microphones so that the windsurf instructor can communicate directly with you while you sail and learn. This is a big advantage to your windsurf instructor yelling directions to you in the wind and can make for a better learning experience.

Foiling has come to Bonaire. You can rent foil gear and get lessons now!

The following video has great drone footage of Phillipe Bru windsurfing on Bonaire and some great foiling shots. Foiling is becoming more and more popular all over the world and was almost completely unheard of just five years ago.  It’s possible to plane on foil gear in lower winds than with a normal board. Foil lessons (wind foil lessons) offered at Dunkerbeck Pro Center offer a unique opportunity to learn and master this growing new area of the sport – wind foiling! As a precaution you can only use foil gear once the instructors are convinced that you know what you are doing!

Gear rental:

Entry level gear starts at $60/day
Mid level gear starts at $85/day and
Professional level gear is $100/day

Lessons:$50 for beginner including gear, $105 for private lesson including gear rental, $150 for two person semi-private lesson including gear.

Foiling lesson with gear $165; 1 hour foil rental $125, 2 hour foil rental $150, 4 hour foil rental $200

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