What’s On: Bonaire Christmas Shopping Night

Bonaire Christmas shopping night

Bonaire Christmas Shopping Night

Get together with friends and family for a fun night of shopping and live music on Kaya Grandi. On Saturday December 21st the annual Bonaire Christmas Shopping Night takes place. The street will be closed to cars so that everyone can enjoy traffic free streets while they shop.

  • Date: Saturday December 21st
  • Time: Shopping 6-9pm on Kaya Grandi. Live music and entertainment 8-11pm in Wilhelmina Park, Pictures with Santa Claus 6-9pm
  • Location: Kaya Grandi and Wilhelmina Park in the center of Kralendijk
  • Organizers: TCB Tourism Corporation Bonaire and SKAL
  • Tourists and locals will be there. Santa Claus too!
Watch for stands selling delicious traditional Christmas food including ayaka and oliebollen. Additionally expect to find arts and crafts and gifts from Marshe di Playa and Bonaire Art and Crafts Association.

At 7pm the “elderly parade” marches through Kaya Grandi. After that line up to take pictures with Santa Claus. He visits Wilhelmina Park between 6 and 9pm.

After you finish your Christmas shopping night come gather at Wilhelmina Park for the Fiesta di Bari starting at 8pm.

Tourism Corporation Bonaire invites all locals and visitors to come enjoy this event and celebrate this festive time of year.

 

Wine Tasting on Bonaire; Antillean Wine Company and Wine & Paint Night

Wine tasting on Bonaire

Weekly and monthly Wine tasting events on Bonaire

Wine tasting on Bonaire, what a wonderful way to meet the locals! In addition to beaches, diving and windsurfing we find it so much fun to see what people living on Bonaire are up to in the evenings. These events are for everyone, tourists and locals.

Two recurring events not to miss if you are on the island the second Saturday of the month at Antillean Wine Company or each week Wednesday at Eddy’s Bar

Antillean Wine Company
  • The next wine tasting takes place Saturday December 14th 2019 7-9pm
  • and then 7pm – 9pm every second Saturday the month

Every second Saturday of the month locals and tourists meet up at an unexpected little wine tasting event. Unexpected because it takes place in a self storage facility. Antillean Wine Company (AWC) located across the street from Warehouse Bonaire Supermarket at Kaya Industria 23, literally in a self storage facility and literally on a street called Industrial Street – hosts this cheerful monthly meet-up. Other unexpected things about this wine company in a storage facility is that they have more or less the widest selection of imported wines anywhere on the island and they also sell refrigerators, lamps, rugs and Ikea products.

For $15 you get three glasses of white wine and three glasses of red wine. And you get some lively conversation to go along with it! This event can be quite popular so get there early to claim your seat. Because of the popularity of this event the hosts recommend bringing your own chairs.

Wine and Paint Night with Studio Sauvignon at Eddy’s Bar

For something with a little more going on than just wine, try combining wine and art! Get your creative juices flowing at Wine and Paint Night with Studio Sauvignon at Eddy’s Bar

You’ll find Eddy’s north of Kralendijk near Sand Dollar Resort. Make your reservation now!

  • The next Wine and paint night takes place Wednesday, November 27th 7-9pm
  • Dec 4th 7-9pm
  • Dec 11th 7-9pm
  • December 18th 7-9pm
  • December 25th (we are not sure if this is correct but it’s listed on their calendar.)

Studio Sauvignon will give you step by step guided painting lessons no matter what your level. Group lessons at Eddy’s also include two glasses of wine. Pick your favorite and fill your glass before sitting down at your canvas to get painting.

The cost is $39 including painting lesson, all materials and two glasses of wine.

To reserve your canvas contact Studio Sauvignon on their website. Limited spaces available. Studio Sauvignon also offers private paint lessons at birthday parties, fundraisers, get-togethers, company parties, reunions, kid’s parties and any other celebration you have in mind. Contact them for details.

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

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

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

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

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: Washington Slagbaai National Park Full Moon Walk

washington slagbaai national park

STINAPA Bonaire is hosting a Washington Slagbaai National Park full moon walk next Friday.

This event is open to anyone up for an adventurous hike under the stars. The walk is along the Lagadishi trail which brings you to a limestone plateau with a vista over the island. Expect to see plenty of plants and animals including iguanas and flamingos as well as scenery such as blow holes, mangroves, beaches, sand dunes and a salt pan. Bring water, be ready for some adventure and watch out for cacti!

Stinapa Bonaire

STINAPA Bonaire stands for Stichting Nationale Parken Bonaire, a non-governmental, not for profit foundation commissioned by the island government to manage the two protected areas of Bonaire: the Bonaire National Marine Park meaning all waters surrounding Bonaire and Klein Bonaire as well as the Washington Slagbaai National Park which is the uninhabited land north and west of Rincon.

Details of the Full Moon Walk

What: Washington Slagbaai National Park Full moon walk with STINAPA Bonaire
When: Friday July 27th 5pm – 8:30pm
Where: The Lagadishi Trail along the coast and back.
What to bring: Comfortable walking shoes and a flashlight for looking at the ground beneath your feet for safety. Water bottle and snacks.
How: Call 717-8444 to register. Space is limited to 25 participants. Cost is $10 per person. Meet at the entrance of Washington Slagbaai National Park.

Missed it?

Stinapa hosts other events from time to time in and around the island. If you missed the full moon walk check Stinapa’s website for a repeat and for other fun adventures with local guides.
Stinapa is also the association on Bonaire that sells Marine Park Tags. All visitors to Bonaire who plan to dive or in any way use the waters of Bonaire are responsible for purchasing a dive tag. They can now even be purchased online.

Dunkerbeck Pro Center

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

dunkerbeck pro center     dunkerbeck pro center                           dunkerbeck pro center     Dunkerbeck pro center

 

This week’s movies on Bonaire: Mamma Mia world premiere!

This week's movies on Bonaire

This week’s movies on Bonaire playing at outdoor movie theater Bonaire Empire Cinema

Watch the latest releases by the light of the moon and the stars. Bring your own chair or use the chairs provided by the movie theater. Who knew seeing a movie outdoors on Bonaire could be this much fun. Ice cold wine and beer along with popcorn, soft drinks and hot dogs are served. Additionally you can order Thai food in advance and have dinner with your movie. This week’s movie’s on Bonaire start with a blockbuster: Mamma Mia Here We Go Again!

The ADVANCE PREMIER OF Mamma Mia Here We Go Again! will be released this Wednesday at 7:30pm. Don’t miss it!

This much anticipated sequel to Mamma Mia, written and directed by Ol Parker can be seen here on Bonaire two days BEFORE it’s North American Premiere! Apparently everything on Bonaire is on Island time except the movies…

Here We Go Again is the sequel and also the prequel to the 2008 film Mamma Mia. It is scheduled to be released in North America and the UK on July 20, 2018. The release in July 2018 marks the 10 year anniversary of the original film released in July 2008.

Details:

Stars include Meryl Streep, Colin Firth, Christine Baranski, Pierce Brosnan and Cher.Advance Premiere of Mamma Mia – Here We Go Again!
Wednesday July 18th 7:30pm at Empire Cinema
Rated G
The movie runs 113 minutes and is in English with Dutch subtitles
Admission price $9

Also showing at Empire Cinema this week:

Skyscraper

Starring Dwayne Johnson and directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber
Rated PG13
Friday July 13th 7:30 and 9:30pm
Saturday July 14th 7:30 and 9:30pm
Sunday July 15th 7:30 and 9:30pm
Monday July 16th 9:30pm only
Tuesday July 17th 7:30 and 9:30pm
Wednesday July 18th 9:30pm only
The movie runs 103 minutes and is in English with Dutch subtitles
Admission price $11

Jurassic World

Directed by J.A. Bavona
rated PG13

Monday July 16th only
Special price admission for only $5. Last chance to see this movie at Empire!
The movie runs 124 minutes and is in English with Dutch subtitles
Admission price $5

See you at the movies!

this week's movies on Bonaire: mamma mia here we go again

 

The amazing Outdoor Movie Theater on Bonaire

movie theater bonaire

Why we love the outdoor movie theater Empire Cinema!

Empire Cinema Bonaire – an outdoor movie theater in paradise. Enjoy Thai dinner before the show and watch the very latest releases by the light of the stars and the moon.

In 2015 Empire Cinema (figuratively) opened it’s doors and Bonaire finally had a movie theater! I say figuratively because Empire is an outdoor cinema – technically I don’t think they have doors. This is SUCH an unexpectedly awesome place to see a movie and fun way to spend a quiet evening during your Bonaire vacation. It’s popular with locals and tourists alike. On breezy nights you will be cool and comfortable.

A little history:

A movie theater located next to what is now Top Supermarket in downtown Kralendijk existed in the early 2000’s – but the dilapidated building closed down due to disrepair sometime around 2007 or 2008. Islanders and tourists went without a movie theater for quite a few years. Yes – no movie theater in the days before Netflix, before streaming, before decent internet connections! The Plaza Resort held outdoor movie nights under the stars which somewhat filled the void and made for a fun evening but the sound and quality were unpredictable as were the movie choices and language of the films. Either the Plaza’s projector eventually broke or they just didn’t find it a useful part of their business so that too came to an end. Thus the opening of a reliable movie theater showing actual first release films on Bonaire marks a big occasion indeed.

Empire Cinema opened in 2015. They show first run movies in an outdoor setting under the stars. They even  occasionally release films that haven’t yet premiered in the US or Europe.

Can I reserve my seat?

This is the only movie theater you may ever go to where you actually have to pick up and put away your own (plastic) beach chair! Maybe that doesn’t sound too comfortable. But go there because it doesn’t matter if the chair is plastic or that you have to stack it up after the film is over… This place is breezy, refreshing and a great way to spend a quiet evening. Get there early to claim your spot. If going on a night when you expect a crowd it can’t hurt to have chairs packed in your car and ready in case the theater runs out. If you get there early and think you are in the “front row” don’t be surprised if another front row creeps up in front of you. But if it does, just relax. Island time after all…

All that said, their website does have an area to buy your ticket in advance. We are not sure sure it accepts payment, however. If in doubt drive over and advance purchase your tickets. The box office opens after 4pm.

How to get to Empire Cinema:

It’s not super easy to find and not well marked from the road. Coming from Caribbean Court or the Plaza Resort area, head north on the main road passing through downtown Kralendijk. Continue heading north until you pass the traffic circle at Kaya Amsterdam. A few hundred meters further on your right you will see MCB Bank and then Bon Bida Spa and Gym. Empire cinema is located just past MCB Bank on the right. Turn right into the Bon Bida parking lot just past MCB and continue straight along the narrow dirt road. You will see the small movie theater entrance on your right just up the road maybe 100 meters. The exact address is Kaya Katwijk 6, in the area of the island called Hato.

Popcorn…uh I mean Thai food and a movie…

In typical island style of combining things that normally wouldn’t be associated with one another, skip the popcorn and  have your movie with some authentic Thai food. Call in advance +599 7771122 to reserve your Thai meal. Dine in prior to or during the film. When dining in you’ll pick up not only your own plastic chair but your dining table as well. (If you don’t order in advance you’ll be eating popcorn and hot dogs like we usually do- so definitely make that phone call!) Here’s what’s on the menu:

Menu Odd Days:
  • Thai Burger  (200gram beef)  $ 12,-
  • Krai Jiao, nice filled Thai Omelett, steamed rice and salade  $ 12,-
  • Pad Lomiet, vegetarian meal, steamed rice and salade  $ 13,50
  • Pad Thai kai, noodles with vegetables and chicken breast $ 15,00
  • Pad Thai kung, noodles with vegetables and Shrimps  $ 17,00
Menu Even Days:
  • Thai Burger  (200gram beef)  $ 12,-
  • Pad a Pau, minced meat with vegetables, steamed rice and salade  $ 13.50
  • Pad kai, slices chicken breast slices with vegetables, steamed rice and salade  $ 15.00
  • kengkio-One, chicken breast slices with vegetables in curry with coconut milk, steamed rice and salade  $ 17.00
  • Keng-Paneng, chicken breast slices with vegetables & pineapple in curry with coconut milk, steamed rice and salade  $ 18.00

Movie tickets and showtimes:

Ticket prices range from $5 when there’s a special to $12. Expect to pay $11/person for most films.

Unexpectedly for Bonaire (where many things run on island time) the movies start right on time and there’s generally one preview and a couple simple billboard style ads on the screen. A movie that starts at 7:30 actually starts at 7:30, so be on time to Empire Theater and not on island time!

 

Bonaire Day or Bonaire Flag Day

bonaire flag

An annual tradition

Annual Bonaire Day, also known as Bonaire Flag Day takes place September 6th each year. In Papiamento, the local creole language, the day has yet another name, Dia di Boneiru. The celebration of this national holiday means most island stores and businesses close all day but scuba dive centers and windsurf shops never close. So don’t worry!

Flag day festivities include a ceremonial raising of the flag in the morning, speeches, a large neighborhood street party hosted in a different neighborhood represented on the Bonaire flag each year. And of course you will find myriad booths selling local food and drink.

About the Bonaire Flag

The six pointed red star on the Bonaire flag represents the original six villages of Bonaire: Rincon, Antriol, Nikiboko, North Salina, Playa (Kralendijk) and Tera Kora. All six villages today are thriving, bustling. neighborhoods and as such each year they take turns hosting the event. Bonaire Day is a day of national pride, celebration, music and fun.

The Bonaire flag with it’s white, yellow, red and blue colors looks beautiful against the Caribbean Sea. The colors and design of the flag have special meaning. The blue stands for the sea, of course! The yellow stands for – you guessed it, the sun! The white between the sea and the sun represents the sky. The red, white and blue honor the flag of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Bonaire, a municipality of the Kingdom of the Netherlands since 2010 falls under the Dutch flag as well as it’s own. The two other elements of the flag also have special meaning; the compass represents a population that comes from all over the world and the six pointed red star, the six villages.

You need your own Bonaire Flag!

Pick up your own Bonaire flag at Budget Marine. They sell high quality flags in a range of sizes – the photo below shows what’s currently on offer at Budget Marien. A flag of Bonaire makes a great souvenir and a way to show your pride and show off the symbol of your favorite Caribbean Island.

where to buy bonaire flag bonaire flag day