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Press Release

WHAT'S NEW IN BONAIRE
- Island News and Hotel Happenings -

Kralendijk, Bonaire - (January 2, 2002) - With so much to do in Bonaire from world class diving and snorkeling and kayaking to sunbathing and mountain biking, deciding how to spend your vacation is sure to be its own adventure. No matter what visitors chose to do while in Bonaire, all are sure to enjoy the Island's year round sunshine, diversity of activities, friendly people and laid back, relaxing atmosphere.  Here is some of the latest news from Bonaire.

All Around the Island
AIR JAMAICA - Effective March 3, 2002 Air Jamaica will change the days of operation of its three times weekly service from Montego Bay to Bonaire from Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday to Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

AMERICAN EAGLE - American Eagle, the regional affiliate of American Airlines, now flies six times a week from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Bonaire and three days a week from Aruba to Bonaire. The flights from San Juan to Bonaire operate southbound to Bonaire everyday except Monday and northbound everyday except Tuesday. Between Aruba and Bonaire American Eagle flies Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with three flights each day. 

BON BINI DIVERS - Bon Bini Divers now offers Express Check-In for their diving and snorkeling guests.  Guests visiting Bon Bini Divers can save time on check-in formalities by visiting the Bon Bini Divers website at www.bonbinidivers.com and clicking on the button for "Express Check-In" to be linked to a page where they can select the proper form and liability release for diving or snorkeling activities.  Just print out and bring the completed forms to the dive shop upon arrival to save time.

BONAIRE DIVE FESTIVAL -The 6th Annual Bonaire Dive Festival will take place June 15 - 22, 2002. Dive Festival activities include dives with local naturalists, product demos, photography workshops, fun evening seminars and parties, a photo contest and A Taste of Bonaire food festival. Dive Festival package prices begin at $696 per person (land-only) and can be booked through Caradonna Caribbean Tours

(1-800-328-2288), Caribbean Adventures (1-800-433-3483) and Maduro Dive Fanta-Seas (1-800-327-6709). 2002 Bonaire Dive Festival Host Hotels are Buddy Dive Resort, Captain Don's Habitat and Divi Flamingo Beach Resort.  For more information visit www.scubadiving.com/bonairefest.

FERRY SERVICE BETWEEN BONAIRE AND CURACAO - On November 1, 2001 ferry service was launched between Bonaire and Curacao.  From Bonaire the ferry departs Town Pier at 6:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. daily, from Curacao the ferry departs the docks at Punda at 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. daily.  The trip takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes and fares are $34 one-way and $54 round-trip.  For more information call 011-599-717-7001 or fax 011-599-717-7002.

PHOTO TOURS DIVERS - Photo Tours Divers, located at the Caribbean Court has opened a second location in Kralendijk. At the dive shop guests are able to schedule boat dives and dive courses. For more information visit www.bonphototours.com.

On the Restaurant Scene
BEEFEATER RESTAURANT - The Beefeater Restaurant located on Kaya Grandi has reopened and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.

BONAIRE DINING GUIDE - The Bonaire Restaurant Association has announced the production of the second edition of the popular Bonaire Dining Guide and Recipe book.  As with the first edition, once it is complete it can be viewed online at www.bonairenet.com/diningguide.  It will also be available at the airport, car rental locations, hotels, the tourist office in Kralendijk and other locations around the island. 

IT RAINS CHICKENS - This new chicken restaurant from the owners of It Rains Fishes recently opened on Kaya Grandi in downtown Kralendijk.  Serving lunch and dinner. 

KONTIKI BEACH CLUB - KonTiki Beach Club has new hours with lunch served from 12:00 - 3:00 p.m. and dinner from 6:00 - 10:00 p.m.  During the in-between hours drinks, cocktails, the "sandwich of the week" and dessert will be served.  For more information visit www.kontikibonaire.com.

RENDEZ-VOUS - The landmark restaurant Rendez-Vous reopened in early December following an extensive renovation to the restaurant's interior and exterior.

SWISS CHALET - The Swiss Chalet, Bonaire's only Swiss restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, is now offering cheese and beef fondues.

WATTA BURGER - Open for dinner, Watta Burger specializes in grilled beef and chicken burgers dressed any way, with mushrooms, cheese, bacon and more.  The restaurant also serves grilled chicken and a selection of sandwiches. Watta Burger is located next door to City Café in Hotel Rochaline. 

On the Hotel Scene
BUDDY DIVE RESORT - Buddy Dive recently acquired a renovated Newton 36 Dive Special.  The boat can accommodate up to 20 divers and features a spacious cabin area with coolers, dry storage space, and an electronic marine head, a roomy lower deck and water-level dive platform. For more information visit www.buddydive.com.  

COCO PALM GARDEN & CASA OLEANDER - Coco Palm Garden & Casa Oleander now offer its guests a new pool, bar and restaurant.  For more information call 011-599-717-2108 or visit www.cocopalmgarden.com.

DIVI FLAMINGO BEACH RESORT & CASINO - The casino at the Divi Flamingo was reopened after undergoing renovations.  The expanded casino features an updated interior with new carpeting and lighting, a covered outside bar and seating area, additional Slot Machines and landscaping, a new parking lot and more visible entrance off of the main road. Flamingo Watersports and Adventures recently opened at the resort.  The center, which is run by Bonaire Boating Company, offers a daily program of tours and activities like mangrove kayaking and snorkel/sail trips.  For more information call 1-800-367-3484 or visit www.diviresorts.com.

LAGOEN HILL BUNGALOWS - Lagoen Hill is offering a special Drive, Stay and Dive Package that includes 8 days/7 nights accommodations in a Lagoen Hill Bungalow, car rental, 6 days unlimited shore diving, service charge and room tax. The package is priced at $499 per person based on double occupancy; non-divers $399 per person.  This special is only valid on direct bookings.  For more information call 011-599-717-2840 or email info@lagoenhill.com.

PLAZA RESORT BONAIRE - The casino at Plaza Resort Bonaire has reopened.  Renamed Casino Caribe the casino features roulette, blackjack, second chance poker, slot machines, a bar and live entertainment. The casino is open from 8:00 p.m. - 4:00 a.m., seven days a week. Plaza Resort has introduced an internet center in the lobby of the resort and also now offers local mobile phones for rent.  For more information call 1-800-766-6016 or visit www.plazaresortbonaire.com.

Located eighty-six miles east of Aruba and well outside the hurricane belt, the Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire offers year-round sunshine, low annual rainfall, pristine coral formations and the most thriving fish population in the Caribbean. Ideal for adventurers, explorers and sun-worshippers alike, Bonaire offers myriad eco-adventure activities including world renowned scuba diving and snorkeling, windsurfing, mountain biking, kayaking, horseback riding, nature tours, hiking, bird watching, sailing and deep sea and bone fishing. For more information on Bonaire, contact the Tourism Corporation Bonaire in the U.S. at 1-800-BONAIRE or visit Bonaire's web site at www.InfoBonaire.com.

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