....There’s
a lot of talk about the new Island Tax. I wish I could tell
you exactly what is going to happen (as there have been preliminary
reports of certain taxes increasing and others being dropped).
I do know one thing about Bonaire. Don’t believe anything
until it happens, when it happens. In the Islands, worrying
about something that may happen tomorrow is downright … un-Caribbean!
It’s business as usual in the tourism sector of the island – meaning
current taxes prevail for lodging, rental cars, departure tax,
etc. … all (supposedly) set to change June 1, 2006.
Unless you make your reservations by May 31, 2006 … in
which case, previous tax rates apply, no matter when you travel.
Should you get your reservations
made before May 31 to insure that you don’t pay more in island taxes? Will the government
of Bonaire change their mind? Is a bowl of kabritu
stoba with
an Amstel Bright in danger of being repealed?
We will let you
know as soon as we are certain. Maybe from
a hammock, gazing
at a Bonaire sunset.
There’s no way they tax that.
Ayo,
Cowboy Andy
BonairePros.com
Sponsor of Dive into Adventure Bonaire 2006
Resort Update – Plaza
Resort Bonaire
The Plaza
Resort Bonaire has undergone recent
improvements, maintaining its status as one of Bonaire’s
most beautiful resorts. The Plaza’s signature
oceanfront swimming pool has received a total renovation, complete
with a swim-up bar. The resort’s standard suites as well
as common areas and Caribbean Point Restaurant have also been
receiving renovations and upgrades.
 Plaza
Resort’s large beach shaded by swaying palms is
one of Bonaire’s finest and their weekly evening BBQ
(complimentary for guests with select packages from BonairePros.com)
and feature film night are more popular than ever!
The Plaza is offering every 7th night FREE and
Toucan
Dive for One (2nd diver pays the non-diver rate) during
May, June, August and September. Divers get FREE NITROX upgrades
on any dive package. For more information on Plaza
Resort and
special package offers, click here.
Washington Slaagbai Park
Where else can you find 65 million year old rock
formations, towering Agave plants and cactus, salt lake salinas,
secluded beach coves and hundreds of species of birds and lizards …  and
the occasional tourist? Bonaire’s national park, Washington
Slaagbai, of course! Founded in 1969, this 14,000 acre park
offers some of Bonaire’s best hiking, biking, jeeping,
snorkeling, diving and bird-watching. The park, a former plantation,
also displays several of Bonaire’s most unique natural
and historic sites including towering Mt. Brandaris and Slaagbai’s
picturesque beachfront.
Take a virtual tour of the park by
visiting their website at www.washingtonparkbonaire.org and
be sure and include a visit on your next Bonaire vacation.
Papiamentu
for Dummies
Although Dutch is the official language
on Bonaire, the local language of the island is Papiamentu.
This creole lexicon draws from Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch,
West African and other languages indicative of the island’s
ethnic makeup and history.
Don’t worry – almost everyone
speaks English as well as another language or two. But
why not pick up some Papiamentu before your
next visit? Bonaireans love to have travelers try the
native tongue. We found a useful site on the web that
will help endear you to the local Antilleans and impress
your traveling companions. Translations are a snap at http://papiamentu.donamaro.nl and
although we can’t verify their grammatical correctness,
this site is pretty handy for learning vocabulary and phrases. Danki
pa bo informashon. Otro cerbes mi amigu?
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