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International Year of the Reef Week

JUNE 21–28, 2008
HOSTED BY SAND DOLLAR CONDOMINIUM RESORT

Sunday, June 22
8 a.m. – Kayak Tour Around Klein Bonaire: Start your vacation experiencing Bonaire's reefs from on top of the water. This unique challenge will begin from Eden Beach, with participants paddling out to Klein Bonaire, making a lap clockwise around the island, and ending back at Eden Beach. Stopping points are planned and support boats will be available. The total distance from start to finish is 14 km (8.5 miles). Participation fee is $15 per person and includes non-alcoholic beverages, fruit and boat support. Kayaks will depart from Eden Beach promptly at 8:30 a.m. Kayaks must be reserved in advance. Visit www.bonairewellness.com for more information.

6-9 p.m. – A Taste of Bonaire: Opening with a parade of school children dressed in reef-themed costumes, visitors will experience food, culture, local handicrafts and all things Bonairean at this festival located in the center of town at Wilhelmina Park. Don't miss keynote speakers Jan & Alexandra Cousteau from EarthEcho International, Bryan Dias from the Coral Reef Alliance and a warm welcome from Lieutenant Governor Herbert Domacasse.


Monday, June 23
9 a.m. – REEF Fish Count Dive with Jerry Ligon: See how many species you can spot on the Bari Reef, one of the most species rich sites in the REEF world-wide database. Snorkelers welcome too! Meet on the dock at Bonaire Dive and Adventure, adjacent to Sand Dollar Condominium Resort.

5 p.m. – Dive Master's Rum Punch Party: Mingle with the dive masters of Bonaire Dive & Adventure and other divers at the Reef Restaurant, adjacent to Sand Dollar Condominium Resort.

8 p.m. – Sustainable Marine Recreation: Come and learn from CORAL's Program Manager Bryan Dias about reef ecology and economics. This presentation will give a background in coral reef ecology and discuss how marine protected areas are our best defense in protecting coral habitats as well as discussing issues and innovative approaches in marine protected area management.


Tuesday, June 24
10 a.m. – It Takes All Kinds: Understanding Reef Fish Form and Function – Take a quick lesson from CORAL's Program Manager Bryan Dias on basic reef fish ecology and then put your skills to use on the subsequent dive or snorkel focusing on interesting fishes found around the waters of Bonaire and how their shape and appearance play into their role on the coral reef. Meet on the platform behind the B building at Sand Dollar Condominium Resort.

2 p.m. – Dive with Jan & Alexandra Cousteau – Join Jan and Alexandra Cousteau for a shore dive on the house reef at Captain Don's Habitat. Meet on the dock at Captain Don's Habitat.

6 p.m. – Sunset BBQ Dinner at Sand Dollar: Join Jan and Alexandra Cousteau for a sunset barbeque dinner at Sand Dollar Condominium Resort on the platform behind the B building. Dinner is $15 USD per person. Don't miss Jan and Alexandra's presentation immediately following dinner.

8 p.m. – Presentation by Jan & Alexandra Cousteau: Following the sunset bbq dinner at Sand Dollar, learn about the legend and legacy of Cousteau Team Expeditions including the "Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau."


Wednesday, June 25
9 a.m. – CORAL C.S.I.: Join CORAL's Program Manager Bryan Dias for this interactive one-tank boat dive and learn the skills needed to select dive shops that ensure long-term reef protection, plus an easy way to assess reef health. Space is limited to 15 people, sign up 24 hours in advance at Bonaire Dive and Adventure. The boat departs at 11 a.m. from the dock at Bonaire Dive and Adventure, adjacent to Sand Dollar Condominium Resort.

2 p.m. – Dive with Jan & Alexandra Cousteau – Join Jan and Alexandra Cousteau for a shore dive on the house reef at Captain Don's Habitat. Meet on the dock at Captain Don's Habitat.

8 p.m. – Coral Reef Alliance Around the World: Learn about CORAL's projects in Bonaire and internationally from Program Manager Bryan Dias, hear interesting anecdotes from marine conservation in action and learn how to get involved.


Thursday, June 26
9 a.m. – REEF Fish ID Dive with Jerry Ligon: See how many species you can spot on the Bari Reef, one of the most species rich sites in the REEF world-wide database. Meet on the dock at Bonaire Dive and Adventure, adjacent to Sand Dollar Condominium Resort.

6 p.m. – Bonaire Night Banquet at Eddy's Restaurant: Join Jan and Alexandra Cousteau for a buffet dinner featuring traditional Bonairean attire and music. Dinner is $15 USD per person. Don't miss Jan & Alexandra's presentation immediately following dinner.

8 p.m. – Presentation by Jan & Alexandra Cousteau: Following the buffet dinner at Eddy's Restaurant, come and listen to Jan and Alexandra's stories from their expeditions and the importance of protecting our oceans.


Friday, June 27
11 a.m. – CORAL C.S.I.: Join CORAL's Program Manager Bryan Dias for this interactive one-tank boat dive and learn the skills needed to select dive shops that ensure long-term reef protection, plus an easy way to assess reef health. Space is limited to 15 people, sign up 24 hours in advance at Bonaire Dive and Adventure. The boat departs at 11 a.m. from the dock at Bonaire Dive and Adventure, adjacent to Sand Dollar Condominium Resort.

5 p.m. – Happy Hour with the Sand Dollar General Manager: Mingle with the General Manager of Sand Dollar Condominium Resort, Mr. Junny Janga, as well as other guests about your experiences during the week. Awards and prizes will be given to International Year of the Reef Week participants. Meet at Eddy's Restaurant.


Saturday, June 28
Decompression Day! – Try another fun activity like windsurfing, kayaking, biking, hiking, landsailing, snorkeling, kiteboarding, take an island tour, or just relax by the sea!


AND REMEMBER:
All Activities Feature Great Prizes and Giveaways: Attend at least one scheduled activity during the week for your chance to win books, magazine subscriptions, fish id cards and much more. The more activities you attend, the more chances you have to win!

International Year of the Reef Non-Photo, Photo Contest: Describe your favorite Bonaire reef in 100 words or less. You can include your favorite features of the reef, the fish species that inhabit the reef, and how many dives or snorkels you've experienced on the reef. The grand-prize winner will have their description featured on Bonaire's official website www.tourismbonaire.com and on the official website of Bonaire Dive Into Summer 2008 www.bonairediveintosummer.com, in addition to fabulous other prizes. Drop off your hand written submissions at the front desk of Sand Dollar Condominium Resort or email it to usa@tourismbonaire.com between June 22 and June 26. The winner will be announced at the Happy Hour with the Sand Dollar General Manager on June 27th at 5 p.m.

Summer Long Photo Contest: Compete for prizes by entering Scuba Diving magazine's summer-long photo contest. As soon as you get home from your Bonaire vacation, upload your best wide-angle, macro and micro pictures taken between June 1 and September 30 to www.bonairediveintosummer.com. Winners will be notified in October 2008.

Reduce Your Carbon Footprint: Help Bonaire reduce their hazardous waste by filling a reusable plastic bottle with Bonaire's clean and refreshing tap water in lieu of purchasing bottled water. Bonaire is very fortunate in that it has some of the Caribbean's cleanest and best tasting water and a virtual inexhaustible source...the Caribbean Sea. The water is desalinated sea water produced by the combined Electrical and Water Utility W.E.B.