AWARDED:
Linda Cober (August 2009)

I first visited Bonaire in 1974 with a group led by Bill and Betty Whitlock from Cedar Run Scuba in Camp Hill, PA, and dove with Captain Don at Aquaventure. Seeing the wonders of Bonaire’s reefs for the first time and diving with Ebo Domacasse, Eddy Statia, Adi Everts, Bruce Bowker, and Captain Don himself who made every dive a fun adventure convinced me that Bonaire was my favorite island. When Captain Don founded Habitat, my family and I followed him there and the fun continued. I have dived other islands and enjoyed them, but Bonaire has always been my “home away from home.” Bonaire’s reefs and, most importantly, her friendly people, make me very proud to be named as a Gold Bonaire Ambassador. Thank you for allowing me to enjoy your island for so many years!

AWARDED:
Carol Dornbusch (February 2008)

 

 

 

 

AWARDED:
Ahlia, Ian, Karen & Steve Hoffman (January 2008)

 

 

 

 

AWARDED:
Barry & Flora Busch (November 2007)

 

 

 

 

AWARDED:
Richard Champouillon (April 2007)

 

 

 

 

AWARDED:
Bas & Miria de Groot (April 2007)

 

 

 

AWARDED:
Mr. Munk (February 2007)

Background

• 1957 - Helped develop scuba course at Evanston YMCA
• 1959 - Participated in first YMCA scuba instructor seminar and became one of the original 22 YMCA instructor/instructor trainers
• 1959-89 – Evanston YMCA scuba course leader
• 1965 – Joined PADI as a master instructor
• 1971 – Opened Elmer’s Watersports Inc in Evanston IL.  Crossed to NAUI – added travel to our product line

Bonaire

• First trip to Boniare “Turkey Dive” – “we do not bring turkeys – we bring divers full of turkey”.  Bonaire immediately became our top choice location.
• 1978-91 – Promoted 2-4 annual trips to Bonaire
• 1991 – Sold Elmers Watersports and retired from instructing due to incurable respiratory problems
• 1991-2007 – Bonaire remains in my heart. Family/friends join me for an annual dive trip to Bonaire.

This is my 59th trip to Bonaire.  Many good friends – many wonderful dives and wonderful memories.  Trips will continue as long as I am able.  When I am gone my remains will be cast on Munks Haven.

Logged 6000 dives (1000 in Bonaire)

AWARDED:
Carol & Bob Schmidt (January 2007)

BONAIRE IS A PARADISE IN TERMS OF UNDERWATER ADVENTURES
They love the friendliness and warmth of the Bonairean

This is our little story:
Family members who own a seaside house invited us to Bonaire in 1986 and we have been coming annually since then.

We enjoy everything about this quiet unpretentious island, its climate and terrain, its bird and animal-life, its local customs, its food, its crystal-clean turquoise-blue water. We dive and snorkel and Bonaire is a paradise in terms of underwater adventure. The island offers endless opportunities to discover the beautiful world of the fishes and corals.

Another thing that hires us to Bonaire is the friendliness and warmth of the Bonairean people.

Thank you and congratulations Carol and Bob!!

AS A JOURNALIST AND AFTER THAT HE DID A LOT FOR BONAIRE
He was knighted by our Queen for promoting the Netherlands Antilles

In 1969 I stayed in the Hotel Bonaire (gone now) and Don was dive master with his gold earring. I thought that if he could I could too.  So I went into Kralendijk and to the jewelry shop (gone now) and bought golden earrings.  Then I went to the local doctor and he said: "Fine", and pushed the darn thing through my earlobe. Anyway, I lay on the beach and Don came by and he suddenly stopped and said:" My God". I went back to Connecticut with an earring and the people there thought I was a queer. No, not so.  Anyway, as I was a foreign correspondent for Dutch radio & TV then, every time I had to go on the air, they had to put lots of greasepaint on my ear so my mother in Holland could not sea the earring.

But, I decided being a journalist in the modern world was not particularly exciting. So I went back to school.  First a couple of Master degrees and then I was invited by Yale University to study there: Corals & Sponges!!! Wow.  So I decided to do all my research in Bonaire.  I did 17 transects around Bonaire.  For those on the rough side, the "government" provided me with a fishing boat.  It helped me to get a doctoral degree and I sure got to know the u/water situation around the whole of Bonaire.

But you know, one day, I guess it was 1969 or 1970, I was staying at the Habitat when Don asked me to have dinner with him. I said sure. We went to a Chinese restaurant in Kralendijk (not there anymore) and Peter Hughes joined us. We went upstairs to have a private dinner and Don said: "Okay guys, how do we make Bonaire a marine park."  And that was the beginning of it all.

I was knighted in 1996 by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands for promotional work about the Netherlands Antilles and specially Bonaire.

Thank you and congratulations!

The reason we have come to Bonaire and stayed at Habitat for each of the past 20 years are: our friends at Habitat, who work so hard to make it all so easy for us; the reef and its great condition; and corals and creatures. – Gold Ambassador Roger Lewis.

In 1984 I landed on Bonaire for the first time. I think I caught a big infection. I was mesmerized by the diversity and beauty of Bonaire’s underwater world. I believe I am not suffering alone. You can see it in the eyes of Captain Don Steward, thousands of fellow divers and the people of Bonaire as they admired work to protect this gem in the Caribbean. – Gold Ambassador Donald Schrader.

I enjoy bringing groups to Bonaire because we are not only treated as guests, but as friends. – Gold Ambassador James Carez.

What keeps me coming back to Bonaire is primarily the diving. Other than being on a live- a- board, this is the easiest diving I have ever done. If you don’t want to dive from a boat, the ability to stop anywhere on the coast line and dive is a wonderful asset of the island. The friendly people of the island help to make me feel at home. For me and for Scuba West Virginia, Bonaire has become our home away from home. – Gold Ambassador Marvin Trippett.

Thank you and congratulations!

AMBASSADOR HONORED FOR BRINGING GROUPS FOR 29 YEARS TO BONAIRE

Congratulations to Harold “Di” Dieter!!
From my very first visit with Captain Don in August 1971, I’ve been impressed with Bonaire’s amazing diving and friendly people. I returned a few more times afterward, and starting 29 years ago I made Bonaire an annual trip so that other people could experience the diving and the people of Bonaire on a regular basis.

I’ve been particularly impressed by Captain Don’s foresight in maintaining the beauty of Bonaire’s underwater world through the development of the Bonaire Marine Park.

My Bonaire trips are by far the most popular and requested trips I offer, especially among the repeat visitors who have experienced firsthand the pleasures of diving in Bonaire.

I appreciate the tribute you’ve given me, but the Tourism Corporation Bonaire, the dive operators and especially the people of Bonaire deserve as much of this recognition as I do. Because of the energy and enthusiasm of these people, I look forward to returning to Bonaire and the many friends I’ve made over the years.

Thank you again for my “Gold Ambassador” status. I hope to enjoy another 29 years of bringing divers (and myself) back to Bonaire. - Gold Ambassador Harold "Di" Dieter.

Thank you and congratulations “Di”!!

“Di” danki i hopi pabien!!

For 23 years, Renate and Roland Kraft have been scuba diving and taking underwater pictures in nearly all the oceans of the world. Roland is the photographer and Renate is the underwater model. It is their specialty to use only “Xenon”-lamplight to illuminate the underwater world. Using that type of light produces a better effect on the main subject.

Four times they won first prize in the underwater photo competition of the scuba magazine, “Tauchen”, one of the largest competitions in Europe. They have also won a number of other prizes in that competition. Meanwhile, they have an archive of about 20,000 underwater slides.

Renate mixes underwater pictures with land photos. Her objective was to catch the viewers’ attention through this unusual combination of pictures. By putting a frame around it, she wanted to extend the effect while, at the same time, make it clear that it is not an original photo. So far she has created more than 60 unique underwater collages. All of them can be seen on www.photo-kraft.de.

Thank you for your numerous visits to Bonaire and thank you for capturing the beauty of our underwater and land sceneries and enabling others to enjoy the view.

TCB would like to congratulate "Uncle Dave" as a gold ambassador for the 20+ years he has been coming to Bonaire.

Mr. Dave Katz better known to us as ‘Uncle Dave’ is someone who will come to Bonaire with lots of kilograms of excess baggage and somehow he will get it on the KLM flight from Holland to Bonaire for next to nothing! 95% of it is things he brings for all his friends who live on Bonaire. Herring, salmon, asperges, drop, software and magazines are some of the stuff he managed to get on the plane. He could probably bring a car as excess baggage! He just hasn’t figure out how to pack it yet.

They say home is where the heart is. For Dave this is Bonaire. He loves the island and the lifestyle, so much that he tried to get his son to move here so that he could have yet another reason to visit more often! He already visits the island several times a year and always brings an entourage with him. Dave has introduced Bonaire to many of his Dutch friends who in turn have adopted Bonaire as their island retreat. Every year, he celebrates his birthday on Bonaire, for Uncle Dave, it’s the only reason to celebrate his birthday….being amongst his friends in the place he considers his nirvana….Bonaire.

It is a pleasure for Tourism Corporation Bonaire to recognize Mr. Dave Katz as a Bonaire Ambassador. We thank you for your visits, the love you share for the island and are happy to see you for many years.

Twenty years ago, Pat and Hank came to Bonaire after reading an article in Skin Diver Magazine. They met a gray-haired snorkeler, who was taking underwater photos with a Nikon camera. They asked the gentlemen if he had been to Bonaire before. His reply was, "I’ve been here seven times."

Pat and Hank wondered in their own minds why anyone would want to come back to the same island so many times.
Their trips to Bonaire have been very rewarding, due to the excellent weather outstanding marine life, great diving, simple, relaxed lifestyle and above all the friendly, Bonairean people.

They look forward to returning every year, and meeting their friends from other states and countries. For the past twenty-two years, they have stayed at Captain Don’s, Buddy Dive, Sunset Beach, Harbour Village, Belafonte, Great Escape Divi, and Bel Air.
Now thirty years later, Hank has the gray hair, Nikon camera, and the reasons for returning more than seven times.

The friendships that they have developed over the years are invaluable. Their hearts and souls will always be a part of our special island. Thanks you so much.

They have three children who also love Bonaire. Two of their children are divers like their dad. Their other child is snorkeler like her mom. They now look forward to bringing their grandchild to Bonaire.

For all the years that they are come to Bonaire, Pat and Hank receive the Gold medal

Congratulations, Ambassadors!

Peggy Gaver and Bruce Whistler have been visiting the island for 21 years, with more than one visit per year at times. They have been honored as Gold Bonaire Ambassadors recently.

They first came to Bonaire in 1985, a year after they were certified, thinking that the trip to Bonaire would be the first one stop on their way to visit many Caribbean Islands. Though they did visit other islands to dive, they found themselves always returning, every year, to Bonaire.

They first stayed at Divi Flamingo, a Divi Flamingo few would recognize today. They slept in little rooms, were not sure when the water and electricity would go off. Under such circumstances, normally they wouldn’t have returned. However, the beautiful water and reef, the warm and friendly people and the relaxed, small-island feel, kept them returning year after year.

According to Peggy and Bruce, Bonaire is addictive, they feel it every time and are thankful for the return trips.

It is a pleasure for Tourism Corporation Bonaire to recognize Peggy and Bruce as Bonaire Ambassadors. We thank them for their visits, the love they share for the island and we are happy to see them year after year.

Congratulations and Thank you!

 

Tourism Corporation Bonaire recently honored two special visitors, Pat and Irwin Nejdi. Pat and Irwin have been visiting for the last 20 years and describe their feelings every time they land on the island as peaceful and serene.

As Pat and Irwin further describe their love for Bonaire, “Once again, as for the past 20 years, Bonaire invites us to enjoy the beauty of the surrounding nature and the beauty of friendships both new and old.” Over the years, they have enjoyed the island of Bonaire with friends of the Chicago Scubaneer Dive Club and with 3 generations of family.

Pat and Irwin love the diving and have introduced this to their families also, who have been instructed by instructors at Divi Flamingo, the hotel they visit every year. Among their memorable moments on the island, are the dives they have shared with their loved ones. What they love about Bonaire, besides the diving, are the plants, colorful flowers , the warm people, hence the whole atmosphere that is brought to life when they are on island. As the couple says,“For us, Bonaire is an island about the past, the present, and the future. Thank you for making Bonaire our second home.”

It is a pleasure for Tourism Corporation Bonaire to recognize Pat and Irwin as Gold Bonaire Ambassadors.

Congratulations and thank you!

Mr. Steve Polakoff and Mrs. Heidi Polakoff have been visiting Bonaire for the last 25 years, returning to their favorite destination again and again.

Bonaire was chosen as their honeymoon destination in 1981 because of its reputation for great diving and the weather. Steve and Heidi stayed at the old Bonaire Beach Hotel and finished their certification there. Both returned to Bonaire when their daughter (now 21) was 9 months old, where, with the assistance of a babysitter, Steve and Heidi were able to enjoy the fantastic diving again. This special couple returned to Bonaire many times through the years. Both their children were certified for diving while in Bonaire.

The diving and weather remain fabulous, but what keeps them coming back more so is the friendly people and the casual, laid-back atmosphere.

Their new-found friends at Restaurant Cactus Blue heard about the 25 year story and quickly alerted Tourism Corporation Bonaire. Corinna and colleagues arranged for a special gathering at Cactus Blue in order to honor our new Gold Ambassadors. Representatives from Buddy Dive Resort, where the couple is staying, were also present for the ocassion.

For Tourism Corporation Bonaire it is a pleasure to honor Mr. and Mrs. Polakoff as Gold Bonaire Ambassadors. We hope to see them back year after year.

Congratulations!

David Morgan has been traveling to Bonaire for the past 27 years and has recently received the golden medal for his visits to our island during the last 27 years.

David has traveled to almost every island in the Caribbean over the last three decades - Bonaire has always been his favorite. He suspects that he has visited Bonaire more than 60 times during that time period. While he appreciates being formally acknowledged as a Bonaire Ambassador, informally he has been an ambassador ever since his very first visit.

Whenever they asked him which island he would recommend in the Caribbean, he consistently told folks to visit Bonaire. When asked why he recommends Bonaire, besides going into details about the fun loving, warm, friendly people, the laid back atmosphere and, of course, the world class diving, his snapshot answer was “there is no traffic light on the island.”

For Tourism Corporation Bonaire it is a great pleasure to have David as a Gold Bonaire Ambassador. “We thank Mr. Morgan for his numerous visits, the positive word of mouth he has helped spread and will continue to spread, a true Bonaire Ambassador” according to Ronella Croes, Director of Tourism Corporation Bonaire.

We are honored with our GOLD Bonaire Ambassadors, Mrs. Susi Seeling and Mr. Ernst Seeling from Vienna, Austria. Back in the 1980s, they read in a German dive magazine about Bonaire and its shore diving opportunities, a perfect replacement for Ernst who suffers from sea sickness and was looking for an alternative to boat diving. When they wanted to book the flight, their Viennese travel agent did not know about Bonaire and almost sent them to Borneo. But they finally made it here and fell immediately in love with the island. Exactly what they were looking for: a quiet and clean place with friendly and helpful people and a wonderful reef along the west coast. Since then they have been coming to Bonaire every year--giving up their skiing vacation to save days to come for a lengthy vacation to Bonaire. Ernst is a very eager underwater photographer and many of his award-winning pictures were taken on Bonaire’s reefs. Five years ago, when they retired, they were offered the chance to work as free-lance photo journalists for a dive magazine. Since then, they have published numerous photo stories about Bonaire and promoted the island among the Austrian diving community! TCB has received copies of marvelous stories that have been published. According to them, they have discovered, in the meantime, that Bonaire has more to offer than shore diving. Their favorite place on-land is Washington Slagbaai Park, and they feel that Bonaire is a great place for outdoor people and nature lovers also. Susi and Ernst have made several friends on the island and have been visiting for 23 years and are planning their next trip already. They have visited many other destinations, since they retired, but keep returning to Bonaire again and again. “Now as Bonaire Ambassadors, we feel even more motivated to write about the island and prove with our pictures its beauty both above and below the sea,” according to Susi and Ernst.

For Tourism Corporation Bonaire it is a great pleasure to have Susi and Ernst as GOLD Bonaire Ambassadors. “We thank Susi and Ernst for their numerous visits, the promotion they have done for the island and the promotion they will continue doing, "true Bonaire Ambassadors” according to Ronella Croes, Director of Tourism Corporation Bonaire.

Congratulations!

I was asked to reflect on the meaning Bonaire has had on my life. It has been a powerful experience that began in the early seventies when I first came to Bonaire as a diver from Venezuela. I must say that still today I feel the same feeling of joy that surges in me when I step out of the airplane on to Bonaire as I did first time I arrived. It’s the wind, the smell of the sea and divi blossom and the happy songs of the chibi chibi and more. The “more” is what has kept me returning to Bonaire for 30 years, and the part that is more is the friendships and bonds to Bonaire that still are strong today. There have been many of those enduring encounters with Bonaireans that have shared a common vision. During my first days, I met captain Don, and I must admit that my love for him and his Aquaveture philosophy of dive freedom and for the mission of turning Bonaire into the Dive Capital of the world was what first hooked me. I have been at Capt. Don’s since the days of Hotel Bonaire that later became Aqua Habitat at the Sunset Beach Bungalows.

And it was during the time of the creation of Habitat, and the National Underwater Marine Park and the naming of the dive sites, that the major characters emerged and joined the crew.

Niki Tromp, then director of the Bonaire Tourist office and Cai-Cai Cecilia, sang his yellow bird tunes late into the night at Habitat while Frans Booi, Cultural Director, always supported new endeavors to promote the island, and Capt Don who was behind the bar, spinning yarns and bragging about the “Valerie Queen.” Then Ismael challenged him to a race with “Sislin” & “Veva” one night, and the Bonaire Regatta was born. Well thanks to Janet, the wild Captain Don was tamed, I must add. Many friends were important players in the scene at the time: Ebo and Ismael were Don’s first old-timer dive guides, diving off flattop pontoons. Ady Everts and Eddy Statie coined the phrase “Gorilla Divers” and added to the magic spell that Bonaire casts upon everyone. The early days were fun. I have watched Bonaire grow! Sand Dollar came on board & The Hamlet & Plaza Resort that changed the face of the island. But the old timers like Johan and his mother Sylvia, kept it true, with Zee Zicht and The Great Escape. And now with the development of Santa Barbara and Sabadeco, we add the last taste of the more refined. But, still nothing will change the very essence, the spirit of an island that is unique and strong, that is Dushi and basta bon.

With warm regards, John Ashford.

Ps. I arrive on Bonaire to wish Capt. Don a happy 80th birthday.

Helen and Gus Manasse have visited Bonaire for 30 years, and they now have the honor of receiving the Gold Ambassador Medal. Adel and Irving Guller also visited our island for 24 years, and so they, too receive the Gold!

Both couples continue to visit Bonaire for the fantastic underwater life, water sports, and the tropical climate. They have recommended that all their family and friends visit Bonaire. And when they are together at family gatherings, they share their experiences about Bonaire.

Helen, Gus, Adele and Irving are each one of Tourism Corporation Bonaire’s Ambassadors. Congratulations!

Robert Tsing has been visiting our island for 26 years already!. Robert and his wife visited Bonaire for the first time in 1979, and since then have been visiting the island 3 to 5 times each year. The first time that they came to Bonaire they stayed at Flamingo Beach Hotel, but they have sampled the fine hospitality of other properties including. Captain Don’s Habitat, Harbour Village and Plaza Resort. Throughout the years they have brought many friends with them. In 2000, they purchased their own home. 

Their reason for doing this is the relaxed atmosphere that Bonaire has to offer. Robert frequently calls Bonaire their second home.

Robert becomes one of Tourism Corporation Bonaire’s Gold Ambassadors. Congratulations!

Ken & Judy Calhoun have been coming to Bonaire for two weeks each year during the Christmas holidays. Bonaire has been their vacation spot for 23 years now, and their children and grandchildren come to spend the holidays with them here on Bonaire.   

What they love about Bonaire is its people, the diving, and the good restaurants that are on the island. People ask them why keep returning to Bonaire every year. They said it is very simple--they enjoy coming to Bonaire and they enjoy their friends that have became part of their extended family.  In addition, Ken and Judy always enjoy the diving and snorkeling immensely. They are staying at Lions Dive Resort.

Thomas & Phyllis Jones from New York are truly golden ambassadors, having come each year to Bonaire since 1987! They stay at Sorobon Beach Resort , who is celebrating their 20th anniversary. We are very proud to have such faithful repeat guests!

Jesse and Patricia recently received the Gold Ambassador medals for 21 consecutive years of visits to Bonaire. During this trip, they stayed at Captain Don's Habitat Resort, and they tell us:

"It was a pleasant and deeply appreciated honor to receive the Tourism Corporation Bonaire recognition as a "Bonaire Ambassador." We were introduced to Bonaire diving on our first trip some 20 years ago. Since then, we have had the opportunity to dive in the Red Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, Coral Sea, and Arabian Gulf. While each location has its own particular set of conditions and sea life, the return to Bonaire is what we look forward to.

"Thanks to the vision of Cap't. Don and others, the reef system has remained healthy. The island is devoted to diving, but still sensitive to the environment, and works to maintain the precious and delicate balance of the marine ecosystem. The absence of strong currents certainly adds to our enjoyment of the fish action with their rainbow of colors, the purple and orange sponges, coral formations and the excitement of the sighting of a turtle, frogfish, sea horse, or some of the more rare and exotic marine life.

"'Bon Bini' is more than welcome to us. It is a return to the most friendly and helpful people in the world. We are honored to receive our ambassador awards and are pleased to be able to help introduce other divers to the wonderful island of Bonaire."

Dennis and Joann tell us, "Our first visit to Bonaire was in June, 1976. We stayed at the Hotel Bonaire and first met Captain Don, who was managing the dive operation. Fresh water for drinking was not available in the hotel rooms. We had to fill pitchers and bring them to the rooms. The diving was spectacular, and Joann and I vowed to return again.

"Between 1977 and 1981, we tried other Caribbean destinations, but none could compare with Bonaire. In 1982, we returned and stayed at Captain Don's Habitat. We have returned to Bonaire every year since then, usually with a group of friends, but sometimes just the two of us.

"We have stayed at Divi Flamingo Beach, Carib Inn, Lions Dive, and Lagoen Hill, but no matter where we stay, now we always dive with Bon Bini Divers.

"In 1984, our son and daughter-in-law spent their honeymoon on Bonaire with us, and in 1988, our dive club, Atlantis Divers, assisted Captain Don in filling 55 gallon drums with concrete which were the beginning of the mooring system in the Sea Teather program. I even gave a cash donation to the program, and was allowed to name a dive site on Klein Bonaire, Joann's Kiss (Joann's Sunchi). We consider it one of the most beautiful reefs on Klein Bonaire.

"I (Dennis) celebrated my 66th birthday on March 29, 2004 on Bonaire, our 22nd consecutive annual visit to the island. We hope to return for at least 22 more years to our favorite place on the planet."

This is the story of Stewart, who has been coming to Bonaire for 25 years, usually twice each year:

"In 1979 I started to learn about a sport called scuba diving. After becoming certified and diving in New Jersey where I lived, I met Al Catalfumo. Who had a dive shop in Lawrence Harbor NJ and now lives in Bonaire owning Black Durgeon. In October 1979, I joined a group of people with Al and went on my first Caribbean diving vacation to Bonaire. I fell in love with this island. I have been coming here every year since. I the 80's I used to come once a year, in the 90's I came twice a year and now I'm here most of the year. The diving is always great. I have made many friends over the years, here on Bonaire. My first Bonairean friend was my first and best dive guide, Ebo Domacasse. I still count him as a friend. He shared with me his love of the island, nature and people. I respect him and honor him. Ebo to me is a Real Bonaire Ambassador."

Yoeke Mulder has been coming to Bonaire for 24 consecutive years, of which she has spent 20 years staying at Sorobon, and therefore, has earned her "gold" medal. She is proud of being an Ambassador and is especially devoted to all animals on Bonaire, as for years now she has sponsored the Animal Shelter. Joeke is particularly delighted to know that Sorobon Beach Resort will make donations throughout the year to the Donkey's Help. Yoeke hopes that a lot of people will adopt a donkey or give a donation, like she has.

On October 28, 2003, while visiting Lions Dive Resort and Bon Bini Divers, Ken completed his 21st consecutive year of visiting Bonaire, and thus received the Gold!

Heather Sellick receives a gold medal for her 21st year of visiting Bonaire, while Bud Uren receives the gold for his 28th year of visiting Bonaire!

21 Years: Carib Inn:

25 Years,Carib Inn:

"It feels great to receive this award. We have loved Bonaire all these years, and it's nice to be back every year. We keep coming back to Bonaire for the wonderfully friendly Bonaireans and the snorkeling and diving."

22 Years, Bel-Mar: John and Kris tell us, "It's gratifying to know that the island appreciates her visitors and guests. First of all, we were surprised, now we are very proud, yet feel humble, because we love Bonaire and get an award for something we love to do.

"We see the progress that has come to Bonaire. It is slow, but steady, and almost always for the better. Also, the people have not changed. They are friendly and good natured. Of course, the sea and its creatures are a never-ending source of joy for us.

When asked how they first learned about Bonaire, John and Kris tell us they read about the great diving in a scuba diving magazine, and so decided to give Bonaire a try.

"We have visited many islands; but this is the one we chose as our second home. The land, the sea, and the people are number one in the Caribbean."