Go Van Den Tweel!!

We arrived on island last week and made the usual trip to our favorite supermarket, Van Den Tweel on Kaya Industria, to provision for our stay. Imagine our delight to find a new section of the store -- four (six?) small aisles strong at the front of the store near the all-important beer section -- featuring many of the products made on/for Bonaire.
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In the picture below you can see Bonaire Blond's array of refreshing and delicious beers (including the original recipe: a pale beer with hints of lime and aloe that is our favorite); a variety of offerings from the Cadushy Distillery in Rincon (a necessary detour when traveling to Bonaire's north end); and, best of all, a whole middle section devoted to the fabulous Onima aloe-based skin care offerings.

I spend the bulk of my "souvenirs" budget buying up as many of Onima's products as I can reasonably expect to get back to the states via carry-on. Friends and relations beg me for the stuff, particularly the firming day and night creams, which have a gorgeous light scent, a non-greasy feel and really seem to do a little firming for those of us who (ahem) might need it. The ethos of the company is stellar too. The products are not tested on animals and are made with very few ingredients beyond the beautiful fresh aloe that is at the heart of Onima products. Stay tuned for more on this company that is doing great things in Bonaire!

We already loved the VDT for all its needs-meeting offerings: a large and fresh selection of produce; meats and fish both marinated and unadultered; a great selection of cheeses both local and far-flung; beer/wine/booze; and most sundries that you might find at the drugstore.

But this special new section? It rocks! When you visit, make sure to buy the 2017 Bonaire Friends of Nature engagement calendar (middle aisle). This year's book is dedicated to the Yarari Sanctuary, a marine mammal and shark sanctuary (very near and dear to youngest child Fiona's heart) within the territorial waters of Bonaire and Saba.