Littman's just opened (last Friday afternoon) a new art store downtown called "Everything Artistique", which features a range of Caribbean art - paintings, prints, frames, etc. (and my custom limited edition prints will appear on their walls later this week as well :-) ).

Also, for those interested in other art made by those on Bonaire, a good place to check out is the Wilhelmina Plein (the small park near the Town Pier) on cruise ship day. See http://www.infobonaire.com/cruises.html for a listing of such dates. Next one is next Saturday, December 21st. (And the QE2 will be in on Dec. 26th)

Jake

Jake - I'm just curious, when the QE2 comes to town, does she dock or use tenders to get passengers ashore? She's quite a size for docking! We cruised on her back in the 80's.

Thanks - Tom

She docks. It's an amazing site. And for a few hours, our population is increased by a third.

Any idea when she's scheduled to return again? We'll just miss her this time... The site of Cunard only gives this trip, but does she frequent Bonaire every year?

Last time I saw her here she docked. She's huge!

Jake

Wow...can anyone find out here schedule...sounds like an amazing thing to see her docking, but I don't think I want to mess with the crowds! Carole

Hi
She was in a few years ago while we were there and the bow line was at the bollard just outside the Divi gate while the stern line was just short of Karel,s She is indeed big even by todays standards.
Mickey

Wow! Now that's HUGE! (QEII) We will definitely visit the new art store Littman's has opened, up, as well. Our entire house will be smothered in Bonaire art and collectibles very soon...can anyone think of a better way to decorate? I know I will want one of everything I see, too. Restaint, Carole, restraint! Look forward to checking it out in May. Carole

Here is a picture from the QE2's visit in 1999 taken by Shelly Craig.


The small ship in the front is the Freewinds.

Oops should have said back. Or whatever. I guess you get the idea that the big one is the QE2 and you can't see downtown Kralendijk.

The QEII generally is here every other year on Jan 1 or Second. She is so big you can view here superstructure while windsusrging at Lac! She was used during the Falklands war as a troop carrier when she had to be converted to hold 12,000 solidiers. The entire population of Bonair is arund 11,500 presently! Most of the stores are closed on New Years day, however many will open to serve the expected large numbers of passengers.

Michael,

The Cruise Ship schedule we have says she will be here on Dec. 26th.

Jake

Now that would make an awesome 360 degree view now wouldn't it Jake. hint hint

Aquaman

YUP BIG!Gross Tonnage - 70,327 tons
Dimensions - 293.53 x 32.06m (963 x 105.3ft)Service speed - 28.5 knots
Passenger accommodation - 1,777

but it is not the biggest, that belongs to the Grand Princes
109000gt
951ftx159ft
2600passengers/1100crew
and the Disney ships the 'Magic' & 'Wonder' are almost exactly the same size at
85000gt
294mx33m
2400passengers/954crew

Thank you for the info on the new art shop and where to find the cruise ship schedule. I am looking forward to visiting the art shop to add to my colections and looking forward to not being in town on cruise ship days!

http://222.qe2.org.uk/index.html

She will arrive at Bonaire December 26, 2002 (Thursday)

Let's try that again.

http://www.qe2.org.uk/index.html

Working on a notebook Ida?

I don't get it Igor? Notebook, No.

Bye.

Whewey! Thanks for posting the pic, Linda...that is one big ship! I just can't imagine seeing that in person...would blow my mind. As much as I would love to see her in person, I'd rather not be there when 2000 folks dump out onto the shorline....Isn't 12-26 a Holiday on Bonaire? I guess the shops will open up again for the passengers. Wow! I just can't get over how she just darfs the entire side of the Island...make sure she doesn't flush out any holding tanks or spring a leak of any sort while she is "visiting". In awe with mouth agape....Carole

Clint
The numbers I found put the Grand Princess at 949ft long and 118ft beam. 159ft just seemed too huge so I kept looking. It,s still big enough that it won't pass through the Panama canal.
Incidentally according to Cunards schedule the QE2 won't make it to Bonaire in 2003.
Mickey

Ohmigod, and I thought the Freewinds was big! That thing makes the Freewinds look like a kid's bath toy... 8-)

Faith

Mickey,

If you would look at the web site I found the QE2 is 70,327 tons & 963 feet. Same as Clint's? One of the largest & fastest passenger vessels. We must be looking at two different websites? Either way She is HUGH.

Igor, Thanks LOL. It would be a book of Typo's.