CURACAO NETHERLANDS ANTILLES
From: Habitat Curacao-The Freedom Journal Hi Phil,
Hope you had a great weekend. We've sure had plenty of excitement happening around here. Read
on....
THE "FREEDOM JOURNAL"
DIVE LIGHTS, TV CAMERA, SPAWN?
Divelights and camera strobes were charged up, the Outdoor Journal TV crew were in position,
and the feeling of anticipation filled the night. After a colorful and informative slideshow
given by Dr. Paul Hoetjes of Reef Care Curacao to explain which corals would be spawning and
how, we all waited eagerly for Mother Nature to unveil her magic. Would she, wouldn't she?
After all, coral spawning is set to occur 6-8 days after the full moon of Sept. and Oct. each
year, but, who can guarantee? Nature works in strange and mysterious ways. Friday's first
night dive on our own "Nos Kas" reef revealed Flower Corals and Mountainous Star Corals
releasing their sperm and egg packets into the sea in about 40 feet of water. Brittle Stars
and Basket Stars seemed to be "in the mood" too. Saturday night the spawn seemed to be gone
out front but reports came in from the Nicholls Group of Daytona Beach, FL that they'd seen
some at Mushroom Forest diving with Johan.
Come Sunday night, the smooth jazz music coming from Rudy Emerencia playing at our Oceans Bar
had more people swaying to his rhythms than to the motion of the ocean, rounding out a
wonderful weekend. As for the Outdoor Journal TV crew, needless to say they filmed a great
show highlighting the beauty of Curacao both above and below the water. They plan to air the
show next year on a number of major cable stations. We'll let you know where and when to look
for it.
BON BINI
Of course "Bon Bini" means "Welcome", and we are very thrilled to welcome two more great people
to our divestaff team. If their names or faces seem familiar, they should. Karen Chalk joins
us as Instructor/Photo Pro from Capt. Don's Habitat in Bonaire where she ran their Exposures
Photo facility. She'll be with us Curacao for the next few years to be with her two daughters
who are attending Curacao's prestigious International School.
Alan Henriques is also familiar to many Curacao divers from his mug being on the cover of the
DIP Guide, a colorful and informative publication highlighting the best of Curacao's divesites.
He joins our team in the position of Instructor/Assistant Manager. Both Karen and Alan teach
the full range of PADI courses, including Nitrox, and have a wealth of experience and good
humor to share with our guests.
CECIL'S FISH SIGHTINGS
Divemaster Cecil Gomez is always finding "the good stuff." He's got seahorses and frogfish up
his sleeve that, it seems, he can pull out at a moments notice. So, who better to recruit for
a round-up of new and exciting fish tales of late? The big news is a pair of baby blacktip
sharks who have been making the rounds near our 3rd boat mooring. He's also reported seeing a
sleeping turtle at Mushroom Forest, another frogfish at Boca Hulu, FIVE seahorses at Mako's
Mtn., and a hammerhead shark swimming on the surface at Mike's Place! However, although Cecil
can take credit for driving the boat, it was Tuki who pointed out the manta ray cruising along
just past Kas Abou. Never a dull moment with these boys.
GET TO KNOW US
It was never a secret amongst the staff of Habitat Curacao. If you had a special dietary
request, party to plan, or even a crazy craving from the restaurant, sous-chef Reginald
Mingueli was the man to ask. A member of the kitchen team at Habitat for the last two years,
Reginald earned his culinary stripes the old fashioned way, by working hard in major hotel's
restaurants over the last 20 years. So when head-chef Michel Van Zuilen left to open his own
restaurant it was the perfect time for Reginald to step into the spotlight. While continuing
to offer all of the regular menu favorites, Reginald has also added some local flavor with his
own Goat Burger (Dive Manager Mike loves it!), fresh seafood dishes, homemade soups, vegetarian
specialties, and a decadent selection of fresh baked pastries.
He's also put together a talented team of young sous-chefs. One of whom, Tyrone Vrutaal won a
gold medal as part of the Curacao contingent creating "unique snacks based on local
ingredients" at the Taste of the Caribbean Competition in Miami recently.
RIDDLE & RHYME
The countdown is on my friends. Only 3 more fish riddles to go before the Millennium New Years
Eve Party when we will pull one lucky person's name from a barrel of entries to win one week of
accommodation and unlimited diving for two at Habitat Curacao! Just a reminder though, when
you enter your guess for the riddle, please include your name. Many folk's e-mail addresses
don't show their name, or show someone else's name and you could inadvertently be entering your
brother, co-worker, or ?? Congratulations to Jack Vaughn of Kernersville, North Carolina who
was the first to identify the Barracuda in Sept.'s riddle and won an additional entry into the
draw plus a Habitat Curacao t-shirt.
"I swing from the base of a wispy sea fan.
Send your guess to divecuracao@habitatdiveresorts.com
Only one correct entry is allowed per person per month, but you can enter as many incorrect
ones as you want until you get it right!
STAY IN TOUCH
Questions, comments, requests, or just ready to make your next visit?
Here's who to contact:
Managing Director of Habitat Dive Resorts (Curacao & Bonaire) - Albert Romijn.
For questions regarding front desk procedures, special events planning, corporate meetings.
albert@habitatdiveresorts.com
Dive Operations Manager - Mike Stafford
Bringing a group? Ask Mike about boat schedules, capacities, special dive requests, further
education courses.
mike@habitatdiveresorts.com
The Freedom Journal
Write to us anytime you want to know what's up with the divestaff, local happenings, have a
fish tale to tell, subscribe, unsubscribe, and change of e-mail address.
divecuracao@habitatdiveresorts.com
Don't forget to peruse our wonderful website too!
http://www.habitatdiveresorts.com
HAVE AN AWESOME OCTOBER!
Habitat Dive Resorts Website: http://www.habitatdiveresorts.com
The Freedom Journal: divecuracao@habitatdiveresorts.com
Date: Monday, 4 October 1999
Subject: October Newsletter
HABITAT CURACAO
October 1999
I carry the babies because I am the man.
Rarely out for a trot, just hanging aroun'.
You'll see me in colors like yellow and brown."