BelMar Apartments Bonaire Staff

The faces behind Belmar

Many of our repeat guests know already the people that give Belmar that personal touch it is so known for, but here they are and you can find out those things you always wanted to ask.

Henriette Peels – Operations Manager

After spending her childhood in the Southern part of The Netherlands, Henriette left for Leeuwarden situated in the northern province of Friesland and attended the Leisure Management School.

The high seas always appealed to her and when Henriette got the opportunity to join the world renowned Holland America Line she didn't hesitate too long to say yes.

While sailing around the Caribbean she visited the various islands, met a lot of people from different cultures and made many friends from all over the world. On the luxurious cruise liners Henriette gained experience in different areas ranging from the Control Department to Housekeeping and the Front Desk.

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Anouk Bonenkamp - Assistant Operations Manager

Anouk was born and raised in Almelo, located in the eastern part of the Netherlands.

After finishing high school she started working as a buying assistant and in the evening she did her commercial education. When she finished her school she started to work for a toy company and became a buyer.
Then she moved to the beautiful capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam, known for its’ famous canals, where she had a very good time.

Her parents took her on a holiday to Bonaire and it was love at first sight. So she visited Bonaire a couple of times more. After finding a job at Belmar apartments on her last holiday she decided that this is her home because this is where her heart is.

On her days off she is either diving, swimming, reading, cooking or meeting with friends.

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Sarah Brandsen - Assistant Operations Manager

Born in the Center of the Netherlands, which is known as the wetlands, Sara grew up in a small village called Woerden. After finishing her high school, Sara went to the well know Art Academy in Utrecht to become a photographer.

Then Sara decided to replace her camera for a suitcase to see a bit more of the world and her eye fell on Bonaire. Her plan was to stay for 6 months, but she has fallen in love with & on the island and already lives here for 2 years together with her boyfriend. Before working at Belmar she worked at another resort on the island, working at the front desk and the reservations department.

On her days off Sara enjoys going to the beach with her dog, snorkeling and hanging out with her friends.

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Marieke Schmitz – Reservations

Born in the southern province of Noord Brabant, Marieke moved even deeper South to Limburg at an early age until going to Den Bosch for college where she studied Human Resources Management.
Before going to college she spent a year in Curaçao and loved the Antilles so much she decided to come back after her studies.
After being back in Holland for a few years and visiting Bonaire during vacations, she knew Bonaire was the place where her future would be.

In March 2005 she moved to Bonaire and worked as Corporate Human Resources Manager for the mother company of Belmar. Always eager to learn and discover different disciplines Marieke took up the responsibility to set up the new style reservations office for Belmar. When not working she enjoys windsurfing, playing with her 4 dogs at the beach and spending time with her “hero” Matthijs.

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Chrissie Wootton – Dive Instructor

Born in Northumberland in the United Kingdom with a Swiss mother and an English father Chrissie’s destiny was an International one from the start. She got an Honours degree in Psychology and spent one year teaching English in France.

Before coming to Bonaire she was partner in a Management Consultancy firm conducting Leadership & Communications trainings in the UK and US. It was on a dive vacation in Curacao where she met her boyfriend and being fed up with a long distance relationship and the stressful life in the UK she decided to make the move. She moved to Bonaire in March 2004 and since her passions are teaching and diving, being a dive instructor is a dream that came true!

During her days off she enjoys being with her 2 dogs, exploring the island with the 4x4 truck, “chilling out Bonairean style” which lacks any stress!!

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Frank Eiking - Dive Instructor

Frank was born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. After 25 years in IT management he decided it was time for a change. Because his partner Jeanine had already lived on Bonaire it was not hard to figure out where their new job would be: The Caribbean seas around Divers Paradise Bonaire. They started planning their move in 2005 and in August 2007 the day had finally come: A one-way flight to Bonaire!

Frank has been a Padi dive instructor since 2006 and has seen many different parts of the world since then. He can teach you a lot of specialties including Dry Suit Specialty, although you may have to bring your own suit to do this course on Bonaire, since the water has a constant temperature of 80F/ 28°C.

Franks hobbies are digital underwater photography, off-road motorcycling and offshore sailing.

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Abby Cox - Dive Instructor

After growing up and going to school in Chicago, Abby worked for a few years with troubled teens in Arizona. Craving some moisture in her life after so long in the desert, she adventurously bought a one way ticket to Thailand to fulfill her dream of becoming a dive instructor. Trading the fast paced lifestyle of the US for a beautiful and relaxing island one was the best decision she has made to date! After living and working in Thailand for a year, she made the move a bit closer to home, and is now settled here in
Bonaire.

In her spare time, Abby enjoys traveling, exploring in nature, and spending time with friends and family. On her weekend you may find her out kayaking or hiking during the day, and in the evenings swapping adventure stories with friends over dinner.

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Housekeeping Team

Nathaly Cicilia – Room Attendant

Born and raised on Bonaire Nathaly has five children ranging from the age 6 to 18.
Her favorite hobby is cooking and she considers the Peruvian dish “Chiviche” as her specialty as well as local stoba’s and fish.
Nathaly likes going out with her friends for a drink while not working or cooking.

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Petrovilia “Tica” Cicilia – Room Attendant

Tica joined the Belmar Team not too long ago and she mainly takes care of the Public Rooms as well assisting Miriela and Nathaly when needed. She has five children and together with her husband she enjoys deep sea fishing when not working at Belmar or in her house. Preparing and eating the fish she caught is even more fun for Tica!

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Miriela Thielman - Room Attendant

Born on Curacao but raised on Bonaire Miriela has two beautiful daughters. Before working at Belmar she worked as a room attedant at a big resort. She loves her new job at Belmar because of the small scale and therefore more intimate. When she has a moment for herself she likes reading and singing. On Friday night you can find her at La Terassa singing at rithem of the Caribbean Blues.

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	BelMar Apartments Bonaire Staff
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