Over ons
After selling our home on Bonaire, we intended to simply sit back and enjoy life. We initially decided to sell our building plot on the island as well, but local developments changed our minds. Instead, we came up with a plan to develop this unique plot near the sea ourselves. We turned it into a project with the carefully chosen name: “Ayo Bonaire.” Both the architectural adjustments and the construction were entrusted to local companies.
Winnie focuses on design and interior, Gabriëla provides support using computer-aided design programs, maintains the website, and Tjerk serves as the project manager.
Inspiration
The inspiration to name our project Ayo (Bonaire) came to us because:
1. It is easy to remember
“Ayo” is one of the most frequently used words in the Caribbean Netherlands. It is a friendly greeting used to say goodbye, much like “see you soon.” For many tourists, it’s one of the first words they pick up and enthusiastically begin to use. The common use of “Ayo” helps make the name “Ayo Bonaire” more recognizable and contributes to a warm, positive experience for everyone staying here.
2. It has a connection to Suriname
“Ayo” is also the name of a former wood plantation on the Suriname River in Suriname, where Tjerk’s ancestors worked as enslaved people until the abolition of slavery. After the abolition in 1863, the plantation was handed over to the freed people. Today, the former Ayo plantation is a beautiful recreational area. Many of the holiday homes there are still owned by descendants with the family name Helstone, ensuring that the history of this special place lives on.
3. It deepens your historical awareness
An interesting detail is that the name of the Jewish wood plantation “Ayo” in Suriname means “why” in Hebrew, while “Ayo” in the Dutch Antilles means “goodbye.” This historical connection inspires us to offer future owners and guests a stay that is so surprisingly positive, that they will say “goodbye” to “Ayo Bonaire” with a smile, knowing exactly why they surely want to return.
