Villa Aventura, a group location for about 17 people in district Punt Vierkant, was recently acquired by a couple from the Netherlands. Ralph de Kreij and Rosalie Tordoir have a special mission with this beautiful location. They will organize retreats for people and their loved ones who know they will soon have to let go of life. Ralph: ‘Sometimes death comes suddenly and unexpectedly, but often there is illness or old age and there is still a precious period between heaven and earth that is given very little attention. Making this period valuable is what we will focus on’.
Through accompanying a mutual friend in his final stage of life and through Rosalie’s work in a hospice, it became clear to them that this period is underexposed and even a taboo for many. ‘Family and friends often do not know how to handle this difficult situation either, sometimes due to their own insecurity but also because it is not clear what is expected of them. It is our mission to change this by means of an accessible program that creates more openness, acceptance and connection with each other, yourself and nature through vulnerability,’ said Rosalie.
When Ralph and Rosalie shared their plans with Christine & Willem van Dijk, they were willing to sell their beloved place, which was not for sale at all, to them for this purpose. William brought his ailing twin sister to the island in 2014 for one last family vacation. ‘That period was so special and valuable for all of us. Really being together one last time and celebrating life is still such a precious memory, we really wish that for everyone,’ said the Van Dijk family.
The retreats focus on people who are still well enough to travel, do not need active medical treatment and want to experience one last ultimate time together with their family and friends. So it is not intended to function as a hospice. The activities offered are broad; from coaching, meditation, breathing sessions, (prayer) walks to beach clean-ups and activities such as windsurfing, diving and campfire nights with live music. Everything entirely depends on the wishes of the guests.
The couple believes that such a retreat should be possible for everyone. To make this financially possible, there will be a foundation with a fund for the less fortunate.
Bonaire is a special place for both of them. They met here two years ago in special circumstances. Ralph was with his children on the annual windsurfing vacation and Rosalie had settled down in the Caribe that was familiar to her because she could not return to her work and home in Sydney, Australia due to Covid.
Right now they are making all the preparations with the many local partners to actually host the first guests for these retreats in February. The villa will continue to be available for rent for business purposes and tourists.
