| s/v Nine of Cups Bonaire |
Bonaire, the "B" of the ABCs, is a small
boomerang-shaped island and touted to
be one of the best diving locations in the
world. The island is home to more than
15,000 pink flamingos and, in fact, there
are more flamingos here than people.
The official language here is
Papiamentu...an interesting blend of
Spanish, Dutch and African. The
currency is Netherlands Antilles Florins
or guilders at $1= 1.75NAfl.
Karel's Beach Bar to the left is a hub of
activity. It is the main dinghy dock for
cruisers. The moorings are located
beyond Karels to the right.
boomerang-shaped island and touted to
be one of the best diving locations in the
world. The island is home to more than
15,000 pink flamingos and, in fact, there
are more flamingos here than people.
The official language here is
Papiamentu...an interesting blend of
Spanish, Dutch and African. The
currency is Netherlands Antilles Florins
or guilders at $1= 1.75NAfl.
Karel's Beach Bar to the left is a hub of
activity. It is the main dinghy dock for
cruisers. The moorings are located
beyond Karels to the right.
Downtown Kralendijk
(KRAW-len-dike), the largest
city in Bonaire, is clean and well
laid out. The paving blocked
streets are lined with colorful
shops and restaurants. Since
tourism is one of the main
industries of the island, there is no
lack of t-shirt and souvenir items.
The entire sea area surrounding
the island is a national marine
park. The fish and coral are
abundant and the number of dive
and snorkel sites is astounding.
We were able to dive and
snorkel right from the boat.
(KRAW-len-dike), the largest
city in Bonaire, is clean and well
laid out. The paving blocked
streets are lined with colorful
shops and restaurants. Since
tourism is one of the main
industries of the island, there is no
lack of t-shirt and souvenir items.
The entire sea area surrounding
the island is a national marine
park. The fish and coral are
abundant and the number of dive
and snorkel sites is astounding.
We were able to dive and
snorkel right from the boat.
The most distinguishing features
of the southern part of Bonaire
are the mountains of salt. Many
of the islands we've visited once
produced salt, however Bonaire
is the only one that continues to
do so. Cargill Salt is one of the
world's largest salt producers and
produces about 2,000 tons per
hour for export for use in water
softeners, chemical, industrial and
ice control applications.
of the southern part of Bonaire
are the mountains of salt. Many
of the islands we've visited once
produced salt, however Bonaire
is the only one that continues to
do so. Cargill Salt is one of the
world's largest salt producers and
produces about 2,000 tons per
hour for export for use in water
softeners, chemical, industrial and
ice control applications.
In the past, donkeys were used extensively for hauling carts of salt from the
pans to the waiting ships. Now they run loose and are part of Bonaire's
heritage. They are EVERYWHERE!
Drivers stop frequently to let donkeys cross the street in front of them. Many
times the donkeys wait at the window in hopes of handouts. We learned to
save apple cores and banana peels for just such occasions.
pans to the waiting ships. Now they run loose and are part of Bonaire's
heritage. They are EVERYWHERE!
Drivers stop frequently to let donkeys cross the street in front of them. Many
times the donkeys wait at the window in hopes of handouts. We learned to
save apple cores and banana peels for just such occasions.
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pages...check back soon for more
photos and updates!.
pages...check back soon for more
photos and updates!.