Bonaire is the least developed and most laid back of the ABC islands: 19,000 inhabitants, zero traffic lights. It is one of the island we’ll be most interested in visiting again, because of its incredibly pristine waters. In Bonaire turtles have been protected since 1961, spear fishing was banned in 1971, and the entire shore of the island was declared a national park in 1979. To protect the coral, anchoring is strictly prohibited, so if you arrive by boat you have to either dock at one of the two marinas, or tie to a municipal mooring buoy. We did the latter, and ended up with a beautiful and lively underwater garden of coral and fish as our backyard.
Our backyardAntler coral, we think
In the spirit of the laid-back atmosphere, we had a proper, deeply and almost religiously laid-back time. Snorkeling became a daily activity, followed by a visit to Gio’s to get a scoop of extra-dark chocolate ice cream—which is a lot to say from someone who doesn’t really like ice cream (and, no, I didn’t even try the other flavors). The only exceptions were laundry day, and when we rented a car for three days and brought ourselves to exhaustion because we crammed too many things in those three days to make good use of the car.
Contrary to what we had become accustomed to, the weather is quite dry and the landscape arid, dominated by the cadushy cactusBonaire means good air in Portuguese, but the name is likely a deformation of Bonay, which means “low country”—a very apt name for the island—in Caquetio. The Caquetios, related to the Arawaks, were natives of northwestern Venezuela who came by canoe and inhabited the ABC islands when the Spaniards arrived in 1499.The island has capacity to receive two cruise ships at a time. When that happens, the island population can grow by 50%.The temporary population growth is well absorbed and things remain reasonably civilizedMassive floating hotelThe island boasts 86 named dive sitesWe ignored the dozens of scuba diving shops and went instead to the only freediving shop. This is Carlos, the store owner, the first person to go deeper than 100 meters in each of two freediving disciplines, and our freediving instructor for one day.The whole family got reunited in BonaireAnd we celebrated Paula’s birthday in style: a private tour around the coral reef in a semi-submarineKlein Bonaire is a small, uninhabited island one mile off BonaireAnother view of Klein BonairePekelmeer Flamingo Sanctuary is one of few places where American Flamingos breedAnother famous inhabitant of BonaireRental car dayWindward sideSlave huts. The Spaniards saw no value on Bonaire’s land. They forced the native population of Bonaire into slavery and shipped them to work on plantations elsewhere. When the Dutch colonized the island they brought slaves from Africa. These are the African slaves’ tiny dwellings.Salt production is second to tourism in Bonaire’s economySalt conveyor systemSteady wind year round, and warm, shallow, flat and protected waters make Lac Bay a forgiving place to learn and improve your windsurfing skills. Bonairean professional windsurfers regularly place among the top. In 2014’s world championship 5 Bonaire natives finished in the top 10. Note to self: watch the Children of the Wind movie.A local improving his Vulcan. It would be cool, but I doubt that’s his scooter, though.Washington Slagbaai National ParkHigh-clearance car required to do the loopThorny pathThe sight of a Dutch warship likely had to do with Russian nuclear bombers landing in nearby Venezuela for joint military exercises between those two nations
Yeah, Paula is back in California complaining about the cold weather but gloating about long showers and fast internet. Hope to see you soon, somewhere!
Tortuga!!!! I agree with previous comments. The photo selection, editing and framing improves each time you post. Do you frame in the viewfinder or crop after? The compositions are gorgeous. I laughed out loud at the floating hotel image. LoneStar wants to know when you’ll be in Panama and if a rendezvous is still an option, if we can swing it. Love to you all.
Thank you LyLew! ☺️ Perhaps the places we visit are more and more beautiful? Also… two of the pictures are Kathy’s. I try to get a good framing in the first place, but don’t sweat it too much. In particular, with my sunglasses I cannot easily see the entire frame in the viewfinder at once. In cases like the floating hotel, I know before hand that cropping (after perhaps perspective distortion correction) will be necessary. Our plans are always in flux, but at the moment Panama is lining up for May. ❤️
I think this may be my favorite photo selection yet since you started sailing a couple years ago. Beautiful.
Thank you Donna! Glad you liked it!
Love reading your adventures. Glad to see the girls got to enjoy in some of the fun!
Yeah, Paula is back in California complaining about the cold weather but gloating about long showers and fast internet. Hope to see you soon, somewhere!
preciosas fotos
Gracias tío!
lindo tu viaje
Tortuga!!!! I agree with previous comments. The photo selection, editing and framing improves each time you post. Do you frame in the viewfinder or crop after? The compositions are gorgeous. I laughed out loud at the floating hotel image. LoneStar wants to know when you’ll be in Panama and if a rendezvous is still an option, if we can swing it. Love to you all.
Thank you LyLew! ☺️ Perhaps the places we visit are more and more beautiful? Also… two of the pictures are Kathy’s. I try to get a good framing in the first place, but don’t sweat it too much. In particular, with my sunglasses I cannot easily see the entire frame in the viewfinder at once. In cases like the floating hotel, I know before hand that cropping (after perhaps perspective distortion correction) will be necessary. Our plans are always in flux, but at the moment Panama is lining up for May. ❤️
Gracias por mostrar Bonaire, parece un lugar maravilloso y con historia. Saludos
Si, y con deliciosos helados de chocolate! Besos!