A pleasant distinction to Curaçao, Bonaire was my favourite island on this journey. With out a big inhabitants or massive vacationer trade (the federal government limits cruise ships to separately), the island has a relaxed, genuine environment. Hurry and go to earlier than it modifications!
We organized a non-public information and driver right here and it was a pleasant, stress-free alternative. The car was fairly battered, however the air-con labored and our native information was good.
She knew we wished to see wild flamingos and began our day by working us previous the lake close to the airport the place that they had just lately been hanging out. It was a big flock – however not possible to {photograph} with simply my iPhone. We headed to the southern a part of the island to see the deserted trying salt flats and the present salt operations (now owned by Cargill). Our information stated that when the water stops evaporating, the flats sparkle within the solar like thousands and thousands of diamonds.
The historic slave cabins weren’t far-off. Inbuilt 1850, they as soon as housed 6-9 slaves in every small constructing. Many have survived throughout the island and stand as a testomony to the previous. Earlier slaves camped outdoors, then had log cabins till these stone constructions have been constructed with no water or amenities. They have been thought of nice progress, however once you appeared inside it was not possible to think about how folks might stay in such circumstances. The view, nevertheless, was unimaginable; however now the waves have eroded the shore to such an extent that the survival of the huts is threatened.
Heading north, we visited the 14th century Spanish village of Rincon, nestled between mountain peaks for defense from raiders. Rincon is the oldest repeatedly current village within the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba. Whereas there we tasted a liqueur comprised of a wealthy native cactus. I am going to move this on, it is to not my style.
In the long run we climbed the hills on the island and stopped at a seashore referred to as 1000 steps, as a result of to these divers who return to the highway with all their gear, it looks like there are 1000 steps, as a substitute of the 67 that there are. It was a ravishing seashore setting and it made me unhappy that I did not get to snorkel on this journey. Anybody visiting Bonaire who is aware of find out how to snorkel or scuba dive – ought to!
The drive to Lake Goto was lovely and would not have been an excellent journey if it weren’t for company from our boat using bikes, golf carts, or touring by highway. The panorama was dusty and dry, though the wet season that had simply ended had seen way more rain than typical. It was not unusual to see iguanas or donkeys alongside flamingos and vibrant orange bay home windows flying within the timber.
There weren’t many flamingos within the lake at the present time (it is nesting season), however we noticed them as we drove across the facet that wasn’t seen from the lookout.
Kralendijk was a useful metropolis. Loads of retailers promoting necessities for the locals, one KFC and lodging for the various divers who flock to the island identified for its pristine diving. You possibly can take a brief self-guided strolling tour of the city from down by the harbor and there’s a small craft market within the sq. that provides the harbor for cruise ships. We walked round a bit earlier than boarding our boat on the finish of a very nice day.