We’re settling in nicely to our latest home-for-now, and enjoying island life. Somewhat to our surprise, we’re sticking pretty close to home, not least because the view from our balcony is spectacular. We’re really enjoying relaxing after running around in the Guyanas in recent weeks. Other factors contributing to our sloth are the fact that Kralendijk is not overwhelmingly full of things to do and that it is always hot and humid (even if very breezy). Don’t feel sorry for us, though: we are loving the break!
Bonaire bills itself as a Divers’ Paradise. And they take this very seriously. We have spotted dozens of dive shops, and many beachside restaurants cater to divers’ (large) appetites. Rental-car companies offer more trucks and jeeps than they do cars. Why? Because divers carry a lot of equipment and you can’t really put dive tanks into a car.
The fantastic canal on which our flat is located means that we are close to town as the crow flies. Alas, we are not crows: it’s a twenty-minute walk to our nearest grocery store, thirty into the southern end of town. So our plan is to rent a car once a week or so, which will also let us explore the other towns on the island. And we can also use the car to pick up groceries and run errands!
Kralendijk, the capital of Bonaire and its only town of any size, is super-cute. It’s full of bright coloured-buildings, restaurants, and souvenir and dive shops. It’s also a cruise ship destination, but it’s not high season and we haven’t seen more than one every week day or so. On those days, however, we stay even closer to home. The small streets fill up fast as does every one of the eateries and drinkeries.
We do have a few plans while we’re here: we’re looking forward to trying the local food. It’s Caribbean, mostly, though with a Dutch influence and there’s lots of seafood. We are also planning on encountering two kinds of wildlife common here, donkeys and flamingos (in a PINK LAKE). Plus, learning more about the history of the island. And also, diving: we’ll be hosting some friends who are diving enthusiasts, and chances are very good that at least one of us will join them in exploring Bonaire’s fantastic reefs.
Mostly, though, we are looking forward to chilling out and enjoying the slow pace of the island. The people we’ve met so far have been very friendly, and that always bodes well for a place. Stay tunes for our laid-back but we hope not-uninteresting adventures in this divers’ paradise!
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