Bon Bon Bonaire
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How would it feel right this minute to be lying by the Caribbean sea with a refreshing breeze gliding over your body, while you develop a subtle bronze tan and finish your next tropical cocktail? The wife is off to the duty free stores indulging her shopping whims. The kids have split up and are photo shooting at the national park, and the rest of the brood is learning to windsurf around the point. Where am I? That's right - BONAIRE!
Most people have heard of the ABC islands - Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao. Located just 86 miles east of Aruba and about 70 miles north of Venezuela, and far outside the hurricane zone, Bonaire's average temperature is 82°F, with a water temperature of around 80°F. Bonaire is reached easily by air - American Airlines recently opened its new American Eagle route from San Juan, Puerto Rico. What used to be a couple of hours in transfers is now only one or two stops away. The reason is obvious: travelers learned about this beautiful little island community just above the equator at the southern end of the Caribbean.
Bonaire's history is long and colorful. Amerigo Vespucci first arrived in 1499. Slavers used the island in the late 1600s as a stop over to replenish their salt before the long sail across the Atlantic. Salt production on the island's south end is still a major local industry. As the Europeans settled in the southern Caribbean, the Dutch stepped forward and claimed several small islands under provincial authority. Today, Bonaire remains steadfast in it's allegiance to the Netherlands commonwealth.
Bonaire's local language is just as colorful as the history. Can you say Papiamento? If you can't, don't fret, it took me a couple of tries to get it right myself. Nevertheless, this rich vernacular is a combination of Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, and English, with an occasional French, African, or Arawak word thrown in. You can get by easily, speaking English, Spanish or Dutch - the official languages.
I thought I'd become the best shopping haggler in the Western Hemisphere; then I ran into Papiamento, but most of the islanders speak English. I didn't have to use my repertoire of charades to establish my bargaining strategy. No matter which language you communicate in, you will want to take advantage of the liberal duty free shopping available throughout the island.
Bonaire is an island poised for greatness. When you arrive, you are going to stay in or around Kralendijk (pronounced Kral-in-dike), the island hub. From your west-central coast base, you can walk, drive, or cab within minutes into town and visit the duty free shops. There are three malls all within a short walk of each other: Harborside, Les Galleries, and Lourdes. You will find an amazing variety of quality Caribbean, European, South, Central, and even North American goods. I was especially interested in the Blue Delft collectibles from Holland. Delft is glazed earthenware, specific to the city of Delft, in Holland, and typically blue and white. The overall selections are endless and the quality is highly rated.. Plan a full day in the shopping district.
The island of Bonaire has been luring world travelers to its sun-baked shores for years. There is a variety of accommodation price ranges to choose from, including beautiful coastal bed and breakfasts, to apartment and condominium retreats. Vacationers can also reserve quality, traditional inns, hotels and beach resorts. The collective rooms available on Bonaire is currently a little over 1,000 and growing. You can easily find a place that's rustic, romantic, luxurious, and full of local flavor and style.
During my stay, I found myself lodging at the Divi Flamingo Beach Resort, an easy five minute walk from town. The Divi is a wonderful hotel, a brand known throughout the Caribbean. Clean, modestly furnished and priced rooms allow you to listen to the waves lapping the breakwall past the patio slider. Of course, you could lie in bed and enjoy the quiet, or you could slip into your shorts and sandals and stroll over to the cooked-to-order morning buffet, lasting until around 10:00 a.m.
The Divi recently renovated the outdoor lap swimming pool, the casino, the salon's spa, and the delightful open air entertainment lounges and restaurants. There's nothing better than sitting in a sun chair, sipping a premium brew imported from the Netherlands.
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By Scurvy Lichen - Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent - at www.jetsettersmagazine.com
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