Kralendijk, Bonaire

Kralendijk, Bonaire

We arrived in port early today. It was about 6:30am but we couldn’t get off the ship until 7:30am.

Again, we did not book a shore excursion. We debated about booking a Flamingo reserve tour but in the small print it said: “Bring along your binoculars as visitors are not allowed near the sanctuary”. What’s the point?

There were also opportunities to take a glass bottom boat excursion. However, if you sat at the edge of the pier and looked into the water it was like looking into an aquarium. Amazing colours and variety of fish. The water is so clear it’s like it isn’t there.

 

 

 

 

 

We had a leisurely breakfast then left the ship and started our self-directed city tour. Our “tour” took us past the initial tourist trap shops and out into the residential area where we visited a local Catholic church, the high school, the local hospital and nursing school and on into the city.

The city gets very little rain so it is dry and at this time of the year it lacks colour and blossoms. The iguanas are all over the place . The lady at the café said that between the fact that rain is so rare and the iguanas so prevalent it is difficult to try and have a decent garden.

Anyway, as we had hoped, the walk took us out and away from the tourist hangouts to a small, new café on the outskirts of town run by Lucille. They had just opened and again were surprised that someone from the ship made it all the way out to see them. The café had wonderful food!

 

 

 It is located in an industrial area along a busy stretch of road between downtown and who know where. Lucy and I had a great time. Here is a picture of the two Lucys:

　

　

The weather, for those who are interested, is always around 28C - 30C and rather humid. So you have to slow your pace, have plenty of liquid intake and take breaks. Rest and enjoy what’s happening around you.

Of the two islands, Curacao and Bonaire, I quite markedly prefer Bonaire. I could come back here even if there really is nothing here. The island is flat, barren and dry, but there is a different “aire” about the place.

When we have walked through grocery stores and marketplaces it has been interesting to note that you are quite “invisible”. The merchants are NOT in your face asking you to purchase something nor is there any pressure to leave their stores and shops with a purchase.

People here are very respectful of the visitors and each other. The only thing we have not been able to figure out is why someone honks their car horn. A horn will honk when no one is around. Can I be that arrogant to say that they are simply saying hello to wonderful visitors??? I think quite the opposite would be true. There must be someone they know on the side of the road or they are just letting people know that they are arriving at an intersection or something. This will be an ongoing study on our walk through Ornamented (Aruba) tomorrow.

The exit from the ship and the re-boarding is such a simple, friendly process. Your room card is scanned upon leaving and again when returning. There verify that you are indeed the person registered with the card (by photo) and away you go. When you come back on board, all backpacks & bags are sent through the X-Ray scanner. Usually without delay you are on your way.

 

 

 

Today an American tourist told the security again that she had not purchased any alcohol while in port, yet the scanner showed a couple of bottles in her backpack. You are allowed to purchase liquor but must give it to the ship when boarding only to receive it back when the ship arrives at it’s final destination. (San Diego).

Bonaire feels a bit more laid back than Curacao. That is very likely because it is much smaller. We did managed to purchase a small package of the main export of Bonaire, Salt.

We once again had a great day here. We are following a lesson we learned rather harshly in Ixtapa a couple of years ago and that is when it is this warm and humid you have to learn to place yourself accordingly. A hat/cap, lots of liquids and rest often. A Gatorade at the beginning of the day is a great way to start!

When I got back to the ship today I went for an ice cream cone. The attached photo should explain why having an ice cream cone when it’s 29C doesn’t necessary work… :>)

We are scheduled to eat supper on the “Open Seating” schedule which means that we can go to the lower Vista Dining Room anytime from 5:30pm to 9:00pm. We have enjoyed that but today we decided we wanted to eat outside on the Lido Deck as we departed Kralendijk.

The Vista dining room has amazing food. You are seated, served, order from the menu and basically do nothing but eat and enjoy.

The Lido Deck meal service is buffet style but there is an good variety and there are separate salad bars, meal service bars, dessert bars and the drinks corner. You choose whatever you want and are dished the food from behind the counter then proceed a table in the Lido Restaurant area, a table on the back (aft) veranda or simply take it to you cabin if you wish. Today we choose to eat outside on the deck during departure and under the moon and star lit sky in the warm tropical air. So amazing.

Tonight we may or may not go to the Vista Lounge for the show.

Complete picture posting are on my Facebook page.