Sunday, December 23, 2018

Sunday, December 23, 2018

Tonight's picture was taken in December of 2006. This was Mattie's fifth Christmas. By this point, Mattie understood why I wanted him to pose for a photo in front of our tree. Mattie also loved his Christmas train that ran around the tree, puffed out steam from its engine and of course played Christmas music! This was the photo featured on our 2006 Christmas card. 


Quote of the day: A good conscience is a continual Christmas. ~ Benjamin Franklin


We arrived in Bonaire today. Bonaire is part of the ABC's islands which include Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao. Bonaire has two very different terrains on one small island. The Southern part is arid, dry, and flat, and the northern part is lush, green, and hilly. Ironic as the island is only 24 miles long and 7 miles wide. The island is part of the Netherlands and English and Dutch are commonly spoken. There are about 16,000 people on the island, and 20,000 flamingos. You do the math.... there are more flamingos than people!

This island has been called the "useless island" by Europeans. Because no gold was found on it. However, in the early 17th century, the Dutch West India Company began mining for salt. Bonaire remains a major salt exporter in the world. 

Our tour guide today was named Joss. He was lovely, however, instead of giving us a 3 hour tour as advertised, it was only two hours. So his guests were not very happy with this. 

In comparison to Dominica and Grenada, Bonaire is very flat. It also can be easily identified from other islands because of its limestone cliffs and cactus everywhere! 

We drove through the capitol city of Kralendijk, and came across this limestone formation that is known as "devil's" hill. As it looks like the devil in profile. Joss explained that the island is filled with caves and unfortunately many people learn this the hard way, as they find their houses sinking into the ground. I gather surveying of land isn't done in Bonaire before building on the property. 

There are cactus and coral of all shapes and sizes on Bonaire. Bonaire is a diver's paradise, as there are over 60 diving sites close to the shore line. 

These are Cadushy cactus. In fact, they cook with this cactus and even make alcohol from it. 

They grow them big on this island.... take a look at this iguana!!! The picture may not do it justice. In addition, the island has freely roaming goats and donkeys. The donkeys were once used and corralled in the salt mines. However, once things became mechanized, the donkeys weren't needed. They literally were discarded and now fend for their own. 

Flamingos are the island's national symbol. They are seen everywhere. A mother flamingo produces one egg a year. When the chick is born, it is white. It takes two years of eating shrimp for the feathers to turn pink/orange. Flamingos can live an average of 20 to 30 years. The flamingos in Bonaire can fly to Venezuela and back. 

This is a photo of us at GOTO lake. It is a natural saltwater lake and a feeding ground for the island's shy pink flamingos. Bonaire is dedicated to the preservation of wetlands and waterfowl, and the islanders are proud that the natural beauty of the terrain is maintained. 

I snapped this photo of Peter near the Cadushy cactus. I thought it made a lovely composition. 

The tour took us to the Washington National Park. The park hosts a museum and an outdoor educational walk where you can learn about how aloe extract and lime (made out of coral and can be used like cement) are made. The outdoor walk was truly beautiful in a way. We were surrounded by cactus, birds, and it was absolutely peaceful. I am not sure why our fellow passengers were not interested in this wonderful space. They literally sat on the bus, which of course rushed us through the exhibit.