Bonaire

Steven Dutch, Professor Emeritus, Natural and Applied Sciences, Universityof Wisconsin - Green Bay

Kralendijk

	Kalendijk is the capital of Bonaire. Bonaire is the least developed of the three islands, Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao. "Bonaire" looks deceptively like it comes from French for "good air," but in fact originated in a native word meaning "low country."



	"See the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep." Psalm 107:24
	"Right here January 19, 1784. Absolutely noting happened." Caribbean islands have a tendency to project a laid-back image, but, really.










	"Mein Schiff:" "My Boat."


	A flamingo outlined in coral pebbles. Below: local wildlife.





	The sign below explains that the slave huts, built in 1850, were temporary shelters and sleeping quarters. The salt works today are run by Cargill.




	Salt evaporation ponds are often red because of salt-tolarant micro-organisms that live in the water.

	Coral pebbles on the beach. The corals are branching corals, accounting for the elongate shape.
	When salt was ready to be shipped, the company would fly a colored flag that matched one of a number of painted pylons. That told incoming ships where to moor.


Gotomeer is a lake in the north with lots of flamingoes. Above, views of the coast.








	Above: Flamingoes are pink from bata-carotene in their diets. Juvenile birds are gray. Left: such grace! Such poetry!
	Below: scenery around Gotomeer.


	Cacti find the dry interior of Bonaire to their liking. Below: Rincon is the only other town on the island. Originally founded by the Spanish, it's located inland in a valley with views of both coasts, as protection from pirates. The name means "corner" in Spanish. Below is the preserved interior of an old house.

Created 8 December 2020, Last Update 10 December 2020