Page 49 - The Dutch Caribbean Isles
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ocated in the southern Caribbean, out- of Bonaire. Lac Bay in the south has near- Brandaris is Bonaire’s highest point. An
perfect windsurfing conditions, making average annual rainfall of 22 inches (56 cm),
L side the hurricane belt and just over 500
miles from Miami or a nine-hour flight from the area ideal for beginners and advanced an almost constant water temperature of
Amsterdam, Bonaire is part of the Nether- windsurfers alike, whereas the hilly land 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius),
lands Antilles, along with its sister island, scape in the north is every mountain biker’s and a slightly higher air temperature of 82
Curacao,and close to Aruba, which are only dream. Klein Bonaire, a small deserted degrees Fahrenheit (28 degrees Celsius),
respect ively forty and eighty miles (64 and island a mile off Bonaire’s coast, is a well makes Bonaire a pleasant environm ent in
129 kilometers) away. known sea turtle hatching area and its which to vacation .
C onstantly rated as the top dive dest beaches and clear waters are ideal for snor B onaire’s population is a rich mixture
ination in the world and as a pioneer keling and sunbathing. Diving, kayaking, of several cultures and goes back to
caving, snorkeling, mountain biking, wind
in preserving nature, Bonaire is indeed the or kite-surfing, bird watching, hiking, or around 1000 AD, the era of the Arawak
dream for every diver. Over eighty dive just relaxing and re-energ izing from the Indians, when the Caiquetios sailed across
sites, many of which are easily accessible by real world’s stress; you name it and Bonaire from what is now Venezuela. Traces of
shore, truly make Bonaire the “shore diving will make it happen. their culture still can be found on various
capital” of the world. But this boomerang- C onstant trade winds from the east archaeological sites. Today’s population is a
shaped island, 24 miles (39 kilometers) long ensure a pleasant breeze over the direct result of slavery. Slaves were brought
by five miles (8 kilometers) wide, also offers from Africa in the early 1600s and marks a
a variety of activities for those who do not 112-square mile (290 square kilometers) is- dark period in the Dutch history. Signs of
dive. land. Although influenced by a dry climate, the repressive history of the past are still
T he eastern mangroves, the “nursery of Bonaire has three distinctive land types. visible on the island. Most eye-catching and
the reef ”, are best discovered by kayak, The central region is semi-arid, while the impressive are, of course, the slave huts on
southern region is flat and wide open with the southern tip of the island.
while on the western part of the island, a unique mangrove system and salt pans.
several caves are open for guided tours The northern part is more green and hilly.
to explore this unknown and mystic side With a height of 714 feet (218 meters),
