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BONAIRE
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Welcome to the breath taking island
of Bonaire. Bonaire is a small, 112 square
miles, Dutch island just 50 miles north
of Venezuela in the Caribbean Sea. The
island has an annual average temperature
of 80°. Situated about 12 degrees
north of the equator and well outside
the hurricane belt, Bonaire is an unpolished
gem set in the southern Caribbean. As
the second largest island in the Netherlands
Antilles, it is a Dutch territory of about
12,000 people and almost as many flamingos.
Known as the friendliest people in the
Caribbean, Bonaireans are of predominantly
African descent with a rich infusion of
Dutch and Portuguese cultures. The capital
of the island is called Kralendijk and
has only one main street, as you stroll
along you’ll see colorful buildings
constructed in the Dutch-colonial style.
Bonaire's arid landscapes contrast sharply
with its spectacular underwater world
teeming with exotic creatures. Maintained
through a precise program of conservation,
the surrounding coral reefs have made
Bonaire a favorite destination for scuba
divers and snorkelers. The trade wind
also makes it a windsurfing and sailing
Mecca
LANGUAGE
Papiamento is predominately spoken among
the local people of Bonaire. Papiamento
is a mixture of Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch,
English, French, and it also has some
Arawak Indian and African influences.
Papiamento is one of the few Creole Languages
of the Caribbean that has survived to
the present day. English, Spanish and
Dutch is also widely spoken on the island
TOURISM
The largest industry on Bonaire today
is tourism. The 70,000 tourists who visit
the island each year, contribute not only
to direct sales such as hotel rooms and
diving operators, but to related industries
such as food and restaurants, retail sales,
and transportation.
FESTIVALS- “Bari”
Singing, dancing, drinking and the traditional
Beating of the Drums (Bari) are the highlights
of this celebration, which recounts the
year's happenings. One special feature,
distinct to the Bari Festival is the "Tambu."
The Tambu is a dance consisting of four
time dances in two parts and is accompanied
by songs in a question and answer style
satirizing local events. Also part of
the celebration are presentations by church
choirs and independent organizations as
well as a hot "Bari" which takes
place in Rincon. December is the month
to celebrate and the Bari Festival is
a wonderful chance to experience the colorful
culture of Bonaire in a unique and very
entertaining fashion.
With its stunning underwater scenery,
Bonaire is ranked as one of the top three
diving spots in the world. Lightly inhabited,
it is a quiet destination where visitors
appreciate the natural environment. Its
desert-like landscape is home to abundant
birdlife...it is a birdwatchers heaven.
But its real claim-to-fame is diving,
and it is the reason most people visit.
The entire island is surrounded by a protected
marine park which offers underwater splendor.
This quiet island is trying hard to protect
itself from overdevelopment in order to
preserve its unique natural beauty, both
on land and sea. If you’re into
the natural environment, you must take
a trip to Bonaire you may not want to
leave ……………
By Melissa Hunte
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