Bonaire 2020: The Dutch Antilles

A trip to the grocery store is a real cultural event in Bonaire. Influence from Holland is most prevalent with Dutch cheeses abounding!

Dutch chocolate also comes in many varieties and is a real treat. Most labels are in Dutch. Sometimes you can tell what a product is... and sometimes not!

The island has a large Asian population as well and the stores often carry a good selection of Asian foods. Some are difficult to identify - even when the name of the product is in English! We simply don't have the variety of roots, mushrooms and herbs that are found in China and elsewhere in the Orient.

One fruit native to Arkansas is the persimmon, but Chinese persimmons are 3 or 4 times the size of Arkansas persimmons.

This is a dried persimmon.

Milk only comes in A-Sep packaging and is all shelf stable until you open it.

Papiamento is the native language on the island, but Dutch is quite common and most people speak at least some English. 

Bonaire 2020: Underwater Life

I never get tired of seeing all the fish and corals under the sea! The Caribbean is packed full beyond imagination and there is still plenty of room for more. Most of the time, divers are inconsequential observers and are basically ignored by the creatures we encounter.

Bonaire 2020: Acclimating

For our first day on the Island we planned an easy dive at Buddy's Reef. Our pre-dive check revealed a couple of problems with Ron's (brand new) gear. One issue was resolved with a quick switch of BCD hoses between Ron and his wife Connie. The 2nd issue, a missing O-ring on his BC, could not be mended before the dive. Connie, Fred and I made the dive without him and he snorkelers on top.

Like lots of other activities, diving requires a minimum of technical equipment. The safety check before a dive is critical to everyone's safety. The equipment and knowing how it works is part of the fun. Some folks get into it more than others and its amusing to watch the real "gear heads" suit up before a dive.

The minimum needed is a BCD (buoyancy control device,) a regulator (to get air from the tank to you,) weights and a mask. We also always dive with a wet suit and booties.