text: Coco Palm Garden
Bonaire -- the B of the ABC islands (Aruba and Curacao are the 2 others) is located just 80 km
north of Venezuela. Not the typical tropical island with lush rain forests. Rain is
something rather loved because it is so seldom happening. Lots of cactus in different
variations, agave and aloe vera are the most seen plants. And yes, there are palm trees on the island, but mostly in
private gardens. The average temperature at day
time is 29 degrees Celsius and at night it is just
slightly cooler. Water temperature at the east coast is just a little lower than the air
temperature, at the windsurf spot Sorobon-Lac Bay
the temperature of the water is about the same as the air.
The island, about 50 km
long and 6 to 14 km wide, is rather
under-populated with around 11.000 inhabitants. Towns? There is Kralendijk, the "capital", on the
west side and Rincon in the north -- and some houses inbetween them. The west coast is for
the divers and snorklers -- turquoise cristal
clear water with lots of coral reefs and multi-coloured
fishes -- you get the feeling you are swimming in
an aquarium! It is not for nothing that the number plates of the Bonairean
cars show "Divers Paradise". There are more than 50 shore dive spots, all
easily accessible by car. Absolute diving
freedom, diving
when and where you want. |
