PORTS OF CALL - Caribbean
Kralendijk, Bonaire
Often called simply "Playa" or "Beach" by local residents, Kralendijk is the sleepy capital of Bonaire, an island in the Dutch Antilles. Strung along one of Bonaire's many attractive beaches, Kralendijk is lined with delightfully pastel stucco houses, in pinks, oranges and lime greens. Famous for its diving - the island is surrounded by a Marine Park - Bonaire also offers such treats as flamingos, pink beaches, hiking and casinos. Plenty to do if luxuriating on a pristine beach isn't enough!
Don't Miss
You'll definitely want to see Bonaire's genuinely pink beach, located just south of Kralendijk. The color comes from corals which have been ground into sand by the sea. Also pink are Bonaire's famous flamingos which, in mating season, number in the 15,000s. Washington Slagbaai National Park is the place to go and, with its varied terrain, you'll also have a chance to see a wide variety of other bird life, from the bananaquit (a cheeky little yellowbreasted bird known locally for stealing sugar off diner's tables) to the Caribbean parakeet.
Sporting Adventures
There's plenty to do above and below the water. Diving in the Marine Park is excellent and equally good is the offshore fishing, which yields such catches as tuna, mahimahi, blue marlin, amberjack and sailfish. Bonaire is also considered a well-kept bonefishing secret. If you want to stay onshore, Washington Slagbaai National Park offers a wide variety of terrains for hiking, from desert and cacti to peaks and ocean views. The park is a good place to see Bonaire's flamingos, as well as many other birds. Snorkeling offers a rainbow array of fish and a wide variety of healthy corals, from staghorn to gorgonians.
Shopping for Bargains
A stroll along Kaya Grandi in Kralendijk offers a wide variety of interesting bargains, on things like gemstone jewelry, wood, leather, silver and ceramics. You'll also find prints and paintings, painted fish and island dolls.
Local Flavours
Creole is the favorite local cuisine, particularly influencing seafood dishes, from conch shell to grilled spicy fish and lobster. Caribbean influences to look for include papaya, plantain and funchi (corn-meal mush). And this is after all the Dutch Antilles, so there are many delicious smoked meats and excellent cheeses to be found. If you want to try an unusual local dish, ask for the cactus soup!
Currency
Bonaire's currency is the Netherlands Antillean florin (NAf), sometimes called a guilder. However, US dollars are widely accepted, along with most major credit cards.