Hop and Jaunt’s “Believe It or Not”

While traveling throughout the Westward Antilles we’ve seen quite a lot of amazing things.  Each day is filled with breath taking scenery.  Picturesque white sandy beaches stretch right across our front yard (figuratively speaking).  We have seen dramatic landscapes with towering island mountains that drop off sharp cliffs and straight into the sea.  Living right on the surface of the world’s largest aquarium has given us the opportunity to  view an astounding quantity of tropical sea life, and during our excursions inland we have met dozens of very cool and interesting people.  Yet, on occasion we happen across something that really catches our attention.  Sometimes its something in the local culture that strikes us as different and new.  Other times its an out of place object that doesn’t seem to fit with the rest of the beautiful scenery, or more often than not, it just strikes us as funny.  So here is a compilation of some of the strange and curious oddities we’ve found while in Bonaire.

A Donkey Sanctuary

Bonaire is not lacking in a large variety of wildlife beneath the water, but on land their are very few species of animals…aside from Iguanas and Flamingos.  It is, however, home to a very unique species of donkey.  This historic breed is kept and protected in Bonaire’s Donkey Sanctuary.  Here they house, feed, and treat over 300 donkeys…you know…for prosperity.  In fact if you leave Bonaire by air plane they ask if you would please donate to help save the donkeys.  

Save the Donkeys

Topless Dutch Girls

Before arriving in Bonaire, Alyson and I have really stood out in a crowd of locals.  On our arrival to the Caribbean, our pale white complexions and her bright blonde hair were a dead give away; although, with time we have tanned pretty nicely.  Since Bonaire is a member of the Dutch Antilles, there is naturally a large population of Dutch citizens.  Now we are frequently surrounded by the masses of young blonde, white Dutch residents of the island.  As a matter of fact, sometimes during trips to town I lose track of Alyson in the crowd.  Its all those blonde heads that throw me off.  Most locals even confuse her for being Dutch.  I usually get an assortment of wild guesses including Canadian, French, Italian, and once someone asked me if I was from Bangkok.  

But one thing I’ve learned and liked about the Dutch is that its not uncommon for some girls to go topless.  Even at the public beaches you will sometimes find these young women sunbathing away their tan lines.  On one occasion in particular, I was talking with the Skipper as we sat in the cockpit.  Suddenly, a small power boat came slowly motoring by not more than 20 feet from our boat.  Reclining on the bow was a young, perky dame smiling and waving to us as she passed by.  I don’t think either the Skipper or myself remember what we had been talking about previously.  That was a good day

Photo not available

US Imports

While abroad, I try to keep my eyes open for things that are imported from the United States.  Mostly, its food and cars.  While on a shopping trip to the grocery store in Kralendjik, I found this item direct from the state of Georgia in the good ole USA.  The name on the box says it all.  Does anyone know if they sell this in the US too?  I’ve never seen it.

Made in the USA!

Cut-Up Chicken Parts

Bonaire Chicken

Alabama has its share of strange cuisine, so this shouldn’t surprise me…but it does.  Bonaire chicken is Iguana.  I suppose there are plenty to go around, and its not served in most tourist restaurants so you would have to go to a really local food joint to find it.  The strange thing is though, that apparently they cook it like lobster…alive in a boiling pot of water.  I haven’t tried it yet.  Should I?  Cheeseburgers just sound so much more appetizing.

Bonaire Chicken

Rain

This probably isn’t such an oddity for most people, but for us it was.  We haven’t seen rain in nearly 3 months, so when we began getting a few short showers in the late afternoons we were pretty excited.  The boat needed it desperately.  Quercus was getting covered in a thin layer of red dust.  We washed and cleaned as much as we could, but it was a daily battle.  Also, we could only clean as high as the reach of our arms, so the mast and all the shrouds really needed the washing.  Also rainy days are good days to stay below and read.

One Boat, One Man, Eleven Dogs

After a week and a half in Bonaire, we had a new neighbor moor right next to us.  It was a very small, steel sailboat…maybe 28 feet in length.  It was manned by one old, lonely Spanish man and his ten, eleven, twelve dogs (we could never keep count).  Fortunately, we were upwind of him, but I can’t imagine the horror of what his living quarters below must have looked like.  These weren’t cute, cuddly puppies either, but all full size, viscous dogs.  Well…see for yourself.

Salty Dogs

This did a lot to disturb the peaceful tranquility of the bay.  The dogs barked constantly at anything that went by.  Anytime a boat passed all the dogs would rush on deck and begin snapping and barking.  Anytime a dog passed by on the boardwalk 100 yards away…again with the barking.  Anytime you snorkeled near his boat, dogs would jump in the water and give chase.  And always the barking was followed by the old man yelling one long and pleading “Noooooooo”.  We think thats all he knew how to say.  Apparently, he is quite notorious in the ABC islands.  Even folks in Curacao remember him with a bit of wonder.  Did he just find all those dogs, or did they find him?  You meet a lot of strange people on sailboats.  Its a lifestyle that requires you to be a little different, but even for cruisers this guy was very odd.

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