Cactus

 

The Kadushi cactus grows all over Bonaire. It is particularly plentiful in the interior and on the eastern coast. It's protected because it a vital food source for the Lora parrots in times of drought.  These cacti are on all three of the ABC's.

There is a distillery in Rincon (a small rural town in the central part of the island) that uses the Kadushi cactus to make a liqueur out of the plentiful cacti. The Cadushy Distillery harvests the cacti and make liqueurs and spirits in their 1500 square meter mecca. 

The liqueurs are named after the Dutch Caribbean islands and made using local flavors. We were not fans of the liqueurs that are served at the tasting room. The rum, gin and vodka, however, are really good and have unique flavors. 

The distillery has a toasting sign.  It shows all the words for toasting in different languages. In Dutch the word is "Proost". Good first word to learn in a foreign language.  Next we will learn "where is the bathroom".

Fences are also made from planting the Yatu cacti in straight lines.  These are all over the island.  Very effective for keeping everything out or in. And decorative too.