Flamingo Airport

The 150,000 people that pass through Flamingo Airport Bonaire annually probably don't see the crazy stuff we see.  We have  spent a lot of time this summer picking up and dropping off visitors at the airport. I thought I might share some of our observations. 

The airport is open air.  On the ceiling is the biggest fan. It's not just any fan it is a "Big Ass" fan. That is the model or brand. Each blade is about 10-15 feet long.

 

Naturally there are flamingo decorations everywhere.  These happen to be in the restaurant. The restaurant features a glass wall where you see the visitors walk by on their way to immigration.

The entrance to the airport features a large plaster/concrete sculpture of an iguana. It is super ugly.  It's been there a long time overlooking all who enter.

The airport has new sun/rain shades on the loading ramps/stairs.  I don't know if its to protect passengers from the sun, rain or wind.  But they are covered all the same.

Our drop off area is called "Kiss and 

Ride".  It's one lane that is guarded by a friendly security guard that tells you to move on before you even get your passenger out of the car.  Forget the kissing...they want you to move it.

We often pick up passengers here because it saves us the $1.00 for parking...which is ridiculously cheap for airport parking.

There is a map of miscellaneous islands that covers an entire wall near check in. I think it is an advertisement for phone services.  It doesn't list Aruba which is part of the Dutch Caribbean but it does show St. Kitts and Nevis which are not. We have never seen Chippie on the the island.

Kayak Trauma

Kayaking always looks so peaceful, calm and fun.  That is why we reserved three kayaks for a nice paddle in the sea. We put on sunscreen, our hats, sunglasses, rash guard/sun shirts and water shoes . We were ready.

We took off from the dock and it seemed calm.  Rick and Donovan were paddling along and I was zigzagging (not on purpose but because of my poor skills) in the channel trying to keep up. I was enjoying looking at all the houses and boats along the way.  We reached the channel that opens to the sea.  The wind picked up and it became super hard to paddle and not get carried out to the sea by the current.

I met the boys as they turned around at the mouth of the channel that opens to the sea.  The wind was strong and they we paddling hard.  I got carried by the current and was heading out to sea.  Rick tried to save me but I was hysterical and exhausted and was no help in the rescue.

I finally made it to shore. I dragged the kayak up on the rocks and told Rick to come back and get me.  I sat on the shore with shaky legs and arms thinking that I could have been totally swept out to sea and I would not be able to paddle back. I was traumatized.

Rick and Donovan paddled back to the dock bucking a head wind the whole way. They were tired as well. Donovan claimed that Grandpa could keep up with him but I think they both struggled against the wind.

I saw a coast guard boat go by and I was mortified to think they came to rescue me. They passed by without stopping....thank God.

My rescue team showed up and loaded the kayak and me in the back of the car. 

 

Donovan sat in the back holding the kayak named "Frenzy" (seemed appropriately named). The kayak hung out of the back of the car by about 1 foot.  One big bump would have sent it flying out the back taking Donovan with it. 

Our big adventures with kayaks has not been what we had envisioned.  Our first kayak trip in the mangroves found Donovan frustrated with the oars getting caught in the trees and roots. Our second attempt almost sent Grandma out the sea. We are all exhausted and our muscles are sore.

We have sworn off kayaking...it just isn't our sport.

The Real Dutch Bakery

Our quest to find sweet pastries on the island leads us to many places that advertise donuts, sweet rolls, cupcakes, and bread.  We have been to many of them seeking donuts, cinnamon rolls or any sweet pastry.

Since we dropped the grandson off at scuba certification class in the early morning, it gave us to time to visit yet another bakery in the morning as they close in the afternoon.

This is "The Real Dutch Bakery".

We think that the Dutch do not have a yearning for sweet pastries.  We have never found them on the island.  They are big into bread. They had loafs of bread and muffins. This bakery caters to the Dutch and makes the Oliebollen (a grease ball of dough and powdered sugar) that everyone eats at New Years. 

We did find a box of "Toppers Van Oranje". These are bread rolls filled with vanilla pudding and topped with powdered sugar. We got a box of 4 and brought them home.  It was the only sweet thing we saw in the bakery. Not exactly what we have been searching for but it was a pastry done Dutch style.

The search continues...

 

Visitors

We have had a steady stream of visitors this summer. We like to commemorate arrivals with a photo.

The is BJ and Jim friends from Denver who visited in May. They reminded us that Bonaire is a beautiful place.
 

Son Phil, Daughter-in-Law Eliza and Grandson JB visited in April.  Seeing our grandson experience snorkeling for the first time was priceless.  Sharing our island with them was a visit we will cherish forever.  

My old friend, Kathy, from our water skiing days and her son, Justin, came in June as a second visit to Bonaire.  We ate and drank everything Bonaire has to offer.  They reminded us that we live in Paradise and that friendships can last 40 years plus.

Grandson Donovan came for a couple of weeks. It was his Christmas gift from us to get scuba certified.  We had to work to keep up with him. We were busy diving, snorkeling, kayaking, land sailing, swimming and eating. It was great to get to spend time with him.  He reminded us that we are not old, just out of shape.

It's been a great summer of visitors and we look forward to sharing our island with future visitors.