In case you have not heard, the Super Bowl will be banned from 233 this year. With the Falcons eliminated there is no one to root for. And with the Dirty Birds from Baltimore, led by Killer Lewis, representing the AFC, we sure won’t watch it. I’ll get the commercials via the Internet.
Our day started off with a bang. Literally!
We did not dock until noon, so I slept till 7:30, did my morning ablutions, then woke Bonnie, and we went to breakfast. I selected my usual – scrambled eggs, one biscuit and gravy, 6 tater tots, a small spoonful of hash, and a cup of coffee. While enjoyable every other day, it did nothing to satisfy my breakfast needs, so after eating only about 4 bites total, I went to the egg station and had a fresh omelet cooked – JAMM Kids do your best Pappy Carter – deeeeelicious. I went for a second cup of coffee as we headed for our spot on Deck 6 to read and wait for the call to go ashore. Using the same cup I had earlier, I poured a fresh cup, took two steps, and the cup exploded! The cup split down the side from top to bottom, and circled around the inside of the bottom. Coffee went everywhere (except on me). A most interesting start. I got another cup and resumed my course with no more explosions.
I watched as the Pilot Boat came alongside and the Pilot – the man in the white shirt – climbed up a rope ladder to direct us to the dock. Pretty interesting.
This island is home to 16,000 proud inhabitants. Our tour guide showed us a number of donkeys whose ancestors were released to the wild when human slaves were released, and they cannot be owned by anyone, or forced to do anywork. They wander wherever they wish, causing 30-40 traffic accidents a year, he said.The biggest building on the island, our guide said, is our cruise ship. And it has the island’s only movie theater. When we sail away, the theater goes with us. And the biggest building.
We saw a number of pink flamingos, the island’s bird. Pink is one of the major colors on Bonaire. Even the international airport is painted flamingo pink. Flamingos, you will be pleased to learn, are not born pink, but a dull grey. They eat only shrimp and after five years of this steady diet, they turn pink – who wouldn’t? And flamingos mate for life – if a bird’s spouse dies, he or she pines away, never remarrying.
Speaking of death, when you die on Bonaire, you are buried in a small mausoleum. They do above ground, not in ground. After 5 years, your body is removed, whatever remains of your remains is returned to your family for cremation or burial, and your old spot is rented out to someone else.
We toured, literally, around the island, from the southwest side from the capital city Kralendijk, to the northeast side where the winds blow hard off of the Atlantic and nothing lives there but cactus, donkeys, and Divi Divi trees bent over by the wind. There are a few iguanas there as well. Our guide said that chicken tastes like iguana.
The spectacular white pyramids in today’s edition are mounds of sea salt processed on a 9,000 acre salt mine, and run by an American company. The salt is variously processed to serve from your table to making roads safe in winter. 
I will close with reference to Fort Oranje, in downtown area. Built by the Dutch in 1639, it has never been attacked. With thanks to all of those who are serving or have served in the Armed Forces, may all forts be so fortunate.See you tomorrow from Aruba.
Oh, my brother, the Harley shop here on Bonaire was only a repair shop – no shirts for sale. Maybe on Aruba.
TTFN!
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