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Transcription: [00:27:16]
When the rope ladder is lowered and Johan is back in the pilot boat, his job is complete and he sends the Santa Maria on her way. Safely, we trust this time.

[00:27:31]
Curacao is certainly a port that Captain Maia will never forget, and nor will we, but for many more pleasant reasons. And no matter how one leaves, it's always fun to look back and see that little bit of Holland in the Caribbean.

[00:27:50]
Second in size of the ABCs, but third in importance, is the island of Bonaire. It's only 40 miles east of Curacao, but what a change in the weather.

[00:28:06]
The mystery of the barren trees, drifting snowflakes and snowbanks, well, it's mere wind-whipped salt foam and piles of sparkling salt so Bonaire is a tropic isle after all.

[00:28:22]
It's a quiet, sleepy island devoid of any commercial activity where its 6,000 inhabitants really enjoy being off the beaten track. In fact, the tranquility of the island is its main tourist attraction today. But you know, I often wonder, with many tourists, then what happens to that tranquility?

[00:28:40]
Kralendijk,the peaceful little capital, has the air of a colonial settlement as in the days when the Dutch first came here.

[00:28:47]
The building, designed in the style of a miniature Greek temple, is of all things the town fish market.

[00:28:55]
Here the fishermen bring their catch which can consist of an abundant variety, anywhere from the small, colorful tropical ones to the large tuna, barracuda, kingfish, and sailfish. In fact, for anyone who enjoys the sport of fishing, Bonaire is certainly the place.

[00:29:12]
Very little food is grown here, and meat's quite expensive so every day the townspeople gather to await the fishermen and their evening meal.