The Coastal Scenery of Bonaire

Bonaire has a unique coastal scenery for a Caribbean island. While most islands in the area consist of sandy beaches and palm trees, Bonaire has a lovely combination of cacti, coral, and salt flats highlighting any trip across its shoreline. Add to that its surrounding reefs for scuba diving and snorkeling and Bonaire presents an interesting new destination for Caribbean vacationers.

Follow this photographic journey around the coast of Bonaire:
Bonaire beach and cacti © Gennaro Salamone

Slavery is a common theme when studying the history of the Caribbean islands. Bonaire’s history is no different. The Spanish and the Dutch fought for years with the latter eventually gaining control of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao. Africans and Indians were used as labor with slaves living in quarters that were too short to stand in.
Former slave houses of Bonaire © Gennaro Salamone

Historically, salt production was the main labor for enslaved inhabitants. The salt industry still exists today and the solar salt farms along the southern part of Bonaire are used mostly for the creation of industrial salt. More important for visitors, the salt flats are a beautiful addition to the local landscape.
Salt flats of Bonaire © Gennaro Salamone

Miles of beaches covered in coral are found near the salt flats. Few venture into the waters of this area for swimming and much of it is uninhabited outside of a variety of birds and marine life. A lighthouse and its abandoned keeper’s house are a nice find for photographers.
Lighthouse © Gennaro Salamone

If you’re visiting Bonaire for diving or other water-related activities, a trip along the coast is a worthwile addition to your stay. It’s only a short drive from the resorts including Captain Don’s Habitat. That or a day trip to Washington Slagbaai National Park with its cacti, flamingos, and a sandy beach is a must.

This trip to Bonaire was courtesy of Tourism Corporation Bonaire. The content and opinions in the article are those of the author.

 
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Gennaro Salamone is the founder and editor of Enduring Wanderlust. Feel free to contact him with questions, comments, or inquiries with reference to contributing an article or photograph for publication.

 

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Travel Alerts Hurt Mexico

Mexico has been hit hard by the recent U.S. State Department travel alerts that were widely covered by the media. Fear of violence in connection with the war on drug traffickers is at the center of the problem. Spring-breakers who often travel to the country have avoided Mexico, in part, because of that issue. Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, and Rosarito Beach are among the popular spots that have seen a significant drop in travelers from last year. Fewer tourists means trouble for an economy that depends on travelers for much of its economic growth.
Mexican Beach © Mdnys

With Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano recently saying that American tourists are not targets of the violence and should be safe in the tourist areas of Mexico, it’s a wonder why the media coverage was so extreme. There are certainly areas of Mexico that require caution for visitors, but few travelers venture into those places. It’s a matter of being informed before traveling. It’s a good idea to read the U.S. State Department’s document targeted at keeping spring-breakers safe. Consider reading a few blogs that cover travel in Mexico too, including Travelojos, for another view on the situation there.

Would a safety alert change your travel plans? if given the opportunity, would you visit Mexico this week.

Read about the U.S. Senate’s bill that would lift the travel ban to Cuba or the beautiful islands of Belize.

 
___________________________________________________________________________________
Gennaro Salamone is the founder and editor of Enduring Wanderlust. Feel free to contact him with questions, comments, or inquiries with reference to contributing a travel article or photograph for publication.

 

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End to Cuba Travel Restrictions?

Recently, the Obama Administration made it easier for Cuban Americans to travel to their ancestral homeland. The measure allows for annual visits to see their relatives on the island. No limits have been placed on the length of the trip. Qualified travelers are only restricted by a $179 per diem. Lifting the requirements for Cuba Americans has all Americans wondering whether or not all restrictions will be ended in the coming years.
Cuba © Zedzap

Last year, 50,000 Americans traveled to Cuba after being approved for educational, religious, or family-based trips. Countless others traveled to Cuba through Mexico or Canada. With a change in the political climate, it’s likely that open travel will be broached within the next few years. Much of the current opposition stems from a selection of Cuba-American politicians from South Florida who feel that allowing American tourist dollars into Cuba strengthens the Castro regime. Others argue that the influx of travelers will help to bring democracy and capitalism to the island. Either way, it’s time for all parties to meet and come to a resolution over the issue. The Cuban Missile Crisis was 47 years ago. Communism fell almost two decades ago.

Should the U.S. government end travel restrictions to Cuba? Is it better to wait until the Castro regime is out of power?

Read about the first Western tourists to visit Iraq.

 
___________________________________________________________________________________
Gennaro Salamone is the founder and editor of Enduring Wanderlust. Feel free to contact him with questions, comments, or inquiries with reference to contributing a travel article or photograph for publication.

 

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Scuba Diving Certification in Affordable Paradise

The Bay Islands of Honduras offer an unmatched opportunity to receive an open water certification for scuba diving. The crystal clear waters are a dwelling place to a multitude of wildlife including whale sharks, sea horses, and dolphins. The certification courses on Utila are the most inexpensive in the Caribbean running from $220-280 for several days of instruction, low-end hotel room, and two free dives (in most cases). Courses are also available for a bit more at the higher-end island called Roatan.
Scuba Diving in Roatan, Bay Islands © Marc AuMarc

Two of the popular dive centers on the islands are the Utila Dive Center which is connected with the Mango Inn and Deep Blue Utila which runs their own hotel.

Utila’s atmosphere is laid-back with lots of world travelers who arrived for serious diving or who are looking to match a little diving with a lot of nightlife. Roatan is more expensive and has a community of travelers who are keen on taking in the some rays between scuba diving sessions.

Read about San Marcos (an inexpensive Guatemalan lake town) or the top snowboarding locations in the world.

 
___________________________________________________________________________________
Gennaro Salamone is the founder and editor of Enduring Wanderlust. Feel free to contact him with questions, comments, or inquiries with reference to contributing a travel article or photograph for publication.

 

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