Sometimes my vocation and avocation cross paths. This morning, I catalogued Furlong's American Coast Pilot, 4th ed. Newburyport, Mass. 1804. Page 248 gives the following "Description of the island of Bonair"

If you come across the Main, and are bound for Curassoa, I would advise you to endeavour to make the island of Bonair, and then to run down to Curassoa: but be sure not to come within 4 or 5 miles of the south side of the island, by reason of the rocks and foul ground, unless you are acquainted. There is a road on the west side of the island, which lies within a small islot, but it is a little difficult for strangers. Bonair has a governor: some few people from Curassoa live there, and a great many Indians; there is likewise several warehouses, where the Curassoa sloops load the cocoa, hides, tobacco, &c. that are fetched from the Main; these goods are lodged here till they have a good market for them at Curassoa. The island yields nothing but wood and salt, and has no fresh water; the west part is pretty high, and very rugged uneven land. From the west end of it you may see the island of Curassoa, in fair weather, which bears W.S.W. distant 15 leagues.

Interesting!

That is very interesting. Thanks for sharing!

Holly - very interesting - thanks for sharing!!!

Thanks, Holly....it's nice to look back in time...must have been very interesting way back then. Carole

Holly, how fascinating. I love to read historical descriptions of places I'm familiar with. Gives an extra dimension to the visits. Thanks for sharing this --- and I hope to see you again on Bonaire sometime.

How interesting! Thanks for sharing :-) For those who are history buffs or into archeology, there is an archeological accounting of "The First Bonaireans", written in English but out of print (can't remember the author's name at the moment).....I borrowed Jerry Ligon's copy when I lived there and found it an interesting account of the advent of use of the island for habitation by the indians from the mainland... It would be interesting to find a copy here in the states for inter-library loan.

The author is Dr. Jay Haviser - he's presently on Bonaire working for SKAL (the department of culture - I asked him a few months ago if he had any spare copies, but he said "good luck"). So, if anyone has a copy of his book, especially one for sale, let us all know!

Jake

Funny, it still is pretty much the same. It has no fresh water, you can still see Curacao from the top of Banderas on a clear day, there is still tobacco, the hides are made of neopreme, there is still a hell of a lot of salt down by the pier, and Capriccios still has great chocolate cake for dessert.