Kralendijk, Bonaire: the town, the market and Rincon
Kralendijk and its boulevard, the markets on Wilhelmina Plaza and in Rincon, the slave huts on the south coast and which of our houses are a walk from town.
Kralendijk is the capital and the port of Bonaire, and small enough to cross on foot. The name comes from the Dutch for coral dike. People on the island simply call it Playa.
The boulevard. Kaya J.N.E. Craane follows the water past Fort Oranje, the old fish market Plasa Machi Mimi and the pier where the water taxi leaves for Klein Bonaire. It Rains Fishes and several other restaurants look out over the sea here. Kaya Grandi, one street inland, is the main shopping street, and the Terramar Museum tells the history of the island from the Caquetío to the colonial period.
The markets. On days when a cruise ship is in port, stalls with island-made products fill Wilhelmina Plaza. The market with the most local character is Nos Zjilea at Mangazina di Rei near Rincon, on the last Saturday of the month from 10:00 to 15:00, with local food, crafts and live music.
Rincon. The oldest village on the island lies in a valley in the north, a short drive from town. The Cadushy Distillery gives tours with tastings, Posada Para Mira serves local food at lunch, and on April 30 Dia di Rincon is the largest cultural festival of the year.
The slave huts. On the south coast, beside the salt pans, stand the small stone huts built in 1850 for the enslaved people who worked the salt. They slept there during the week and on Friday afternoon walked seven hours home to Rincon, returning on Sunday. Slavery ended in 1863. The red, white, blue and orange obelisks nearby once guided the salt ships.
Which houses are a walk from town. Kas Playa has the center of Kralendijk within walking distance, and the apartments of SENSES are on the boulevard itself. The houses at Punt Vierkant and Kas Chapin on the EEG Boulevard are a few minutes south by car.
