A Record of a Lifetime of Wanderlust
Kralendijk, Bonaire I’ve been in many vehicles in my life, but the Blokarts in Bonaire might be among the most unique. The vehicles had a simple design, a go-cart body, but instead of an engine, they were powered by a large sail. Surprisingly, the Blokarts could get quite speedy if sailed correctly. There were only…
Rincón, Bonaire I have taught crop science classes over the years, and I always taught the students that it was possible to make alcohol from any plant through a natural process of fermentation. The Cadushy Distillery of Bonaire has proven that point, using the Kadushi Cactus of Bonaire to make a liquor product. The lime…
Kralendijk, Bonaire and Rincón, Bonaire Bonaire is the second largest of the ABC islands. Still, at an area of only 111 square miles, a large portion of the island can be visited quickly. Also, Bonaire has a small population (around 25,000), so the island feels much less crowded than many Caribbean destinations. Because of the…
Kralendijk, Bonaire On our deck in Bonaire, we exited our vast cruise ship for a new experience: a glass bottom boat. Our captain, Kim, met us at the dock and took us to the coral reef. Kim was originally from the Netherlands, and she spent time telling us about her life-changing vacation to Bonaire about…
Noord, Aruba and Santa Cruz, Aruba Aruba has become a major tourist destination due to its proximity to the United States and its endless summer climate. Tourists on the island can expect sunny weather, warm temperatures, and fantastic water. At a quick glance at Aruba, it is easy to see that all the tourist development…
Oranjestad, Aruba Aruba is a desert island, and very little grows in its hot, dry environment. However, one introduced plant, Aloe vera, thrives in the desert climate. At one time, the Aloe vera plant covered two-thirds of the island and was Aruba’s number one export. Aloe vera was raised primarily for its resins, which were…
Panama Canal, Panama – Looking out my cabin window in Lake Gatún, I saw the automobile carrier Orchid Ace for the first time. It was unfathomable to think that our long day in the Panama Canal would be linked to “Adrienne’s Ship.” Our day in Panama began early morning when we entered the Atlantic Locks….
Cartagena, Columbia We booked the hop-on, hop-off bus tour of Cartagena through our cruise line. I’ve been on these tours before, and the buses can offer some advantages and disadvantages to travelers. The hop-on hop-off bus in Cartagena provides audio in multiple languages as you drive through a few portions of the town. This audio…
Cartagena, Colombia Growing up, I remember the Juan Valdez coffee commercials. These commercials featured Juan Valdez and his mule, who appeared in places worldwide, offering various people 100% Colombian Coffee, “The Richest Coffee on Earth.” Coffee is a massive business in Colombia, as it is the nation’s largest export, grown in the mountainous regions in…
Cartagena, Colombia American pop culture would not have us believe that Christmas should be pushing 90 degrees Fahrenheit and very high humidity, but it was just another Sunday in Cartagena. Weather alone, Cartagena may not be the setting of the next Hallmark Channel Christmas Movie. It’s a shame because we had a wonderful Christmas experience….