The period leading up to the holidays in December always feels a bit strange when you’ve immigrated to Bonaire. It’s quite odd that the temperatures remain tropical, everyone is walking around in flip-flops and shorts, while Sinterklaas arrives with his boat and Pieten in the harbor and Christmas decorations are everywhere. And of course, there’s the missing of friends and family back in the Netherlands, especially around Christmas. Still, it’s truly a unique and fun experience (and it’s certainly not just about the lovely weather ;-)!
Light Parade
From early November, the streets and houses are often elaborately decorated, with the motto seeming to be: the more colorful and the more it blinks, the better. Do as the locals do and just cruise through the streets at your leisure to enjoy all the beauty.
Sinterklaas and Pieten
The arrival of Sinterklaas is no less grand than in the Netherlands; a big boat, a ‘real’ Sinterklaas, enthusiastic black Peters dancing to the music of the Big Band and drums, and street parties everywhere… our kids always found it such an experience!
Christmas Dinner Together
During the Christmas season, Facetime helps ease the missing. We’re having Christmas lunch, they’re having dinner in the Netherlands. It still feels like eating together, and the 8000 km distance becomes a little smaller. And when your family goes to bed, you head to the beach to have a barbecue with a group of friends, just in your T-shirt, with coolers and chairs.
Ending the Year with a Bang
And then, as the cherry on top, on New Year’s Eve, you plop down on the beach again with your drinks and music… Where you have front-row seats and can hardly decide where to look to see all the fireworks. That’s when you know life is good.
PS: And if you’re there on January 1st, don’t forget to join the New Year’s dive: +5 degrees in the Netherlands or +30 degrees on Bonaire, I know what I’d choose…
