Sunday we again worshiped with the small group of believers at the International Bible Church. It is truly an international church. They come from Holland, U.S.A., various countries in South America and Bonaire. We were a little late this Sunday, because we had locked our keys in the car the night before and had to wait for the spare set to be delivered. As a result, there were very few seats left. Hopefully, I will be able to get a picture of the congregation one of these days. The Pastor continued the study in Revelation 2 on the Pergamus church. In Sunday School, (yes, they do still call it that in some places) we are beginning a survey of Paul’s writings. We watched a video on the end of Acts and then had a discussion.

After lunch and naps, we decided to try going to the other side of the island again. Larry found a somewhat better route to the area, but

we did not make it to the lighthouse this time. We saw some desolate looking spots, the desolation reinforced by the donkey skull, dried and bleached by the sun and the towering cacti.

We also saw some of the paintings. These depict the stars and were their compass. We also saw a hole in a roof of a cave that is traditionally connected with the Star of Bethlehem. It is usually covered to keep the goats from falling through, but opened at Christmas to let the star shine through the opening. Hopefully you will be able to read the story on the picture of the sign (if you click on it to enlarge it).

I thought the cacti growing on this big rock were so pretty. It must really be nice when they bloom.

I also took a picture of a fence that has the flags of many countries painted on it. I don’t know what the place is, but thought the fence was interesting.

Of course, there are the cacti fences. They are very effective!

This tree is one that we learned about on the tour we went on

when we first arrived. It is known as the ‘Tourist Tree’. If you look closely, you will probably be able to observe that it is red and peeling.

We also took a picture of some of the blue rocks like the ones we followed

Saturday. We have now found out that the blue rocks mark the route of the first ever Bonaire Xtreme Duo mountain bike race — a 75 km (47 mile) bicycle race — held this morning! Wonder how many tires needed repair? The route on Saturday was not nearly this nice!

NOTE — To see a bigger (and in some cases, expanded) version of any of the images in this blog, just click on the one you want to see.

Today we started slowly and enjoyed our normal breakfast. I did some ironing (a few things just need something, even after flapping in the breeze) and a bit of straightening. We decided that we would go to the east side of the island to see some Indian paintings on the cliffs after lunch. Well, that turned out to be an interesting trip. We didn’t get to see the paintings, but we did get to see God’s power in nature.

We weren’t sure how to get where we were going, but we took a dirt road that looked like it could go where we wanted. This road was kindly marked every so often with painted blue rocks. It took off over a flat wilderness of cacti, a bit of scrub, wild donkeys, mud, rocks and dirt. Just as we got to the area we were hoping to see, the clouds let go. Thunder, lightning, and pouring rain. We could see the waves crashing against the rocks, where we would have liked to walk and explore, and see the lighthouse. We thought about continuing to the cliffs, but as the rain came down, the road began to get very muddy very fast, so we decided to go back the way we came. We thought that if the storm blew over before we had gone to far, we could always turn around again, but at least we would be well on our way out if it continued. We had rain all the way back home. The road would have been very difficult to find if it had not been for the blue rocks! It was a fun adventure. We will take that trip another day. The storm was quite nice, not as magnificent as those in Swaziland or Colorado, but quite spectacular just the same. The driving rain, loud thunder and lightning along with the waves crashing against the rocks, certainly showed the power and awesomeness of our God.

We did see a very interesting building before we had gone to far off the beaten trail. It looked very out of place, not only on this little island of Bonaire, but also so far away from anything else.

This evening we were able to swim at Flamingo Beach after not swimming there for two days.

NOTE — To see a bigger (and in some cases, expanded) version of any of the images in this blog, just click on the one you want to see.

Lighthouse photos:
www.lothardoehle.de/bonaire/lighths/lighths.htm
www.trabas.de/bilder/band_j/gross/J6414.jpg

Forty years ago, we were not able to communicate with friends and family as easily as we do now. But, then when we were writing and made a mistake, it was all still there mistake and all. I had this blog just about completed, and hit something that completely eradicated everything!!! So will see if I can recreate something for Larry’s birthday day! Ok, this time I have saved it so it will continue to save as I type.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR HUBBY, HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!

Today I walked through town and took a few pictures of some of the buildings and some eating places with amusing names. I also went grocery shopping. It’s air-conditioned, so it’s a nice place to frequent and stay as long as possible. I found some meat there that had an interesting label, so I took a picture so you could see for yourself.

In the afternoon, for Larry’s birthday, I made brownies in the

toaster oven. I found tin foil pans that would fit in the Supermarket. I had to cut the brownie recipe in half, which made the smallest pan of brownies I have ever made. They didn’t turn out quite right, but still tasted good with ice cream and nuts on top.

I picked Larry up from the transmitter site just after 5:00 and we stopped on our way home at the beach we used to frequent 40 years ago. It now has a ladder to get down to it and has no sand as the water comes right up to the rocks. There is sand under the water. I know that sounds a little strange, but most of the beaches are just coral rocks rubbed smooth by the wind and waves. The beauty of the water makes up for the lack of sand! Where there is sand, it is very white or pink. Very pretty. NOTE — To see a bigger (and in some cases, expanded) version of any of the images in this blog, just click on the one you want to see.

Today I have been a bit lazy, trying to fight off this cold. I am feeling better, so will probably be up to the evening swim tonight. A good thing about an evening swim, is that we don’t become sunburned and it is cool and relaxing after a hot day. The water is so clear we can easily see our feet even at 5ft. and the sun down! It is beautiful.

After lunch, I took Larry to the office and then did some grocery shopping. I took some pictures inside the store for those of you who are interested. They do carry some American foods for the Americans who are not brave enough to look at the pictures and try something that they may or may not

recognize. They are also more convenient so the kitchen doesn’t heat up quite so much. So far I have not given in and paid the extra money for the convenience.

This morning we discovered that the ants had found our sugar. They were on the outside of the container after a little sugar which was

there. I changed containers and then washed down the kitchen and sprayed around the windows. Will have to be a little more careful. I am so thankful that we have not seen cockroaches. They grow pretty big here and I really do not want to find one, even if my grandsons would love to see it.

We did discover that there is a snake on Bonaire. It grows to a length of 4 inches, and is only seen at dusk when it comes out to feed. It looks like a skinny worm. I have never seen one of these. I think the cockroaches might be bigger

than the snake… well maybe not quite that long, but much wider. I’d rather see the snake!

NOTE — To see a bigger (and in some cases, expanded) version of any of the images in this blog, just click on the one you want to see.