Bara di Karta offroad trail

Bara di Karta start

Plantation Washikemba

The Washikemba plantation was one of the bigger plantations on Bonaire that was mainly used for the production of aloe vera. This plant has been used for centuries for its medicinal and skin care properties. The beautiful mansion was the center of the plantation and served as the living area for the owner. The mansion has been uninhabited for a long time. Rumors persist that the house is haunted and ghosts visit the house regularly.

Wild goats at Saliña Washikemba

Saliñas are salt lakes, supplied with rainwater and seawater. They catch the rainwater with mud, which flows from higher grounds towards the sea. The mud can settle in the saliñas, so it can’t suffocate the coral reefs. Saliñas attract many water birds, including the Caribbean flamingo. They are also very important for birds that migrate between North America and South America. In the dry season there is no water in the saliñas.

Sea views

The longest tree of Bonaire

Close to where saliña Washikemba descends into Boka Washikemba the longest tree of Bonaire (28 m.) is growing in an east-west direction. The shape of the tree is the result of the almost constantly blowing Eastern Trade winds. The tree is called Buttonwood mangrove. The leaves have two red notches located at the base. The soil where the plant grows is salty. To survive these harsh conditions the salt is ejected through the two red notches. When it rains, the salt is washed away from the plant.

Blowhole at Boka Washikemba

For millions of years, powerful waves eroded the limestone terrace exposed on the east coast. Parts of the coastline collapsed due to tsunamis and earthquakes. The result of these natural forces is the existence of many ‘bokas’. The meaning of ‘boka’ is ‘mouth’ in English. Litter consistently washes up along the coast of Bonaire. Most of the litter originates from the rivers of South-America where the environmental legislation often isn’t in place. The bokas are cleaned up regularly to provide nesting grounds for the sea turtles that lay their eggs on the beach. Unfortunately the litter keeps washing in.

Panorama

Three Tamarind Trees

End of trail