1986/1997

I loved my station at the head of the old Flamingo Beach Club Bar, shaped like a boat, No.NB­5. I was aware of every happening in Bonaire. One day Cowboy Royce, small and tempered like a spring, leaped from his bar stool and shouted, "THERE ARE NO RULES!" Ibo at the cash register looked surprised, and Capt. Don said: ``That's nice. What are we going to play?" Ibo dragged a stool closer to the head of the bar and sat down behind me to watch.

"NOT PLAY!" he barked. "BUT RACE! Your Sislin and Ibo's Velia are going to race around Klein Bonaire." The Cowboy never ceased to amaze me. The late afternoon regulars had been baited, and before the sunset's green flash, Aad Michel, Jimmie Olieman and others had scheduled the race for the coming Sunday which was September 8th, 1968.

Ibo looked at Don and laughed. "Hendenan hopi loco!" Ibo was ready to dismiss the whole thing as a joke until he realized that the bar was taking it very seriously. 18 cases of Amstel had already been bet, and when Larry Thielgard, Don's partner in the Sislin, became involved, the betting soared and finalized at 27 cases.

I watched as Ibo hurried around the bar to confer with Don. They were very close to me so I had no trouble eavesdropping. Ibo was concerned about this 'No Rules' thing and laid out a set of rules of his own. From the Town Pier, it was to be a Fisherman's Start, anchors down, main sails up, a shout from the pier, 'Go!' and the free for all was on. No jumping from boat to boat. No setting of concealed anchors. However, shoving was allowed. First boat back to the anchored row boat was the winner.

I had a feeling Don was happy at the thought of selling 27 cases of beer. Maybe he thought he would win and sell the beer back to Flamingo. Don a Rooster, Ibo the Hawk. It was to be a "dog eat dog" race. I sure wished I could be outside to be a part of the action, but after the race was over I would hear it all in my privileged place at the head of the bar. Late that afternoon after the big race over, everyone trampled back into the bar. Ibo with a beautiful big smile, while Don glumly slid over to me and whispered, "The water plant. That damned water plant and its secret current. That's what fooled me! " And I thought, "You Gringos are all alike." Hmmm, I wonder where that came from?