Bonaire
 Used by permission. |
People line the Chicu Mercelina quay, waiting for Sanikolas (St. Nicholas or Sinterklaas) to arrive in Kralendijk. The boat, a water taxi, comes into sight, followed by more boats bearing more than thirty Piets, and a whole flotilla of private boats. Drummers and other musicians are on the quay to herald Sinterklaas.
Accompanied by singing, dancing, trumpets and drums, anikolas makes his way through the crowds to his vehicle. Piets give sweets and tangerines to all the children. Then the Piets fill a whole bus, following Sinterklaas and forming a procession into the city.
Sannikolas activities for children take place in Wilhelmina Square from 3 to 6 pm. A coloring contest is sponsored by the Centrum voor Jeugd en Gezin (Center for Youth and Family).
Sanikoas himself makes many visits to schools, businesses and homes—as many as 200 in the two weeks.
Controversy about Zwarte Piet has not yet come to Bonaire.