Washington Slagbay. Among the green roads.

Over 100 years ago in the northern part of the island of Bonaire had two plantations: Washington Slagbay. Their owners were bred cattle, grown aloe, producing charcoal, and the products were exported to Curacao with a local marina. Despite all efforts, they lost the struggle with the natural conditions are not conducive to agriculture. On the territory of both plantation area of ??5.9 hectares of National Park was established Washington Slagbay. Originally (in 1969) he was only the plantation, Washington, 10 years later was expanded into the territory of the plantation Slagbay. Through the park, laid gravel paths and trails, one of which leads to Brandaris (240 m) - highest peak in the park. On a marked route, we go up there for half an hour. And do not spare! Species that are opened from there to the northern and central parts of the island, Kralendijk, and on a fine day in Curacao and Venezuela, are worthy of this effort. The most popular are 2 routes: one, a length of 28 km, and the second - 45 km - which are bumpy dirt roads. They can be overcome only by four-wheel drive cars. The northern part of the park (Washington) barren, dry and poor in vegetation. Is dominated by low shrubs and a variety of cactuses. The reason - marginal soils, pastures, and a strong wind from the ocean. The southern part (Slagbay) closed chain of hills from the winds and protected from grazing goat herds, so there are a lot more plants. It is here that many species of birds such as parrots, hummingbirds and a colony of flamingos. Recent chosen for himself the lagoon (eg Gotomer). Paws Mangel and Poot Bronsvinkel - one of the few places in the park, where there is always plenty of water. The birds here and swarming. Among them are such rare species as banana songster, the mockingbird, the Cuban Amazon. The majority of growing in a park of trees and shrubs had during the development of plantations of economic importance. Divi-divi trees were a source of tannin - the dye, which is exported to Holland. Their intensive exploitation has led to the fact that these can now be found only in high, inaccessible places. Branches and trunks of mimosa were used for charcoal production, and aloe vera used in the pharmaceutical industry. In turn, the tree mat-squeak (Jacquinia barbasco) appreciated the very first inhabitants of the island. Its leaves and fruits contain a chemical that is paralyzing the fish gills, which was used during fishing. Creating a national park stop the complete annihilation of the vegetation in the area.