Menage A Trois in Bonaire

BONAIRE, NETHERLANDS ANTILLES – The Dutch seem like such nice people that it’s hard to believe that in the 17th Century they imported thousands of Africans to work as slaves in the salt flats here.

But tour books tell us that’s what they did in their imperialist phase. This island off the coast of Venezuela thrived until slavery was abolished in the 19th Century and the salt- making industry collapsed.

We can also blame the Dutch for my not recounting any local political gossip. The only newspaper we could find today was written in Papiamento, a local dialect that’s a blend of Dutch, English and other languages.

Now the semi-arid island, which is part of the Netherlands, is known as one of the world’s premier diving destinations because of close-to-shore reefs and water that is as clear as Lake George.

We took advantage of the water and reefs today as we snorkeled from a beach that had schools of brilliantly colored tropical fish within a few feet of shore. It’s the first time I’ve done something physical for recreation, as opposed to exercise, since my cancer diagnosis last June.

Another highlight of the day was partaking in a ménage a trois that my wife approved of. This one was a fancy dessert consisting of raspberry panna cotta (flan), a layered chocolate opera cake and Nutella-flavored mousse. It’s hard to imagine going back to life where meals consist of only one or two courses and there aren’t any waiters hovering to refill my water glass or clear the crumbs off the table.

I had a surprisingly easy time in not feeling guilty about missing my first State of the State address yesterday since 1983. Somehow I bet that whatever Governor David Paterson said wasn’t that well received by the legislature.