Caribbean Vacation in Curaçao
The lesser known island of Curacao, part of the Lesser Antilles of the Netherlands and the “C” of the ABC islands (Aruba and Bonaire being the other two), is a hidden diamond of white sandy beaches and clear, turquoise waters situated just 40 miles off the coast of Venezuela. As a former Dutch colony, the capital of Willemstad is made up of European-influenced architecture and small alleyways but painted in the vibrant pastel colors of the Caribbean.
Curacao is where my family was lucky enough to vacation during spring break this year, and I admit, I had never heard of the place until this trip was planned. Little did I know that for the last 15 years, I had been mispronouncing the blue liquor that causes the signature blue appearance in Blue Motorcycle mixed drinks as “Ker-a-ka” instead of “Ker-a-so” after the country in which it’s produced. Whoops.
I’ve never personally been a resort or cruise type of gal, instead preferring travel that allowed me to be immersed in the culture of the places I was visiting. But I have to say, during the last few years, I’ve been immensely enjoying the pure pleasure of resort life. From the relaxation of not having to travel farther once you’ve reached your destination to the convenient beaches right outside your hotel door to the all-inclusive food and countless drinks, resort life is heaven. Curacao is a popular port for cruise ships as evidenced by the frequent vessels anchored in Willemstad, but there are several resorts as well. And if you have young children, the included childcare at some of these resorts is a God-send. At first, I was a bit skeptical of leaving my children in the hands of strangers in a foreign country, but now that I’ve let that anxiety go, I’ll never stay at another resort without that option.
The capital, Willemstad, is located on the south side of the island closest to Venezuela. The town is sprinkled with small stores and street vendors, several town squares, and a large defense fort built in the 1800s that is now home to restaurants and bars. The St. Anna Bay divides the city into two districts that are connected by the Queen Emma Bridge, more fondly known as the Swinging Bridge. This pedestrian-friendly pontoon bridge regularly opens up to allow the passage of various boats through the bay. In addition to the local shops, a floating market lines one side of the bay, where Venezuelan merchants travel several times a year on their houseboats to sell their fresh produce and fish. Unfortunately, the ongoing political troubles of Venezuela have negatively affected the floating market this year and hugely dwindled the number of boats that dock at the market.
Just to provide some tidbits of information about the island, the officially recognized language is Dutch, but what most people speak is a language called Papiamento, which sounds like a beautiful mixture of Dutch, Spanish, and Portuguese. Residents of Curacao aren’t given Curacao passports but instead Dutch passports. And, the local currency is the Dutch gilder, which is worth approximately 50 cents, but we found that most local places were also happy to accept US dollars. Heineken and other Dutch beers can be found at virtually every establishment. The most popular beer, however, on the island is Polar. I was confused by the bottles, which all stated that Polar was a Pilsner brewed in Florida, until I discovered that Polar’s parent company was Empresas Polar, a Venezuelan beverage producer.
The arid desert environments of the north part of the island are in stark contrast to the white sandy beaches of the south. Shete Boka National Park provides breathtaking views along a rocky limestone coastline. The Boka Tabla provides rock-carved steps into an underground cavern where visitors can watch the waves crash in just feet away. The Boka Pistol, where holes in the limestone allow waves to come through, produces a sudden explosion of ocean water akin to a geyser. Throughout the island, there are multiple caves carved through the limestone, where you can find lots of bats and other species like hermit crabs.
On the west side of the island, if you happen to go at the right time, you can find flamingos in the salt pans.
The beautiful water scenes where wealthy celebrities, like Magic Johnson and Justin Bieber, have acquired summer homes right in the center of paradise, contrasts with the dryness of desert, where the locals have built successful small businesses, such as aloe farms.
The most impressionable experience, however, is having the opportunity to meet people of all backgrounds and walks of life.
Sometimes it’s good to be reminded of how small the world and all the differences between us truly are.
We felt an instant connection with a couple from Trinidad & Tobago and their small children who were seated at the table next to us one day at lunch. Their affable nature as they tried to keep their children contained, cut their food, and wipe their mouths as numerous crumbs dropped under the table reminded us that small kids are difficult to handle at a restaurant no matter your ethnicity, native language, or cultural identity. From our concierge Ruis to our bartender Monique, each individual we came across provided us with an opportunity for learning and self-growth. A guide from our ATV tour, De’Angelo or “Captain” as he called himself, engaged us in conversation about his love of extreme sports and music, his girlfriend troubles, and his love for his daughter. Captain relayed his dream of becoming a music performer in America. He brought the fun and excitement to the tour by laughing with us, dancing in the middle of the desert, and comparing extreme sport vehicles with my husband. It turned out they appreciated many of the same hobbies and latest technologies when it came to ATVs and four-wheel drive vehicles. He asked to stay in touch in case he ever needed a place to stay in the states.
Well c’mon over, Captain. You’re welcome anytime.
