The “C” in the ABC islands is Curacao. You might know the name better from the local liqueurs, with the same name, that the island is famous for. The largest of the three islands, Curacao also has the biggest population and one of the highest standards of living in the Caribbean due to its well-developed Venezuelan oil refining business and other industries, including tourism.
Known for it’s delightful cotton-candy-colored Dutch colonial architecture, I can imagine the Unesco World Heritage Site and capital city of Willemstad teeming with local boutiques, restaurants, museums…except on Sunday, when we arrived in port and found the city lazy and quiet except for a few stray waterfront cafes and ice cream stores, and even fewer shops. The colorful storefronts were locked tight and most of the people in the street were fellow cruise mates from our ship, with just a few locals leisurely passing time. Still, the weather was sunny and pleasant as I walked around looking for any opportunistic merchants or city sights to explore.
Willemstad is divided into two main areas opposite each other in the large natural harbor. The old historic district known as Punda was established in 1634 by the Dutch. A bridge connects it to the Otrabanda, meaning “the other side” in the main local language called Papiementu, an African creole with Portuguese, Dutch and Spanish influences. This newer section of the city was founded in 1707 and is considered to be the cultural center of Willemstad. The entire city was still decked out in it’s holiday decor, in a vain attempt to simulate the spirit of a white Christmas despite the year-round tropical climate and likelihood, I guessed, that many of the locals have never even seen snow.
Willemstad feels like a little piece of Europe on the edge of the Caribbean. The island is known, not only for it’s charming capital city, but hidden beaches, pristine diving and snorkeling sites, idyllic weather, and…on any day but Sunday…bustling activity.
I remember a nice trip to Curacao. As well as another morning after a night of drinking”Blue Tail Flies” which are made with blue curacao as a questionable experience of 1975. Kind of glad you were there on a Sunday morning!! Love the blog.
A nice town, but Sunday in Willemstad was pretty sleepy. I would have welcomed a blue cocktail…or two!
Thanks for the update. Hope you two are having a ball!! xoxo
Having a great time, but we are both recovering from colds as we now cross the Atlantic. We do have a private wine tour planned in Cape Town with some onboard friends which should be wonderful. Look for my post later….