Curacau - Dutch Antilles
Curacao was the second of the Dutch Antilles that we visited after Aruba and it was another delightful clean and well presented island. The waterfront is stunning with all it`s dutch style buildings and colours. Apparently originally buildings were rendered white but an early governor decreed that the brightness contributed to his bad headaches and so specified that all buildings should be any colour excepting white. In 1997 the historic area of Willemstad’s inner city and harbor was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status and when you visit you will understand why. Our cruise ship was docked right opposite this incredible view and frigate birds soared overhead. After some wandering around the shopping area we worked our way inland and happened upon a good coffeeshop called Cantina Poco Loco which sounds much more latin than Dutch but did setve good coffee and pastries. Picture below. Whilst we were indulging the town was hit by a torrential rainstorm but it didn`t last long and we were soon back on our way refreshed.
Willemstad, the capital is fairly modest - only just over 30 thousand population and there is a nice market daily on the waterfront with fresh fruit, fresh fish and spices mostly being sold for local consumption - you will see a picture of a pelican which has learnt that the market is a rich source of free fishy scraps. The two sides of the inlet that splits the town in two are connected either by a little ferry - much like the Gosport Ferry ot Hong Kong Star ferries - ot by a floating bridge that opens and closes according to the needs of the water traffic coming and going. If you do have to wait that are some great open air restaurants protected by giant umbrellas from the sun and coffee bars if you don`t feel like eating. Just looking up at the architecture immediately makes the Dutch connection with their very typical roof shapes. Like much of the Caribbean there is an annual carnival worth seeing. It is spread over about a three week period encompassing the last week of January and the first two in February with differing parades taking place every few days during this period
The walking had built up a bit of an appetite and our `research suggested that if we headed towards the sea there were places with views out over the ocean. We found a good range of choices and they were on stilts over the rock pools so that you could look down into the pools and watch the brightly coloured marine fish swimming around (pictures below) which made for a very relaxing slow lunch. Seafood ceviche (pictured) was the order of the day and it was excellent. Like it`s neighbour Aruba Curacao has it`s share of wildlife - plenty of iguanas and birdlife as you can see from some of our photos. On the other hand, if you prefer sealife then you are in for a treat. Curacao has it`s own semi-submarine - the Seaworld Explorer. If you choose to go down into it you will find and underwater observatory similar to the Australian Great barrier Reef ones which allow you to observe the coral reefs and fishes in profusion without having to get all geared up (and wet). They locals will even feed the fish before your very eyes! Or if that is not your scene you might head off to the Curacao distillery site to watch them creating the distinctive blue liqueur with perhaps a sample or two
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