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Ruth Rosenthal | profile | all galleries >> Galleries >> Curacao - Dec. 3 - 7, 2010 tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Curacao - Dec. 3 - 7, 2010

Flew to the island of Curacao, part of the Netherlands Antilles, less than 40 miles from Venezuela. It has a lot to see and do, lots of Dutch tourists, and is very colorful, especially in the capital city of Willemstad - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's expensive, but the people are great (and many, many people speak a little to lots of English) and most restaurants and shops price things in U.S. dollars as well as florints, which makes it easy. Curacao is below the hurricane belt, but 3 of our 5 days there were very rainy. Locals said that the rain was the worst they'd had in many years. We spent 3 nights in Willemstad at a cheap but cushy Renaissance hotel (thanks, Priceline!) and then went up-island to Lagun for the remaining 2 nights. Because of a power outage there, we had to leave a wonderful place I found and come back to Willemstad to find a hotel. Sigh! If you're ever in Lagun, I'd recommend Lagun Blou apartments.
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Flew to Willemstad Friday afternoon; ate at Steak & Ribs in Rif Fort. Got our first view of the colorful buildings in Punda.
Flew to Willemstad Friday afternoon; ate at Steak & Ribs in Rif Fort. Got our first view of the colorful buildings in Punda.		 I bid cheap and got the Renaissance Hotel in Rif Fort. This was taken our last day, and shows fort and a visiting cruise ship.
I bid cheap and got the Renaissance Hotel in Rif Fort. This was taken our last day, and shows fort and a visiting cruise ship.		 Rumor is that a former governor suffered from migraines and ordered buildings to be colorful (apartment bldg in Rif Fort).
Rumor is that a former governor suffered from migraines and ordered buildings to be colorful (apartment bldg in Rif Fort).		 Willemstad has 2 parts (this is Punda), separated by water & connected by the Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge.
Willemstad has 2 parts (this is Punda), separated by water & connected by the Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge.
Even the Police HQ in Otrobanda is colorful! I loved the Dutch architecture throughout the island.
Even the Police HQ in Otrobanda is colorful! I loved the Dutch architecture throughout the island.		 I was fascinated by the pontoon bridge (floating, passengers only), which opened when a ship needed to pass through.
I was fascinated by the pontoon bridge (floating, passengers only), which opened when a ship needed to pass through.		 Willemstad has the world's largest oil refinery, & ships fill up and go out through the Queen Emma Bridge.
Willemstad has the world's largest oil refinery, & ships fill up and go out through the Queen Emma Bridge.		 When the pontoon bridge swings open, a free ferry takes passengers across St. Annabaai from Punda to Otrobanda and vice versa
When the pontoon bridge swings open, a free ferry takes passengers across St. Annabaai from Punda to Otrobanda and vice versa
A very old street (Conscientie Stg) in Otrobanda
A very old street (Conscientie Stg) in Otrobanda		 The Otrobanda side through the arches of the pontoon bridge.
The Otrobanda side through the arches of the pontoon bridge.		 Once I intentionally stayed on the bridge when it opened. I was on there almost a half hour.
Once I intentionally stayed on the bridge when it opened. I was on there almost a half hour.		 The floating market - schooners from Venezuela come to sell fruits and veggies in Willemstad
The "floating market" - schooners from Venezuela come to sell fruits and veggies in Willemstad
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