photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Type your message and click Add Comment
It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest.
Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name
Name Email
help private comment
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.
previous pagepages 1 2 3 4 5 ALL next page
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
previous pagepages 1 2 3 4 5 ALL next page

comment | share
click on thumbnails for full image