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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
An old building near the bus station in Otrobanda.
An old building near the bus station in Otrobanda.		 I can't believe it took me over 30 hours to take out my good camera! Here's why. (Hotel in rain, taken from parking garage.)
I can't believe it took me over 30 hours to take out my good camera! Here's why. (Hotel in rain, taken from parking garage.)		 We rented a car the 3rd day (great company: Car Rental 30 Plus). First we drove south to where the Seaquarium is located.
We rented a car the 3rd day (great company: Car Rental 30 Plus). First we drove south to where the Seaquarium is located.		 This is the Spaanse Water (Spanish Bay) area
This is the Spaanse Water (Spanish Bay) area
The only Curacao liquor in the world is made in an old plantation house (Landhuis Chobolobo - home of Senior Liquor)
The only Curacao liquor in the world is made in an old plantation house (Landhuis Chobolobo - home of Senior Liquor)		 Factory garden. The same liquor is made in different colors, plus a couple special flavors. (Yes, we tasted them all!)
Factory garden. The same liquor is made in different colors, plus a couple special flavors. (Yes, we tasted them all!)		 The liquor is bottled, topped off, washed, sealed, & packaged by hand. They told Howard they package about 2,400 bottles a day.
The liquor is bottled, topped off, washed, sealed, & packaged by hand. They told Howard they package about 2,400 bottles a day.		 Real flamingos! These are at the salt flats at St. Willibrordus
Real flamingos! These are at the salt flats at St. Willibrordus
The church in St. Willibrordus from the salt flats
The church in St. Willibrordus from the salt flats		 Howard found the beautiful church in St. Willibrordus so I could photograph it.
Howard found the beautiful church in St. Willibrordus so I could photograph it.		 The church from the back - huge!
The church from the back - huge!		 Detail of an old building in Otrobanda. As you can see, there's a lot of yellow in Curacao!
Detail of an old building in Otrobanda. As you can see, there's a lot of yellow in Curacao!
Freedom Fighters Memorial at the salt flats of St. Willibrordus (don't know details; just liked the memorial!)
Freedom Fighters Memorial at the salt flats of St. Willibrordus (don't know details; just liked the memorial!)		 We drove to the Ostrich Farm. It was iffy on the way there, but Howard drove carefully and we made it.
We drove to the Ostrich Farm. It was iffy on the way there, but Howard drove carefully and we made it.		 The Ostrich Farm was fun, but the tour guide spoke only Dutch, so I understood only a few (German-like) words!
The Ostrich Farm was fun, but the tour guide spoke only Dutch, so I understood only a few (German-like) words!		 We rode in open trucks. The guide stopped the truck and this guy got curious.
We rode in open trucks. The guide stopped the truck and this guy got curious.
Ruth fed the ostriches. Howard stayed at the restaurant and ate ostrich. He said it did NOT taste like chicken!
Ruth fed the ostriches. Howard stayed at the restaurant and ate ostrich. He said it did NOT taste like chicken!		 The tour ended at the nursery, where I asked a Dutch tourist how old these guys were (16 days for little one; 40 for big).
The tour ended at the nursery, where I asked a Dutch tourist how old these guys were (16 days for little one; 40 for big).		 It was at the Ostrich Farm that I saw my first big Curacao lizard.
It was at the Ostrich Farm that I saw my first big Curacao lizard.		 I saw another one on a golf course. Sadly, there was no golfing possible for Howard that day or rest of week, due to rain.
I saw another one on a golf course. Sadly, there was no golfing possible for Howard that day or rest of week, due to rain.
A donkey and his (her?) owner share the road in Soto.
A donkey and his (her?) owner share the road in Soto.		 Soto has a beautiful church.
Soto has a beautiful church.		 Across a pedestrian bridge in Punda is the Scharloo district. It's where the affluent people used to live.
Across a pedestrian bridge in Punda is the Scharloo district. It's where the affluent people used to live.		 Not all buildings in Scharloo, however, are beautiful.
Not all buildings in Scharloo, however, are beautiful.
We braved flooded roads as we traveled the island. We made it to Lagun only to find no power - back to Willemstad!
We braved flooded roads as we traveled the island. We made it to Lagun only to find no power - back to Willemstad!		 We stayed at Piscadera Bay's Floris Suites, an OK place, with garden & orioles for Ruth and casinos nearby for Howard.
We stayed at Piscadera Bay's Floris Suites, an OK place, with garden & orioles for Ruth and casinos nearby for Howard.		 Floris Suites' over-priced breakfast was outside. The beautiful orioles were a little much even for bird-lover me.
Floris Suites' over-priced breakfast was outside. The beautiful orioles were a little much even for bird-lover me.		 On our last full day in Curacao, it was sunny, and Willemstad was absolutely humming - 2 big cruise ships in town!
On our last full day in Curacao, it was sunny, and Willemstad was absolutely humming - 2 big cruise ships in town!
The sun stayed out all day so we went to nearby Hooks Hut beach - food, water, topless Dutch women - something for all!
The sun stayed out all day so we went to nearby Hooks Hut beach - food, water, topless Dutch women - something for all!		 Here's the pay ($3) part of Hooks Hut beach, taken with my point and shoot from the water.
Here's the pay ($3) part of Hooks Hut beach, taken with my point and shoot from the water.		 The beach for locals at Hooks Hut. I walked by this building and found locals enjoying beers outside a tiny restaurant.
The beach for locals at Hooks Hut. I walked by this building and found locals enjoying beers outside a tiny restaurant.		 Local boats at Hooks Hut.
Local boats at Hooks Hut.
I tested Howard's patience by wanting to stop at every landhuis. For this one, I liked the sign & cactus more than the house.
I tested Howard's patience by wanting to stop at every landhuis. For this one, I liked the sign & cactus more than the house.		 While driving around early on our only sunny day, I snuck a quick peek at Landhuis Groot Santa Martha in Soto
While driving around early on our only sunny day, I snuck a quick peek at Landhuis Groot Santa Martha in Soto		 Curacao is such a riot of color - how could a photographer not love it?
Curacao is such a riot of color - how could a photographer not love it?		 Cactus and bird near Landhuis Cas Abou
Cactus and bird near Landhuis Cas Abou
Went back to Otrobanda with my camera on our last day. Here's colorful Breedestraat in Otrabanda.
Went back to Otrobanda with my camera on our last day. Here's colorful Breedestraat in Otrabanda.		 Howard read real estate flyers in the window of a realtor in Otrobanda while I snooped around nearby
Howard read real estate flyers in the window of a realtor in Otrobanda while I snooped around nearby
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