Curacao December 14/12 Day 5

This is a view of Curacao (off the coast of Venezuela) as we approached the Island very early on the morning of the 14th.  Our first views were of the Industrial aspect...these are petroleum refineries.  As we got closer to our port we began to see a different perspective.  This Island is beautiful and the industrious aspect is woven in amongst the beauty of the landscape and colourful resorts, homes and shops.  We were anxious to explore this multi-faceted Island.

Look closely at what appears to be a pier with boats under it.  It is actually a swing bridge that joins one side of town with the other.  It is pulled aside to allow large vessels to pass since there is a huge harbour behind the passageway where our cruise boat was docked.  To cross you can use a ferry when the bridge is aside like this.  Below is another cruise ship at a different dock.  I am always amazed at the size of these floating hotels! 

John and I walked off the ship at Willemstad, the capital city, and found the usual array of local cabs and tour guides waiting for fares.   As long as you feel comfortable and safe why not enjoy this experience?  Often there are vans which hold several passengers or even buses at a fraction of the cost of ship excursions.  We were not disappointed here in Curacao.  "Johnny" convinced us and 9 others to take his tour.  He is a well educated man native to the Island although he has spent time in New York due to family ties and also went to school in the Netherlands.  He dedicated himself to working in Curacao for a length of time to ensure a free education.  Once his comittment was met he chose to stay in Curacao since he loves it there.  No wonder!

The lines across the picture are actually on the back window of the cab/van.  John and I had the back seat to ourselves with a great view.  We drove through different areas of town where there are "tourist" shops but also to the section of "local" shops and were told both are safe and welcoming to tourists.  

Johnny stopped at a gorgeous Mariott Resort where we got out and walked around in amazement at the splendour of the resort but also at the beach side pool area.  Wow!  

We continued along and drove up to a fort where we had a great view of where we had been and a much better look at the huge harbour.

View from the Fort and you can see the Zuiderdam under the bridge.  We also drove across that huge bridge.  

This great harbour (below) was hidden from view where the Zuiderdam was docked.  What  a surprise to see the size of this.  It is a large natural harbour that huge ships can enter and turn around, of course making it an excellent trading centre during European explorations.  The harbour does not need dredging! Johnny pointed out the shape of the harbour, like a hand with a palm and 5 fingers extending from it.  These "fingers" provided great hiding areas and vantage points for  various occupants over the years of settlement.  The history of Curacao is as colourful as it's buildings and is similar to the history of Aruba.
In brief:
"The people of the Netherlands established a trading settlement at a fine natural harbour on the Caribbean island of Curaçao in 1634. The town developed continuously over the following centuries. The modern town consists of several distinct historic districts whose architecture reflects not only European urban-planning concepts but also styles from the Netherlands and from the Spanish and Portuguese colonial towns with which Willemstad engaged in trade."

Harbour View from the Fort

Oil refineries, tourism and financial services now drive the economy of Curacao and it has one of the highest standards of living in the Caribbean.  Prostitution is legal, as in the Netherlands but I am not saying I know how much this contributes to the economy.  It's just interesting since of course this is the same in Amsterdam; the Dutch connection.

We drove down a couple of extremely narrow streets and Johnny pointed out homes that are lived in and inherited by slave descendants.  These people pay very low rent to the government who maintain them.  As with Aruba, and elsewhere, slaves were stolen from Africa to work sugar plantations.  Now influences from that culture are an important part of multi-cultural Curacao.  Locals speak a similar language to those of Aruba,  which is made up of of several languages.

Another  claim to fame of this Island is of course the Curacao Liqueur and we did stop there on our tour.  Johnny is here showing us the distinctive bottles and label of the "real deal" since there are many imitations out there.

If it does not say Senior and  Co. it is not real "Curacao".  (You can click on a picture to enlarge it.)  It is believed that oranges from Spain were planted in Curacao but did not do well. They were bitter.  But it was soon discovered that the rotting peels could be made into a tasty drink!  I am always amazed at the ingenuity of humans especially when it comes to fermented drinks.

The liqueur is being bottled by hand here and also the original vat is still in use!  We enjoyed the tastings at this wonderful smelling factory.

Johnny told us a story.  At one time the Governor of the Island had migraines and his doctor said it may be caused by the bright sun shining on white buildings.  So the Governor ordered all the buildings to be colourfully painted in a period of 3 weeks and the tradition has  endured.  Then again, some say the Governor's brother was in the painting business.  No matter, it makes for a gorgeous setting.  

The bridge is now across the water allowing us to walk over instead of taking the free ferry.  

This lovely vessel was in the area of our ship. 

Stunning!!  

While walking around town we came across these strange carvings in some trees.  They looked old.  

A breathtaking view and cold beer on the way!  

Lovely cafes were all around.  

Colourful shopping areas abound 

One story is that the name "Curacao" derives from Portuguese, meaning the "state of being cured."  Sailors were often afflicted with scurvy on long sea voyages due to lack of proper nutrition but once they reached this Island they ate fruit with lots of vitamin C and were cured.  There are other theories; that Curacao means "heart" as in the heart of the Greater Antilles.    After only a few hours here I could feel the warmth and vigour of this Island, in large part due to our knowledgable and patriotic tour guide.   Whether these stories are fact based or not really doesn't matter since it is definitely an Island with "heart" and a feeling of "well being."  Can I come back here for at least a week?