3 Sea Days and a visit to Curaçao

Smooth seas, warm weather, lazy days and lots of food, who could want for more!!

We have listened to talks about the islands we are going to visit, watched guest Chef Liandro Diaz (Dominican Republic) cook up some yummy food, been to some great shows of an evening, music, dance and comedy. I have even met up with some other stitching and knitting women, a group of about 20 for an hour each sea day.

Today we arrived in the port of Curaçao. A small island in the Caribbean and after breakfast we were off to do a food tour of the area. Our driver/tour guide Irwin was full of information as we drove past the Queen Emma floating bridge and then on over the Queen Juliana Bridge with views out over the industrial, naval and port area on one side and housing on the other. Curaçao is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has many historic buildings some very quaint architecture and lovely colourful homes. The island was formerly governed by the Netherlands and still has many Dutch influences. The Dutch West Indies founded the capital, Willemstad and in 1662 made Willemstad the centre for the Atlantic Slave Trade. The city itself is a blend of cultures from the food eaten to the languages spoken. The island has 38 beaches

Our first stop was the Curaçao Chobolobo Liqueur Distillery where we got an overview of how the liqueur is made. Then had a taste test. Not too bad really! Probably not good at 10.30 in the morning but what the heck you have to try these things. After this we drove to a handcraft market which overlooked several beaches and marina before travelling to another beach resort area where we had lunch. A chicken (Galina Stoba) or beef (Karni Stoba) with rice and beans. Quite tasty, then for a walk along Mambo beach. Not my sort of beach and not like our beaches at home. This one is man made with hundreds of lounges and grass shelters (P- which you rent for an arm and a leg), bars, restaurants etc. all protected from the elements by huge limestone rocks. After lunch and our walk we were back on the bus and returned to the ship via the city area.

Back to our cabin for a few minutes before heading back out for a walk across the floating pontoon “Queen Emma Bridge ( a most unusually designed pontoon bridge hinged at one end) and through the city centre. The bridge is continually opening to allow cargo and tanker vessels through the narrow channel from the sea to the industrial port.

We found the ice cream shop that Joanne and Tristram and the kids found last year and had an ice cream for them, then a wander along the floating market before heading back to the ship. We had to wait for about 15 minutes as the floating bridge was open to let a container ship out.

Back to the ship for a swim, a relax, dinner and the late evening show.

(P- one is never too old to learn a new skill. Today I learnt the art of LIMING – I am well informed it is “The art of doing nothing whilst eating, drinking and generally just hanging out!” A local Caribbean lady informed me of this so I guess it’s correct – sounds good anyway!)