It’s March as I’m writing this, the weather is inexplicably grey and once you step outside the door you’ll be soaked within a minute… so nope, these are not the most inspiring circumstances to be in Holland. I think we’re all in dire need in here (or for sure the folks in Europe) of some very bright and blue hues. Some vitamin D or Sea.
I can’t really buy you all a ticket to the tropics, but I can let you enjoy the tropical vibes of Curaçao, one of the blue wonders of the Antilles in the Caribbean. I’m not sure if I even appreciated my time over there enough at the end of January this year, so I’m just gonna revive my days in the Caribbean today.
As Curaçao still is a part of a Kingdom of the Netherlands (but not of The Netherlands themselves – it’s a complicated situation…), this is a very popular destination among Dutch folks. I think roughly 8 / 10 tourists are Dutch in here, which can be both a little overwhelming if you’re Dutch (like me) or just a beautiful opportunity to reflect upon your own species (like I did).
Also, whenever the cruise boats arrive in Willemstad – which is very often at the end and start of the year – the capital of the island is well visited by other tourists, mainly folks from The States and Germany. But even though Curaçao is a very popular island, it takes nothing more than a 30-minute drive to leave all the busy vibes and commercial areas behind you. And that’s why this island is also worth a visit if you like tranquil vibes, very pretty beaches and exploring the underwater world.
At the end of my trip – after a year of travelling in the Americas – I spent a week on the island; as part of my reintegration project into Dutch society :). Cycling, stroopwafels, Delftware, patatje oorlog – all the (lovely) Dutch cliches can be found in here. Now, I can find those at home as well, right? What was so interesting to me however, were the many contrasts of Curaçao. Stray dogs and dolphin shows, a giant Van der Valk and Hilton next to corrugated iron rooftops, eco lodges next to trash heaps. And then there’s the culture; reggaeton and Hazes, broodje kroket and rice ‘n beans, Spanish and Dutch (and Papiamentu in between), Albert Heijn and Chinese supermarkets, local herbal concoctions and Nivea suncare. All was so weirdly familiar. It was my grey zone in between the tropics and The Netherlands. Not literally grey of course… in fact very colourful! Hope this’ll brighten your day. ↓
First view upon blue Curaçao!
De Ronde Markt in Willemstad. Groceries can be bought at the bottom floor and there's a big food court on the first floor
Plumeria along the coast
Some weird piece of decoration at Otrobanda, the neighbourhood on the western side of the Queen Emma bridge
The resort of Papagayo Beach Club at Jan Thiel Beach
View on the Caracasbaai as seen from Kaya Adriatiko
View over the Spanish waters
A little gateway to the sea at Willemstad at Pietermaai
He came racing into my mural scenery, snap!
View on Jan Thiel Beach Bay from the western side
Avila Beach Hotel, a big and famous resort in Pietermaai
Pigeon at De Ronde Markt
Iguana at Mambo Beach. These fellas are sneaking around everywhere on the island. People even eat them in here and that was a surprising thing for me to see. In Costa Rica it's forbidden to eat iguana's. A friend in Cahuita once told me that if you're caught while catching one, you have to walk around the village 3x times with the beast around your neck.
A little beach next to the Waterfront. There are barely beaches in Willemstad, but this is a nice one to visit at sunset
The most famous view on Willemstad: de Handelskade (literally: 'Trade quay') with the Queen Emma Bridge in the front
A giant sculpture of an iguana decorating the garden at the Jan Kok Gallery near the tiny town of St. Willibrordus
The beach along the Caracasbaaiweg is free to visit and very popular among the people of Curaçao. Magnificent contrasts on this beach with the oil tankers in the front of it
Feeding box at Jaanchies, one of the iconic restaurants on the western edge of the island
Gorgeous blue hues at Grote Knip beach in the very north of Curaçao
Entrance sign to the National Park of Shete Boka
A bananaquits, or suikerdiefje in Dutch (which literally means ‘little sugar thief’) at Daaibooibaai
Some sea lions swimming around at the Royal Sea Aquarium Resort
Street vibes in Otrobanda
Flamingo's along the Kaminda Dokter Amado Romer road, a little north of Willemstad
Not sure anymore what beach I saw this one, but it's spreading some good vibes for sure!
The church of Willibrordus. Even the graves are colourful in here
Smoothie bar next to Laguna Beach
The peak of the Christoffelberg (Christoffel Mountain)
If you can spare half an hour, try to walk around in Scharloo - the neighbourhood north of Pietermaai. It's quite colourful
The floating fruit & veggie market as seen from the Wilhelmina Bridge
Tiny cute & yellow house
The adorable houses of Berg Altena
Fort Beekenburg as seen from Baya Beach in the Caracasbay
Here’s where to find those tropical vibes!
