CURACAO,"THE SUNNY ISLE"
BY CLAY LARROY
BY CLAY LARROY
Travel in May and November to avoid crowds, save money and enjoy temperate weather. In those months, many
families with children cannot travel due to school commitments, making many
tourist attractions much less crowded. This may also result in lower costs for
airfare and hotels. As an added bonus, the weather in May and October is
usually perfect for traveling -- not too hot and not too cold. When you are ready
to plan a vacation contact me!
Things to see and do in Curaçao
Curaçao Museum
Pop into Curaçao Museum and browse a fascinating collection of
antiques and art. Carefully restored in 1946-1948, the museum also contains
artefacts from the indigenous Caiquetio tribes, with a pretty garden pavilion
used to host regular moonlit musical extravaganzas.
Drink Curaçao
No visit to the island
is complete without tasting Curaçao's famous eponymous liqueur, made using
dried peel from the Laraha orange.
For a complimentary tipple, head to the Willemstad distillery and sample a
glass of the original Senior family recipe, dating back to 1886.
Explore St
Christoffel National Park
This nature reserve in the north-western part of the island is
dominated by the St Christoffel Mountain. Visit several caves decorated with
Arawak Indian paintings and wonder at the park's unusual rock formations,
exotic birdlife, iguanas and timid Curaçao deer.
Go golfing
At Blue Bay Golf Club, mischievous sea breezes make the par-72,
18-hole course a battle of wills, with lagoons, small lakes and a plunge ravine
into the sea. Have a camera ready for the signature fifth hole, with a setting
of rugged clifftops and open skies.
Hike in Shete Boka
National Park
Delve into a string of hiking trails in this compact bird-filled
nature reserve that boasts gasp-inducing views of Curaçao's rugged north coast.
Sea turtles breed in the protected waters below, and the conservation zone is
renowned for its other-worldly limestone grottoes and fossilised caves.
Impressive bridges
Watch the Queen Emma Bridge part to allow the stream of large
ships pass by, and head over the Queen Juliana Bridge - at 200ft (60.5 metres)
above the water it is the highest bridge in the Caribbean - for stupendous
views.
Jewish
Cultural Historical Museum
Visit the Mikvé Israel Emanuel Synagogue and learn more about the
sacred building's history at the nearby Jewish Cultural Historical Museum.
Museum Kura Hulanda
This fascinating
anthropological museum (www.kurahulanda.com/museum) includes an exhibition on the
history of the slave trade in the Americas.
Party at carnival
Costumed partygoers fill the streets during Curaçao's Carnival
season, when ancient Catholic rites and African-Caribbean traditions fuse,
creating a riot of colour, pomp, and revelry. One of the largest and longest
lasting carnival spectacles in the Caribbean, merrymaking begins early January
and continues until late February/early March.
Relax in a beach bar
Kick back and relax
Caribbean-style at a beach bar. Try Hooks Hut on Piscadera Bay (www.hookshut.com)
for chilled drinks, wooden decking and fresh seafood.
Schottegat
Historic Willemstad is edged by the island's natural harbour,
Schottegat, where Curaçao's famous floating market takes place. Observe dozens
of colourful barges full of Venezuelan wares and agricultural produce with
plenty of opportunity to haggle and barter for a deal.
Submerge in a submarine
On a journey to the sea's depths in a semi-submersible Seaworld
Explorer submarine, passengers of all ages will enjoy a magnificent hour-long
underwater voyage through offshore wrecks and coral reefs. Huge shoals of
rainbow-hued tropical fish dart around the windows, allowing privileged views
of sponge gardens and marine life.
Take a tour
To get the best overview
of the island take an organised tour from a main tour operator, or, for a
group, try arranging a sightseeing tour through a taxi company. For more
information see Curaçao Tourism (www.curacao.com)
for more details.
Try some waterports
Try your hand at Curaçao's array of watersports - from swimming
off the sheltered beaches on the island's south-western coast, to windsurfing,
sailing, snorkelling, scuba-diving, deep-sea fishing and waterskiing.
Willemstad Seaquarium
Top up your marine knowledge and gaze at large aquariums filled
with colourful fish; as well as 400 species of fish, crab, anemone, sponge and
coral, the Seaquarium features larger creatures such as sea-lions and dolphins
Willemstad trolley tour
See historic Willemstad on an hour-long narrated trolley tour
aboard an open-sided 'locomotive' - a clanging bell signifies the off at Fort
Amsterdam near the Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge. The train then journeys downtown
through Willemstad's pretty pastel-coloured, red-roofed Colonial streets for
stunning views of this fine UNESCO-listed historic centre.
REFERENCE SITES
http://www.travelresearchonline.com/
“Beach Rules: Soak up the sun. Ride the waves. Breathe the salty air. Feel the breeze. Build sandcastles. Rest, relax, reflect. Collect seashells. Bare-feet required.”
- Unknown
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