“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us” -Anonymous
Curacao, the Dutch Carribbean island, 40 miles off the coast of Venezuela, the lesser known and more remote of the ABC Islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, this little island has managed to escape mass major tourism and retains its pristine charm.
This small island of turquoise blue waters contrasting with tall dry cacti is surprising and mesmerizing at the same time.
Water, water everywhere and yet the desert dryness piercing through…….
Our resort was on Playa Lagun, the secluded northwest side of Curacao, away from the usual tourist routes.
The calm blue waters protected on three sides with cliffs made for awesome snorkeling. Jumping into the water the very first day we arrived for a refreshing dip did wonders to our tired selves after the long journey to this tiny island in South America.
This tiny village with its secluded beach and local kids splashing around while we snorkeled and dived around, this was Boka Sami(St Michiel Baai) Rocky but serene, snorkeling all along the edge was peaceful and so absorbing that I did not know when the morning turned to afternoon……
The small dive shop with interesting people and conversations added to the charm of this place and the coffee at the end of the day was certainly well earned by us all.
The next day was Kokomo beach, more touristy than we hoped for, and the waves were more than we bargained for……but the kids finished up their scuba training and we relaxed on the beach watching the waves and sipping our drinks
Playa piskado was our next stop the following day- with hoards of sea turtles to snorkel with, we had good company. They were fearless and swam right up to us. There were times when I was surrounded by 4 or 5 of them all around me and although there were other humans just a few feet away, the proximity to these giant turtles made the humans almost disappear in my mind’s eye.
‘TRAVEL is the only thing you buy that makes you RICHER’- Anonymous
In the far north corner of the island , we were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to visit the Shete Boka park. The thunderous sounds of waves whooshing through rocks and crevices were both exhilarating and awe-inspiring. The power of nature never fails to impress upon me what a minuscule part of this universe each of us is. As we stood there with the wind blowing fiercely and the waves crashing around us, this fact seemed more than apparent in that moment…..
“Travel far enough, you meet yourself” -David Mitchell
The next few days were spent in Willemstad, sampling local fruit and local foods at local places like the fruit market and Plaza Bieu. Awesome local food at unbeatable prices.
Walking around discovering the city, brimming with history, Otrabanda, Queen Emma bridge, museums and synagogues and Kura Hulanda, our little slice of history where we made our abode for the time in the city.
The distillery tour ‘Blue Curacao’ a peek into the historic birth of the famous ‘ Blue Curacao’ liquor. Rainbow-colored liquors red, blue, green , yellow, all the visitors, all to go….
“YOU CAN SHAKE THE SAND FROM YOUR SHOES, BUT NOT FROM YOUR SOUL”
Curacao, the little island far far away, just a few miles north of the equator, the perfect place for you to leave the ‘tourist’ in you behind and embark upon the journey to find the ‘traveler’ in you.
Happy travels!