Curacao Part 2...I'm baaaaaack !

I have returned from Curacao. My next few blogs will be photos and comments about this most magnificent of islands.

I wrote a trip advisor review about one of our activities, "Eric's ATV Adventure". This is it.  Photos below.

“Awesome ATV Adventure!”

Reviewed 17 January 2013

 

I had seen the many excellent reviews on trip advisor and decided that this might be a fun thing to do with my two adult children. Since we were going to be in Willemstad for a week, I emailed Eric and requested a morning tour. I decided that morning would be a better choice because of the sun and heat. He booked us on a day with no cruise ship tours. Besides the three of us there was only one other young man in our group. Excellent. We were picked up by Eric himself at our hotel. On the way, he regaled us with fascinating stories about Curacao, his diving days, and his many friends. What an interesting and friendly man!

Our guide Marco started us off with a brief lesson on the care and feeding of the ATV. From then on, it was trial by fire as we immediately headed down a steep rocky hill. I got stuck, or perhaps paralyzed with fear. In fairness, I was the only driver over the age of 60. Besides, I was carrying a passenger, number one daughter. When my son yelled from his ATV, "stop driving like a granny," it was game on. Over the water, down roadways, through the bushes and splashing through puddles I went. Most fun I've had this year.

Along the way, we saw, luxurious Curacao housing. We then rode past the island's prison. We passed animals, dogs, chickens, goats. Then, we went to a scenic lookout which had a painting of a pair of eyes. When we headed to an aloe plantation, we received drinks, asked questions, and used restroom facilities. I purchased some anti-aging cream at a 20% discount and I already feel much younger. I can just imagine how great it'll be when I actually start to use it. Next we zoomed through an area which reminded the young'uns of a Mario kart game...winding pathways through water hazards. Our subsequent stop took us to an area where we walked uphill, then scaled a bit of a rock face. I hesitated, but was eager to see what was up there. It was a cave, a bat cave filled with bats and guano. Wow! As we exited the other side, we went up another path and found ourselves on a the edge of a cliff. Yet another fabulous view. There were colourful birds flitting through the trees. Climbing down was a bit more challenging but I made it. Along the way we saw lizards, snails, crabs and more. Yes, unfortunately there were some piles of trash as one reviewer noted, but that did not detract from the wonderful time we all had.

After we returned to the hotel, we washed off the mud and laughed at our unusual spotted suntans. Eric delivered a cd of photos to help us remember our adventure. He even came back a second time when he located my windbreaker in a compartment in the ATV.

Closed shoes are recommended and do not bring a lot of baggage. A small purse with a long strap, or if you must, a backpack would be best.  

Carrying Chattels to Curacao

I'm starting the new year off with an adventure. Actually, it's not my adventure although I have volunteered my services as a participant. Let me explain.

In June 2011, (Graduation Part Deux), I reported that I thought my daughter was finally finished with her education. Apparently, I was mistaken.

A few months ago, "the girl" grinned as she announced that she had applied to CMU medical school...in Curacao. I was in shock. I couldn't fathom this since she had earlier refused my generous offer of a one way drive to Alberta for chemical engineering employment opportunities. She made it clear back then, that she wasn't venturing far from hearth, home and her menagerie. She then returned to school and decided that a business career might be more to her liking. It wasn't.

I remember asking, "What will you do if you're accepted?"

"I'll go," she responded.

 And go she will. Her first semester begins on January 14th.

I thought back. Why would she feel so confident about going to Curacao and be so hesitant about other places? Then I remembered.

In May, 2009 she and I were on a cruise. We went to some nice places, some not so nice places, and, we went to Curacao, one of the Dutch ABC islands in the Caribbean. As we stepped off the ship in Willemstad, it seemed like another world. Buildings looked like doll houses. People appeared to have stepped from the pages of fashion magazines. There was a sense of formality. There was organization. My daughter loves both. 

  As we walked, we saw plaques describing the people, the languages and the culture. There was art on the  walls. There were chimes and bells, flowers and sculptures. There were historical sites and a fabulous museum describing the history of slavery.

 

There's a pontoon bridge, the Queen Emma Bridge, built in 1888 and connecting two districts in Willemstad. It swings open using powerful ship motors and allows pedestrians to cross. When the bridge is open, ships are able to go through from the harbour. Pedestrians are then ferried to the other side using water taxis. (See blog "Captivated in Curacao" Feb. 2, 2012)

Large maps are very helpful to assist tourists negotiate the city of Willemstad. In fact, we laughed when we discovered the police officer standing on the exact same corner as illustrated on one of the maps.

    We enjoyed seeing the large open air fruit, vegetable and fish market. Yummy mangoes, papayas, bananas and watermelons tempted us. Alas, we were not allowed to return to the ship with any produce in tow. We watched as some older ladies shopped while dressed as elegantly as if they were attending a wedding. Going to the market was not just an outing, but a celebration.

And so, the adventure begins. We will be leaving in two days and staying in Willemstad for a week. There'll be treks to CMU at Piscadero Bay to make deliveries to the dorm.

We'll enjoy the climate, the culture and the Caribbean. We'll also enjoy the food.

Bitterballen

Some parents load up their vehicles to help transport their children to institutions of higher learning, I on the other hand have crammed as many essentials as possible into a much smaller space. I have a suitcase containing 50 pounds of imports. I am carrying "the girl's" chattels to Curacao.