Curacao, Lesser Antilles
One Of The Dutch-Flavoured ABC Islands With A Colourful UNESCO-Listed Architectural Showstopper Of A Capital
”Curacao’s capital of Willemstad is a gorgeous UNESCO-listed architectural treat that’s awash with pastel-coloured colonial buildings. Needless to say, it’s a rather photogenic location, no matter where you look.”
Image || DUSHI. Wilhelminaplein, Willemstad, Curacao, Lesser Antilles. June 19, 2015.
Curacao, Lesser Antilles
My final stop on a 6-week island hop through the Greater and Lesser Antilles of the Caribbean was the Dutch island of Curacao. One of a trio of Dutch-flavoured islands, a.k.a. The ABCs, it rests only some 65 kilometres off the coast of Venezuela and the South American continent, my ultimate destination. Renowned for its beaches, reefs and rich marine life, Curacao’s capital of Willemstad is a gorgeous UNESCO-listed architectural treat that’s awash with pastel-coloured colonial buildings. Needless to say, it’s a rather photogenic location, no matter where you look.
Buildings on Handels Kade lining Sint Annabaai (St Anna Bay) in Willemstad, Curacao, Lesser Antilles. June 20, 2015.
Otrobanda
Otrobanda, Willemstad, Curacao, Lesser Antilles. June 19, 2015.
Otrobanda, Willemstad, Curacao, Lesser Antilles. June 19, 2015.
Rif Fort Renaissance
Renaissance Resort & Shopping Mall as seen from the walls of Rif Fort, Willemstad, Curacao, Lesser Antilles. June 19, 2015.
Overlooking the Caribbean Sea from the outdoor pool of the Renaissance Resort & Shopping Mall, Willemstad, Curacao, Lesser Antilles. June 19, 2015.
Queen Emma Bridge & St Anna Bay
St Anna Bay is the narrow channel fronting the old commercial Punda district of the city. It’s spanned by the city’s iconic 168-metre-long floating Queen Emma Bridge, a pedestrian pontoon bridge connecting the Punda and Otrobanda districts of the charming port city.
The floating Queen Emma Bridge spanning Sint Annabaai (St Anna Bay) in Willemstad, Curacao, Lesser Antilles. June 19, 2015.
The floating Queen Emma Bridge spanning Sint Annabaai (St Anna Bay) in Willemstad, Curacao, Lesser Antilles. June 19, 2015.
The floating Queen Emma Bridge spanning Sint Annabaai (St Anna Bay) in Willemstad, Curacao, Lesser Antilles. June 19, 2015.
For sale on De Rouvilleweg lining Sint Annabaai (St Anna Bay) in Willemstad, Curacao, Lesser Antilles. June 19, 2015.
Floating Market
The Floating market in Willemstad, Curacao, Lesser Antilles. June 20, 2015.
Big Lettering – DUSHI
DUSHI. Wilhelminaplein, Willemstad, Curacao, Lesser Antilles. June 19, 2015.
Wilhelminaplein, Willemstad, Curacao, Lesser Antilles. June 19, 2015.
Museums
Museum Kura Hulanda, Otrobanda, Willemstad, Curacao, Lesser Antilles. June 20, 2015.
(More) Colourful Buildings
Kaya Wilson Godett, Willemstad, Curacao, Lesser Antilles. June 20, 2015.
Berg Altena, Willemstad, Curacao, Lesser Antilles. June 20, 2015.
BijBlauw, Kaya Wilson Godett, Willemstad, Curacao, Lesser Antilles. June 20, 2015.
Digs
The Ritz Village, Scharlooweg, Willemstad, Curacao, Lesser Antilles. June 20, 2015.
Departure
A ‘Passenger Facility Charge’ they term it, most know it as a departure tax, one of the most expensive in the region. I enjoyed Curacao, but this was unexpected, unnecessary & left a bitter taste. I queried it with the girl relieving me of my cash. ‘It’s more expensive elsewhere,’ was her curt reply. Not in my experience it isn’t, and I’ve spent the last 6 weeks island-hoppin’ the region, and were I ever to do it again I’d be sure to hop right past Curacao. It’s called shooting yourself in the foot, or something like that. Curacao International Airport, Curacao, Lesser Antilles. June 21, 2015.