Sunny Curacao

Curacao is one of the three ABC islands, better known as the Netherland Antilles, located an easy 9 hours (!) direct flight from Amsterdam and just above the coastline of Venezuela. About 6 weeks ago I finally followed my inner need for sun, sea & fun and I jetted off to Willemstad. For about two years my friend Wolfi has been living and working there and considering this project is coming to and end soon I really did not have any further excuses not to go.

After a crazy o’clock wake-up in the morning, an almost missed flight in Heathrow and 9 1/2 very long hours later I finally arrived to fabulous 32C and sun…and it was only half past three in the afternoon!! After a very quick check in to the hotel we were almost immediately on our way to the first of many Happy Hours on the beach. Tiredness suddenly did not really matter anymore and Mari & Wolfi looked after me properly with beer and rum & coke until I could not really stand anymore. I’ve got to say though…that first moment when my bare feet touched the sand and hopped into the sea…I was one happy girl!!! Good that that was only the start to a fantastic holiday! The first couple of days were dedicated to a gentle approach to the sun ( I had a slight green shade on me after 2 beach-less years…) and various trips here and there with my favourite tour guides. Among other things there were BBQ’s near the beach, the best Sushi I ever had and more Happy Hours. No reason to complain really

The beach & the view from my balcony at the Marriott Beach Resort & Emerald Casino

View from the lobby…not too shabby

Day 4 of the holiday and things are getting slightly more “interesting”. Wolfi had booked us on a Jeep Safari to explore the island off the beaten track from the slightly rougher coastline all the way to the Christoffel National Park. I am not entirely sure how that old Land Rover coped with the 7 of us and all of that up & down, but it once again shows that the good old mechanics should probably get more trust than we like to give them…

Really rough coastline, and me…still really really white…

The Vodoo Cave

A local artist made these with items washed up by the sea

View from the top in Christoffel National Park & our Jeep

Well…this is the point where the whole thing gets a little messed-up. The top of the mountain was the last stop of the tour and shortly after taking these last two pics I climbed back down towards the car, which really wasn’t a tough thing considering there was a path and all. I am not entirely sure how and what happened, but about 2m from the car I tripped/ slipped and fell rather badly on the stones. Next thing I know is that my left leg is bleeding rather profusely and after a very prompt reaction from Wolfi and another passenger I am sitting in the front seat of the car and they are trying to do whatever possible with the first aid kit. Unfortunately I am really bad with wounds & bleeding ( = I pass out), so I could not even look at it all…it did not hurt at that point, but they both seemed very preoccupied. That was also the moment when I heard the word “stitches” for the first time. Great…this was going to be an interesting day!

In no time we were shooting down the hill to get back to civilization and take me to hospital. No point in getting into the details ( Eeeeeeek!), but a good 2 hours and 7 stitches later we were on our way to Wolfi’s flat. Obviously one needs to prioritize things…after that ordeal I really needed a beer and a cigarette!!!!

Gross. Anyways, back to more pleasant things. In the end of the day I could have let this ruin my holidays in some way…well, there certainly wasn’t going to be any more swimming, snorkeling, crazy unka-unka ( = dancing) or other walking-related things, but I couldn’t let that happen. Of course, there was rest and nursing involved, but there were things to do, places to be, beers to be drunk…

A few days later we had an early start and about 8 of us joined a boat trip to Klein Curacao. This little strip of land is located about 2 boat hours away and is definitely worth a visit. I would absolutely not recommend doing this trip on a day when there is a) very strong wind & b) the boat is going against it. Within an hour 2 /3 of the passengers where hanging overboard fighting with real bad seasickness…forget the pills, even they don’t work! The relief was great when we finally arrived…and what a little strip of paradise it is!!!

The old light tower is abandoned and literally falling into the pieces, but what a beauty when one is approaching…

Wolfi & Thomas jumped off the boat and swam ahead to “reserve” one of the sun-thingies. Essential in this place!

As you can see there are a few relicts around…but really not much more. And here’s me recovering in the shade, sometimes it’s needed!

The return to Curacao mainland was nothing compared to the morning, even our most fierce sea-sick people were fine and between beers & songs we were back in no time. Ah yes, of course…just in time for HAPPY HOUR! Once again

My favourite past time – Sudoku ( yes…) & sunset on the beach! No swimming permitted, but that was certainly not holding me back from soaking in as much sun as possible. The walking was more like stumbling, but it was certainly feasible.

Stunning Sunset.

The ten days were over way too quickly, as it mostly happens when one is having fun. Agreed that I could definitely have avoided the whole falling-hospital-stitches thing, but all in all that did not completely spoil it. Everyone was absolutely adorable and I was looked after so well! Particularly by my private nurses Mari & Wolfi Danki ( = Papiamentu for Thank you) from the bottom of my heart for making this holiday truly memorable, and a big Danki goes to the Hilton gang as well…those BBQ’s were absolutely brilliant!!!

Bon Nochi!

Tine