Painting Curacao Dushi (Beautiful) - Tuesday January 20th, 2015

The morning started with a successful and majestic sunrise. The thing about the sunrises here, is just when you think it's over, another face of the day's transition appears in the sky and you are magically transformed into yet another 45 minutes or so of bliss to present yet another display of something totally unexpected.  This, in addition to the numerous freight ships and cruise ship that pass right in front of our infinity beach to either tie to the dock in our backyard, or navigate the canal to the left of our backyard.  Today's Sky Special (at least by my interpretation) brought a Dushi (beautiful) Angel to our backyard... can you see it? 

Sunrise from our 3nd floor beach.
Angels Amount us.

We were scheduled to meet our bus driver in the lobby at 8:45am. From onsite I know it was
going to be an exciting day as soon as Robert Stomp introduced himself to "His People".  I should start with explaining the dialect of the island is Papiamento, a multifaceted Creole language based on Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, and several African dialects.  Robert was excellent in encouraging us to speak and understand his native tongue.  Robert, by every stretch of the imagination was the definition of Island Hospitality - a true gem. Robert had it all: knowledge beyond belief, beauty - inside and out, a witty personality and finally, a man after my own heart - possessed the ability to drive and talk at the same time!  By the end of our day we saw more of the island than most see in a couple of weeks on the island!  I will highlight the ones the group of us remembered while sitting down at the beach.

Robert catered to everything our group wanted and more.  For example, even if no one saw it, I had hoped to début on the weather cam set up at Lion's Dive Resort.  Here there is a live camera of which I have been faithfully watching for 2 months prior to arriving on the island.  I had no idea where this island camera was, and apparently neither did Robert, but he made it happen!  I may not have had anyone I know who watched the camera at the time of our broadcast, but we have the pics to prove it happened!

Robert safely navigated our caravan to pretty much every corner of the island. We began our journey from our hotel which is housed in Willemstad, and is separated by a deep canal called St. Annabaal.  Cruise Ships and Ocean Liners travel this canal all day and night.  The separate bodies of land also have their own names: Punta, which is the opposite side of the canal from the hotel, and Otrobanda (which means "the other side").  After a brief tour of our side, we crossed the Queen Emma Bridge and traveller around Punda. From there we traveller up the southern coast line to Jan Thiel where houses run for a couple hundred thousand to dollars to a couple billion.  We stopped in Jan Thiel for what the locals refer to as the "Million Dollar View".

We visited the Boca Tabla Cave at Shete Boka National Park on the north-west side of the island.  This side of the island, and in particular this specific area is extremely windy.  As a result when the rocks and waves come together pounding against the rocks so hard it makes a thundering sound so loud the vibrations pound hard against your chest.  This view is one of the most majestic images I have yet to discover prior to today.  Saddened by our limited time, but so appreciative of the time we had, pictures will surely not do justice to the images of this natural environment and wonder.

It wouldn't be a trip to Curacao if we didn't go to the Curacao Liqueur Factory now would it?  Even though this stop happened well before lunch, the idea of shooting down a handful of shooters at 5 proof didn't seem to bother too many on this tour.  We indulged in blue, red, green and white Curacao.  Bet you are thinking you thought this liquor was only done in blue... well truth is, Curacao does not export this spirit, and you may be surprised to learn the blue liquor we buy at home is actually a knock off of this island's spirit.  So if you wish to try some real Curacao, you'll have to wait until we return with our purchases.  In addition to the traditional liquor, the island also makes a Rum & Raison, Chocolate and Mocha flavoured Curacao - and yes they too are yummy before noon!

 Table Mountain, named for it's obvious stature of an out-jetting mound of escarpment is flat as a table top which offers to the heavens a table suitable for the last supper. Each of the 7 mountains on the island is reflective to a certain time in history and is drastically different in contrast from the majority of the islands' terrain of the traditional flat environment Curacao has to offer.  It is thought the debris from volcanic remains is what created the island specifically, however there is no volcano on the island.  Folklore and superstition has thus far prevented any drilling for oil etc. on the island, and the feeling in general presents worry to the island natives in disturbing the earth could result on disaster.

View from Jan Thiele District.  The 'Million Dollar View".
Table Mountain is seen in the centre, off in the distance.

Christoffel Mountain Park the highest mountain on the island at 1,239 feet, however Robert cautioned us that the mountain status actually falls short by 76 feet.  The locals wanted to build it up so they could refer to it as a mountain, but controversy thus far has not resulted in action, and according to Robert, likely will not in his lifetime.

Lunch was enjoyed at the Wata Mula Restaurant in Westpun at Playa Kali.  The ambiance was that of an oversized grass hut which over looked a cliff.  Below scuba divers and snorkelers basked in the warm sunshine and crystal clear turquoise water.  Iguanas scurried and birds flew in and out of the dining room.






As the afternoon advanced and the heat of the day was upon us, Robert took us to Playa Kalki Beach also known as Knap Beach. This is a breath-taking beach of epic proportions. White sands, crystal clear blue/green water and the type of beauty that is not only appealing to the eyes, but embraces you in a level of refreshing awesomeness moving you from desperation in the hot afternoon heat to ecstasy in seconds!

Jan Kok (pronounced Young Cock) allowed us the opportunity to observe Flamingos in their natural habitat of the salt flats. Although the numbers in the flats were not in the hundreds as sometimes seen, Robert advised us the numbers have been very low lately, often leaving visitors disappointed in not seeing any.  We were not at all disappointed by what we saw.

When we returned to our hotel, we casually met back in our lounge area of the 2nd floor beach.  I'm commonly deeming this place Lindaville - we might as well, it seems no one occupies it except our group.  I actually think folks come by in the late afternoon just to see what we are up to, and whether they admit it or not, they are truly entertained by us I am certain.



Sunset from our 2nd floor beach.

Tomorrow is an unplanned day of awesomeness.  Some are hoping to cross the walking bridge into Punda to stroll the shops, and floating market, some are planning to just swim and relax, others read and rest.  Regardless of how the days unfold, I predict it to be full of sunshine and glorious warmth.  Word from home indicates minus temperatures in the double digits.  Sorry folks, but it's nice to know my investment is going along way... it's time to apply another coating of sunblock!