Willemstad, Curaçao...

Back in one of my favorite islands.... Curaçao!  Will miss seeing my friends Ellen and Aart but they are enjoying the high seas on the World Cruise at the moment. We were off the ship before 8am to explore Willemstad. Our first stop was the RIF Fort where climbed up to the fort walls to catch a view across the harbor to the Punda district and a nice view of the ship docked at the Mega Pier. Today, we focused on the Otrobanda district capturing Curaçao’s street art and murals. Willemstad art is found in both the Punda and Otrobanda neighborhoods. The Otrobanda area is undergoing major restorations and with this revitalization comes lovely murals. We walked through the narrow alleys of Otrobanda and found street art from many of Curaçao’s artists. Every mural has a story…A story of the important moments in their history, customs and way of life. Leaving Otrobanda we crossed the Queen Emma Bridge and entered the district of Willemstad known as Punda. The vibrant pedestrian-only streets create a picturesque atmosphere with many shops, cafés and terraces conveniently located in one area. Punda is the location of the world famous Handelskade: the waterfront collection of multi-colored buildings that has become Curaçao’s most characteristic image. We made it across the floating bridge before it opened to let some boats out of the inner harbor. From here, I walked along the lower wall at water level of the Waterfort built in 1827 to defend Willemstad. All the approaching dark clouds arrived and the rain sent us back across the bridge to the Rif Fort and back to the ship. Fortunately, the weather cleared, and we spent the afternoon in the Retreat. Dark clouds continued to threaten but other that the occasion drizzle, it was a lovely day. Yesterday was a very special day…Ann and Cathy were inducted into the Presidents Club (over 1400 sailing days). The induction ceremony was held in the Ocean Bar followed by a dinner in the Pinnacle Grill hosted by Captain Werner Timmers, Errol Nelson, the Hotel General Manager and Dustin Coomer, the Assistant Hotel General Manager. We had a great evening, and it was a pleasure for me to be able to share in the celebration.  I know how special it was for me, when I was inducted in 2013. I included a few of photos of last night’s induction ceremony at the end of the blog….