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WOW! CURACAO!!
The Difficult To Pronounce, Pearl of the Caribbean
by Cornelius O. Myers
The first order of business is a quick course in pronunciation. Curacao is pronounced - COO-RA-SOW (as in WOW!). There are some who feel that because tourists can't correctly pronounce the name of the island, they choose to go somewhere else rather than be embarrassed. This could well explain the popularity of St. John and St. Kitts. No matter what the reason, Curacao is below many tourists radar.
Granted that the island hasn't really sought tourism until recently; when the off-shore banking operations moved elsewhere and Shell Oil slid out of the refinery on the island. However, the fact that Curacao did not aggressively promote itself in the travel destination market has left the island unspoiled and still welcoming to those with enough savvy to recognize the richness of the experience.
But, it is still very much unnoticed. How unnoticed? Well, consider this...MORE bottles of the world famous Senior's Authentic Curacao Liqueur are sold each year THAN the number of tourists who visit this enchanting island (by a ratio of 350,000 to 210,000).
Okay. I'm going to be honest here. I too have long overlooked Curacao, even though I had lived in the Caribbean and traveled to most of the islands from Puerto Rico to Tobago. But, when I headed to the Southern Caribbean, I usually ended up in Bonaire or perhaps Aruba. The "C" of the "ABC Islands" always failed to catch my attention. Now, after my belated first visit, I can tell you that Curacao is far more intoxicating than Mr. Senior's beautiful blue Liqueur (by a ratio of 100 to 1); and the after-effects are much more pleasant.
For the legions of tourists who choose to spend their one week of vacation in all-inclusive resorts; roasting red during the day, chewing endless, mediocre buffet meals and straining mightily to learn the Merengue at night; all while never leaving the hotel... Curacao is not for you. Stick with the stereotypical, white sand, swaying palm trees and blue water resorts that are perfectly interchangeable.
But, if you seek a total travel experience, from every aspect: culture, cuisine, art, museums, history, language, nature adventures, architecture and, yes, alright... white sand, swaying palm trees and incredibly clear blue water; then put this island on your must visit list.
After you land at the modern Hato Airport, just a 2 1/2 hour direct flight from Miami; your first treat will be the musical sounds of the native language, Papiamento; a mélange of English, Dutch, African, Spanish, Portuguese and French. It is as refreshing as the constant, gentle trade winds that keep Curacao cool. The island is out of the hurricane belt, and although there is a rainy season between November and April; when early morning rains give way to sunshine; the temperature range stays between 82 and 86 and it is never stiflingly hot.
At 38 miles long and 8 miles wide, Curacao is the largest island of the Netherland Antilles, and the most staunchly Dutch. It is referred to as the Amsterdam of the Caribbean. For visitors, this should be a comforting fact. Just beneath the relaxed, sunny surface of the island's business culture, beats the metronome of Dutch efficiency and precision. Because it is in the Caribbean, however, it is not an overbearing influence, but more like the clop of a wooden shoe on a soft, sandy beach.
Start your adventure in Willemstad, the capital city and port, distinguished as a UNESCO World Heritage site, (there are 800 monuments on the island in all). Willemstad's Shottegatt Harbor is the largest in the Caribbean and the fourth largest port in the world. It is the reason that the English, Spanish, Dutch, Portuguese and French all battled for control of the island. Fort Amsterdam and The Rif Fort still stand as silent evidence of the value of its deep water harbor. Today, shoppers battle for position to storm the six block radius of gaily colored pastel town houses that represent some of the best shopping in the Caribbean.
Walk across the Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge (designed by an American architect in 1888 and affectionately known as "The Swinging Old Lady"); but, watch for the Orange or Blue flags that signal the bridge is about to open for sea traffic. You can use the free ferry when old Queen Emma starts to swing.
The Floating Market (boats filled with produce from Venezuela, just 35 miles away); the Old Marshe, for hearty portions of local food; The Fort Church, Mikve Israel-Emanuel, the oldest synagogue in constant use in the Western Hemisphere; and Beth Hayim, the oldest Jewish burial ground in the Americas; The Maritime Museum, Curacao Museum, Queen Juliana Bridge (highest in the Caribbean) are all part of the Willemstad experience.
Hikers, bikers, and bird watchers should visit Christoffel Park, a protected 4,500-acre wildlife preserve and botanical garden. Divers and snorkelers will find the interactive Curacao Sea Aquarium; The Underwater Park, with 12 miles of coral reef trails; and any of the island's 68 dive sites (rated in the top fifteen dive spots in the world) fascinating.
Those interested in architecture will marvel at the 17th Century, brightly painted, restored Lanhuizen (Plantation Landhouses); a blend of Dutch and Spanish design.
And, history buffs will marvel at the number of historic sites - from the Jewish Cultural Museum, Anthropological Museum, Postal Museum, Museum of Natural and Cultural History - to the Hato Caves, with 1,500 year old wall paintings; the Simon Bolivar Museum and the incredible Kura Hulanda Museum; housing the region's largest collection of African art and artifacts. It traces the sad history of Curacao as the center of the slave industry.
Oh yes... those 38 white, sandy beaches with the swaying palm trees and the incredibly blue water, are waiting for you, when you collapse after you have explored the richness of Curacao. And then, perhaps, a sip of Senior's Authentic Blue Curacao Liqueur at sunset before you visit one of the islands many excellent restaurants. I visited the distillery to buy mine so that I wouldn't upset that ratio of bottles to visitors.
The islanders themselves represent 55 nationalities; in an exuberant blend of Latin, European and African Roots. In Papiamento they say, "When your umbilical cord is buried in Curacao, your heart will never leave." I say - No matter how you pronounce it; Curacao will stay buried in your heart; and you will be back, time and time again.
-Cornelius O. Myers
Cornelius Myers is an award-winning travel journalist, broadcaster, and feature writer based In Miami and Monaco.
Contact: cmyers444@bellsouth.net or myers@wanadoo.fr
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