Curaçao is the largest of the six islands in the Caribbean that together constitute the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. So when the coronavirus hit and travel abroad was restricted, we cheekily found a loophole, allowing us to escape to the sun yet travel ''locally'' within the Kingdom (disclaimer - this is no longer a valid loophole. The Netherlands has a list of safe and high-risk countries, and the Dutch Caribbean islands now also appear on the lists as per their local cases.)
What's Curaçao like, you may ask? Well think about any typical Dutch town, with its canal houses and waterways. Pick it up and place it on a Caribbean island. And you get Curaçao.
Tell me I'm wrong.
I'm not joking. Apart from finding bitterballen on several bar menus and hearing more Dutch than English, we also came across an Albert Heijn (supermarket chain in the Netherlands). I mean. But then again, my only complaint about Amsterdam is the weather, so doesn't this just give you the best of both worlds?!
Willemstad is the main town on the island, and is also where you see the colourful Handelkade. I found this great self-guided walking tour that helps you see the sights in a day. Pietermaii, where we stayed, has a row of B&Bs that also provide day passes to lay by the pool and have a few drinks. Queen Emma's Bridge (the one I'm standing on above) is a swinging bridge that actually moves when a big ship comes along (in fact, we were lucky enough to capture this below - check out the time-lapse of the moving bridge!).
Klein Curaçao is a little day trip to a remote island that is absolutely stunning. We have never seen beaches this beautiful (except perhaps in Anguilla). Absolutely worth spending a day here!
And of course, if you get tired of Curaçao, Aruba and Bonaire are both just a quick (and inexpensive) plane right away.
FOOD TIP: Fish & Joy has to be one of the best restaurants on the island. The fish was exquisite, and the staff are so lovely - but the lovely outdoor ambience made for an excellent date night setting.
TRAVEL TIP: Rent a car to venture a little further to the beaches on the west coast. Grote Knip, Kleine Knip, Playa Piskado, Shete Boka Park - all beautiful but not very well connected to Willemstad. And when you do, make sure to stop at Sol's Food for lunch for a pretty surreal meal experience. I finally managed to try the famous goat curry, and Michael had the iguana stew which he absolutely loved!
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