Worth a return visit? Yes.
Would I live there? Yes, as long as it was in or near Willemstad. On a livability scale of 1 to 5, I'd give it a 3.5.
The People: Maybe it was a fluke, but we didn't meet a single surly person there. Everyone was kind, friendly and helpful. Every single one.
The Country: If you expect a tropical rainforest you'll be sorely disappointed. Most of what you'll see will be cacti and other plants suitable for xeriscaping because Curaçao gets only about 570 mm (22 inches) of rain a year. This little tidbit has totally destroyed my long-held assumption that all Caribbean islands are lush gardens. The up side of this is that you'll likely have clear skies every day and plenty of opportunities to work on your tan and enjoy its many beautiful white sand beaches.
If you're a photographer, Willemstad won't disappoint with its distinctive bridges, colorful historical buildings and cobbled pedestrian streets. You can sit at a waterfront bar and enjoy a cocktail while you shoot the ships that pass by.
Judging from our short snorkeling excursion the diving in that clear azure water must be spectacular, just as the brochures promise.
The Food: Plenty of cuisines to choose from, both spicy and not. Seafood lovers won't be disappointed. Unfortunately, not all chefs are created equal.
What I loved: The sunny climate. The colorful buildings. The Dutch architecture. The cobbled streets. The pontoon bridge. The people are incredibly friendly. Hearing them switch easily from one language to another. Snorkeling in the clear water and seeing all the tropical fish.
What I didn't like: The country relies on desalinization for its water supply. Being sick for half of my time there.
Thoughts: I was totally amazed by the ease with which everyone switched from one language to another, not to mention the more remarkable fact that they are fluent in four languages. Americans need to check their We're #1 arrogance at the airport.
No comments:
Post a Comment