Wow! It's Curacao!

Our cruise ship arrives in Willemstad at 7 a.m.   We will be docked here until 11 p.m. so the day is ours to do as we please. 

I am already feeling the heat and humidity.  We board our open-air, pink-colored trolley train and begin our tour of Willemstad.  Leaving the Punda district, our trolley moves slowly down the streets in the Scharloo district passing decorative and colorful houses that were once the homes of Jewish merchants.  Over the years, these houses were abandoned.   Fortunately, Curacao officials had the foresight to know their value and began restoration projects.  Some of the restored buildings are now offices (government owned and maintained). 

Beautifully restored houses in the Scharloo District of Willemstad 

The most photographed building in Scharloo is the "Wedding Cake" house (built in 1916).  It got this nickname because the front of the building looks like it’s covered in white frosting.   This green & white building now serves as the National Archive. 

The “Wedding Cake” House

We leave the Scharloo district and return to the Punda district where we see monuments and parks.  The large letters that spell “CURACAO’ and “DUSHI” (means sweet or used as a term of endearment) are often photographed.

I love the history and architecture of churches.  I don’t know how many churches there are in Punda but I saw three today - the yellow-colored "Temple", Pietermaai Cathedral (aka Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church), and Fort Amsterdam’s Dutch Church (1769).

The “Temple”

 Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church

Fort  Church

Our tour ends at Fort Amsterdam (dating from 1635).  It houses the Governor’s palace, the Fort Church and government offices.   It is strategically positioned in the front corner of Punda and became the most valuable fort on the island.

Fort Amsterdam 

Curacao was established as a trading post by the Dutch West India Company in the early 17th century.   Fort Rif (Otrobanda district) was built in 1828 to protect the other half of the city.  Like Fort Amsterdam, the fort now houses restaurants, bars and boutiques. 

 Fort Rif – Water View

 Fort Rif Entrance

View of Punda from Fort Rif

Shortly after 7:00 p.m. we leave the ship.  The early evening air is breezy but still humid.  It takes us about 10-15 minutes to walk (via Fort Rif) to the Queen Emma Swinging Bridge.  Upon our arrival, the bells sound and the bridge slowly swings open to allow several boats to pass through the channel.  The night lights on the bridge and buildings are reflecting in the water.  This is classic Curacao. 

 Curacao At Night

 Queen Emma Swinging Bridge

Punda’s Colorful Buildings

For more information on visiting Curacao, please click on the following link:
Curacao Travel Guide