A brief description of the journey: We took a ten-day cruise from Ft. Lauderdale, FL to Panama with stops along the way. We were on the Holland - America cruise ship 'Volendam' and headed first for their private island 'Half Moon Cay' in the Bahama's. This was followed by stops in Oranjestad, Aruba; Willamstad, Curacao; Puerto Limon', Costa Rica and then Panama, but not necessarily in that order. It just sounds better that way.
Coming into Willemstad, Curacao, the thing in the foreground that looks like canoes is reallly the Queen Emma Floating bridge which was opened so we could dock.
Sunrise over Willemstad
This is a Royal Carribean ship coming to port shortly after us. A much larger ship.
Just the thought of a Dutch Windmill on a Caribbean Island was odd. This one is now a restaurant.
Willemstad's historical district - Curacao's famous "Wedding Cake House".
To the left of the dark window on the second floor is a dark ball. It's a cannon ball fired upon the Government Building and left there after all these years. The two dates are from the original building and later the addition of the tower.
The "Floating Market", produce is brought here from Venezuela and sold off the boats directly from the docks.
Another view of the "Floating Market" and Venezuelian produce. Everything was fresher and more tasty than the stuff you find stateside. I ate my first papaya and later a starfruit. Both were awesome.
A pedestrial bridge from the Historical District to the Floating Markets.
This is the Touro Synagogue - oldest synagogue in the Western Hemisphere.
Our ship from across the dock viewed from the Historical district.
Truth in Advertising. They take birth control seriously on the islands. These were everywhere along with many variations of the same.
Shore Excursion to an Ostrich Farm. These were very friendly and uber curious.
This one didn't want to go away. and was into everything.
Probably the most fascinating part of our trip. An Ostrich egg hatched in my wifes hands as it was being passed around. We all thought it was a joke at first. It wasn't. She was asked to name him. So that's how 'OZ" came into the world. If you go there one day, look for him.
Curacao's landmark: The California Lighthouse.
"Bon Bini" Their traditional greeting.
More multi-million historical homes. You have to apply to the government before purchasing one and then sign an agreement to very stringent maintenance guidelilnes before you can get one.
Saying good-bye to Curacao
A final farewell to Curacao and a beautiful sunset to send us on our way to Panama.
Part I: http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977318820
Part III:http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977325767
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Comments: 19
Sounds like you would do it all over again...
I would love to go back but understand it just isn't the same since we pulled out our Troops.
Thanks Jimmy Carter.
I'd love to hear about your time in Panama, Janet.
The egg was funny - everyone expected it to be like a 'jack-in-the-box' or some other silly tourist trick. My wife asked innocently, "Why is the egg moving like this?"
Cool how the egg hatched in your wife's hands. Was she the first thing the baby saw? If so, wouldn't it think of her as it's mom?
Looking forward to the next installment.
i do have to ask you why that was your first papaya?....can understand about not having the starfruit since not as common in some areas of the states,but papaya?!
you did an excellent job with these photo essays per usual,my friend....
cheers,gayle
Dining on the ship; however, opened me to new and wonderful culinary experiences. My 'personal tradition' is I savor an appetizer of Escargot. Before you do a collective Ewwww, you need to know this. If it were served and you DIDN'T know what it was; you'd love it.
I took the plunge because on an earlier cruise our stateroom ended in the number '13', our lifeboat number was '13' and were the 13th couple seated at the Captain's dinner table (of 15)...easy to get queasy over THAT. I figured well if we go down, I can at least end it all by saying "I tried them."
So now when they're served, I 'indulge' but only on vacation which makes them even more special.
The ship we were on that time docked at 7:13 AM the last day. Sort of a cosmic April Fool's joke we always thought.