Hello fellow travellers and welcome back to our Curacao vlog
Today we are traveling to Willemstad to explore the big city life.
Aruba and Curacao can be sister islands but they are very different. Aruba is as flat as it gets and a rogue wave can traverse it easily from one side to another; at least the winds are doing it. Curacao has mountains and martian lands like Christofell Park and the wind ... doesn't like Curacao. Aruba has only planted palm trees, but Curacao has a bush jungle that covers most of the island.
We choose to enter Willemstad over the St. Anna Bay bridge in order to land in Scharloo at the cineplex where ... there is free parking. The bridge is called "Koningin Julianabrug" (i.e. Queen Juliana Bridge) and it is a little bit scary to drive on it at that height.
After that, we cross into Otrabanda, follow the shore and we are crossing the water again into Punda.
On the other side is the market. The vendors are bringing the produce on boats parked behind the stalls.
Oops .. I didn't see that coming!
The famous Koningin Emmabrug (Queen Emma Bridge) is a pontoon bridge with a hinge in Punda and each time a vessel wants to enter the port it can swing even with people on it. For now we will stay in Otrabanda.
I think that by now it has become obvious that Willemstad has no resemblance to Orangestad, Aruba's capital. Aruba is totally American, resembling Florida, flooded by US hotel brands. Curacao is reminiscent of Amsterdam; travellers and many of the guys working in hospitality industry are mostly Dutch.
Emmabrug is about to be open. Let's watch it.
Because Emmabrug is still unavailable, a free ferry is always taking over.
We have crossed in Otrabanda for dinner. On this side the restaurants are a notch more expensive. We have yet to decide between "Gouverneur Du Rouville", the Dutch expats darling, or the "Anchor" at Fort Rif because of its waterfront patio.
Please have a look at the famous infinity pool of the Renaissance Hotel. We have decided that for our next Curacao adventure we will opt for the hustle-and-bustle of the big city and we will stay here.
Aruba is the Caribbean capital of beach wine-and-dine in style. Curacao is a little bit more pubby but it has a lot of character.
#curacao #willemstad #emmabrug
15 авг 2020
