Michael Powell's Blog, page 53
February 6, 2016
The Historic Neighborhood of Punda
Punda was the first area in Willemstad to be colonized by the Dutch, and today has become famous for the superb condition of its colorful, 18th-century buildings. Although we live in Otrobanda, we cross the bay almost daily to spend time in Punda, whether to eat, shop, or just enjoy the neighborhood’s lively atmosphere.
When it was originally settled, this neighborhood was called “De Punt” (“The Point”), a name which eventually evolved into Punda. Willemstad’s most historic buildings are fou...
The Curaçao Aloe Vera Plantation
Curaçao has a long history of cultivating aloe vera, which is one of the few plants able to thrive in the island’s dry, windy climate. We visited the Curaloe Plantation and Factory, near the Ostrich Farm and St. Joris Bay, to see how the plants are grown, harvested and processed. Or at least, that’s what we were hoping to see.
The Curaloe Plantation is free to visit, and that is absolutely appropriate, considering that it offers almost nothing to the visitor. After parking and looking at the...
February 5, 2016
Intrepid Explorers Discover Playa Hunku
We carefully made our way along an overgrown path, which, according to my calculations, had last been used by the Arwak Indians sometime in the late 1400s. Our mission was to find the legendary Playa Hunku, a place rumored about in whispered conversations across the island, but which no living man or woman had yet laid eyes upon. Our expedition was fraught with danger (cacti! mosquitoes!) but after a wearying trek of twenty entire minutes, we saw it: the fabled beach of Playa Hunku. And it wa...
Driving Around the Christoffelpark
After having hiked to the top of Christoffelberg, we had enough time to continue exploring the park. A driving route recommended by the visitor’s center brought us to a few interesting sights, including a remote beach, a dark cave, and ancient rock paintings made by the Arwak Indians.
The hike had left us so exhausted, that even a driving route sounded unappealing. “You mean we have to press down on the gas, and turn the wheel? Unnhhhh… god!” But entrance to the park is expensive enough that...
To the Top of Christoffelberg
Curaçao’s most popular hike, and perhaps its only popular hike, is the trek to the summit of Christoffelberg. At a modest 372 meters above sea level, this is the tallest peak on the island, and reaching the top requires an effort of about 90 minutes.
Here on Curaçao, where life is about beaches and relaxation, a 90-minute uphill hike seems more strenuous than it probably is. We’ve raced up much higher mountains in places like Iceland and Idaho without thinking twice, but getting to the top o...
February 4, 2016
Santa Martha and the Abandoned Sunset Waters Resort
Just past the Landhuis Santa Martha, near the town of Soto, is a hilly, forested patch of Curaçao which hasn’t yet been developed. More accurately, I should say that it’s no longer developed. We followed the road until reaching its end at Sunset Waters, a former resort which has been abandoned for years.
I have no idea why Sunset Waters wasn’t able to succeed. It certainly can’t be blamed on its beach; this stretch of coastline in northwestern Curaçao is just gorgeous. After parking the car,...
Hiking Around the Caracasbaai Peninsula
We had heard about a hike around the small Caracasbaai Peninsula, from Tugboat Beach up to the top of the Kabrietenberg, and then back around the southern side of the peninsula. It would lead past mangrove forests and coral wastelands to Directorsbaai, before passing an abandoned mansion and returning to the starting point. Sounded perfect, and we couldn’t resist checking it out.
The trail gets the hard stuff out of the way, first. After leaving Tugboat Beach, you climb the Kabrietenberg. Fr...
February 3, 2016
The Cliffs at Hanchi Spelonk
Every once in awhile, Jürgen and I will cross our fingers and embark upon an excursion we know nothing about. Our trip to Hanchi Spelonk was one such adventure. There’s almost nothing on the internet nor in guidebooks about this little park, but we supposed it was worth a shot… if for no other reason than the excuse to say “Hanchi Spelonk” repeatedly throughout the day. Hanchi Spelonk!
We found the entrance to Hanchi Spelonk in the neighborhood of Souax, close to the Hato Airport. After park...
February 2, 2016
Playa Jeremi
Crystal blue waters, soft white sand, a laid-back atmosphere in a gorgeous natural environment… you know, it feels like I’ve been using this description a lot, doesn’t it? It’s getting boring. Come on, Curaçao! Why don’t you surprise us with ugly, awful beach?! Actually, on second thought, scratch that. Just keep the beauty coming, and we’ll try not to complain. Next up: Playa Jeremi.
Playa Jeremi is a medium-sized beach, just north past Lagun, perfect for when you want to be mostly left alo...
February 1, 2016
Mi Ta Siña Papiamento!
One of Curaçao’s best traits is its delirious language situation. Curaçaoans speak seemingly anything and everything, often all at once. We’ve had people switch from Dutch to Spanish to English on the turn of a dime, as they try and guess our nationality. But the language we most love to hear from Curaçaoans is Papiamento — a creole mix of West African, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, English, and even some Arwak.
Papiamento is the language of the ABC Islands: Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao. On Cura...
