Michael Powell's Blog, page 56
January 16, 2016
Kayaking through Curaçao’s Mangrove Forests
In the past century, Curaçao has seen a dramatic reduction in its mangrove forests, as valuable coast land has been gobbled up for development. It’s not exactly a problem unique to the island; mangroves all around the world are under attack. But with the help of Ryan de Jeong and the Carmabi foundation, the plants are making a comeback on Curaçao.
Mangrove trees are a critical part of coastal, saltwater ecosystems in the tropics, providing a buffer between the sea and land. They protect agai...
Den Paradera of Dinah Veeris
It used to be that everyone’s grandmother knew which herb to apply to a wart, or how to prepare a tea that would soothe an upset stomach, but nowadays we all just run to the pharmacy. Curaçao’s Dinah Veeris sees the danger of entirely forgetting the ways of natural healing, and has made it her mission to preserve them.
Den Paradera is Dinah’s botanic garden, where she grows medicinal plants and herbs from around Curaçao and abroad. A physician herself, she has spent years working on the proj...
January 15, 2016
A Short Cliff Hike to Kokomo Beach
After visiting Boka Sami and the dilapidated Fort St. Michiel, we found a trail which leads up the hill and along the cliffs to Vaersenbaai, which is home to Kokomo Beach. A short, mildly strenuous walk through the woods, followed by incredible views from high above the Caribbean, and then cooling off in clear blue waters? Sigh, if only all our hikes were like this!
The trail begins at Boka Sami, after crossing a bridge over the inlet which feeds St. Michiel’s Bay. There is another hike whic...
January 7, 2016
Fort St. Michiel and Boka Sami
A surprising number of Curaçao’s old forts have maintained themselves well over the centuries, and have received a new purpose in today’s modern age. That, however, is not the case for Fort St. Michiel… unless its modern purpose is to provide a spot for trash to be dumped, and weeds to run about as wildly as they please.
It’s not pretty, but there’s something compelling about this run-down old fort in the town of Sint Michiel, found just to the north of Willemstad. What’s happened here, is w...
January 6, 2016
The Black Sand Beach of Santu Pretu
If you’re looking for solitude, lace up your hiking boots and tromp through the woods to Santu Pretu, a small beach of black sand accessible from Santa Cruz. You’ll find untouched nature, strange sand, and excellent snorkeling here… but you probably won’t find any other people.
Santu Pretu is halfway along the path that connects Santa Cruz to the jump-off point for Curaçao’s famous “Blue Room”: an easily-accessible cave in the cliffs which sparkles beautifully with the Caribbean’s crystal bl...
The Salt Flats of Jan Thiel
The plantations of colonial-era Curaçao had it rough, because the island’s arid ground made it difficult to grow produce or raise livestock. So, how exactly were the unlucky Dutch landowners going to earn the fabulous fortunes for which they’d come to the New World? Many turned their eyes to something which Curaçao has in abundance: seawater. Or rather, the salt inside of the seawater.
Curaçao’s saliñas, or salt flats, are long since obsolete, but they’ve not disappeared entirely. We went on...
January 5, 2016
A Surf Championship at Playa Kanoa
Playa Kanoa, on the windward side of Curaçao, isn’t exactly what comes to mind when you think “idyllic Caribbean beach.” Like the rest of the eastern coast, it’s subject to strong winds and rough water. But although big, consistent waves make swimming more difficult, I can think of at least one thing they’re good for. Surf’s on!
We visited Playa Kanoa during the island’s annual Surfing Championship, which is held in December. There was quite a crowd on hand to cheer on the amateur athletes a...
January 4, 2016
Kleine Knip
A couple kilometers south of Grote Knip, you’ll find its little brother, Kleine Knip. Grote Knip was our first beach in Curaçao, and already had a secure place in our hearts. Would Kleine Knip be able to compete? In a word: yes.
“Kleine” is Dutch for “little,” but although this is the smaller of the two Knip beaches, it’s a pretty decent size. Even when there are a lot of people here, it’s easy to find a shady spot to sit, either under the trees or one of the palapas. The parking lot is righ...
January 3, 2016
The Tula Museum at Landhuis Knip
In the late 18th century, a slave named Tula lived and worked at the Knip Plantation, on the northern tip of the island. Angered by the injustice of his situation, he freed himself and led a revolt across Curaçao. Today, his legacy is remembered in the Tula Museum at the Landhuis Knip.
It’s deeply satisfying that, today, the primary purpose of the Knip Plantation is to pay tribute to a slave who once toiled here. Sorry Mr. Landowner, I’m sure you considered yourself to be pretty important, a...
January 2, 2016
Bon Pascu i un Felis Aña Nobo!
It’s always fun to see how people around the world celebrate the holiday season. Every culture that recognizes Christmas has its own unique traditions, and New Year’s Eve can be wildly different depending on the country you’re in. We suspected that Curaçao would turn New Year’s into one big, loud, outdoor party… and we weren’t wrong!
Neither Jürgen nor I have ever been big Christmas guys, and in Curaçao, it was especially difficult to get into the holiday spirit. I mean, it’s 29 (85F) out an...
