The highest point on the island!
Welcome to the 4th installment of #KeepExploring.
In these posts I'll take you to a couple of spots that you definitely need to see on the island. It's also THE series that gives me the freedom to just explore, just get out the (with a camera) and explore.
I genuinely get more energy from seeing new places so I'm hoping that translates to interesting posts.
(I promised @trangbaby to write about the mountain this week 😃)
Christoffelberg, Curacao
Christoffelberg (berg = 'mountain' in Dutch) is the highest point the island at 371m high. It may not seem like much but it does offer a breathtaking view!
But before we get to that we have to get up early in the morning. Why? Well because it's hot in Curaçao and your climb will be a lot less pleasant when the temperature hits 31c! There is actually a rule that your not allowed to climb after 10 am for safety reasons (basically so you don't end up on the mountain on the hottest part of the day!)
The ticket office to the nature park opens at 6 am. There is a small fee to get access to the mountain. After you get your token you can drive up these narrow mountain roads through the park.
I would say some driving skills are needed but it's more about having a powerful enough car to make the climbs... And of course to know HOW to shift gears!
Haha quick sideline, I've experienced not making a certain hill with the car. I was in the back seat and we started slipping because the tires couldn't get anymore grip to climb. Scary stuff but luckily we remained calm and just rolled back down. I took over at the wheel and took a bit of charge to get us there 😎😎😎.
The park itself is reason enough to go as you can stop at the viewpoints (and a mine) and just enjoy nature.
After about 5-10 min on the roads you get to the parking area. After that it's about a 40m to 1h30 min climb.
I find that it totally depends on your fitness level and your mood. To me there is no sense in hurrying up to mountain just the see the view while there is so much to see on the journey to the top.
So I rest when the group (or I) need it and just take it all in.
Pro tip! Bring lots of water... And a little breakfast for when you're at the top.
The climb itself is not that advanced, it's more of a hike for the most part. I've been up there with people that are 55 or 60 yrs old just to give you an idea.
In the end you get to the summit where it's suddenly cool and windy. You can see the ocean all around you as you look to the western point of Curaçao.
I hope you enjoyed the trip!
Lastly, here's a video I made before drones were banned:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BuTORT0D8ns/?igshid=3nt2cfi66vrk
Cheers,
Gyanno
Wow...I just switch my laptop on and those great photography just make day. Thank you.
Absolutely spectacular views, the pic with the shadow of cloud on the moutain ranges take my breath away 😆😆😍
I hope this amazing destination could be seen more.
Did you use @pinmapple to pin this beautiful place on map?
Thanks again, Highly appreciated it and have a lovely week ahead.
And thank you for the motivation 😃.
I hope it inspires a visit to the Caribbean.
You know I would love to add Curacao and Suriname to the map (literally 😃) but I haven't figured out exactly how yet. I've posted in the Haveyoubeenhere community once but judging by the reaction of @pinmapple I might have broken or missed a rule.
You have a great week ahead too!
Edit: the @pinmapple code worked, it's now in the map
Yay...:) Good job 👏🤩😍
Have a blessed weekend.
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Beautiful! Great photos!
Thank you kindly!
Nice view! Totaly worth the hike :)
They banned drones? Why the hell?
Thanks! I sense you have some first hand experience? 😃.
It's banned on/near the mountain. The explanation given to me was that they're trying to protect the habitat of the birds in the area... And that these birds don't react well to drones, either they flee or fight 🤷🏾♂️
Nah, its on my bucketlist tho :) After seeing your pictures I imagined myself being there.
Mhh..interesting food for thought for the conspiracy theorists amongst us. First time I hear such a reason for a ban but if these birds are near extinction or magically shit golden eggs or fart angels dust, I could totally understand it :)
Haha one flight away...
I also think it's because it's a tourist attraction and they want to avoid a lot of drones. Haha and the bird doesn't lay golden eggs but it's a 'special' bird of prey.
These are amazing shots man, good job! I lived in the Caribbean so I know how flat most of this area is, making a hill like this one look like a giant mountain :D But really beautiful photos here. Keep them coming, I will make sure to stop by ;)
Oh and thanks to @trangbaby for nominating this great post to my latest upvote giveaway, it was my pleasure to support it.
Thank you! added motivation!
Where in the Caribbean did you live?
I didn't know about this but thanks for the support and thanks for the nomination @trangbaby
My pleasure man, keep up the great work :) I lived on the Caribbean coast of Mexico and visited a few more countries / islands in this area ;) Sweet memories...
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Hiya, @choogirl here, just swinging by to let you know that this post made it into our Honorable Mentions in Daily Travel Digest #1055.
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Thank you @choogirl!
I'll check it out, also very curious about the rest of the posts!