To Curacao We Go

in GEMS3 years ago (edited)

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The Dutch Caribbean island, Curacao, is in the southern Caribbean about 40mi (65km) north of Venezuela. It has an interesting mix of European and Caribbean culture, and its traditions formed through its history including the rhythmic music called tambu, the significance is felt as you drift from one part of the island to another.

The view shows off Willemstad, the capital, with its pastel-colored colonial architecture and crystal clear beaches that are scattered all along the southwestern coastline. Handelskade, the multi-colored buildings on the waterfront is Curaçao’s most characteristic image. When I think of Curacao, this is what I see.

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On 10th October 2010, the island of Curacao became a separate country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Curacao is only 40 miles (64 km) long with a population of 130,000 people, most of them living in or around the capital of Willemstad. The town is truly charming and in many ways, a hidden gem. Although there is a definite tourist trade going on, I find it less crowded than most of the islands. Of course, I walked through the Old Town, where there are fewer crowds and more colorful scenery. People chat with me all along the way and are always extremely helpful, some even walking me to my destination so I wouldn't get lost. They have no idea that I am perpetually lost!

It's my thing. I should have a GPS implanted.

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If you can close your eyes and imagine that in the bigger scheme of things, where logic stands clear, the houses can be appreciated fully if given half a chance. They are not new, many are being rehabbed and some are for sale, piles of rubble just waiting to be put back together again. The city is filled with history and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Historical meets modern influences, but, somehow, it works nicely.

I want this house! It is a mess right now, but, look at those lines! When this house is renovated, it will be an architectural delight.

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When houses in Handelskade, which is located in the Punda district are rehabbed, they are beautifully bright, vibrant colors. The locals will tell you that the bright colors would be easy to see from the shorelines, helping the fishermen and sailors find them.

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A night time picture of the Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge.

The Queen Emma pontoon bridge is a quirky swing bridge that opens up to boat traffic. It also allows pedestrian traffic to enter the downtown area of the city. If you don't get across the bridge when the signal warns you it is opening, you are stuck until the water traffic clears. They put flags up, a small boat and the operator puts up a yellow flag, a long one for ocean-going traffic, and a red one is put up. The red-flagged ships can take long, so during this time a free ferry operates to carry you to the other side. It can be five minutes or a half-hour- take the ferry! I got stuck out there the first time I went across and, just because I am a slow learner, the last time I was there.

When I say stuck, you are in the bay on a piece of bridge, just waiting for it to go back together. When that siren goes off, you may run to get to the other side. The bridge waits for no one.

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When I say stuck, you are in the bay on a piece of bridge, just waiting for it to go back together. When that siren goes off, you may run to get to the other side. The bridge waits for no one.

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There is love in the splash of color in an otherwise lonely alley. I walk through the back alleys, enjoying the view that has been offered to me. The artist is Nena Sanchez and you will find her 3D work outside her store and in between the alleyways. She is well-known locally for her sunflowers, birds, and some amazing butterflies. I think it adds life to an otherwise empty alleyway.

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This is such a scenic little town to walk through. Who could resist the colors and the wild plants painted on the building? There is happiness all around, the people treat you with kindness and there is always a smile. How can you not love it? It's all about the people. One of the gathering places, where everyone comes to see and be seen.

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This is such a scenic little town to walk through. Who could resist the colors and the wild plants painted on the building? There is happiness all around, the people treat you with kindness and there is always a smile. How can you not love it? It's all about the people. One of the gathering places, where everyone comes to see and be seen.

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You can do the beautiful waterfront and shopping, but, don't forget to check out their historical section. It is picturesque, and being revitalized every day. The people are friendly and helpful and a part of me wants to buy one of those little places and call it home.

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The yellow building is a very distinctive Curaçao Baroque style of architecture. Most have the curved Dutch gable. This building is called the Penha building which was built in 1708 and is considered one of the best examples of this architecture.

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The historic townscape has changed little, although each time I go back, more and more renovations are being made, taking the broken buildings and making them usable and beautifying the historic little town once again.

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Some like this were almost rubble, but, it was for sale - and I am excited to see what it looks like when it is sold and renovated. I walked around it and it has nice lines. Yes, I would buy it. Don't judge.

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There was a section in the old part of town that had tiny little rowhouses, what seemed like miles and miles of them, all painted in vibrant colors, lining both sides of the street.

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I thought I recognized some words, but, really, I didn't. I was expecting Dutch the first time I came. They officially speak Papiamento, but most, if not all understand English. I never take that for granted though

Papiamento or Papiamentu is a Portuguese-based creole language spoken in the Dutch Caribbean. It is the most widely spoken language on the Caribbean ABC islands, those being Aruba, Bonaire, and, Curacao, having official status in Aruba and Curaçao. Papiamento is also a recognized language in the Dutch public bodies of Bonaire, Sint-Eustatius, and Saba.

Crash course in Papiamento:

Welcome: Bon Bini
Good morning: Bon dia
Goodbye: Ayo
Thank you very much: Masha danki
You're welcome: Na bo ordo
Yes/No Si/NoPlease: Por fabor
Have a nice day: Pasa un bon dia
How are you doing?: Kon ta bai?

See? You think you recognize it, then it goes all Papiamento on you.

//:# (!pinmapple 12.012422 lat -68.852809 long d3scr)

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Curacao has a rich community of artists living there. It is inspiring to walk around and through the alleyways. This woman singlehandedly painted both sides of this long stretch of the lonely alley. The next time I go there, I want to check it out.

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Every alley you go down has a personal touch to it. They really are such happy colors. The brightly colored hues add such charm to the locale. Such happy people. Pride in ownership, even if it is not their personal property, but, something to make the town look better.

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They are literally a feast for your eyes. What a lovely walk, old architecture one is always thrilled to see renovations being done, breathing new life into the old structures. When people take pride in their surroundings wonderful things happen.

Love the bright paints used, the painted alley what a treat to sit.

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The works are a take on different styles and different forms.

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I end this with a heart sculpture that is filled with padlocks, for if you put one there, you are locking your love together forever. Can you see mine in there? :))

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Love the vibe here. But seriously...

There will be none of this tolerated.


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All I have are my words, armed in my mind, written in pen, stand by stand. Oh, yes. Still by hand. It has a different feel. Altered not by keys, backspace, and delete, I write, erase, tear it to pieces and start all over again. And again.

It’s my way. I walk out to the deep end of the page and dive right in.

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Oh they really know how to color it up! Just the vibe from the scenery seems to be intoxicating. I would love to get a chance to go there someday! Great pics, they really tell the story!

It has one of the most peaceful vibes of any of the islands. And I love all of the islands, but, this seems like I could live here year-round, that is probably the difference. I would love to get hold of one of those houses that are crumbling and put my touch on it. Aren't they magnificent?

Thanks and thanks for stopping by and leaving your words and upvote. Have a nice night!

Wow! Beautiful architecture with very bright colours! People seem to paint every surface they could find empty! Those clashing colours are just amazing. People there must have lots of energy. LoL

It is a very happy place and I love the architecture! The colors are to see the houses from the sea, so fishermen didn't get lost. They could always find their way home.

The people do have a lot of energy- to dance!! :))

Energy to dance! Haha. So these people are very fit and healthy too!
Good idea to have colourful houses! So there is no excuse to enter the wrong house! LoL

Haha! True!

It is a very happy place and I love the architecture! The colors are to see the houses from the sea, so fishermen didn't get lost. They could always find their way home.

The people do have a lot of energy- to dance!! :))

What a beautiful post Denise! I first learnt about Curaçao a few months ago when someone else posted about it, I never realised there is a bit of Netherlands on the other side of the world.

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Thank again!! You are the best! xo

This looks so bright and cheerful, most definitely people who take pride in their region, wish all places did a little to make areas welcoming like this.

Architecture in Penha building is stunning, at a glance one would think they are in the Netherlands.

Small street houses remind me of Cape Town where very similar painted homes are found in our country.

!WINE

Yes!! Bokaap!! It reminds me exactly of that! It's so lovely to aee peide in ownership and happiness amongst the people.

The architecture is exactly that. It was under Dutch rule until 2010. Thanks so much for you awesome support!

Picture perfect little places with very real people who take an interest in what they have always so pleasurable to see and visit.

Have a lovely peaceful Sunday and enjoy your day Denise.

Thank you, Joan! You too!

Curacao is beautiful! Many interesting places to see!
I haven't been.
Thanks for sharing the many photographs you took!
And good night, @dswigle!!!

I think it would be right up your alley, with the friendly atmosphere, little cafe, and a very relaxed lifestyle. They make it so easy to become one of them.

Thank you for stopping by and have a great weekend!!! @silversaver888

It is the weekend once more!'Time is surely going quick!

Fly by! Catch it if you can!!

Oh I can TOTALLY see why you fell in love with house!!!! My mother would have painted something like that! What an absolutely gorgeous place! I love all the character and colour!!! We have a lot of that here in Cape Town, especially the old District Six area...

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Yes!!! I recognize Bokaap! They are like sisters! I love that you can relate! Life is so chill here in Curacao. It's a fun little getaway!

Thanks for your love and support! 💖

Always got buckets of love for you honey!!! Enjoy every moment!

OMG!! No more texting in the sun!

WAAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! It's ok... us wineys understand even the most complicated of languages hahahaha!!! XOXOXO

That's true! Even I speak about a dozen then. :)

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Thank you so much!! I will join and look into thecteavel applucation. I live suppirting your people! :))

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Wow... 😍 OMG
This is like a paradise of colors.
Such beautiful enviroment and incredleble buildings and houses in all kinds of painted colors.
Never seen anything like it 😊
Is there a story there, or reason for its bright colors?
Absolutly LOOVED every picture, and Thank you for sharing the story about it and I love all the arts to.
Adding to my wish list 😜 lol

Much love 🤗❤️❤️🤗

It is actually somewhere up there, but, the story is that it was a law there to paint your house a bright color so that the fishermen could see when they were near home. (it is a tiny island in the middle of the ocean) That way, nobody got lost! :)) I like that story!

Thank you for stopping by and leaving your kind words! xoxo Thank you, Sara! Love to you!

Omg.. Sorry I missed that 🙈 lol
I really love that story to and ofcourse they wanted their fishermen to find their way back home.
Really amazing pictures and my kind of place 😊

Much love and Hugs 🤗❤️🌹🤗

I have no doubt that I would love it.
But only Queen there would be is a really Beautiful Lady by the name @dswigle 😍 she is the sweetest and takes pictures that knocks your socks off 😁 Lol

You are amazing my friend ❤️❤️❤️

Thank you! You are too, too sweet, my Queen! ❤️

Silly girl! Not being your first language, it is easy to lose the words in such a long post. It is a cute story. ;)) You would love it there and they would make you their queen. ❤️

Charming, it's literally a 'Colorful' place.

Hehe! Truth! Is literally in living colors! Hi, Kerri! Thank you for stopping by!

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Thank you for the repost @pixresteemer! Much appreciated!

Fantastic architecture ! love those colorful houses. Didn't actually know that this is what it looks like. Thanks a lot for sharing :)