Last Day in Curaçao

 Tuesday morning, we met at breakfast before it was time to pack up our suitcases. After packing up our bags, Jen and I took a taxi to the blue curaçao distillery. Nicole, Andrea and Jasmin stayed back to go to the beach. Shawna left for the airport earlier than the rest of us for an earlier flight to Miami.

At the distillery, we learned about the history of the liqueur and got to walk the working distillery which was quite small. It all started with transplanted Valencia oranges not thriving in the curaçao climate and transforming their peels into liqueur. They started adding blue coloring later to honor the blue water along the island and to make more colorful drinks. We also learned that the Senior brand is the original blue curaçao, and they were unable to trademark/copyright the word Curaçao since it’s a country. They taught us how to check the bottle design to ensure you’re getting the real curaçao. 

We got to taste the blue curaçao, tamarind flavor, and chocolate curaçao. The tamarind was really good. I ordered a drink that was frozen strawberry and mango with tamarind curaçao. While we were enjoying our drinks we found out the tamarind flavor isn’t exported to the US, so we each bought a bottle to take home. 

After getting back to the hotel, it was on to the airport. Our flights went relatively smoothly. Customs in Miami was chaotic and unorganized but we got on our flight just in time.

Back to reality today. 

Monday in Curaçao

 Monday morning, we started with breakfast and then after getting ready, most of us took a taxi into the city nearby (it was maybe a 10 minute ride). Nicole and I wanted to visit the synagogue and we all wanted to do some shopping and exploring. 

The synagogue and Jewish museum were opening late for some reason so we wandered around the neighborhood until it opened. The neighborhood was super colorful and we got a few things before a snack break. We sat along the water and got to watch the bridge open and close for boats. We had heard about it but assumed it was a drawbridge like we have at home. Instead the whole bridge floats and it opens and closes horizontally, which was wild to see. 

Eventually, Nicole and I got to go to the Synagogue and Jewish museum. The temple was completed in 1732. It is the oldest surviving one in this hemisphere. The floor is completely covered with sand. The inside is not super ornate but I still beautiful. The museum guide explained to us that the sand was for 3 reasons: 1) to remind us of being in the desert and escaping Egypt. 2) to remind us of the quote from Genesis: I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. 3) To remind us of when Jews went underground after the Spanish Inquisition and put sand on the floor to muffle footsteps. The museum was small but had a lot of great artifacts and history.

After the museum, we met the girls back at the resort and spent the afternoon by the pool and beach. One of the landscapers was cutting down coconuts and opened them for us to drink from. 

For dinner, we went back to the Italian place and the food was better than what I ordered the first night. We had caprese, tomato soup, and linguine bolognese. After dinner, we hung around and listened to the music before going to bed. 

Sunday Funday

 Sunday morning, we woke up and had breakfast with our favorite waitress. We hung around the resort in the shade for a while until it was time for our boat adventure.

We got picked up from the dive shop at the edge of the resort and taken to a catamaran a few resorts down the beach. The deckhand, Layla set us up with snorkel gear and then we got on the catamaran driven by Luis. They took us to an area with a lot of fish and a sunken tug boat to snorkel. The water is so clear here. It was great to see fish I had only ever seen in aquariums before. We wore ourselves out and then got back on the boat to cruise around the area and see some private homes and landmarks. We had some snacks on board, and in general just hung out. 

After a few hours, we returned to the dock and they drove us down the street back to our hotel. We regrouped and got dinner at the seafood restaurant. We had a pretty low key night after being on the boat all day. 

Full Day in Curaçao

 Curaçao is beautiful but it is hot and humid. Saturday I spent a lot of energy staying hydrated and it worked. We got up and went to breakfast, and then found a cabana and chairs to camp out at. We went swimming in the ocean and pool throughout the day. Some of the girls went snorkeling also.

For lunch, we went to the buffet. I had some fried fish that was really good. By late afternoon, Shawna and I went to our room to hang out and get a break from the sun.

For dinner we had a reservation at the hibachi restaurant. It was really good food (and no migraine triggers). After dinner, it was Carnaval night so there was a parade and dancing. We’re having a really fun relaxing time. On Sunday, we have a catamaran ride planned. 

First Day in Curaçao

 This weekend I’m in Curaçao with my friend Nicole and some of her friends to celebrate her upcoming birthday. 

Friday morning, I got picked up at 3am for the airport and we took a 5:25 am flight to Miami. I met Nicole, Jasmin, & Jen at Logan airport. When we got to Miami, we met Shawna (who came from Cincinnati) and Andrea (who came from Chicago). After another 3 hour flight we arrived at the Curaçao. It took us a while to settle into the resort so we didn’t do too much on Friday. We did get upgraded to the sun club which gives us a different breakfast and a separate beach area and pool. 

For dinner, we went to the Italian restaurant. I had a caprese, seafood over pasta with red sauce, and a tiramisu cup. The food here is ok, but the beach is beautiful.