Discover Curaçao Like a Local – Travel Guide
Discover Curaçao Like a Local – Travel Guide
To begin, Curaçao, off the coast of Venezuela, is an island in the southern Caribbean Sea. This Dutch Kingdom of the Netherlands boasts 38 world-class beaches. It also has a myriad of snorkelling and diving opportunities. Surely, most travellers arrive seeking a tropical beach holiday. However, a genuine appreciation for some place new comes from tasting the local cuisine, exploring its natural habitats, and understanding the history.
Firstly, discover Curaçao, like a local, provides travel tips and holiday inspiration for those wishing to take the road less travelled. aIn this way you discovered the cultural identity of this land. Now, discover why Curaçao is a melting pot of cultures and explore the Dutch, Spanish, and Caribbean influences throughout the island.
Waterfront buildings Queen Emma
Willemstad UNESCO World Heritage Site
Handelskade is a lively, historic waterfront neighborhood. It is also a cluster of colourfully painted traditional houses, Certainly are the hallmarks of Willemstad, the city’s capital. A Dutch trading settlement from the 1600s, is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Surely, it offers great cultural and historical value.
Dutch colonial design combined with tropical Caribbean styles distinguishes the architecture of the city of Willemstad. Definitely, the buildings painted vibrant shades of blue, sunflower yellow, and red hues dot the landscape. The buildings weren’t always a multitude of colours, however, they were white. In 1817, Governor-General Albert blamed his headaches on the glare from the white buildings. As a result, he passed a law ordering them to be painted in different colours.
Especially, a walk along the charming waterfront district, reminiscent of the Amsterdam canals- Here, is where visitors can admire the city’s colourful architecture. It’s also where locals and tourists alike peruse the numerous art galleries. Of course, they also enjoy the local cuisine. At Handelskade’s northern point, visitors can find the floating market. Fishing boats from Venezuela (which is only 40 miles away) arrive carrying fruits and vegetables.
Queen Emma and Queen Juliana Bridges
The two bridges in Willemstad, named after Dutch queens, link the districts of Punda and Otrobanda. Surely, the most famous, built in 1888, is the Queen Emma. The locals like to call this pedestrian pontoon bridge the Swinging Old Lady. It swivels open, making way for ship traffic through St. Anna Bay.
During the day, the visitors and locals watch the boats sail through the open arm of the bridge. But in the evening they gaze at its lights twinkling under the night sky. Locals pass by with greetings of “Pasa un bon dia” or “Have a good day,” accompanied with a friendly wave.
The bridge is named in honor of Juliana of the Netherlands. Surely, the Queen Juliana Bridge is the highest in the Caribbean. At a height of 56.4 meters (185 feet) above the water, this bridge allows cars to cross from Punda to Otrobanda. It also allows ships to enter the narrow harbour.
Queen Emma – Pedestrians
History of Curaçao
Surely, a bit of historical knowledge about Curaçao provides an understanding and appreciation of the rich cultural diversity found throughout the island. The original inhabitants were the Arawaks. Arawaks, The Amerindian people came from the South American mainland. The Europeans arrived in 1499 and in 1527, the Spanish settled on the island.
The Netherlands separated from Spain in 1581 and the Dutch established Curaçao as a major center of trade for the Dutch West India Company. They took an interest in Curaçao for its natural harbour. They were also interested for its favourable geographical position, making it favourable to trade with Europe, Venezuela, and other Caribbean islands for salt and other commodities. Slavery sadly ensued in Curaçao, with people arriving from Africa, bought and sold on the docks on Willemstad, and transported to Central and South America.
Curaçao became a Dutch colony after the bankruptcy of the Dutch West India Company in 1791. Surely, the diverse cultures passed on through agriculture, cuisine, and language over the centuries are strongly evident throughout the island today..