Day 10: Curaçao

Another day another canceled excursion. I am beginning to wonder why they even pre-sale shore excursions since I have had so many canceled!  My back up plan is now Hofi Mango & Beach Break . . . not exactly what I wanted but I’m out exploring! It is Sunday so some places closed and there is a Nos Karnaval (Carnival) parade which will probably make getting around difficult.

Curaçao is famous for its liquor that is made from Valencia oranges.  It is a clear in the original color but can buy in five different colors.

First Stop:  Hofi Mango Nature Park.  Hoffi Mango is an important historical site. It is full of lush mango groves and viewpoints.  Before 1700, sugar cane was found on a few plantations with swampy areas.  Since the yield was too little to manufacture sugar, it was used to produce rum called geld duivel.  In 1795 it was one of the locations that played an important role in the slave revolt.  The sugar mill and distillery were broken into to get to the rum.

 

Final stop:  Cas Abao Beach . . . it was beautiful!

Back to ship to drop off stuff, eat lunch, and head out to explore the town of Willemstad.  A walk-through Riff Fort

Then crossed the Queen Emma Bridge which is a pontoon bridge. The Queen Emma Bridge connects the Punda and Otrobanda districts of Willemstad, Curaçao. Punda means point and Otrobanda translates to the other side.  

I loved the colorful buildings.

It is Sunday and not much is open (even the stores the cruise ship pushes are closed, IYKYK) so I head back to the ship.  It is very warm outside I decided to restart my taste testing.  Since we are docked in Curaçao I keep with the blue theme . . . even though the drinks all look green!

Schooner Bar:  Sea & T (hard no for me; gin isn't my thing!)
R Bar:  Curaçao Cosmo
Solarium Bar:  Blue Hawaiian

  

And then proceeded to take a nap at 530pm!