| Sunny, warm and charming, Curacao [pronounced | | | | to polenta. Of course, being an island community, |
| 'koo-rah-sow'] is a beautiful resort destination that is | | | | there are always plenty of fresh fish and other |
| relatively unknown to many people. With it's Dutch | | | | seafood dishes. |
| Colonial buildings and traditional Caribbean feel, it's a | | | | Of course, there's also the one thing that many |
| unique place that incorporates the best of 55 | | | | people have heard of before they even knew there |
| different nationalities to create a purely individual | | | | was a place called Curacao. What is it? The Curacao |
| culture. In fact, four languages are spoken here: | | | | liqueur. Developed here in the late 1800's, it started |
| English, Spanish, Dutch and their own Papiamento. It's | | | | out as a local experiment with the rinds of a locally |
| cosmopolitan, but simple. And incredibly gorgeous. | | | | grown variety of oranges, which thiselves weren't |
| Where is Curacao? Located in the southern part of | | | | very edible. How is it made? Curacao liqueur is |
| the Caribbean Sea, this exquisite island paradise is off | | | | processed with the dried peels of the "Laraha" |
| the coast of Venezuela and is the most populated | | | | (Curacao native orange), which when dried by the |
| and largest of the three "ABC" islands (Aruba, | | | | sun, contains an etheric oil with a pleasing fragrance |
| Bonaire, and Curaçao). It is part of the | | | | and even better taste. |
| Netherlands Antilles, a self-governing part of the | | | | THINGS TO SEE AND DO |
| Kingdom of the Netherlands. The capital is Willistad. | | | | Visit Historical Sites: Make sure you see the restored |
| This busy port city sees a lot of traffic from the | | | | mansions of Scharloo and Pietermaai, dating from the |
| island's large oil refinery, which is second only to | | | | 1700's. They are spectacular, and incredibly interesting. |
| tourism for the local economy. As of result of the oil, | | | | These neighborhoods have even been placed on the |
| Curacao is one of the more prosperous parts of the | | | | UNESCO World Heritage List, which commiorates |
| Caribbean region. | | | | unique value to the world's cultural and natural |
| Also well known here are the island's coral reefs. The | | | | heritage. Curacao Seaquarium: Built on the oceanfront |
| world's best divers and snorkelers have already | | | | at Bapor Kibra in 1984, this exquisite complex is one |
| discovered this wondrous vacation hideaway. Where | | | | of the most unique in the world because of its |
| are the hot spots? Most of thi are on the south side | | | | "open-water-systi," which allows seawater to be |
| of the island. Especially interesting in Curacao is that | | | | continuously pumped into the aquariums. Be sure to |
| the sea floor drops off steeply within a few hundred | | | | watch a feeding show and experience the "touch |
| feet of the shore. As a result, you can get to the | | | | tank", which gives you the chance to touch live |
| reef simply by swimming - no boat needed! In | | | | animals! |
| addition, the coastline of Curacao has lots of intriguing | | | | Dolphin Acadiy: Get the opportunity to meet, swim, |
| bays and inlets, many of which are good for mooring. | | | | and snorkel up close with Curacao's cute and |
| Surprisingly, Curacao has a sii-arid climate, similar to | | | | fascinating dolphins! Because you stand on a platform |
| the Southwestern U.S., with plenty of cactus, | | | | in the water about waist deep, the animals will swim |
| evergreens and warm weather native plants. If | | | | right up to you. |
| you've been to the big island of Hawaii, it's more | | | | Hato Caves: The Hato Caves are a must-see when |
| along these lines, as opposed to a lush, tropical island | | | | you come to Curacao. Formed below sea level millions |
| rainforest. Although always a possibility, Curacao | | | | of years ago, the Ice Age dropped the water level |
| typically misses many of the hurricanes each season, | | | | down and left these spectacular caves. Beautiful |
| as it's positioned away from the hurricane belt. | | | | limestone formations, romantic pools, a waterfall and |
| Curacao's highest point is Christoffelberg, rising 1,230 | | | | even a colony of fruit bats await! |
| feet in the northwestern part of the island. | | | | Punda, Willistad: Location of many shops and tourist |
| The Food | | | | activities in Willistad. |
| Ever tried Stoba? Well, you're in for a treat. A | | | | Landhuis Brievengat, Curacao: A museum by day and |
| delicious stew made with lots of different ingredients, | | | | a partying live music club by night. This 18th-century |
| like papaya and goat, or beef. Stoba is a major dish | | | | plantation house is a great place to have some fun. |
| of Curacao and part of the traditional fare, known as | | | | Amstel Brewery, Willistad: Take a tour of the factory |
| "Krioyo". Similar to Caribbean and Latin American | | | | and taste the only beer made with distilled seawater! |
| cuisine, Curacao chefs use an eclectic blend of flavors | | | | Handelskade, Willistad: The famous street with the |
| and techniques that bring out interesting tastes. | | | | brightly painted 18th century buildings. It's a must for |
| Other popular dishes include Jambo, a soup made | | | | any traveler to check out the many boutiques, art |
| from okra and seafood), a cactus soup called | | | | galleries and intriguing cafes. |
| Kadushi, and Funchi which is a cornmeal mush similar | | | | This article was written by Jon Wuebben. |