Willemstad, Curaçao

 We could tell from our b’fast vantage point that this island was bigger and more populous than Bonaire.  Pretty setting at the cruise port overlooking Otrobanda Kwartaal residential area of colorful pastel homes.  Our excursion included a bus tour of the city over the highest bridge in the Caribbean painted to match the national flag.  Now across the bay and into Punda Kwartaal, our first stop was Nultwintig (0-20) for a nicely presented selection of wine and cheese pairings hosted by a delightful Dutch woman, only to be usurped by an ostentatious Brit know it all.  This would be a return to restaurant & boutique hotel if one ever finds oneself in Curaçau again. Back to the bus tour and up overtop to a lookout over the harbour bay and the mothballed refinery. This facility was gifted to the local government when Royal Dutch Shell pulled out not wanting to reclaim the site.  The gift was acceptable until the Venezuelans stopped delivering there heavy sour crude for political reasons? With the ceased operations and job losses coupled with Covid impacts on tourism, the economy has suffered greatly over the last few years.  The last stop was at the Gouverneur de Rouville’s mansion converted to a boutique hotel and restaurant for a unique Curaçau Triple Sec cocktail (green) and some appy’s

where we watched to Swingin Old Lady pontoon bridge (oldest in the world?) open for the passage of several boats into the natural harbour.  Our table mates Bob and Lenda regaled us with tales of their vast experience in cruising.  The bus dropped us back at the terminal after winding through the neighbourhood.  We spent the afternoon strolling through the ubiquitous souvenir shops and across the Queen Emma pontoon bridge, sadly unable to find the treasure we sought after.  With the heat and steps, on top of the onset of a minor cold, we got back to the Splendor tired, hungry and thirsty once more.  Wrapped up our day with a return trip to Compass Rose topped of at the theatre where we listened to a repertoire of famous broadway songs.