Christina’s Journey Journal

Tag: Handelskade

  • Curacao for the Holidays!

    Curacao for the Holidays!

    Bon Bini (Welcome in Papiamento) to Curacao as we spent the holidays with family on this beautiful island. We rented a lovely home called Villa Hundu. I would highly recommend for larger families who want privacy and to get away from it all! There is a small tram that takes you down to the bottom where you will find a secluded rocky beach.

    The private tram headed back up from the beach
    Playa Hundu

    We got off to a rough start with 9 of the 10 of us getting the stomach bug. There appears to be a surge in Norovirus across the US. Luckily we were isolated and enjoyed the views as we recovered.

    New Year’s Eve …
    Ushering out 2024 with the most stunning sunset
    The sky was on fire 🔥

    We did venture out some —snorkeling trip to Klein Curacao, exploring Willemstad, Playa Forti…but most of the trip was spent chilling by the pool, trying to feel better, family game nights, and the obligatory family pictures lol (we had a photographer come to the house).

    Willemstad was decorated for the holiday
    Standing on the Queen Emma Bridge with the Handelskade behind us—the harbor front street lined with 18th century candy-colored Dutch colonial architecture. This is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The bridge connects the two neighborhoods — Punda and Otrobanda.
    Dushi — in the island’s language of Papiamentu it means sweet, nice or good, treasure, sweetheart, darling, and even sexy.  It is said that the word is like a “hug”!
    Dinner for some of us at one of our favorites, The Gouveneur
    Rif Fort – built in 1828 to protect the entrance of the St. Anna Bay and the outer part of the Otrabanda neighborhood. It’s now a mall/eatery.
    Celebrating the new year at Restaurant Playa Forti
    Fireworks over the Handelskade!
    A rainy day at the Palapas at Blue Bay Beach
    A view from the pool at Villa Hundu
    Dal Toro Restaurant was divine!
    Until next time! Ayo!