Curacao | Hole In The Donut Cultural Travel

Piscadera Bay Walk – A Taste of Curacao’s Local Culture

Published January 16, 2010 | By Barbara Weibel

From the moment I arrived at the Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort and Emerald Casino, I was treated like a queen and fed like a king. Within minutes of settling into my oceanfront room, I had devoured the tray of gourmet chocolate, fine Danish cheeses, crackers, and fresh tropical fruit that awaited me and, just a short while later, overindulged with a lobster salad at one of the resort’s fine restaurants. A private van tour of the island on day two included lunch at Doktorstuin Restaurant, an historic converted plantation home that served up authentic local cuisine, and that was topped off with another gourmet dinner back at the resort. Lying in bed that evening like a beached whale, I resolved to get some much needed exercise the following day.

Welcome gift from the Curacao Marriott Beach Resort

Fortunately, the Marriott is located an easy half-hour walk from Willemstad, the capital of this tiny south Caribbean island. I walked out the front entrance, turned right, and headed toward the ocean. Just past an idyllic public beach I found the Koredor George Hueck, a broad asphalt path leading to the heart of the city. Initially, mangrove swamps and black coral coastline flanked the path. As I approached the outskirts of Willemstad, the island’s desalinization plant appeared, its holding tanks lined up like behemoth sentinels on the inland side of the trail. Continue reading →

Posted in Caribbean travel |

Tagged aruba bonaire and curacao, blogsherpa, boats, Caribbean, culture, Curacao, Curacao Marriott Beach Resort, Emerald Casino, escapism, fishermen, fishing, Netherlands Antilles, Piscadera Bay, spirit to serve, Travel |

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But for a Headache, Curacao’s Colorful Buildings Might Still Be Stark White

Published January 7, 2010 | By Barbara Weibel

The vividly painted architecture lining the waterfront in Willemstad may be the most famous feature of Curaçao, but the kaleidoscopic hues did not happen by design. The capital city developed after the Dutch claimed the island in 1634, beginning with Punda, the walled portion of the old city. Buildings tended to be two and three-story shops and residences built on narrow, elongated lots to maximize use of scarce land. The only materials available for construction, mismatched bricks scavenged from ship ballast, were finished with lime plaster made from crushed shells, which dried to a dazzling white facade in the intense Caribbean sun.

Can’t view the above slide show of Curacao’s stunning architecture? Click here.

It is said that a former governor of the island who suffered from severe headaches, believing his malady was aggravated by the sun’s brilliant reflections off the white buildings, mandated that building exteriors be painted any color but white. Despite later discovery that the governor was a shareholder in the island’s only paint store, the tradition of painting in vivid colors has endured, making Willemstad’s Dutch and Spanish colonial style architecture one of the most stunning sights in the Caribbean.

Curaçao Landhuizen, giant plantation houses built in the the outlying areas in the 18th and 19th centuries, were no less alluring. The hallmark of each plantation Continue reading →

Posted in Caribbean travel |

Tagged aruba bonaire and curacao, blogsherpa, Caribbean, colonial architecture, culture, Curacao, Dutch, escapism, Landhuizen, Netherlands Antilles, Otrobanda, Punda, Scharloo, Spanish, Travel, UNESCO World Heritage, Willemstad |

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In Curacao They Call Her Queen Emma, But She’s Really a Swinging Old Lady

Published January 2, 2010 | By Barbara Weibel

A steady stream of pedestrians crossing the Queen Emma Bridge in Willemstad, capital of the tiny Caribbean island of Curaçao, seemed unfazed by the shrill bell signaling that the floating pontoon bridge was about to open.

“Why aren’t they hurrying?” I asked my tour guide, Howard.

“The orange flag hoisted over the harbor master’s shack means the bridge will open soon…perhaps 20 minutes from now. But when the blue flag goes up – then you will see people running!” he explained.

Walking across the Queen Emma floating pontoon bridge

Unhurriedly, we strolled across the bridge from the newer neighborhood of Otrabanda to Punda, the oldest district of the city. Returning, we stepped back onto solid concrete just as the blue flag was hoisted and two powerful ship motors winched the bridge toward shore, allowing an enormous cruise ship to sail into to Schottegat Bay, the seventh busiest harbor in the world. Continue reading →

Posted in Caribbean travel |

Tagged aruba bonaire and curacao, blogsherpa, Caribbean, culture, Curacao, Dutch, Emerald Casino, escapism, Holland, islands, Marriott Resort, Netherlands Antilles, pontoon, Queen Emma, swinging bridge, Travel |

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Queen Emma Floating Pontoon Bridge, Willemstad, Curacao

Published December 30, 2009 | By Barbara Weibel

Can’t see the above YouTube video of Curacao’s Queen Emma Floating Bridge? Click here.

Posted in Videos |

Tagged attractions, Caribbean, cultural travel, culture, Curacao, historic, Netherlands Antilles, Queen Emma Floating Pontoon Bridge, Travel, videos, Willemstad |

Stylin’ at the Marriott Beach Resort in Beautiful Curacao

Published December 18, 2009 | By Barbara Weibel

What sets one resort apart from its competitors? A great location is always preferable. The physical condition of a property is also a factor. But for me, the most important quality is customer service and the proper training of staff. I am pleased to report that Marriott’s Curacao Beach Resort and Emerald Casino, which is hosting me for four days as part of their BlogParadise event, has all three: great location, exquisite facilities, and one of the best-trained staffs I have ever encountered.

Gigantic oceanfront pool at Marriott's Curacao Beach Resort

From the moment I arrived, it was obvious how service oriented the resort’s employees are, but at dinner last night I learned this is more than just training. I asked the resort’s Sales Manager, Yvette Schotting, to tell me what makes this resort so special. She turned to our waitress, another Yvette, for an answer.

“I have been here nine years and this is my family. Every year, many of the same people visit us and they are always so happy that I remember them from previous visits. I love my job.”

Family is fundamental to the Marriott story. Most management personnel started in entry-level jobs: the corporation’s President of International Lodging began his Marriott career as a night watchman and the Continue reading →

Posted in Caribbean travel |

Tagged BlogParadise, Caribbean, Curacao, Curacao Marriott Beach Resort, customer service, Emerald Casino, Netherland Antilles, resorts, Travel |

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Off To Exotic Curacao in the Southern Caribbean

Published December 16, 2009 | By Barbara Weibel

As you are reading this, I am winging my way to Curacao in the southern Caribbean, for a four day stay courtesy of Marriott Resorts. The press trip, appropriately named “Blog Paradise,” is sending nine bloggers to nine different resorts included in Marriott Resorts’ Paradise by Marriott Caribbean and Mexico collection to promote special limited-time offers at each of the properties.

Entrance to Marriott Curacao Resort and Emerald Casino

The promotion is different for each of the resorts; for example, at Marriott’s Curacao Resort and Emerald Casino, guests get the fourth night free and a free breakfast. Check out the other offers at the website – just choose the preferred resort, click to shake up the giant snow globe, and watch as the offer is revealed.

I’ll be blogging about the trip, but for real-time impressions, events, and updates follow me on Twitter. All nine bloggers will be tweeting throughout the trip using the hashtag #BlogParadise. If you’d like to check out where the other eight bloggers are headed, follow the links to their blogs shown below:

Nancy D. Brown will be at J.W. Marriott Cancun Resort in Mexico
Blog: Nancydbrown.com Twitter: @nancydbrown

Lisa Overman is headed for Aruba Renaissance Resort
Blog: Wanderlustandlipstick.com Twitter: @islandstyle29

Aaron Hotfelder will be at Aruba Marriott Resort
Blog: Gadling.com Twitter: @aaronhotfelder

Pam Mandel is winging to Casa Magna Cancun Resort in Mexico
Blog: Nerdseyeview.com Twitter: @nerdseyeview

Chris Gray is off to St. Kitts Marriott
Blog: caroundtheworld.com Twitter: @caroundtheworld

Robin Locker will stay at Grand Cayman Marriott Resort
Blog: mymelange.net Twitter: @mymelange

Julie Schwietert will be visiting Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
Blog: matadornetwork.com Twitter: @collazoprojects

Charyn Pfeuffer is headed for CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort and Spa in Mexico
Blog: hotelchatter.com

For now, I’m brushing up on the local lingo, so I’ll close by saying Ayo – Papiamento for goodbye.

Disclaimer: Although Marriott Resorts is providing this trip free of charge, including accommodations and airfare, my commitment, as always, is to write honestly about my experience.

Posted in Caribbean travel |

Tagged Blog Paradise, Caribbean, Curacao, Mariott Resorts, press trip, Travel |

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