Punda, Willemstad, Curaçao

Curaçao named its new pedestrian bridge after Princess Amalia, heir to the Dutch throne. The Princess of Orange will be crossing it herself next January when she and her royal parents make a state visit to the Dutch Caribbean, including all of the ABC Islands. [2017]

Punda, Willemstad, Curaçao

 

From the Queen Juliana Bridge to the waterfront café, to the Dutch-façade row houses (albeit with Caribbean colors), you might as well be canal-side in Holland. Even the cannon throws light on Curaçao's European past. Curaçao is a constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. [2017]

Punda, Willemstad, Curaçao

Curaçao may be Dutch in polity, but its food choices are more American: hot dogs and hamburgers. This is not the type of food, or even fast-food, you will find in the tourist promos, which promise a fusion of European, African, and Latin American flavors, including meatballs, stuffed Gouda, gumbo soup, and goat stew. [2017]

Punda, Willemstad, Curaçao

A couple enjoys the spirit of taste on the island of Curacao. But they are not getting the full-bodied taste of the island. That comes only when you add Brion Curacao beer. (See the rondelle?) Or maybe not. It seems that Curaco's signature beer is brewed on the island of Barbados. [2017]

Punda, Willemstad, Curaçao

Odds and Evens, Ones and Twos, Singles and Doubles, Which one be You? Here are two hoben, one working and one not. The setting: the maritimo in Punda on the Caribbean isla of Curaçao. [2017]

Otrobanda, Willemstad, Curaçao

"The handsome devil pictured here may not look like much of a meal to you, but it is indeed a Delicacy and an important part of Curacao's culinary tradition! A MUST TRY!" What more can be said? [2017]

Punda, Willemstad, Curaçao

You may call it a knock-off, but geographers see it as the end result of stimulus diffusion. Ideas spread, but they change along the way. The idea here was that being open from 7 am to 11 pm would be the ultimate in convenience, thus the name 7-11. But the idea changed on its way to the Caribbean, where the name became 7_even.  [2017]

 

Punda, Willemstad, Curaçao

The "love lock" sculpture on the waterfront in Punda gives couples a chance to show the world how much they love each other – with all their heart. It also inspires a call to merriment for anyone celebrating a birthday on World Heart Day (which is today). [2017]

Punda, Willemstad, Curaçao

Curaçao's floating market doesn't really float, but the boats that dock along the wharf do. Much of the fish and and bushels of fruits and vegetables used to come from Venezuela, which is only 60 miles away. That may not still be happening. [2017]

Punda, Willemstad, Curaçao

Why is Willemstad a World Heritage Site? According to UNESCO, the capital of Curaçao is "an exceptionally well preserved example of a Dutch colonial trading settlement. . . . The unique setting in a natural harbour qualifies the Historic Area of Willemstad as a rare example of a historic port town laid out in a setting of natural waters." [2017]

Punda, Willemstad, Curaçao

Here's a market vendor posing with low-hanging fruit. Yes, to the photographer, this is low-hanging fruit: Fresh markets and their vendors are among the easiest landscapes to photograph because they always promise good pictures! No photographic skills required; no challenges posed. [2017]

Punda, Willemstad, Curaçao

Bananas or plantains? Onions or shallots? Lemons or limes? No matter what they are called, buy some and take them home. Then, come up with a recipe that uses all three ingredients, plus only two others of your choice. Before you start, though, you might want to buy Jamie Oliver's new book: 5 Ingredients. [2017]

Punda, Willemstad, Curaçao

Here in the capital city, the name of the country is on display and cloaked in the national flag: Notice the colors and the two stars on the first of the 'open Cs'? Better yet, notice the real stars of the pride-catching sculpture: the two jongelingen conversing on the other one of the 'open Cs'? But the conversations are on their mobiles, not with each other! [2017]

Punda, Willemstad, Curaçao

What's the ratio between global and local? Global: Converse is headquartered in Boston and is a subsidiary of Oregon-based Nike; shoes are arriving from Indonesia and Palestina (so say the boxes); language of operation is English, rather than Dutch or Papiamentu; styles and storefront seem to be international. Local: Only the lad in charge. [2017]

Punda, Willemstad, Curaçao

Sweet! That's what dushi means in Papiamentu. When you are an island with a language all its own, you use it on the landscape to cultivate a sense of place. It's a language and a word that is unique to the ABC islands, and they use it as a branding iron. [2017]

Punda, Willemstad, Curaçao

Bonbini Curaçao. Welcome to a world of bright colors, florid birds, and and a creole language all its own: Papiamentu. The problem with this sign is that it should say Bonbini Kòrsou. In Papiamentu, 'Curaçao' translates as 'Kòrsou.' So, what's the translation of bonbini? And, what's a creole language? [2017]

Hato, Willemstad, Curaçao

The ABC islands have more to do with North America and Europe than they do with each other. In fact, it's a bit difficult to get from one to another. There is no ferry service and only two airlines. Between Curacao and Bonaire, the best connection is provided by DiviDivi Air. It's a 20 minute ride on a 9-passenger prop plane (or something even smaller!). [2017]

Punda, Willemstad, Curaçao

C is for Curaçao, one of Holland's ABC islands in the Caribbean. As a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Curaçao recognizes the House of Orange as its sovereign. Could that be an explanation for this man's gezellig boat? [2017]

Punda, Willemstad, Curaçao

There seems to be nothing more universal than pigeons. Always hungry, they are. Always willing to share lunch, he is. How much do you share with pigeons? Remember, one of their cousins returned to the ark of Noah with an olive leaf and the promise of a world reborn. [2017]

Otrobanda, Willemstad, Curaçao

Ferries are such throw-backs in time. Most have been replaced by bridges or causeways, but not here on the channel that separates Punda from Otrobanda. Two bridges actually cross the strait (called a bay by locals), but a ferry is still necessary. Formulate a hypotheses on why that would be, then visit Willemstad and test it. [2017]