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Spanish Water, a well-protected anchorage
Once through the narrow entrance to Spanish Water, a veritable maze of islands and cays form welcoming havens. However, it's not always easy to find a place to land...
Willemstad, Curaçao's multicolored capital
It is advisable to prepare to enter Sailclear and fill in the immigration form before arriving in Willemstad. The reception at the various administrative offices is pleasant and efficient. After clearing customs and the police, you'll need to obtain an anchoring permit from the harbor master's office in Willemstad (except for those opting for the marina). A minibus (or cab) is an easy way to reach the pleasant capital .
The opening of a future formalities office is planned in Santa Barbara at the entrance to Spanish Waters.
Other choices of anchorages...
With the agreement of the Willemstad port authorities, it is possible to spend a few days on the islands of Klein Curacao or Fuik Baai.
The turquoise waters make it a magical place for snorkeling. The serenity is at its best during the week, and in the evening when the tourist boats have left.
The capital's houses are colorful and charming
The capital enjoys a level of cleanliness unusual in the Caribbean. Brightly-colored facades, modern street furniture and the presence of a large commercial port give the city a very "âeurospetit Amsterdamâeuros" feel. The city is split in two by the access canal to a huge lagoon, where port and refinery activities are concentrated.
The majestic bridge, âeurosla reine EmmaâeurosÂ
A bridge links the two banks, "âeurosPuntaâeuros" to the east, and "âeurosOtrobandaâeuros" to the west. Otrobanda means precisely "the other side"... The system is original and pleasant. You pass from one bank to the other by crossing this imposing structure, made of wood and supported by metal floats. When a boat needs to enter the lagoon, the bridge swings open and stows away like a ship along the channel. Meanwhile, pedestrian traffic is handled by shuttles that cross in just a few minutes.
Chobolobo, the origin of Curaçao
Chobolobo is the name of a beautiful ochre-walled mansion that sits proudly in the middle of lush, wooded grounds right in the center of town. It houses a majestic still from which the Curaçao liqueur rises... The company is rather modest and has nothing in common with a steelworks. Once past the hall, where a photo exhibition tells a few anecdotes on the subject, you can sample the beverage in cups. Just behind, a little lower down, is the production workshop, measuring just forty square metres. A few people are busy packing, while the future elixir simmers in an enormous three-metre-high kettle.
To make Curaçao liqueur, you need a variety of green-skinned oranges that only grow here. The oranges are then peeled with wooden knives, as metal would affect the final taste, and the peel is left to dry in the sun for a week. They are then stored in jute sacks, to which various spices have been added. The secret of the brew lies in the spices, otherwise anyone could make it. Then, the whole lot is transferred to the kettle for several days to extract a liquid which, mixed with pure alcohol, gives the famous elixir. It then leaves the bazaar totally transparentâeuros! The beautiful livery of the different bottles is due to the use of colorants (although it is clearly stated that only natural products are used).
"Farewell, dear comrade, farewell, we must part"
After completing exit clearance at Willemstad, no stopovers are permitted on the way to Aruba. However, a brief stopover, just for the night, seems to be tolerated in Santa Cruz Bay.
It's a small cove, set between two low, jagged cliffs, with a landscaped beach at the far end.
