Tag Archives: curacao

Fine dining on Curacao

We learned that there was a farmers market at Mambo Beach so we made plans to meet Tom and Bianca there. We were not sure what to expect from the Mambo Beach for their farmer’s market but it gave us an opportunity to hang out with our new friends.  Matt and I walked to Mambo Beach which is about 2.6 miles each way and met Tom and Bianca right on time.

But, being “island time” the vendors were still setting up so we decided to get some coffee.  We sat down at a local cafe only for me to turn around and see a giant Starbucks – what the devil? I had not had Starbucks since I traveled here (6 months ago) but decided to wait to get a green tea frappuccino until I traveled back to the States.  What will power, right?  As it turned out, the farmer’s market was really more of a sell your wares and nick knacks to tourists as opposed to the markets we are used to in the States with fresh fruits, veggies, herbs, honey, etc…but it was fun to peruse the goods.  I am thinking that everyone goes to the floating fresh fruit and veggie market in town and do not need true farmer’s markets – maybe?

Farmer's Market at Mambo Beach

Farmer’s Market at Mambo Beach

On the way back to Fisherman’s Harbor, Tom swung by a restaurant called Equus which he said is a “must try place to eat” but it is only open on Friday nights.  They serve beef, chicken, shrimp, and veggie skewers.  We made a mental note to return!

Tom and Bianca invited us back to their house for another pizza party-YEAH!.  This time they invited our new boat friends from Bella (Ulreka and Matias who are from Germany) and James on Moonrise who is from England.  They also invited some of their land lubbing friends, a couple from Germany, Ingmor, Sebastian, and Susanna (I am sure I butchered the spelling of their names, but I mean well).  It was so fascinating to be on a Netherland Antilles Island, eating home made pizza, with a group speaking German, a group speaking Dutch, and a group speaking English.  What group we were in 🙂  This is a normal occurrence on the island where you have multiple languages being spoken at a gathering, but for us Americans it is so unusual and yet so inspiring.  Everyone took a turn at making a pizza under the watchful guidance of our hosts.

Bianca and I

Bianca and I

The following Friday we called up Steve (from Kiolla III) and asked if he was up for trying a new eatery out-Equus!  Tom and Bianca had family in town and could not join us but they told us we should get there as close to opening as possible as gets very crowded. We hopped on to the 6A Carracasbaai bus which dropped us off conveniently at the corner of the restaurant’s street.  They opened at 5p and we were a little early, so we waited until the gates swung open and let us in.  This place is located in the heart of a neighborhood and does not look like a restaurant from the street – you have to know what you are looking for to come here.  Typically, the tables and chairs are stored so when you look through the gate any other day it looks like a regular driveway.

Equus from the street all ready for diners.

Equus from the street all ready for diners.

We were not familiar with the ordering process so we bellied up to the bar, ordered some drinks and found a table.  We noticed that the fire pit was being primed and people all headed to the bar first .  The tables were filling up fast around us.  We asked how to order food since nobody came around.  Evidently, you order at the bar.  Shoot.  We were told to order quickly or we would be forced to wait for the next round.  Luckily the boys were able to place our order just in the nick of time and we ate with the first round.

After cooking, they hang skewers above the fire then just before serving.

Equus grilled scewers before serving.

Equus grilled skewers before serving.

Our scewers hanging above our table

Our skewers hanging above our table

Once your order is ready they come and hang them from hooks above your table.

Skewers hanging at our table.

Skewers hanging at our table.

Yummy drink of the night: Bermuda

Yummy drink of the night: Bermuda

Our little table under a cabana.

Our little table under a cabana.

This was an absolutely amazingly tasty meal!  We ordered one of each: beef, chicken, and veggie and they were masha dushi (very scrumptious)!  Of course, we managed to drink more than the cost of the food, but it was worth it!

Perfect sunset to complete the day

Perfect sunset to complete the day

Love it when Food is Your Focus

  • Pizza with friends
  • Equus skewers

Day at the Museum(s)

Feeling a little “jiggy”, I decided to take the dinghy out again.  Matt was still buried deep inside the starboard engine and had plans to stay on board doing boat projects so off I went.

On the 2nd day out, the dinghy ride to shore was uneventful until I got to the dock.  Just as I arrived, the shopping bus dropped a bunch of people off and the dock was packed.  I decided to circle outside the channel to avoid any collisions.  20 minutes later, I was able to head in with little to no issues.  I locked her up to the dock, chatted with a new couple who said they were going to Punda and offered me a ride (sweet).  Unfortunately, I realized I had forgotten my phone (aka camera) and had to go back to the boat to retrieve it.  More practice driving I guess.  Somehow, I managed to get my phone, tie the dinghy up, and still catch the 10 am bus into town – of course I had to run a block screaming, “hold the bus” and they either saw a crazed woman running toward them or heard my cry and let me on.  I was a sweaty panting mess when I boarded so I picked a seat in the back to cool off and recuperate.

I had a lot of places I wanted to see, but my first stop was the bank to get change for some large dollar bills into smaller dollar bills.  After being buzzed inside, I spoke to the armed guard, told him my business and he was not pleased that I didn’t have my passport, but he said I could make a transaction – even without my passport (who walks around with their passport?  I waited for about 15 minutes before it was my turn to ask for $1k in small bills which had to be calculated using my brain and not my phone as no phones are allowed inside the bank.  Good think the old hat rack still works!  The way they handle money is so strange, they fold the bills in half into certain denominations with heads facing all different ways, under their little desk – not in a locked anything – just there.  Wowza.

Anyway, mission accomplished.  Off to the Synagogue Mikve Isrtael-Emanuel (or commonly referred to as “SNOA”) which is the oldest continuously used synagogue in the Western Hemisphere.  There are only 200 members of this synagogue (out of the 160,000 residents on island) and the structure is over 285 years old!  Imagine that!  It was a lovely synagogue, but truth be told it was the first one I had ever visited.  They had sand on the floor for 3 reasons: 1) modeled after many traditional Spanish synagogues; protect the secret Jews who were not supposed to pray and had to muffle the sound of their feet on the floor; and to symbolize what God said “I will multiple your seed as the sands of the seashore and the starts in the heavens.”

I don’t know the names of the parts of the synagogue, so please forgive me for not titling , the photos – but as you can tell the synagogue is meticulously cared for and is stunning.


I do not know what this represents, but it was so beautiful I had to include it in the blog.

Between the synagogue and the museum is a little courtyard where they had these very detailed carved tablets (for lack of a better word).


My next stop was Fort Amsterdam.  We had actually walked by this fort many times as it is in the heart of Punda and had no idea it was actually a fort.  No, we are not dense, we just did not recognize the rebuild of the fort into a government complex.  Sure from up above it is a little more obvious, but we are looking at it from the street and it just looks like yellow buildings.

Fort Amsterdam in the heart of Punda

Fort Amsterdam in the heart of Punda

Fort Amsterdam was built in 1635 by the Dutch West India Company (DWIC)  immediately after they had taken Curacao from the Spanish. They built it on the point (Punda) of the eastern finger of land at the harbor entrance where the territory’s colonial masters lived safely within its confines and throughout the centuries. It served not only as a military fort but also as the headquarters of the DWIC. Currently it serves as the seat of the government and governor of Curaçao. The fort is named after the Amsterdam chamber of the DWIC and was considered the main of eight forts on the island and is included in UNESCO’s list of World Heritage sites.

Walking entrance into the fort.

Walking entrance into the fort.

My next stop was the Fort Church which was established in 1769 and is currently a Protestant church. The Fortkerk, or Fort Church, was built to withstand siege and has survived in remarkable shape. The only visible bit of damage is a small cannonball embedded halfway into the facade. It was fired by the Captain John Bligh of England, who was attacking Curaçao from his famous ship, The Bounty.

Can you see it in the photo?

Cannon Ball wedged into Fort Church wall

Cannon Ball wedged into Fort Church wall

The church is of modest size, but quite pretty. The roof, painted a deep sea blue, has a clock right in the middle of it.

Fort church ceiling with clock in the center.

Fort church ceiling with clock in the center.

Fort church organ which was donated a century or so after it opened.

Fort church organ which was donated a century or so after it opened.

Fort church organ up close - just because it takes your breath away.

Fort church organ up close – just because it takes your breath away.

Fort Church pulpit.

Fort Church pulpit.

Another curiosity is the Fortkerk’s cistern, found between the church and an alcove that houses a small museum. In the days of siege, a large supply of water was vital, so the church was built in such a way that rainwater would filter through the walls, and collect here.

Fort church cistern.

Fort church cistern.

The church’s adjoining museum is small but packed with history, mostly old maps and portraits. The best piece is the antique clockwork, dating from 1788, which ran the original clock tower.

Beautiful stain glass window in the museum, not tagged so I am not sure who did it or where it came from.

Beautiful stain glass window in the museum, not tagged so I am not sure who did it or where it came from.

Old clock and bell tower

Old clock and bell tower

It’s easy to imagine invading pirates stationed at the mouth of Saint Anna Bay, laying siege to the island, while from the fort, the Dutch defended themselves and their valuable new American property.

Just across the parking lot is the governor’s palace which is both a residence and a place of work. I was not able to go inside but here is a nice website of the history of the governor’s palace.

Governor's Palace which had no entry, used as working and residence.

Governor’s Palace which had no entry, used as working and residence.

Cannon to keep unwanted visitor out of the Governor's Palace.

Cannon to keep unwanted visitor out of the Governor’s Palace.

My last stop for the day was the Kura Hulanda Museum in Otrobanda which just meant I had to cross the Queen Emma floating pontoon bridge to get to it – a short hop and a jump.  The Kura Hulanda Museum is an anthropological museum that focuses on the predominant cultures of Curacao. It offers a world-class chronicle of the Origin of Man, the African slave trade, West African Empires, Pre-Colombian gold, Mesopotamian relics and Antillean art.  They had beautiful sculptures, skeletons, artwork, educational information.  I was heartbroken at how we treated our fellow man, especially when I saw the KKK outfits – I could not even take a photo of it as I know they still exist today and I am horrified.

Entry to museum - greeted by a pretty sculpture.

Entry to museum – greeted by a pretty sculpture.

Ancient tablet

Ancient tablet

There was a small sculpture garden with not much written about the sculptures, but they were fascinating.

I liked these ones in particular – not sure, but they inspired me – especially the one in the front right looking up at the heavens.

This was horrifying - a slave ship dungeon where they kept hundreds of slaves, side by side in 3x3 space for months. It broke my heart at the cruelty of it all.

This was horrifying – a slave ship dungeon where they kept hundreds of slaves, side by side in 3×3 space for months. It broke my heart at the cruelty of it all.

Evolution of man exhibit as man is a descendant from apes.

Evolution of man exhibit as man is a descendant from apes.

I don’t know the meaning of this piece, but it moved me.

Large sculpture in the center of the courtyard.

After my busy day at the museums, I decided to reward myself with an ice cream from Champs where they state “You are 1 minute away from an ice-gasm (see right window). Well, let me tell you it was no Amy’s Ice cream but it was pretty darn good.

After I got back to the boat, we cleaned up and Matt made is amazing pork chops!  I love him so much!

 

Accomplishments:

  • Great day exploring
  • Learned a lot
  • Got a bit of exercise
  • Beautiful sites

Dinghy: Foot Loose and Fancy Free

It might come as a surprise to most, but I am not a qualified dinghy driver.  In fact, when we had our smaller 8 hp outboard I only tried to start it a few times and got frustrated when it would not start as easily for me as it did for Matt (lack of strength, style, something).  So, when we got the 25 hp outboard, I had resigned to never driving.  I mean, really, it’s hard to pull start that sucker (yes, I know men everywhere are laughing out loud).

I had only ventured out on my own once before and that was when I had to go into customs while Matt drove Sugar Shack in circles because there was no room in Cruz Bay, St. John.  It was a very short distance, the motor was already warm and primed and I did not have to do much other than drive straight.  So, here we are many months later and I still have not taken Sweet N Low out on my own.

Until the day came when I really wanted to get off the boat and Matt was up to his eyeballs in grease and boat projects.  I asked him to drop me off and in his infinite wisdom he said it would be better if I just took the dink. Jeeeeesh!  Lots of wining and pouting, I prepared to take the dinghy on my own.  Pumped the little ball (fuel primer bulb), pulled out the choke, took my fighting stance and pulled with all my heart.  Little rumble, pushed the choke back in, pulled again, and again and low and behold it started to rumble!

I love the sound of the 25hp outboard!  After releasing the painter, I started to drift away from the boat, which was good as I did not want to have to put it in reverse-baby steps.  Slowly I circled around and headed toward the dock – downwind is fine, going with the waves and current.  I turned around and Matt waived happily and joyful to have the boat to himself.

The 25 ponies take off.

The 25 ponies take off.

Little worried about my approach to the dinghy dock as there were tons of dinghies there.  Great.  I thought, well, I will go in with balls blazin and wedge myself between a small dink and a medium one, forward motion, head to the bow to maneuver between the dinks and WACK-STOP.  The two short dinks on my left were short tied meaning they were not going anywhere!  If you are boater, you know that you should always tie your dinghy with a long painter to make room for other dinghies coming in – either they are newbies or just not very nice.  Bummer. Circle back and try again.

This time I put it in gear, headed between two other dinks and just as Sweet N Low hit the transom of the medium one, I lept forward with our painter, jumped onto the other dinghy and crawled onto the dock! Success.  I’m sure it was a site to behold as I am in a skort and had arms and legs all over the place.  Tied off, jumped back in my dink to get the lock, my shoes, and the key, then secured her to the dock, and headed to the bus stop!  I am feeling pretty darn proud of myself!

I was heading into town to see Wonder Woman and I am feeling like I should be wearing her costume.  Ok, maybe a bit of an exaggeration!  The movie was spectacular!  I was feeling the girl power all over me as I headed back to the boat.

If you squint, hold image far away & go back 30 years it looks like me in my dreams.

If you squint, hold the photo far away & go back 30 years it looks like me in my dreams.

The ride back is always a wet one as you are going into the wind and waves so I took it slow and easy and arrived just as Sugar Shack turned giving me the perfect landing!

Focus-don't hit the big boat.

Focus-don’t hit the big boat.

Why Didn’t I learn to drive the dinghy before?

  • Matt normally drives, even with cars
  • It can be confusing moving the steering in the opposite direction
  • A bit afraid of drowning