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- US Virgin Islands
- Venezuela
Curacao
Excursions
The restored country estate houses, or landhuizen, emerge here and there in the parched countryside. Not all of them are open to the public but it is worth visiting some of those that are. Set in 503 ha in the east part of the island is Brievengat. Its exact date of construction is unknown, but it is believed to date from the early 18th century.
The Netherland Antilles- The ‘3 S’s’
The Netherland Antilles, The ‘3 S’s’, Saba, Sint Eustatius (Statia) and Sint Maarten are 880 km north of the rest of the Netherlands Antilles group, the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao), which lie off the coast of Venezuela.
Papiamento Glossary
Bon bini Welcome
Con ta bai How are you?
Mi ta bon I am well
Bon dia Good morning
Bon tarde Good afternoon
Bon nochi Good evening
Cuanti? How much?
Danki Thank you
Te aworo See you later
A yo Goodbye
Papiamento and Netherland Antilles - ABC
Dutch is the official language, and many islanders also speak English or Spanish, but the lingua franca of the ABC islands is Papiamento (also spelt Papiamentu), which originated with the Portuguese spoken by Jewish emigrants from Portugal, who were the most numerous settlers in the 17th century.
Government & Economy of Netherland Antilles - ABC
The organization of political parties began in 1936 and by 1948 there were four parties on Curaçao and others on Aruba and the other islands, most of whom endorsed autonomy. In 1948, the Dutch constitution was revised to allow for the transition to complete autonomy of the islands.
History of Netherland Antilles - ABC
The first known settlers of the islands were the Caiquetios, a tribe of peaceful Arawak Indians, who lived in small communities under a chieftain or a priest. They survived principally on fish and shellfish and collected salt from the Charoma saltpan to barter with their mainland neighbours for supplements to their diet.
Netherland Antilles - ABC
The Netherlands Antilles, The ABC's consist of the islands of Aruba (autonomous, see below) Bonaire and Curaçao (popularly known as the ‘ABC’s’) 60-80 kilometres off the coast of Venezuela, outside the hurricane belt; and 880 kilometres further north (in the hurricane belt) are the ‘3 S’s’: Sint Eustatius (Statia), Saba, and the south part of Sint Maarten (St-Martin) in what are g
Golf & Other Sports
Golf: The Curaçao Golf and Squash Club at Wilhelminalaan, Emmastad, has a 10-hole sand golf course open 0800-1230, green fee US$15 for 18-hole round, and two squash courts, US$7, open 0800-1800, T7373590.
Places to Eat - Willemstad
One of the most highly regarded restaurants in Willemstad is The Wine Cellar on Concordiastraat, T4612178. Owned by chef Nico Cornelisie, a master rotisseur, in small old house, only 8 tables, chilly a/c, very good food but unexciting wine list, local fish and meat (ostrich) particularly good, reservations recommended, closed Sun.
Food & Drink
A 10% service is added to the bill in restaurants but an extra 5% is appreciated.
Festivals
Curaçao, Aruba and Bonaire all hold the traditional pre-Lent carnival. On the Sunday, a week before, is the children’s parade. Curaçao’s main parade is on the Sunday at 1000 and takes 3 hours to pass, starting at Otrabanda. The following Monday most shops are closed.
Entertainment
K-Pasa is a weekly dining and entertainment guide, widely available, www.k-pasa.com For ‘night-owls’, there are casinos. All the large hotels have them, with many gaming tables and rows and rows of fruit machines, open virtually all hours.
Diving & Marine Life
The waters around Curaçao contain a wide variety of colourful fish and plant life and several wrecks (Superior Producer, near the water distillation plant, and a tugboat in Caracas Bay) which have foundered on the coral reef just offshore.
Beaches & Watersports
There are several nice beaches on Curaçao. The northwest coast is rugged and rough for swimming, but the southwest coast offers some sheltered bays and beaches with excellent swimming and snorkelling. Windsurfing, waterskiing, yachting and fishing are available at resorts.
Accommodations
There is a 7% government tax & 10% (sometimes 12-15%) service charge to be added to any quoted room rate & many hotels add an extra US$3 per day energy surcharge.
