Kaleidoscope Travel & Cruise

Article Published: January 4th, 2007

Lovely Curacao is the “C” of the Netherland Antilles ABC islands. Its sister islands are Aruba to the west and Bonaire to the east. This was our second port of call on Kaleidoscope Travel & Cruise’s latest group cruise tour in November 2006. Curacao covers more than 180 square miles. Willemstad is the historic port city where most of its 170,000 people live. The town it self feels very European with canals and buildings reminiscent of a tropical Amsterdam. The countryside is dotted with cacti and plantation houses. Europeans have enjoyed Curacao’s lively culture, first rate shopping and outstanding diving for years. The island is ringed with reefs that support a diverse abundance of coral and sea life. It’s not uncommon to see dolphins, turtles, or pilot whales. Over 60 dive sites, several wrecks and nearly 40 beaches. Some additional highlights on the island include the Hato Caves, once used as eerie shelters for early inhabitants and escaped slaves. The spectacular stalagmites and stalactites are still being formed by the steady dripping waters. Curacao Sea Aquarium offers an Animal Encounter which you can snorkel or dive with tropical fish, sharks, sea turtles and stingrays. Hand feeding sardines to a nurse shark will certainly become a vacation memory. Visit the world famous Curacao Liqueur Distillery or shop to you drop at the duty free shops. We set sail from Curacao at 10:00pm and spent the next day at sea enjoying all the activities the MS Volendam had to offer.

Entry Filed under: Caribbean, Cruise