To explore the northern part of Curaçao, we rented a car—bringing us back to our old way of discovering new places. It also made grocery shopping and refilling our propane tank much easier. I quickly regained my driving skills—luckily, a yacht’s steering wheel isn’t too different from a car’s!
Our route took us along the island’s eastern coast, where steady trade winds drive up powerful waves. Wind turbines dot the shoreline, harnessing this relentless energy to power coastal villages. We visited two national parks—Christoffel Park and Shete Boka—where we witnessed the raw power of the sea colliding with a rugged, coral-carved coastline. Massive fountains of water erupted through narrow blowholes, like cannon fire saluting the eternal battle between ocean and rock. It was a striking contrast: the restless force of the present meeting the silent, fossilized remnants of the past.
Our journey ended at Westpunt, the northwestern tip of the island, known for its stunning beaches and picturesque seaside villages. In one of them, Forte Playa, we enjoyed lunch at a cliffside restaurant built on the ruins of an old fort. We sampled Curaçao’s national dish, Keshi Yena, in both traditional and vegetarian versions—a perfect way to end the day.
And on that high (and delicious) note, I’ll wrap up this entry. Bon appétit!
