Our Day in Willemstad, Curacao
January 19, 2024 Friday
Today we motorsailed 30 nautical miles to Spaanse Water (Spanish Water) where visiting yachts must anchor in order to check in. We were glad we had waited until daylight to enter the very narrow entrance to this bay!
To check in we had to take a taxi to Willemstad (a 40 minute ride!). Willemstad, the capital of Curacao, is the perfect blend of European Caribbean. Most buildings are 2-3 stories and painted bright colors (so Dutch!) The old narrow streets are lined with many small shops and enticing restaurants for the cruise ship tourists, as well as the locals. Loved hearing the islanders speaking Dutch!
Scenes from Willemstad
An inlet divides the city into two main areas. This channel opens into a large bay where commercial ships and cruise ships can safely moor. These areas are connected by Queen Emma Bridge, a pedestrian pontoon bridge originally built in 1888 (and, thankfully, restored in 2006!) A radio call to the Bridgemaster is required for him to pivot open the bridge to one side of the channel for ship traffic…pretty impressive!
Queen Emma Bridge, Willemstad
