Queen Emma pontoon bridge, Willemstad
Curacao
Today’s travel photo is from a 17th century Dutch trading settlement. It’s been many years since I visited, but I remember being enthralled by the cheerful, charming capital of Curacao and the Netherlands Antilles. Apparently, I’m not the only one. UNESCO has decided the European colonial old town and harbour of Willemstad is worth preserving and added it to its World Heritage list in 1997.
One of the interesting features of Willemstad is Queen Emma. Queen Emma pontoon bridge, that is. A ship channel separates Punda and Otrabanda, the two parts of town. With childish glee, I enjoyed waiting and watching as the pontoon bridge swung into place.
Where:
Willemstad, Curacao – capital of the former autonomous country Netherlands Antilles.
Curacao is part of the group of islands known as the ABC-islands – Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao. After the Netherlands Antilles was dissolved in 2010, the three Caribbean islands have varying degrees of ties to the Dutch motherland. Like Aruba, Curacao is a constituent country within the Netherlands.
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Wow, if you hadn’t written Curacao in your title, your picture tells a story of a typical European scene. It must be really bizarre to be there, knowing you’re not in Europe.
Julia
Turkey’s For Life recently posted..Fethiye For Best City 2012
Julia – Yes, it was a bit odd, yet very interesting, to see such a quintessential European scene transplanted to the Caribbean.
Europe in the Caribbean. I like that ! So, pinned it !
Thanks, Mike
Great photo
Muza-chan recently posted..A Japanese Song per Day: Marina Inoue – Houseki
Thanks, Muzachan. And so glad you’re well
pretty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Denise recently posted..Picture Perfect: Bode Museum,Berlin: beautiful inside and out
It really is a pretty town, Willemstad.
Great photos! Puts another place on my bucket list! TPThursday is addictive.
Jackie Smith recently posted..TP Thursday: A Spanish Food and Wine Fest
Thanks. And yes, so many interesting new places, isn’t it?
Those building are beautiful. I’m such an architecture nerd. We need to bring this style to America.
Nichole recently posted..Cheap Hotels in Downtown Chicago
The color just says fun. I’m not thinking Europe–I’m thinking Disney World.
Maybe it’s an idea for Disney that. Glad the C Luv worked eventually
Hmmm, Comment Luv didn’t work for me. Wonder what’s going on? (Second time’s a charm, apparently)
Vera Marie Badertscher recently posted..The Sun Rises at Bryce Canyon, Utah
I would have never guessed Curacao! That last picture looks just like a brightly colored Vermeer painting. Very nice!
Jessica recently posted..Travel Mishaps Make the Best Stories
You know, it kinda does…
The different colors on the houses are so fun. Want… to… visit….
Yet another place that I haven’t been to and would love to see.
Sabrina recently posted..What to do in Normandy? Visiting Honfleur France
I know what you mean. So many places I want to see…
My first thought when I see the title – Curacao, is that my God you have been everywhere!!!
I love the colourful buildings and it looks like a very pleasant place to visit.
Leigh recently posted..Travel Photo Thursday: There is Beauty in a Canadian Winter
Still many places left, Leigh. Like western Canada
Very interesting photos and I too felt I was in Europe – thanks for the journey
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Thanks, Eileen!
Willemstad looks so picturesque. I’ve never been to any of the ABCs. Curaçao would be a good place to start.
I’ve been in Aruba and Curacao and much preferred the latter. Livelier, somehow…
I love the architecture in the Dutch islands – great photos! I love a swing bridge too! There’s one from the mainland to Manitoulin Island here in Ontario that we have to cross when we go to visit grandparents in the summer. It swings on the hour and if you arrive at the time it means that you have to sit and wait for about 15 minutes for the bridge to swing back before you can cross but it’s so worth the wait to see that bridge swinging.
Lisa recently posted..Vigeland Park with Kids
Ooh, sounds interesting. Interesting name, too, Manitoulin. Native American? Is it near Toronto?
Yes, it’s a native name. There are a number of First Nations communities on the island – Emma and I attended a Pow Wow last summer which was really interesting. It’s about a 6 hour or so drive north of Toronto. Manitoulin is the largest freshwater island in the world and is in Lake Huron. It’s a beautiful spot which gets busy in the summer with boaters and other tourists who come to enjoy the outdoors.
Lisa recently posted..Vigeland Park with Kids
I agree with Julia, so European looking and looks worthy of its UNESCO status.
Laurel recently posted..A Photojourney to Besalu, Catalonia
It did feel like the Netherlands. Only with warmer temperatures
Such a wonderful place! I wish I had ever the chance to get there…I really do like this dutch style of architecture!
What a fabulous shot! There’s a lot of Europe in the Caribbean in varying degrees.
InsideJourneys recently posted..Travel Photo Thursday: Falmouth’s Georgian Buildings, I
Yes, I imagine you see lots in Jamaica, as well
I totally thought it was Europe – funny that I saw several others did as well!
I would love for you to share these pictures with my readers as well! I host a weekly Friday travel photo meme called Friday Daydreamin’.
)
~Becca
Just did now, Becca. So many great daydreams
It looks like a pleasant place to visit. I just love the buildings and their colors are just so cheerful. I cannot wait to walk along the bridge together with the citizens and just enjoy the breeze.
Amazing that a small island city half way across the world looks so much like a colourful version of Amsterdam.
ItalianNotes recently posted..Celebrating the man who named America
Very distinct architecture, isn’t it…
I really loved Dutch architecture when I was in the Netherlands, so I love the details and shapes on these buildings as well. I have seen lots of photos from Curacao, and it always looks so charming.
Jenna recently posted..The Perfect Day Trip to Napa Valley
I thought Curacao was very charming.
Looks like a gorgeous spot. Lovely architecture.
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Beautiful shots! I’ve always wanted to visit Curacao to see these colorful buildings. We’re looking at a cruise that stops here and Aruba at the end of the year so I hope it goes through. Have a great weekend.
Mary @ The World Is A Book recently posted..Exploring Kohunlich Maya Ruins and Temple of the Masks
Two Dutch, yet very different islands. I preferred Curacao. Look forward to reading your take if you go
So beautiful. These photos of Curacao are great..so close yet honestly I just hadn’t really thought much of visiting. its nice to see this city, I forget about the culture of the islands sometime.
Yeah, much more than sun and sand in the Caribbean
How beautiful! It looks like “Candyland”
Michael Figueiredo recently posted..Dubai in January
Must be the colours