Page 15 - The Islander - October '20

The Islander, Page 15

Travel from page 14

Venezuela, processing the crude
oil and shipping to various world
ports. These refineries caused the
demand for employment to rise and
prompted sizeable emigrations from
Europe and the surrounding regions
of the Caribbean. During WWII,
Curaçao served as an American
base for allies and oil-transshipment
facilities, and its unique harbors
served the war effort well.
Willemstad is divided by the
inlet to St. Anna Bay. In 1634,
the Dutch West Indies Trading
Company settled on the east side
and called it De Punt meaning
“The Point.” Over time, it was
changed into what we now know
as Punda. Fort Amsterdam, which
is the oldest structure on the island,
controlled the entrance from the
very tip of the point. Punda was
a well-planned and typical Dutch Floating fishermen’s market in Willemstad, Curaçao – another view
settlement. Otrobanda, on the
other side of the inlet, was a happy-go-lucky collection highways, fresh water from its desalination plant, and
of all kinds of buildings in twisted alleys and streets, with the 197-foot-high Queen Julian Bridge to span the inlet.
monumental mansions rubbing shoulders with the modest It also has brought tourism. Curaçao has all of the first-
houses of the poor. The name Otrobanda comes from the class tourist attractions, including gambling, diving and
Dutch phase “otro banda,” which translates to “other water sports, shopping and world-class accommodations
side.” A fort known as the Riffort was built on the point and cuisine. These are served up with a Dutch flair and
of Otrobanda at the inlet. atypical fashion for a Caribbean island.
Access between the two sections of Willemstad Hospitality flows freely on Curaçao. The people are
was limited to boats until a unique floating bridge was glad to help you in any way, so don’t be surprised if you
constructed across the inlet. get invited into some of the homes.
The Queen Emma Bridge is built in sections that Don Kiselewski writes from his personal experiences,
float on pontoons; each of these pontoons is propelled having traveled in 122 countries and cruised the oceans,
by individual motors, and the entire bridge swings open seas and rivers of the world. Palm Beach Gardens Travel
and closed using a fixed tugboat on the free end in Punda. Leaders, his family owned and operated agency, is located
The fixed end of the bridge pivots from a point on the at Mirasol Town Square, 11360 North Jog Road, Building
Otrobanda side and rotates until the other end lines up with A, Suite 102-6, Palm Beach Gardens. The agency has been
the opposing bank in Punda. Pedestrian and motorized serving the travel needs of the South Florida area for over
traffic can then transit the inlet. When open, the bridge a quarter of a century. Contact him at (561) 694-9696 or
is tied to the bank along the Otrobanda side of the inlet. Aussie@PBGTravel.com.
Hi64549_PBMSI_SiSpa_Autumn_Seabreeze_HP4C_Ad.pdf 1 9/22/20 10:18 AM
The last 30 years have brought the island modern Photos by Don Kiselewski

FALL INTO RELAXATION

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