Curacao
Seru Pretu

Discover travel destinations of travelers writing a travel journal on FindPenguins.
Travelers at this place
    • Day 2

      First full day in paradise

      November 29, 2023 in Curacao ⋅ 🌬 30 °C

      We woke early (for us) around 7 AM. The sun was hiding behind some clouds. Not real heavy cloud but enough to diffuse it. We still enjoyed the view. A little more about the room now. We are in a generous size room with two double beds. It is on the 5th floor and the balcony has an east facing view with partial ocean view. The bathroom is a good size as well with a bathtub this time. There is blessed air conditioning which also dehumidifies the room very well. It is actually very quiet here which is nice for afternoon siestas. The beds are very comfortable with 5 pillows each. I use only 1 but Gabi likes the horde of them. Mine end up on the floor. The room has everything you need from dual plugs (European and North American) and usb ports to coffee maker (but no tea). It doesn't seem fair that I can enjoy a coffee in the morning and Gabi can't have her tea. Today while out here, we spotted a cruise ship in port. Looks like a Royal Caribbean but hard to tell at this distance. There is a very nice breeze which makes the temperature bearable this early in the morning; a mere 28 Celsius or 82 F. The curtains in the room are very good at blocking out the light as well. There is plenty of closet and drawer space, safe and mini fridge filled daily. (Non-alcohol only) The bathroom is well appointed with towels, face clothes (we were missing those last year), shampoo/conditioner, soaps and toothbrushes. Hyatt has done very well here to make you comfortable.
      Once up and out of the room, we head down for breakfast. The buffet is right off the main lobby area, very convenient. They have everything you need for a healthy or less healthy breakfast. They will make omelets or fried eggs as well. They were a little shy on sweet rolls (Gabi’s favourite) but they did have everything else from fruit to meats to baked beans (for breakfast?).

      After breakfast Gabi heads upstairs and I find the nearest place for a Frappuccino. Then I find the nearest pool. I set myself up with a lounger and head into the pool. Ah yes, water. I’m home now. I think I should have been born a fish or at least a turtle. I just am more at home floating around in the water. I did manage 4 lengths of the pool in various forms of swimming which is pretty good for me. The pool has stairs going in and gradually gets deeper, I think I might get Gabi in the water this time! The loungers are comfortable but very low to the ground. There was no way I could get out of the thing without help. I am switching to the sun beds from now on.
      Gabi joins me after my swim because we have the almost obligatory sales pitch for their vacation club. We already belong to the lower level but the upsell to a higher level is obnoxious. It was very good at the first with a review of what we already have and how to use the app more. However, the upsell part is really pushy and the word no is not in their vocabulary. The answer was still no when we left.
      After a wonderful lunch at the buffet, we headed upstairs for a siesta. After which we head back to the pool. I manage another 4 laps, yay that's 8 for me today! The sunbeds are much easier to get out of. We read for a while and people watch. All of a sudden, it’s time to shower up for dinner.
      The shower has dual heads and plenty of hot water. What more could a girl want? The buffet closes after lunch around 3 pm then the specialty restaurants take over. We head to Portofino, the Italian restaurant. It is nicely tucked away in a courtyard with palm trees and twinkling lights. The food was exc ellent. I had the Caesar salad and the linguini with shrimp and salmon. Gabi had the cablese salad with the shrimp risotto. We both had the panna cotta for dessert. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised last night. I went with a glass of merlot and it was very, very nice. Last year as Sunscapes I tried several different wines and could not find one that was palatable. I guess coming from the wine region of Niagara has its drawbacks. However, way to go Dreams!

      After dinner we headed to the Casino. Yes, I try my luck. Gabi of course won, I of course lost. Back up to our room for some reading and then bed time. Tomorrow is another day and another adventure.
      Read more

    • Day 1

      Here we go again...

      November 28, 2023 in Curacao ⋅ 🌬 30 °C

      We loved Curacao so much last year we are back but in a different resort.

      Our day started back on a cold November morning with Gabi getting picked up by the limo service at 5:50 am. They were at my place by 6:20 am. Our drive to the airport was slow most of the way due to accidents and volume. Surprise. The ride was very comfortable in a Toyota Highlander hybrid. It was -5 Celcius or 24 F for our friends south of the border. Of course, when we landed it was 29 C or 84 F.

      Once at the airport, we were through security in no time. We went to the Maple Leaf lounge to bide our time. However, apparently, we could not enter even if we wanted to pay. I am an Aeroplan member, but apparently, we had to pre-purchase our passes on the phone. Would have been nice to read this somewhere on the Air Canada website when I checked a few days ago. We ended up in the Priority lounge. The food was meh, there was very little service but it was quiet and comfortable for the couple of hours to wait. The flight boarded quickly and we actually left early. Gabi and I had aisle seats, which gave us marginally better leg room. The flight was smooth, the food for purchase in the economy seats was also meh. We were traveling with Rouge, which is a subsiduary of Air Canada. The seats are tight but doable.

      We landed early in Curacao, but immigration and customs took a while. I had booked private transport to our resort and they were indeed waiting for us. It was nice to have a whole van for just the two of us. We could leave immediately and not have to wait for others. We are staying at the Dreams Resort this time. A step up from last year. This resort has one main building with 5 stories. There is an elevator, so we aren't climbing the stairs. The room is nice with 2 double beds however, it is not an ocean view. The young lady that booked us in is going to change that tomorrow. We were given a welcome drink and then shown to our rooms. After we got out of our long pants, socks and shoes, we wandered around to check out the resorts. Unfortunately, we arrived when all the food places were closed so we had to wait until 6:30 to get dinner. It is just a long day without proper meals for us two old ladies.

      Our first dinner was as the Ocean Grille. Here is where our first issue with the resort starts. The lady who checked us in told us to download the app for the resort to get a map and menus for the restaurants. This is easily done. So we ask our server for our choices to find out that the menu on the app is not the correct one. We then had to download another menu. Really? Get it together Hyatt. Our meals were very good. I started with a salad and Gabi had the soup. I had the Maui Maui for dinner while Gabi chose the Surf and Turf. Both were very good. I had another pinacoloda and Gabi ordered a Dirty Monkey. Desserts were also nice and light after our meal. We did have friend drop by to join us for dinner. I'm thinking this is going to be a nightly thing. There are several other restaurants on the resort, so we will have to try them all.

      We headed back up to our rooms after the long travel day. See you tomorrow.
      Read more

    • Day 4

      Curacao Semi Sub

      January 9 in Curacao ⋅ 🌬 84 °F

      Since I’m claustrophobic, I was a little nervous about taking a semi submersible tour in Curaçao, but my love of the sea won out.

      As a precaution, I skipped my morning coffee and on the bus ride over, I decided that even if I freaked out, it was only one hour of my life. Also, since we were visiting a Curacao distillery afterward, I promised myself a drink as a reward.

      As it turned out, I did absolutely fine in the semi sub! It helped that there was a steady airflow. Seems like hot stuffy air triggers my claustrophobia.

      So if you also deal with anxiety in confined spaces, I’m letting you know that this was not bad at all.

      The hour long ride was over all too soon, in fact. Along the way we saw lots of gorgeous fish, and at one point, our guide gave us a little show by feeding the fish and blowing bubbles underwater.

      I was surprised to learn the that the resort which hosts the semi sub only charges $675 for a month long stay.

      Wouldn’t that be a nice place to bring the family? Or sequester for a month and write a book…
      Read more

    • Day 6

      Another Day in Paradise

      December 3, 2023 in Curacao ⋅ 🌬 27 °C

      Today is another great day. We haven't seen any rain yet. Gabi thought she felt 2 drops but I don't believe her. We start off slow, Gabi had a restless night and neither of us were moving too fast. We did head down for breakfast. I'm still eating light but Gabi is having a good breakfast. I stare longingly at the bacon, ah well, that is memory from a distant past.

      After breakfast we sat out on the balcony so I could try and get some more bird pictures. I have seen these 3 green parrots but they are too far away for any good shots. I have seen pelicans and these beautiful black, orange birds with blue eye shadow. They love to steal sugar packets from the dining tables.

      We had some lunch at the Hideaway. Just nachos, burgers and fries. However, we finally spotted our iguanas. Picture time. We had two of them. Also checked out the ocean and found a ton of fish. I just had to grab a couple of bananas and go out and feed my little fishies. I had so much fun, I think I will rent that snorkel gear tomorrow.

      I have included a couple shots of the room. I finally got a picture of when the room was cleaned and the beds made before we destroy it.

      We came back up for showers and to read for a bit. We had dinner at the Oceana again. I tried the roasted eggplant with the beet and tomato salad. I wasn't really impressed with either. My fault for trying to eat something different. I'm sure that they would be good for someone who was a vegetarian. Gabi did the empanada and buffalo chicken wings. They were very good according to Gabi.

      Well, check out the pictures of my little friends and the sunset that was just beautiful. Talk to you tomorrow.
      Read more

    • Day 5

      Spa Day Today

      December 2, 2023 in Curacao ⋅ 🌬 28 °C

      Well today started out better than yesterday. I am feeling much better, just a little queasy. Therefore, I'm thinking it was something I ate. We'll stay away from the seafood restaurant. Our new room is nice, a little more updated and we have ocean view now.

      Today we had our trip to the spa. Gabi and I loved our facials last year, so we are playing the same game today. We are both a little tired from our 2 AM moving but the facial will be relaxing. After a very light breakfast of scrambled eggs and fruit for me we head over to the spa. Our facials include a neck and shoulder message and a foot message as well. These are just so nice. I don't know what they put on my face but it feels so very refreshed and moisturized. After an hour and a half Gabi and I are ready for a nap. We have a bit to eat first and then head back to the room for our siesta.

      I didn't get in the water today but with the way I was feeling, I thought I would have a slow day.

      We went back to Portofino for dinner. We kept it light again with bean and veggie soup and a calabrese salad. We may have forced a tiramisu down for dessert.

      After dinner we went to the casino. Gabi is still working on her initial investment; I of course leave a donation to their establishment.

      We call it an early evening. Tomorrow, I see about grabbing some snorkel gear and head out to the ocean.
      Read more

    • Day 3

      New Friends and a Relaxing Day

      November 30, 2023 in Curacao ⋅ 🌬 29 °C

      I called down to the front desk for a kettle for Gabi's tea, they said they would have one sent up. I then had to call again half an hour later. An hour later, we are still waiting. I'm not happy with the service on this. I realize that we are on ‘Island Time' however, these kinds of requests should not take this long. Once again, we are greeted to a beautiful morning. No cruise ship yet but sunshine and 27 C (80 F) outside.

      We had another wonderful breakfast in the buffet. Some things were different but they still had all the staples. I try to eat healthy (no carbs, no sugars) in the mornings, it gets progressively worse during the day. After breakfast Gabi and I took a walk around the grounds. We found the kiddy splash pool, the entertainment stage, the dive pier and shop and the beach area. This place was once a fort protecting the island from those pesky British. It was called For Piscaderabay. They had simple batteries built with cannons in place. They were supposed to fortify the batteries with towers but that never happened. In 1804 some English guy named John Bligh landed and took over the place. In 1819 the Dutch came back and retook the island.
      I stopped by the dive shop and asked about getting some snorkel gear. It is available for rent so that might be on the books for Saturday. We then headed over to the pool area and found a sun bed. These are much more comfortable than the loungers and I can get in and out of them unassisted. Whew!

      We met a nice couple named Jason and Kendra, who are from Guelph, Ontario. Neighbours to us in the grand scheme of things. The pair of them are a hoot. Kendra loves being in Curacao and has been a repeat offender for 7 or 8 times. We start to talk about travel and well there goes two hours. We hit it off immediately. Maybe someone to start travelling with? Time will tell if they can handle my kind of crazy. I sent her a link to this blog, so hopefully we'll see them again.

      I took a swim and then Gabi headed back up to the room and I laid around reading. I went back up to the room to get Gabi for lunch and she told me she couldn't get into the safe. Yesterday we couldn't open it, so I called down to the front desk and they sent someone up. Apparently the batteries were loose. I didn't even know they were battery operated. Today, I asked if we could get the batteries changed. After a wonderful lunch, Gabi went to the pool area and I headed up to wait for the safe to be opened. It had no power again and all our stuff was inside. The person who came up had to go and get a master unit to get into the safe. He changed the batteries and everything is good so far.

      We have booked a facial for Saturday at the spa and tomorrow we are going to try to do the sunset cruise again. Last year we went but the boat broke and we couldn't leave the dock. Let’s hope this year is better!

      Gabi and I spent the afternoon by the pool, they have great music going on. Everything from the 70’s, 80’s and 90's. Gabi could name every song and artist with just a couple of bars. Gabi went back up to the room and I spent some time jumping in and out of the water, chatting with Jason and Kendra and reading. This is a very relaxing trip so far.
      After a shower, we head down for a late dinner. Let's try seafood today. Gabi is not really a seafood people but she was a trooper for me. Gabi had the crab cake and lobster bisque while I had the crab cake and the chef’s special which was fish with rice and grilled vegetables. Both were amazing. Gabi was pleasantly surprised that the seafood was something she could like. Gabi had the key lime for desert and I had the coconut layer cake.

      Last night as we were coming back from dinner, they had a parade with drums and horns and people dressed in brightly coloured Mardi Gras costumes. It was fun to watch and listen to.

      Well tomorrow is another day.
      Read more

    • Day 12

      Willemstad Curacao - Day 12

      April 6, 2023 in Curacao ⋅ 🌬 28 °C

      Today is the start of the countdown, the last 3 islands and our second Dutch based island after Aruba.
      These islands are wealthy!
      We learned yesterday that Aruba. Curaçao and 4 other islands were traded with the Dutch for New Amsterdam, they still have dominion over these islands whereas UK lost New York.
      Curaçao has made it into top 3 of places we have experienced. Nice town, lots to see, Dutch, tidy, not to touristy, arty/bohemian and not too expensive.
      Read more

    • Day 45

      Kayaking, Networking & Fish

      March 3, 2023 in Curacao ⋅ 🌬 26 °C

      Friday was a packed day as it was my last full day and I was fitting it ALL in. I took some time off regular work, and used the car which was great. Although I only used $20 of gas (so didn't go very far).

      Ingeborg sailed with me and I had given her my card when we left and asked that she stay in touch as she seemed to be connected to all the people who needed crew. She wroteme a What's App note and we were back and forth through the week. When I didn't get to kayak to the Blue Room I reached out to her as she was connected with Eddy (teaches sailing) and even though it was windy we had a wonderful paddle. She is a great lady and I look forward to connecting with her again if I return.

      A quick shower and change and off to a networking event at PID with Iwan. It turned out to be a baby celebration.... The doctors (Erica and Germain), just had their 4th boy (Fender), two weeks ago. There is a Dutch tradition of sprinkles on bread/toast. It was nice to chat with people, but unfortunately I couldn't stay long as I was heading back to Happy Hour at Christels.
      I didn't get to say goodbye to Ashley, but Eline was there and so was Alisha. I was so fortunate to meet a lot of great people during my stay.
      Christel, Alisha, Wouter and I went to a fish place (right on the water) to eat. You stand in a long queue, order food and they bring it to you. It looked like the only thing I could have was tuna as the rest was fried. However, when it came I went to the kitchen area to check -- turns out they coat it with soy and then roll it in sesame before grilling it..... BUT no gluten in the frier, so fries (and corn fries) were available to try.... And they ordered special tuna steak for me -- Delicious!

      ** last night of sleep and I slept well every night. I averaged 7-8hrs per night and usually felt great!! I turn on the AC at night, once in bed, put in a long sleeve shirt so the bugs wouldn't bite me, and usually slept ALL night (better than home).
      Read more

    • Day 1

      Anreise

      March 20, 2021 in Curacao ⋅ 🌙 26 °C

      Heute beginnt unsere erste richtige Corona-Reise. Schon Tage vorher sind wir mit Papieren dran. Donnerstag, den 18.03.2021 haben wir abends nach der Arbeit am Kölner Flughafen den PCR Test gemacht. Am Freitag kamen dann auch schon am Vormittag unsere beiden Ergebnisse. Am Freitag haben wir beide noch Überstunden gemacht, wie so oft vor einem Urlaub. Abends war dann noch viel Papierkram zu erledigen.

      Um nach Curacao einreisen zu können braucht man:
      - einen negativen PCR Test.
      - Anmeldung über die Einreise auf Curacao,
      - binnen 48 h vor Abflug muss eine PLC Card ausgefüllt werden, wo man Angaben zur Gesundheit machen muss.

      Außerdem hatten wir bis zum Schluss noch keinen Mietwagen gebucht. Das musste also auch noch erledigt werden.

      Wir haben versucht online einzuchecken, was aber nicht funktioniert hat. Dies müssten wir an „Luchthaven Amsterdam“ erledigen.

      Die ganze Zeit sagte man sich: wer weiß ob der Flieger uns mitnimmt. Was, wenn wir doch etwas wichtiges vergessen haben und die uns am Flughafen den Einstieg ins Flugzeug verweigern. Bis zum Schluss war es ein Nervenkitzel. Für mich (Anita) ein Drama.

      Thomas und drei Freunde wollen im gleichen Flieger mitfliegen. So können wir uns gegenseitig alles notwendigen Informationen liefern und mitfiebern, wie die Ergebnisse ausgefallen sind.

      Wir fahren mit dem Auto gegen 5.30 Uhr zu Hause los. Die Straße ist komplett frei. Eine halbe Stunde vor Ankunft am Parkplatz schau ich in den Flugtracker und sehe, dass unser Flug eine Stunde früher gehen soll. Wir haben 2,5 h bis 3 h vor Abflug eingeplant und das wäre jetzt schon sehr knapp. Also als erstes Thomas angerufen und die Bande in seinem Auto wachgerüttelt. Mit der Aussage, dass Curacao ab Sonntag, den 21.03.2021 wieder als Risikogebiet eingestuft wird, bricht dort sogar leichte Panik aus. Obwohl wir ja schon damit rechneten.

      Auf der Seite von TUI wurde der Flug mit normalen Flugzeiten angezeigt. Also beruhigten wir uns wieder etwas.

      Am Flughafen: sehr lange Schlange, die 1,5 Meter Abstand wurden da nicht wirklich eingehalten. Im Flieger aber dann ja sowieso nicht. Der war komplett voll besetzt. Damit hätten wir nicht gerechnet. Wir hoffen, dass sie Masken uns schützen und freuen uns auf unser Reiseziel. Die Flugzeit beträgt insgesamt etwas über 12 h mit einen kurzen Zwischenstopp auf der Insel „Bonaire“ von wo aus wir dann nach 10 weiteren Minuten Flugzeit auf der Insel „Curacao“ landen. Es begrüßen uns heiße 29 Grad, obwohl die Sonne bald untergeht...

      Einreise läuft schnell und unkompliziert. Einfach die drei Papiere und den Ausweis vorlegen und dann gehts zum Mietwagen abholen, einkaufen und Unterkunft beziehen. Schnell noch eine yumyum Nudelsuppe gegessen und ab ins Bett.
      Read more

    • Day 17

      Pirate Bay

      May 30, 2021 in Curacao ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

      Im Pirate Bay Restaurant kann man einen tollen Abend verbringen: table on the beach, Füße im Sand, leckere Cocktails und Essen, Sonnenuntergang. Zur Unterhaltung beobachtet man die spielenden Kinder, wie sie sich gegenseitig einen Eimer voll Wasser über den Kopf schütten, Sandburgen bauen usw....hier ist die Welt in Ordnung!Read more

    You might also know this place by the following names:

    Seru Pretu

    Join us:

    FindPenguins for iOSFindPenguins for Android