Curacao is the largest and most populous of the three ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao) which lies in the southern Caribbean Sea 35 miles off the coast of Venezuela. The population is 145,000 and Willemstad is the capitol. It has a semiarid climate with average temperature of 80F. No hurricanes have it Curacao since the National Hurricane Center started tracking them. Since 1634 Curacao has been under Dutch control or influence. In 1914 oil was discovered in the Maracaibo Basin and Royal Dutch Shell built an extensive refinery because it was close to the oil basin, away from the social and civil unrest in South America, and had a natural harbor that could accommodate large oil tankers. Tourism and financial services are their two other big parts of their economy. The island is known for its coral reefs which are popular with scuba divers.
Our destination here is the capitol city, Willenstad, located on the south west side on Curacao. We approached the island at 8am and our Captain sailed very close down the west side arriving in port at 10:30am. He could do this because the ocean floor drops steeply only a few hundred yards from the shore.
We had some of the Tex-Mex lunch buffet on the pool deck before going down to meet for our tour at 12:20. Apparently I injured my right foot the past couple of days in the gym on the stationary bike so am limping today. This is same ship that 2 1/2 years ago I got a stress fracture in my left knee on the elliptical machine in the gym. That was only a 7 day cruise though. Last thing I need is foot problem for 72 days. Anyway, our tour today is "Scenic Country Drive". I thought it was a waste of 4 hours!! Did learn some interesting facts from our guide however. The island is 70% coral so not much grows here and all food has to shipped here. Total annual rainfall is 34 inches so no water either. They have the world's largest desalinization plant to make drinking water from the ocean. The huge oil refinery was sold to the government by Shell.
We do not sail tonight until 11pm because our next stop is Aruba and it is only 50 miles away. At 6pm on the pool deck there will be a Curacao folkloric show with local dancers and music. We will not be going as want to rest my foot. I have requested the chef prepare a special French fried soft shell crab dinner for us tonight. While on the subject of food, the menu in the dining room (named Compass Rose) changes daily. In addition to an assortment of delicious breads we have to choose from 5 appetizers, 2 soups, 3 salads, 6 entrees, and 4 desserts. If you want more than one of any of them, you just tell them. There are also several choices of either red or white wines and sparkling wines also if you want. Those wines also change nightly. There is a fine wine list that you may select from for a special occasion but there is an extra charge for them.
Once again, with Regent almost everything is included in the cruise fare. All bars free, wines at dinner (excluding fine wines) free, tips for staff included, most all tours free. I say free but was paid for before the cruise.
Last night's show was fantastic. Ray, our cruise director, did half of the show. This is our first cruise with him so were blown away by his talent. Great voice and incredible ventriloquist. Noodles, a comedian, did second half of the show and he was a hoot. Tonight's show is called Le Cirque, a production show that features a lot of flying aerial ballet. We saw it in November on our transatlantic cruise and it is amazing. Probably will not go tonight as want to watch the LSU/Alabama game. They will do this show every segment so have 3 more opportunities to see it later. Time to get ready as cocktail time is nearing.
Approaching Curacao
Our excursion for today
Our destination here is the capitol city, Willenstad, located on the south west side on Curacao. We approached the island at 8am and our Captain sailed very close down the west side arriving in port at 10:30am. He could do this because the ocean floor drops steeply only a few hundred yards from the shore.
We had some of the Tex-Mex lunch buffet on the pool deck before going down to meet for our tour at 12:20. Apparently I injured my right foot the past couple of days in the gym on the stationary bike so am limping today. This is same ship that 2 1/2 years ago I got a stress fracture in my left knee on the elliptical machine in the gym. That was only a 7 day cruise though. Last thing I need is foot problem for 72 days. Anyway, our tour today is "Scenic Country Drive". I thought it was a waste of 4 hours!! Did learn some interesting facts from our guide however. The island is 70% coral so not much grows here and all food has to shipped here. Total annual rainfall is 34 inches so no water either. They have the world's largest desalinization plant to make drinking water from the ocean. The huge oil refinery was sold to the government by Shell.
We do not sail tonight until 11pm because our next stop is Aruba and it is only 50 miles away. At 6pm on the pool deck there will be a Curacao folkloric show with local dancers and music. We will not be going as want to rest my foot. I have requested the chef prepare a special French fried soft shell crab dinner for us tonight. While on the subject of food, the menu in the dining room (named Compass Rose) changes daily. In addition to an assortment of delicious breads we have to choose from 5 appetizers, 2 soups, 3 salads, 6 entrees, and 4 desserts. If you want more than one of any of them, you just tell them. There are also several choices of either red or white wines and sparkling wines also if you want. Those wines also change nightly. There is a fine wine list that you may select from for a special occasion but there is an extra charge for them.
Once again, with Regent almost everything is included in the cruise fare. All bars free, wines at dinner (excluding fine wines) free, tips for staff included, most all tours free. I say free but was paid for before the cruise.
Last night's show was fantastic. Ray, our cruise director, did half of the show. This is our first cruise with him so were blown away by his talent. Great voice and incredible ventriloquist. Noodles, a comedian, did second half of the show and he was a hoot. Tonight's show is called Le Cirque, a production show that features a lot of flying aerial ballet. We saw it in November on our transatlantic cruise and it is amazing. Probably will not go tonight as want to watch the LSU/Alabama game. They will do this show every segment so have 3 more opportunities to see it later. Time to get ready as cocktail time is nearing.
