Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine July 2016 | Page 77

CURAÇAO

© Curacao Tourist Board

ine List

OF UNANTICIPATED SURPRISES.”
Curacao from pirates and other
seaborne enemies, or tour the Kura
Hulanda Museum, which documents
the island’s slave trade and the
African diaspora. They can also visit
Mikve Israel-Emanuel, possibly the
oldest synagogue in the western
hemisphere, with a famous sand floor
installed as tribute to the worshipers
who had to quiet their footsteps
while attending services during the
Spanish Inquisition.
Unlike some of Curacao’s tropical
neighbors, the island contains more
xeric shrublands, so expect to see
cacti, thorny shrubs, and evergreens
while passing through the interior.

It also contains stunning beaches;
Knip Beach and Playa Porto Mari
are a couple of the fan favorites. For
snorkelers and divers, sights like the
Underwater Marine Park provides
access to the plentiful marine life and
its many shapes and sizes of fish and
coral.
Once the swimming becomes
tiring, there’s an exciting array of
possibilities in store for the stomach.
Sample okra soup, conch, and stewed
iguana, or visit Willemstad’s floating
market for a tasty selection of fruits
and vegetables. Stop by the Curacao
Liqueur Factory for some Curacao
liqueur, the tangy drink is flavored
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with dried citrus peels and is known
for its distinct shade of sea blue.
Curacao is a prime destination for
visitors who want to add an extra
dimension to the sun and sand
of the classic Caribbean vacation.
This heart of the Caribbean is full
of wonderfully unique natural,
historical, and cultural experiences.