shadowmeboy

This is the walking bridge across the harbor. I can imagine that Willemstad is much like what Amsterdam is like on a smaller scale. Our guide was very informative.

Looking North across the harbor Our tour guide is the lady holding the blue flag. She is the one who lost her niece. Also notice the four people closest to to the man with the same shirt as our guide. Those are the people also from Washington State that we met onboard at lunch. Jason and Beck along with their daughter Emily (white shirt that say Aruba) and Jason's Dad Gary. They were a blast to meet and hang out with the rest of the trip. We also got told a bit about the history, and were given an explanation that we are walking through and there is to be no "stoppy for shoppy." Curacao Governmental Buildings See the hole up the building just to the right of the tree? That is where a cannon ball got stuck in the building. So Curacao is part of the Dutch Commonwealth. This is where the representative of the crown has their office.

First glimpse of Downtown Willemstad Seaborn was small enough to fit inside the Harbor. I had always looked forward to visiting Curacao because of the colors! We made our way up onto the Queen Juliana Bridge. There is a better picture! The Queen Juliana bridge is the only vehicle bridge to cross the natural harbor. You would have to go completely around the harbor to get to the other side without the bridge. There is the Queen Juliana Bridge It was about this point where our tour guide got a phone call. The phone call was letting her know that her niece has passed away. I admire her perseverance, because she did not let it affect her ability to lead the tour. Susan and I felt for her though, and knew it had to be tough for her. This is the South side fort. Both the North and South sides of the Harbor had forts to protect the natural harbor from attack. We got dropped off on the south side of the harbor to begin the walking tour of downtown Willemstad.

After breakfast, we made our way back towards the room to pick up our supplies we would need for the shore excursion Then it was time to hit the shore! We headed off on the excursion!

It was quiet in the Atrium as we headed to the MDR for breakfast. Yogurt Parfait Half Grapefruit with Orange Segments Traditional Buttermilk Pancakes with Bacon and Ham Eggs to Order with Bacon, Ham, and Hashbrowns Bagel and cheese (I was making my own breakfast sandwich) Ta Da!

Day 5 - Port #2 December 27th, 2022 Location: Willemstad, Curacao Daily Good Morning and welcome to Curacao!

I can see your point.

Off to dinner we went! SO as we were going in a kid puked on the floor going into the Manhattan Room. We were trying to help Restaurant Manger Jay to keep people from walking in it, but the kids are walking right through it. Finally they got chairs to block it off, and we went in and sat down. Smoked Mozzarella Ravioli Chicken Lettuce wraps Bruschetta Roasted Beet Salad Breaded Flounder Filet Rigatoni Primavera with Pesto Whole-Roasted Sirloin Now it says it come with a loaded baked potato. Is that a "loaded" baked potato? No I was still hungry after eating my sirloin, so I ordered a New York Steak Dessert menu Banana's Foster Warm chocolate lava cake Tiramisu We had an early day the next day, so we headed to bed. we watched some tv before crashing! --

We were unable to purchase a couple of items we were planning on buying onboard, so we had more money to spend on our account than we were expecting. So we decided to switch our shore excursion in Puerto Plata. So off to stand in line! After getting the Shore Excursion taken care of, it was time for pictures! The official Stairway photo! Love this one! Look we found another duck! Look another picture of the display

I went back to the room and started processing video. Emptying SD cards onto my Hard drive. Susan meanwhile went to the Spa. She was getting a manicure and pedicure

We returned to the boat and went to get some lunch. We got back just after the MDR's closed, so off to The Local we go! Menu Cobb Salad Pretzel Bites with beer cheese fondue We both got our own because one is not enough Caesar Salad I got the Cheeseburger Susan got the Tavern Battered Fish Sandwich Carrot Cake Brownie Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake The view out Deck 8

No. It is really flat and only a 7-8 miles wide, at most. So what you see is what you get for the entire island. Its because the island lies outside the hurricane zone and is similar to the top of Venezuela.

Ah, Thank you!

I love seeing the ship all decorated. Its my favorite part of cruising during the holidays!

Stop #4 - Eagle Beach The beach was nice but crowded. We didn't bring swimsuits either. We went and found a bench in the shade. It was fun to people watch! selfie time! Poor coconut We loaded up the bus to head back to the ship. Back on the boat!

A note about the lighthouse: It costs like $5 to climb up to the top.

Stop #3 - California Lighthouse We picked up our travel wall item from Aruba Selfie time! pano time!

We headed along the West shore of the island to the Northernmost point of the island. California Lighthouse

Stop #2 - Royal Aruba Aloe Museum and Store Aloe close up! So our experience started with how aloe is processed. Then we went and looked at the museum/production area. No one was working as the day after Christmas is a holiday in Aruba. After going through we headed outside to wait for the rest of the people. I dislike these stops that are effectively hard sell locations, but I guess it does keep prices down some. Back on the bus Okay? German restaurant in a Dutch protectorate? Oh look, more local island cuisine

Susan made it back down! See the green hummingbird? It was time to head back to the bus. Not those buses! Off to the next stop!

Close up! Selfie at the top! We were one of 3 ships in Port that day. You would not believe is the Caribbean if it was a stand alone picture. You would probably guess New Mexico or somewhere in the Southwest. Heading down the other side, on the "good stairs" as Susan described it. More garden photos! See why I said good stairs in quotes I love the reflection in the water!

Stop #1 - Casibari Rock Formations Susan took one for the team and climbed to the top of the Rock. Yes that is the line going up. I stayed down below and took pictures in the garden area The steps Susan was going up. I loved the rocks and cactus! She is making progress! At one point, you have to duck under this rock. Susan said she almost had trouble, so she said I would not have wanted to that part. My picture of the people on the top!

We got on the motor coach for our excursion Aruba's International Airport authentic island cuisine here 😉

Due to when our excursion left, we headed down to The Local for breakfast. The Local Breakfast Menu The Local was really calm this morning! Seasonal Fruit Salad Susan got the Fruit Salad, Oatmeal, and bacon on the side. I got the breakfast sandwich and the oatmeal. No we were not going on the Party Bus Or even those We headed to the theater to await the allotted time for release by the Shore Excursion personnel. Two pet peeves of mine: 1. Shore Excursion personnel who think they wield so much power and demand that you pay attention to them. I enjoy ports where the meet up is on the dock, so you don't have to listen to the redundant monotone of the same information over and over again coupled by by bad jokes. 2. In person Life Boat drills where a housekeeper or other low level power hungry person is in charge of the muster station and wants your undivided attention for way too long. Dude I am on vacation not a College lecture. This is why I enjoy the video muster drill with the simple check-in at the muster station. Ok, rant over, lets resume our regularly scheduled review! Someone is way to excited for this nonsense! Freedom! Welcome to Aruba!

Day 4 - Port #1 December 26th, 2022 Location: Oranjestad, Aruba Good Morning Aruba! They were still getting lines situated Enough looking out at Aruba, it was time to grab our stuff and head down to breakfast.