1 retweet retweet The global fashion magazine March 12, 2011 curaçao Curaçao skyline Punda is full of colourful buildings that make up a revitalized skyline in the newly formed nation Curaçao: on a higher plane All Caribbean islands offer diving, luxury resorts and deeply discounted diamonds and designer labels. Curaçao’s rich, multicultural history, meanwhile, carries the tropical retreat experience to a higher plane, writes Elyse Glickman photographed by the author FOR YEARS , Curaçao was another face in the crowd among its neighbouring Caribbean islands. There was nowhere to go but up—even though it has been quite the process. However, this process has shaped it into a destination that goes beyond the beach—even with many picturesque shorelines to brag about, as well as inland parks and other assorted natural wonders. In the last couple of decades, its mix of cultures (Dutch, Portuguese, Spanish and African) shaping it through its storied history has raised the stakes for the island nation, which just recently won it its own identity as an independent nation (rather than one of the Netherlands Antilles). While most adults are familiar with Blue Cura- çao and other liqueurs from the Mansion Chobolobo Distillery) and its iconic long-necked, round bottomed bottles, many multinational companies have moved in and Historical Curaçao Lucire Facebook group Digg it | Add to Facebook Sherman Oaks, CA Clinics Compare Top-Rated Clinics In Your Area. Get Contact Info and More! Lucire Volante: Curaçao: on a higher plane – The global fashio... http://lucire.com/2011/0301vo0.shtml 1 of 5 3/11/11 4:43 PM
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The global fashion magazine March 12, 2011
curaçao
Curaçao skylinePunda is full ofcolourful buildingsthat make up arevitalized skyline inthe newly formednation
Curaçao: on a higher planeAll Caribbean islands offer diving, luxury resorts and deeply discounted diamonds and
experience to a higher plane, writes Elyse Glickman
photographed by the author FOR YEARS , Curaçao was another face in thecrowd among its neighbouring Caribbean islands.There was nowhere to go but up—even though ithas been quite the process. However, this processhas shaped it into a destination that goes beyondthe beach—even with many picturesque shorelinesto brag about, as well as inland parks and otherassorted natural wonders.
In the last couple of decades, its mix of cultures(Dutch, Portuguese, Spanish and African) shapingit through its storied history has raised the stakesfor the island nation, which just recently won it itsown identity as an independent nation (rather than
one of theNetherlandsAntilles).While mostadults arefamiliar withBlue Cura-çao andother
liqueurs from the Mansion Chobolobo Distillery)and its iconic long-necked, round bottomed bottles,many multinational companies have moved in and
Historical Curaçao
Lucire Facebook group Digg it | Add to Facebook
Sherman Oaks, CA
Clinics
Compare Top-RatedClinics In Your Area. GetContact Info and More!
Lucire Volante: Curaçao: on a higher plane – The global fashio... http://lucire.com/2011/0301vo0.shtml
1 of 5 3/11/11 4:43 PM
staked their claim in one of the most international,multicultural societies on Earth.
Even with the evolution, improvements, andmélange of Dutch old world charm and Caribbeancolour, in recent years, the island has transformedfrom an interesting cruise ship port of call to along-term destination. The capital city ofWillemstad has a revitalized waterfront “skyline” sodistinctive that this “old Dutch-meets-New WorldCaribbean” now stands as the island’s official logo.Hotel giants such as Marriott and Hyatt have takenadvantage of the situation, as have small, ambitiousboutique hotels. While many of the upscaleproperties on the island are brand new (the Hyattopened in early 2010), they are respectful of thehistory that preceded them.
Kura Hulanda Hotel, conceived and curated byglobal entrepreneur Jacob Gelt Dekker isemblematic of this. This village-within-a-village onthe Otrabanda side of Willemstad oozes of luxuryand at first glance looks almost like a set from a1950s Technicolor Cary Grant movie. However,wander through the property, and you will fastdiscover it is still rooted in reality thanks toDekker’s conscientious efforts to balance luxurywith the preservation of Curacao’s history and theAfrican cultures that fed into it over the years. Thegrounds constitute a maze yielding wonderfulsurprises at every turn: impeccably cultivatedcourtyards, a waterfall, gorgeously situatedsculptures and tucked away art galleries withmeticulously arranged historic artifacts andpaintings. Dekker’s visionary village is also home tothe outstanding Astrolabe and Jaipur restaurants,each with their own distinct flavour capturing theisland’s essence as a world crossroads.
The Kura Hulanda Museum, which anchors thehotel, is an enormously moving look at theCaribbean slave trade and African culture. Itreminds visitors that this multicultural, and nowbooming, paradise of today had a dark side thatshould never be forgotten. Around town, there arealso plenty of lovingly preserved reminders of thefact that European Jews also played a key role inCuraçao’s growth as a business hub andrepresented 58 per cent of the population between1750 and 1820). The 280-year-old Mikve Israel-Emanuel Jewish Synagogue still thrives as an activeplace of worship and houses a museum withreligious artifacts that date back to the middleages-objects that may have possibly been lost tohistory from World War II or other politicalconflicts had Jews not settled on the island.
The treasures of the deep and rare wildlife gemsare also available to all in abundance.Christoffelpark , the largest national park, is rich inhiking trails, local flora, fauna and wildlife. Moreadventurous types will want to scope out rusticspots such as the Blue Room sea cave and SantaCruz beach as well as numerous scuba-divingconcessions that circle the island like a pearlchoker.
If you don’t swim, but have the desire toembrace their inner Jacques Cousteau, you willappreciate Substation Curacao, whose Curasub takesguests nearly 1,000 ft below sea level-much furtherthan even divers can travel safely-to experience thewonders of the deep. The Curasub is also atechnology wonder to behold in its own right,designed and built by Nuytco Research of Canada,a world leader in undersea technology with safetysystems certified by Lloyd’s of London. The
Punda, including its floating street market
Sunset at the Marriott
Shopping for treats
Amsterdam by the seas
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Curasub experience may not come cheap at US$650,but it delivers beyond the novelty of traveling on areal sub down to the depths. While it is one thingto see Technicolor-bright fish in an aquarium, it isanother to see them in their natural habitat andmaking their homes among elegant coral and seafoliage.
Speaking of the sea, there will be plenty ofseafood served up, in interesting ways and ininteresting environments. Though there aredockside grills similar to those found in everytropical port from Oahu to Bali, local Curaçaobusinesses have gotten creative with restaurantsthat not only transform local ingredients, butneighbourhoods as well. Mundo Bizarro (think Riode Janeiro’s Lapa District, Buenos Aires’s PalermoSoho, and Havana blended together) is the culinaryand cultural hub of Pietermaai Smal, now in themidst of a “Latin quarter”-style renaissance. Thearea is also home to über-trendy bar–lounge Moon.In the rustic northwest of the island, Jaanchie’sdelights with its playful Amsterdam café-meets-Caribbean hideaway décor and hearty seafood andstews. Often, a complimentary serving of iguanawill be thrown in.
MarscheBieuw (OldMarket)offers forvery littlemoney someof the moststellar foodin the Carib-bean, as wellas primepeople-watching.Locals ontheir lunchbreak mixwith Ameri-
can and European families on holiday and fashion-able, affluent couples decked out in Ralph Laurenand Prada. Foodies who delight in recreating theirvacations in their home kitchens, meanwhile,should book a group session at Angelica’s Kitchen.While the actual kitchen and dining terrace aredelightful in a 1950s meets 2011 kind of way, whatsets this cooking school apart are the goof-proofrecipes and the instructors’ spot-on direction. Thisnot only ensures dinner will be flawless, but youalso bond with whomever you are partnered withto execute a certain dish. Worth considering for apre-wedding girls’ night out-and practical, too, asyou get sent home with the recipes.
Though the Kura Hulanda Hotel in town isquite special, there are a host of resorts for everytype of Caribbean holiday, be it destinationwedding, girls’ weekend away or family affair.Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort and EmeraldCasino is also family friendly, but has plenty tokeep each age group busy. Across the way, you willfind the Philippe Starck-esque Floris Suite Hotel,with suitably mod restaurant and a lounge bar thatmakes good use of Blue Curacao and its multi-coloured siblings.
InCuraçao’ssoutheast,the newlyopened
Floating bridge to Otrabanda
Santa Maria beach
Diving platform
Kura Hulanda pool
Hyatt grounds
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HyattRegencyCuraçao iswowingbusinessgroups withexpansive,scenicmeeting andreceptionareas and
everybody else with unusual terrain, golf, hiking,biking, tennis, a marina and nature-meets-minimal-ist rooms. Clement Hugeot’s cocktail creations forMedi are among the best on the island, while Shordoes both fancy seafood and a luxe burger-and-shake diner–bar menu. Its Atabei Spa is alsoinspired, thanks to its use of space. Instead ofcommon waiting rooms that give way to treatmentareas, each guest is treated to his or her own suitecomplete with multi-jet shower, treatment area anddressing area. You can even indulge in a decadentBlue Curaçao manicure or pedicure, created byresident Shermanie, who was hired based on thisexclusive recipe.
Like other spots in the Caribbean, Willemstad isalso a shopper’s paradise. The Floating Market is agreat place to shoot photos and get good,inexpensive souvenirs on the fly. You will findlandmark store Penha, Little Switzerland andFreeport Jewellers stocking every majorinternational brand of fine jewellery as well as ahandful of Caribbean-produced lines. However, ifits something local you want that leans more classyand less towards kitschy, be sure to seek out Beads& Pieces, Different Design Jewellery, JolantaPawlak (über-high-end statement jewellery) andFfolio in Punda. The Zuikertuintje and Salina malls,meanwhile, have a nice assortment of designerswimwear and European clothing boutiques. Whilemost of the stores at the Renaissance Mall arefamiliar US brands, the Columbia-based surf shopTotto features cute resort pieces that are also nicelymade and tailored, run by a lovely couple and theirelementary school-age daughters. • For more information on travel to Curacao, visitwww.curacao.com or www.ctb.an.
Eel, viewed from the Curasub
Elyse Glickman is US west coast editor of Lucire.
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