Travel overview of Curacao – by Louise
Curacao is chock full of interesting, fascinating places + things to do. Aside from the beautiful beaches Curaçao has to offer, I have made a list of my Top 10 picks but again there are so many more attractions. This list is surely a great place to start.
Around the year 1500 when the Spaniards arrived on Curaçao they brought along Valencia oranges. Due to the arid climate and the soil of Curaçao the orange mutated into a green version. This orange is called the Laraha and is indigenous to Curaçao. The Laraha is inedible. However the dried orange peels are perfect for the production of Curaçao liqueur and provide a unique taste. The liqueur itself has no color but they just add food coloring to make it blue. Anti-climactic, I know. Boo.
Landhuis Bloemhof is one of the smaller country estates on the island. The main building dates back to 1735. Exhibitions, lectures and creative workshops are ongoing here. The former coach house was transformed in the 1950’s when it became May Henriquez’ sculpture studio. Frozen in time it now displays a permanent exhibition of her artistic work. In Dutch the name Bloemhof means ‘flower garden,’ a perfect name for it as you will find indigenous plants and trees throughout in the garden. Here nestled in a grove you will discover the bathhouse with its two stone bathtubs. Originally fed by an aqueduct from the adjoining well this lovely spot recalls what must have been pure luxury in this serene environment back in the day.