Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Panama Canal - Curacao - Jan 20, 2020

Panama Canal 
Curacao 
Jan 20, 2020

The storm we met upon exiting the Panama Canal persisted and even intensified. The ship, headed for Aruba, was heading directly into the storm. Winds up to 50 mph impeded our progress and the ship could only make ten knots.
It became quickly clear that we would not be able to get to Aruba. 
We instead diverted very slightly for Curacao and arrived there on schedule.  
We had signed up for a Holland America tour to an ostrich farm and aloe farm.

By the time we got topside, the ship had already entered the harbor, passed the famous swinging bridge, and were in the process of coming about in the basin beyond the Queen Juliana Bridge and Santa Anna Bay 

We were soon tied up in Santa Anna Bay just short of the Queen Emma "Swinging" Bridge

Across the Bay were two luxury yachts tied up and "buttoned" up with no sign of life aboard. Note the helicopter on the aft deck

Rotterdam from the other side of the bay

The swinging bridge with Rotterdam beyond

From the TV in the cabin

Our tour to the ostrich farm began with a driving tour of the city. Wall murals were abundant and quite excellent!



The "Wedding Cake" house

The US Consulate


Huge oil refinery visible from the main traffic bridge 

Sacred Heart Catholic Church







The ostrich farm had many variety of birds and other animals















Plus many inanimate "animals" carved in wood . . . 

. . . or mummified 

Our driver and guide . . .

. . . and the official photographer 


Our main driver and guide


Ostriches 
Emu




Ostrich ears





Our guide told us the hogs clean up after the ostriches

These kids were very young and cute as can be!









We got to feed the ostriches


They are extremely messy eaters!



This is an actual ostrich egg. They can tell if they are capable of sustaining a chick. Those that are not, are used for display, cooking, etc.

We were invited to stand on the egg!




Our next stop was an aloe farm

We were given a demonstration how to filet an aloe plant!


The day was still young when we arrived back at the ship, so we decided on a walkabout.


You can see the pontoons of the swinging bridge

No two buildings sitting side by side were painted the same color!

We passed some very clever bridges


More former US surplus school buses doing duty here

This lovely statue is in front of the government building . . .

. . . the large yellow building trimmed in white to the right of the bridge


As we walked, we saw many interesting statues . . . 

. . . some trying to sell a product

The flag of Curacao - The blue symbolizes the sea and sky, and the yellow the sun. The two stars are for Curacao and Klein Curacao, but also stand for 'Love and Happiness.

This heart is made of locks on a wire frame


Queen Wilhelmina Park



'Dushi' is a common word in Papiamento/Papiamentu, the native language of Aruba, Bonaire and CuraƧao.Calling someone 'dushimeans "sweetheart."
It is used to describe good things in life.



This large gecko was available in the playground

This tiki bar has a fabulous view of the Caribbean 


More mural art!

This is as close as we came to the Cathedral!
By the time we figured out where it was, it was too late!

This large church was also out of reach

This is how the swinging bridge swings!
The end pontoon has a pretty good size engine and propeller

Mike barely makes it across before the bridge swings out!
(Actually, the operator watched him coming and held up a little!)

The bridge swings over to a mooring on the other side but when there, the engine runs as a double check to make sure it doesn't break loose!

This is a local beer and was pretty good!

The "nice" thing about a cruise is that, regardless of what they charge for a beer "on the beach" its almost certainly cheaper than buying it on the ship!

The last day in the last port comes to an end!

As Curcao recedes in the distance and we head home . . . 
We are actually a little eager to get back to Florida and resuming our "regular" lives!


 
This evening, we booked seats for the Cellar Master's special five course dinner with wine pairings in the Pinnacle Grill 

We invited Msgr Paul, our Catholic priest, to join us as a way to show our love and gratitude for him bringing us the Holy Mass every day. (Plus, he's very interesting and fun)


This fantastic crystal decanter was used for the Beaulieu Vineyards Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon  


This is the spinach tart that Theresa and Janet had as their main course. Mike, Msgr and I all went for the filet of beef!
Tomorrow - At Sea and a return to the Pinnacle Grill