Day 06 11/26/21 - Curaçao

Overnight our cruise started its w second half.  Before the time our alarms went off at 6:30am, the ship was securely moored at the second position at the mega pier in Willemstad, Curaçao right behind Tui's MeinShiff 2. After breakfast, we made our way off the ship to join  our group out at the beginning of the long pier. 

 

The checkin process went much more smoothly than earlier  at Amber Cove.  Soon we were on our bus for a short tour of the historic area before heading out of town.  If turned out the route was the same as we experienced on our first visit to Curaçao.  At Christoffel National Park we took a short hike over the lava rocks before driving down to the small fishing village where years of depositing fish entrails have nurtured sea turtles to return to eat the plentiful free food.  During the ride waiver forms were passed around on multiple clipboards.  This was way more efficient than the Amber Cove approach.

 

We donned our snorkeling gear and headed into the water.  Almost immediately we encountered turtles and I shot video and took still pictures of them.  There were also a number of other small fish there.  Our hour in the water was too soon over and we re-boarded the bus and drove to Knip beach where we had a picnic lunch provided.  After lunch we snorkeled near the rock wall and it was decent.  We just didn't have enough time and the beach was pretty crowded.

 

Our next stop was at the salt flats to view the flamingoes, and we weren't disappointed.  From there we drove back to the port.  We dropped our swimming gear off and took showers to clean off the salt before walking into town through the old fort and across the swinging Queen Emma pontoon bridge.  It was about a 1/2 hour walk from the gangway to the swing bridge.  Christmas decorations were beginning to be put up.  We toured the local market and purchased a few things before walking back to the ship.  Along the way Angela purchased some Gouda cheese and our dinner was Moscato wine, bread and cheese.

 

The singing group, Cantaré, did a repeat of their show, Timeless.  Following that we watched the departure  from the Promenade of walking deck.  And at 10:36pm we slipped away from the dock into the pitch black night sky.  Our next stop is Aruba and it's a short distance away.


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