Tamara Cowan

Curacao is definitely not what you expect from an island in the Caribbean. Instead of lush and tropical you get almost flat and barren. Not bad, just not what you would expect. We signed up for the Hato caves and Liqueur factory tour. The tour picks you up right outside where the ship docks. You take a bus to your first stop the Liqueur Factory tour. Let me tell you it’s more like the free sample stop. You don’t take a tour of a Liqueur factory, you get a great tour of the gift shop. When you arrive they give you a shot of the Curacao liqueur. And then they allow you time to shop. If you wonder around on the grounds some you can get a glimpse of where they package the liqueur, but not how they make it. After about 15 minutes you get back on the bus and they take you to an old plantation. Not very exciting here either. Again, more time at the gift shop. Then it’s on to the Hato caves. This was very interesting. During our trip in may it was very hot and humid and the caves were no exception. Thank goodness they had fans inside for ventilation or they would have had people passing out from heat stroke. I would recommend take a trip to the caves, but save yourself some time and just hire a taxi to take you. After the tour we walk from the pier to the Queen Emma pontoon bridge. This is a short walk and very relaxing. The pontoon bridge is a sight to see. It connects two sections of Curacao and actually swings open to let ships pass. When you walk across the bridge it’s almost like you’ve been drinking as it sways with the water. Curacao is very picturesque with it’s multi-colored houses. This is a great photo spot. We did not find the shopping very good.

Check out the shore excursions available in Curacao.
Curacao Shore Excursions

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