Curacao- a first timer report.

[herman]

Do you know that Contential Airlines is starting a direct service to Bonaire from Huston (I think that right) in Dec? The flight is going to be a red eye flight, something like 11:30 pm to 5 am on Fri nights but at least it's a direct flight.

 

[Oceanadventurer]

Thanks for the info, I will check into it.

 

[chachita]

Great shots!

 

[snorkelgeek]

Yes, I know. It wasn't the islands fault. It's just so fresh in my mind that when I think of Curacao, I think of the problems we had. I'm sure in time I would maybe go back but stay somewhere else.

Too bad you had a bad experience. I loved Curacao (went for 2 weeks in April) and want to keep going back and going back. Breezes would not have been my choice, even as a non-diver. Too much congestion there, with all the hotels and Seaquarium in the area. We went to Seaquarium for the Animal Encounter snorkel and loved that, but certainly wouldn't want to stay in that area. But then we tend to like quieter places and loved Sunset Waters where we were. An added bonus, which we didn't realize when we did our research, was that Sunset Waters also has whale sharks. We saw several tuna boils right from the restaurant and the beach. That would have been awesome to see a whale shark if you happened to be diving in the area.

We found Willemstad to be clean and enchanting and we spent several days in town just walking around.

 

[Oceanadventurer]

Too bad you had a bad experience. I loved Curacao (went for 2 weeks in April) and want to keep going back and going back. Breezes would not have been my choice, even as a non-diver. Too much congestion there, with all the hotels and Seaquarium in the area. We went to Seaquarium for the Animal Encounter snorkel and loved that, but certainly wouldn't want to stay in that area. But then we tend to like quieter places and loved Sunset Waters where we were. An added bonus, which we didn't realize when we did our research, was that Sunset Waters also has whale sharks. We saw several tuna boils right from the restaurant and the beach. That would have been awesome to see a whale shark if you happened to be diving in the area.

We found Willemstad to be clean and enchanting and we spent several days in town just walking around.

We may have to try Sunset Waters. I hear it is a pretty good place to stay. Whale Sharks is the one thing that we would love to see. Thanks for the reply.

 

[snorkelgeek]

We may have to try Sunset Waters. I hear it is a pretty good place to stay. Whale Sharks is the one thing that we would love to see. Thanks for the reply.

Sunset Waters is a no frills resort, but has wonderful staff, excellent food (a couple of buffets a week, but rest is a la carte, with 3-5 choices - eg. pork tenderloin medallions for lunch, steak and prawns for dinner, roast prime rib, veal cutlet with lemon butter sauce, healthy portions too). Laid back atmosphere, casual. You feel like you're staying with friends. The resort is slowly being upgraded by the owners (group from Chicago). Rooms are standard but large. Bars have international brands available. Kitchen will often, but not always, do special requests. Shuttle drivers are extremely accomodating - found no need to rent a car to get around. Girls in the front office will arrange anything for you from tours to special requests in the rooms. While we were there, someone had an anniversary and the staff arranged an intimate dinner on the beach for them (and wouldn't tell the rest of us what was going on so as to keep the secret!).

It's out of the hustle and bustle of Willemstad, but as divers, I wouldn't think that would be a main concern since you guys like spending as much time as possible below. I know all the dive groups that were there while we were there, were extremely happy with the dive shop, Sunset Divers. And any videos taken below during the day were happily shown on a TV in the bar at night - us snorkelers could watch and live vicariously through the pics on the TV (and also realized how much we had seen even just snorkelling).

We didn't actually see a whale shark, but probably about 6-7 tuna boils and a pod of several w.sharks were seen when we were on a sunset cruise, but by the time we got to the location, they were gone. That would have been amazing.

Brenda

 

[snorkelgeek]

Sunset Waters is a no frills resort,

Forgot to mention that Breezes and Sunset Waters are the only AI resorts on Curacao. With SW it's good to be AI because you are out of the way a bit. No worries about the food as my previous post suggests. Their rates are pretty good too. When we returned home, we gave a report to our travel agent and she said the dive prices were as good as anywhere, since she does a lot of booking for dive trips. www.sunsetwaters.com

Brenda

 

[scubaaaronh]

Herman...your photos are fantastic by the way.

My husband and I are going to bonaire in 2 weeks. We've never been there but from everything we hear...the diving is fantastic! I have been told that there are alot of small fish but not alot of big things to see...is this true? I'm really looking forward to the shore dives...never done one. My husband and I got certified about 1 yr ago. I've logged 42 dives...he's logged about 20. We're staying at the Plaza Resort. Has anyone ever stayed there before?

The plaza was great. We will stay there again on our return trip to bonaire. There are a couple places to know about for really good food. Casablancas for meat meat and more meat. get the mixed grill for two and you will have lunch for a couple days after and it was only like 38 bucks for dinner. Old inn right in front of plaza had very good subs at lunch time for like 6 bucks with fries. City Cafe downtown for the best burger you will ever eat(wnet back three times for a burger) and they have an internet cafe there to download pics if using digital. Richards for great fish and a beautiful sunset. When you get there get the Yellow book on dive site from the shop and you will be able to plan all your dives with it. We weren't to impressed with the restaurants at the plaza. Breakfast was a waste we thought there. We went to the grocery store and got stuff for breakfast and some lunches. wont buy it in our package again. If any other questions drop me a private message or herman one.

 

[scubaaaronh]

Herman we were considering doing Curacao this winter any suggestions on restaurants there, any place as good as casablancas richards or city cafe? Did you dive the mushroom forest and if so could you upload a couple pics i hear it is awesome.

Also next winter we are planning on Bonaire again if you want to try to plan a trip. We have a couple other peolpe interested in going this time.

 

[herman]

Hi Aaron,
We only shore dove this trip so I missed the mushroom forest. This trip was as much a scouting trip as a dive trip. We were very pleased with the restaurants we found. Although I have not found anything to rival the mixed grill for 2 at Casablanca we did eat a quite a few good places. One place that impressed me more for the service than anything was a Steak and Rib place in the fort. We travel with 2 vegaterians (health choice, not anti meat type) whos son wanted to eat at the Steak and Rib place. After checking the menu we found nothing that my friends could eat. The owner came over and finding out my friends were vegaterians he offered to custom make dinner for them. They had a great meal and so did the rest of us. This is the service I have come to expect in Bonaire and we found it in Curacao as well. I know I upset some people with my comments on Cozumel but no where in Coz came close to the quality of the food or service we found in Curacao. We stayed near down town so we walked to almost every place we ate. There is an old fort at the mouth of the harbor by the Queen Emma bridge that had several good places. If they are handing out the goodie bag at the airport, be sure to get one. There is a very good restaurant guide inside.

Let me know on the Bonaire trip I may just join you. Do you mean Dec 05/ Jan 06 time frame?

As for the City Cafe having the best burger....well if you take away the totally unfair advantage of the view, there is one here in Raleigh that is a little better than the City Cafe's but CC does have the second best burger I know of, even with out the view.