On June 21st I went on the Island & Beach tour. In a very comfortable and airconditioned bus, accompanied by a very experienced guide, we visited the main attractions on our amazing Curaçao Island. What is wonderful about this tour is that on each stop we are told amazing stories about the history of the island, moreover, important monuments are pointed out to us as we drive past them. The tour starts in the Jan Thiel area, where we get to see a glimpse of the beautiful villas and hotels in the neighborhood. Jan Thiel Curaçao is one of the main touristic areas on the island.
Landhuis Chobolob Curaçao Liqueur
Our first stop is Landhuis Chobolobo, home of the famous Curaçao liquor. The liquor of Curaçao is made from the Laraha Oranges and is generally produced in 5 colors: blue, red, yellow, green, and clear. In addition to the Curaçao Liqueur being made at Landhuis Chobolobo Glacial is also made here. With the standard five colors, there are also four specialty flavors such as coffee or tamarin. Once the tour began we got to learn exactly how they make the Curaçao Liqueur and see the authentic distillery process, which is distilled the same way since 1896! We learned that the oranges must be plucked from the trees at the plantation at St. Barbara or they cannot grow back on the same branch. The glass bottles and liquor are made at Landhuis Chobolobo, which produces around 85,000 bottles a year. The Curaçao Liqueur contains 31% alcohol and generally, the colors, are used for cocktail drinks. After we walked through the factory we were offered a sample of three different Curaçao Liqueurs. Once done with our ‘shots’ we could walk around the bar and into the gift shop where you can buy different Curaçao Liqueurs in many sizes or packages. When we were back on the bus we got a nice refreshing cold bottle of water. Truly this was a unique type of tour where we got insights into how the liquor was made in the past and is still made the same way to this day!
Shete Boka National Park
Our second stop was all the way, completely across the island, in the western part of Curaçao. While driving there we saw the smallest Landhuis on the island, stopped briefly at Kunuku which is an old preserved house, and we saw sheep along the road. By 11 we made to what is called Shete Boka, which translates to seven mouths. What a breath-taking sight it was and a stunning ocean view. Here at the Shete Boka National Park you can see the rough sea beat against the northern coast of the island and feel the crazy wind blowing through your hair. This was an amazing stop for pictures, a great walk along the coast, and bathroom break for any who need it. Back on the bus, we drove past gorgeous beaches such as a beach with brown sand, which is not usual for this region of white sandy beaches. While here our guide told us of the different, unique beaches on the island such a beach with black sand, which essentially is sand made from lava stones.
Our third stop was Landhuis Knip, which houses the Tula Museum. Landhuis Knip was once the most prosperous slave plantation on the island and dates back to the beginning of the 18th century. This plantation has a deep historic meaning to this island as it was the site where slaves began to revolt in the late 18th century and this revolution was led by Tula. As we walked through Tula museum our museum guide told us the history of the house, the slave huts, and how people lived in those times. He taught us the song the slaves sung when they were washing clothes or cooking. At the end of this tour, we got to enjoy lemon juice and fresh arepa pumpkin pancake, which was very delicious! Next, we went to one of the most famous beaches on the island, as well, in the Caribbean, Grote Knip. Here we had our only picture stop at this stunning, gorgeous beach, with crystal blue water.