I joined our guide on a historic walk through the city center of Punda Willemstad, Curaçao, which was an insightful look into the history and creation of Punda city. Starting at 9 am I could see tourists have already gathered around 8:30-8:40, while sitting in one of the stone stands. For those, that came early it gave them the chance to take pictures of the deep blue and radiant yellow Curaçao sign. As well, the warm orange Dushi sign.

Punda Willemstad

It was a little cloudy but with a nice breeze, we got to learn, for those that did not know, what dushi means and its origins. Right in front of the sign! The tour began and we got to see the buildings of the Government. These buildings are true historic monuments, which unfortunately need to be painted 3-4 times a year to combat the damage from the wall sickness, as the locals call it. These buildings were built using coral stones and the salt still inside these stones cause the paint to oxides and flake off. The colonial buildings are centuries old and are a remnant of history.

It has been raining this morning but by 8 am it has already dried up leaving behind slightly clouded skies and a breeze. We could see the makeup of the walls of the forts, as well as, the other colonial buildings, which were built with a combination of shells, coral, sand, and seawater. Around the Fort Amsterdam, there are several restaurants that offer a view of the coast and opening of the harbor. By then we felt a few drops of rain. Not even the drizzling rain could detract from the captivating sight of the entrance to the harbor. Just peeking out by the entrance the harbor, the St Anna Bay, was the Cruise Ship Monarch.

Fort Amsterdam

In all, we got to see four trees with these stunning carvings in them of a woman, faces, a man, and a crocodile- dragon. Three are located just near the waterfront by the entrance to Fort Amsterdam, as well, we got to hear history and folklore of the trees.

Fort Amsterdam. When I think of a fort I expect cannons and cannon balls, Fort Amsterdam does not disappoint. We got to see the heart of the government on Curaçao at Fort Amsterdam. This stunning yellow fort is where the offices of the cabinet and governor are located. Our captivated tour guide Gigi showed us where the cannon balls, fired by the British in the early 1800s, that are to this day embedded in the church walls at Fort Amsterdam. Incidentally, missing the fort completely. We also were told about raids by the Venezuelans around the 1930s, which led to the fort gates being sealed and moved. As well, the permanent placement of the Dutch marines on the island. Just down the road from the fort are the parliament and police station. Parliament with its striking 21 steps up to the door.

An hour into the tour we entered the heart of Punda city center where all the commercial shopping stores are. Once again, we got to historic buildings that the stores reside in, such as Tommy Hilfiger. In the past, the store owners and their families lived on the top floors with the store below. In fact, the classic store Penha has been owned by the same family for 300 years.

While walking through the city center we saw these spectacular works of art, each either flower, plant, or animals. All of them were 3D and just hidden away in Punda. In between two murals, on this side street, several stores and a café are found in a small plaza. We stopped and sat at the café for drinks. It was steadily getting hotter and the rain from this morning was all forgotten. Here we saw the fourth carving in a tree. We saw more works of art and we stopped in front of a sculpture of three bananaquits or suickerdiefje (sugar thief) in Dutch.

Next, the markets that are found only in Punda. We got to see the floating market for fresh fruits, vegetables, and fish. All of which are brought in from Venezuelan boats. As well, local stands filled with cute souvenirs. Further down from the floating market is a giant market with Venezuelan and local stands. Additionally, Gigi told us that the restaurants on the second floor of the market had amazing, fresh local food.