Fun Facts

We have been in the beautiful Curaçao for 2 weeks already it is truly amazing how time just flys when you'r having fun, it has also been a well deserved respite from sailing.

Boat maintenance has been a necessary chore while we have been here, but WOW! The prices to get basic things done like servicing of our Yanmar engines, were being done for a WHOPPING 1000USD per engine. Getting companies or even individuals in to do work is seriously eye wateringly (I know this is not a word) expensive, this is applicable to all things boat as well as everything else. Our wallets are starting to feel significantly skinnier.

Mr Oxley will also soon be coming home as we truly cannot live without our trusted friend.

We are clearly still learning about the prices of boat maintenance outside of South Africa 🇿🇦😬  I can tell you it hurts.

Time for a couple of fun facts.

When listening to the locals speak, you hear how effortlessly they switch between multiple languages, it truly is impressive. The people that live on this island speak a minimum of 4 languages, Dutch, English, Spanish and Papiamento, the latter being a mix of all of these, including, a sprinkle of French and Portuguese so mostly they speak French and Portuguese as well.😳 Crazy to think this has no correlation to class, or education, but simply a melting pot of multilingualism, this is not just a skill but a way of life.

This beautiful little island with little over 150 000 people is an overseas territory of the Netherlands and is 4232 nautical miles away, yet feels just like being in Holland, it is abundant with Dutch travellers, permanent residence and sailors alike. Showing off a large Dutch culture and exquisite food. Eric is Dutch, so the food, language and culture have always been an integral part of our home. Needless to say this made Curaçao a very comfortable place for us to be.

The Swinging Old Lady, 😁 formally known as the Queen Emma Bridge. A graceful design that glides open to allow every boat from tiny little fishing boats to tankers and of course Intle Breeze, to pass through and enter the marina and harbour. This is the longest pontoon bridge in the world, at 170 meters. It literally floats over the Sint Anna Bay with 16 Pontoon boats that carry it.

We have truly had a wonderful experience in Curaçao, an island totally worth a visit. We have had 2 weeks of fun, sun and snorkelling. Makyla even did an open water dive, and we swam with the turtles, what a treat this was. 

Now the time has come for us to move on to our final destination on this leg, before heading back to Europe for Christmas. Departure is scheduled for tomorrow lunch time.