I am going to Curacao for an overnight to de stress (alone!)and want to go somewhere nice for dinner.

I would like casual and local but moderate vs Giby's type (not that I do not LOVE Giby's). Anything..sushi, local, seafood..just not Italian or American style..

Annie

Annie, do you have a car on CUR? There is a great restaurant called Landhuis Daniel on the road east to Barber (15 minutes away from the airport), just after the road to St Willibrordus. They are on the net. It's pretty tasty food.

There is a very cool restaurant along the canal where the big ships come into town. It is out on the point where the inlet meets the ocean. It is a fondue restaurant, or Swiss. They have lights in the water, and the tarpon go nuts all around the rocks. If you were coming into the channel, from the ocean, it would be on the left. I can't remember the name, but everyone in town knows it. We really enjoyed it very much. It was extremely romantic outside, but also very beautiful inside. By the way, are you taking the ferry over from Bonaire?

James, I think you're thinking of Bistro le Clochard. I like that place too. Also, I find that Curacao restaurants are dressier than Bonaire-not quite so casual. And even though I've been going there for 15+ years, I've never felt as comfortable or welcome as I do at more local style places, like one does here.

De Heren (at Zuikertuintje) or De Tropan (sp?) are great for happy hour (non tourist crowd), Mambo Beach for the tourists. All take good navigating skills, except for Bistro or Mambo. My personal favorite? Denny's for the oreo milkshake (remember folks, that's a rarity down here).

Yes, I will have a car and will try ANYTHING good..not too $$$ (I would like to spend less than 100.00 USD) and want to wear casual clothes..

No ferry..it is not running. Divi Air.

And I am staying at Kura Hulanda. Got a super travel agent rate and figure as stressed as I am I will need it. I have been working 5 AM - 9 PM daily and longer on weekends..but damn, this windsurfing event is going to be good..(I hope..)..pray for wind.

I am also going to Xmas shop for Maggie. I need to get her some gold earrings and a bracelet. Nothing fancy but nice and I figure gold is cheaper there.

Keep the ideas coming..

2 more days

Annie,

Aisha's husband Alexander (our surrogate daughter and son-in-law, respectively, whom you met while housesitting for us) works at the Kura Hulanda as a bellman. When you get there, ask Alexander what he would recommend - he might have some ideas for a place that's both fun and safe (Curacao scares me, personally).

Jake

Annie,

Please give Gabrielle and Zulay each a hug from me. A handshake with André will do! Have a good one.

Glen

Jake,

Honestly, I am a boy from the "Streets of Philadelphia" did a tour in Viet Nam, and not really scared of a whole lot of things. However, when Kathi and I were walking the streets in Curacao, by ourselves, early, I was very uneasy. Some guy started hawking us, and I asked him what he wanted. He couldn't speak English, I went into Spanish, and it almost got ugly. He took off, and I was happy nothing happened. Annie, just be careful there. Try to hook up with some other people when walking around, especially the area of the pedestrian bridge at night. It's not Bonaire. It's a great town, but at late night, and early morning, it's like any inner city in the states.

Annue, You have to ask Michael about the sushi place on Curacao. I know it by sight only. I couldn't tell you how to get there or even the name.

Hi guys,

The sushi-place is called 'Cravings' and should cost less than $100 for 1 or 2 people (eating sushi is quite expensive in my opinion). But their seaweed salad is superb. And if you like cheesecake as a desert they have one that's fried à la tempura.
It's located at the Promenade Shopping Center (which everybody on the island knows about), a less than five minute drive from Salinja.

If you should be on the island on a Wednesday, try the Indonesian buffet at Tu-Tu Tango. It's cooked by Mrs. Sten (that's her first name). She is the best Indonesian cook of the island (and of the Caribbean IMO). Reservations needed, it's almost always fully booked.

And on the other side of the street from Kurá Hulanda there are some restaurants as well. You can check them out and see if there's anything you like...

Annie, enjoy your stay...

Thanks Jake, I have emailed Aesha and hope to see Alexander for a hello. I think they come "home" for Xmas? Cannot wait to see them.


Glenn, Will do...While I do not know Zulay, Gabrielle has been the most amazing person ..so glad she is on board with our event.

James, many Bonaireans I know do not speak well of CUR. The reputation for drugs and what not is bad. What the truth is I do not know. I know of the Caribbean islands, CUR has a high AIDS rate. Also my friend who lives there to go to college says he hates it there. He is afraid to go out sometimes due to crime and violence.

I will be careful. Thanks very much for the ideas and thoughts. The biggest reason I am going is to chill. I am exhausted and need a breather before I continue on the event..

Kurahulanda looks perfect. Cannot wait to see the museum.

HUGS

1 more day

I second Kitty on the Indonesian buffet... it's absolutely delicious and the place has a nice atmosphere (especially if you're not Dutch [g]). As far as Curacao being dangerous concerns... Well, if you're used to living in a city, then it's not that bad. It's much more of a society than Bonaire though, with every positive and negative aspect that comes with that.

Cravings is easy to find. It is in Salina just past the Bloompoeut (sp?) shopping center and is on the left in a shopping center whose name escapes me now. I will know by the time you get here. Yes, lot less than $100 dollars...Yes to Denny's for breakfast!

I think I read somewhere above that it's the Promenade Shopping Center... [g]

Annie,

Zulay is on the right in this BR picture of flags being made for KOTC.

Yes..it the promendade shoping center. Lots of great places to eat there as well as sushi!

One of my fav.'s is Maranara's (sp?). In my opinion it is one of the best, reasonably priced seafood restaurants anywhere. I've been there several times and it always pleases. I don't know exactly where it is, but all the cab drivers know. It is also a great lunch spot if you have a couple hours lay-over in Curacao. the owner is always on site and takes a lot of pride in his business. This place is not a tourist spot, in fact you may be the only tourist in the place. It is very popular with locals and business people. Good drinks and great service, too.

Hi Lonnie,
Do you mean "El Marinero"?
If so, it's situated at Schottegatweg Noord.

Yes, Kitty, El Marinero. thanks for the correct spelling and location. I think it is one very fine seafood restaurant. Do you like it? It's location is off the beaten path, but that is one of the attractions for me. I rarely see visitors in there. Mostly business and family locals frequent the place which adds to the ambience and atmosphere.

The time that El Marinero started - I think it was with a former owner - it was a very expensive restaurant. If I remember correctly there was a time when the restaurant was mentioned in the media having lots of problems...

So, I haven't eaten there since a looooong time. I think I've eaten there once. But back then I was a little girl and I didn't like the way they prepared the fish...

I guess that the restaurant has changed enormously over time and that's great. Because of it's location it is true that you won't find the typical tourists there...

I went and had a nice time. My goal was to rest and Xmas Shop and visit the Kura Hulanda Museum.

The flight on Divi was super. A little claustrophobic but quick. The arrival in CUR was not too friendly. Hertz offered SUPER service and a great car.

I went to Hato Caves right off and enjoyed it despite my severe claustrophobia. I did not make it all the way thru. It was a bit stuffy.

CUR is not pretty in fact quite industrial. It is very busy and hectic.

Kura Hulanda is super. I can say it was one of the most lovely properties I have stayed in..restful and special.

Dinner was at Bistro le Clochard..wonderful. A bit pricey but worth it all the way. I loved the dessert crepes.

Ok, the museum..all I can say it GO SEE THIS! Amazing historical perspective on the Black Holocaust. The displays, music and plan is incredible! Worth the trip to CUR.

Swimming at Kontiki was ok..the rest of the trip was downhill.

Got to the airport to chaos. KLM and several large flights coming and going. Traffic jam for 25 min. to get to curb. Hertz was busy and later I learned Divi had mechanical probs. I was told to come back 4 hours later to try and get on DCA..long story short, DIVI came thru..and DCA/DCE left on time..SERIOUS!

So, thanks for your ideas and happy eating..Annie

Annie, you're partly right on Curacao being industrial. It is, but only on the east side where you were. To the west of Hato, Cur is much more like Bonaire with scattered villages and hardly any industry. But with 10 times the number of inhabitants of Bonaire, it's much busier indeed.

Hi Annie,

Glad you dined a Bistro Le Clochard. That was the place I was thinking about in my above post. In fact, Ruth hit it right away. Although it is a wee bit pricey, the view and ship activity, make it a very memorable place. We are also flying Divi airlines from Curacao to Bonaire on the 23rd. I hope all is going well with your event.

Jim McPeak