Photo: Courtesy of Rebecca Zeijdel-Paz1/21Bon bini! Welcome to our beautiful island of Curaçao!
Photo: Courtesy of Rebecca Zeijdel-Paz2/21Willemstad is our capital (it is split into four districts, Punda, Otrobanda, Scharloo and Pietermaai) all of which are recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. In Punda you will find the most famous site in Curaçao, Handelskade. The colorful street lining our main port is filled with cafés and duty-free shops; some favorites include the Old Freeport Shop for jewelry and Penha for perfumes and cosmetics.
Photo: Courtesy of Rebecca Zeijdel-Paz3/21Here I am in one of the many colorful buildings in Scharloo. New restaurants are popping up and local artists have been commissioned to paint incredible murals. The reason for our colorful buildings goes back to the 17th century: Our buildings were made of stark white crushed shell, and legend has it that a former governor mandated all building to be painted in any color because the reflection of the tropical sun was so intense it gave him headaches. (Years later they discovered he owned shares in the only paint store on the island!) Nevertheless (and thankfully!) the tradition stuck and today all our buildings are painted in the most tropical shades like mango orange, aqua, guava pink, and bright green.
Photo: Courtesy of Rebecca Zeijdel-Paz4/21In one of my favorite neighborhoods, Pietermaai. This historic area has flourished as hotels, bars, and restaurants are buying up crumbling monument buildings and restoring them to their original beauty. Not all buildings are restored, but this gives the area its bohemian vibe.
Photo: Courtesy of Rebecca Zeijdel-Paz5/21At night, Pietermaai is buzzing, a favorite amongst locals, tourists, and young Dutch interns. Some of the best spots include Mundo Bizarro (pictured), Kome, and live music at Miles Jazz Café (although new spots are constantly opening). If you are in Curaçao on New Year’s Day this area is a must! During the day on December 31 the area becomes a pedestrian party open to all with music, fireworks, and fun street bars.
Photo: Courtesy of Rebecca Zeijdel-Paz6/21I love Rodin hair oils, especially here since I leave my hair to air-dry. And our Lolita earrings were made for the tropics, inspired by our colorful island, I love how they swing in the Caribbean breeze.
Photo: Courtesy of Rebecca Zeijdel-Paz7/21In the 17th and 18th centuries, wealthy merchants constructed their Neoclassical homes in Scharloo. Known for the lavish parties once thrown here, this neighborhood sadly was slowly vacated due to the high costs of maintaining these old mansions. In the 1990s these private homes were meticulously restored and turned into business offices and museums.
Photo: Courtesy of Rebecca Zeijdel-Paz8/21Netto Bar, a local hangout in Otrobanda. Famous for their Ròm Bèrdè.
Photo: Courtesy of Rebecca Zeijdel-Paz9/21Local sculpture in Scharloo Mama ta Kabisha (mama napping).
Photo: Courtesy of Rebecca Zeijdel-Paz10/21Turquoise waters at Grote Knip, a favorite amongst the many beautiful beaches in Banda Abao. Others include Porto Marie, Cas Abao, and San Juan.
Photo: Courtesy of Rebecca Zeijdel-Paz11/21Koko’s, a lovely spot for a healthy breakfast in Jan Thiel.
Photo: Courtesy of Rebecca Zeijdel-Paz12/21Saint Tropez, a fun oceanfront spot in Pietermaai perfect to lounge in the sun or for a sunset drink.
Photo: Courtesy of Rebecca Zeijdel-Paz13/21Los barquitos in Punda is a floating market of little wooden boats where you can find fresh fruits and other yummy delicacies from nearby Venezuela. I love to stock up on Cocosette cookies and Toronto chocolates!
Photo: Courtesy of Rebecca Zeijdel-Paz14/21Sunset drinks at Avila Beach Hotel.
Photo: Courtesy of Rebecca Zeijdel-Paz15/21Taking in the stunning ruins in Pietermaai while we still have them (today more and more of them are being beautifully restored).
Photo: Courtesy of Rebecca Zeijdel-Paz16/21Klein Curaçao (small Curaçao) is a small, uninhabited island about 6 miles off the shore of Curaçao. Definitely worth the boat trip as it has (in my biased opinion) the most incredible white sand and crystal-clear waters in the Caribbean.
Photo: Courtesy of Rebecca Zeijdel-Paz17/21The abandoned lighthouse in Klein Curaçao, built in 1850, seriously feels like you’re entering another time.
Photo: Courtesy of Rebecca Zeijdel-Paz18/21Exploring the lighthouse.
Photo: Courtesy of Rebecca Zeijdel-Paz19/21In Otrobanda you will find Kura Hulanda. The hotel is a historical depiction of the colorful Otrobanda neighborhood. Worth a visit, then cross the street and have a drink at Gouverneur to enjoy a perfect view of Handelskade.
Photo: Courtesy of Rebecca Zeijdel-Paz20/21At Baoase, this beautiful and very private hotel is decorated in Balinese style. Another example of the melting pot of cultures on the island.
Photo: Courtesy of Rebecca Zeijdel-Paz21/21In Curaçao I try to wear white as much as possible. I think that’s why I use pearls so often in my jewelry (wearing our Kokolishi pearl hoops). Here I added a touch of color with Colombian designer Pepa Pombo’s knitwear.
