Curacao, Netherland Antilles
I walked through this amazing shopping area with the bright lights twinkling at night it really brings the town to life. My friend is from Curacao and we stayed with his family for two weeks. I got the luxury to see the island through native eyes. As part of their history Curacao has exquisite and beautiful caves to see. If you get the chance to visit try to see their hidden treasures. You can fall in love with the beauty of Curacao island history.
Willemstad Curacao and St. Maarten
Knip Beach is very popular with the Curacaoan's themselves. Knip Beach lets you swim and sunbathe in one of the most beautiful surroundings on Curaçao. For the well trained swimmers, the reef can be reached from the beach, but it is quite a long swim. Snorkeling can be done much closer to the shore.
Knip Beach
This beach offers: watersports, dive operator, beach bar and a great restaurant. I didn't get around to Hook's Hut but friends of mine visited. They said it was by far one of the best place where you can get a good meal and drinks for good prices. Everywhere else was expensive with small portions.
Hook Hut
Kontiki beach is the place to catch your breath and get ready for your next dive. The surf is tamed by a wave breaker, making it ideal for children to play along the waterline. This full service beach offers: watersports, dive operator Toucan Diving, shops, beach bar and a great restaurant.
Kontiki Beach
Maarten - St Martin / Sint Maarten
The capital of St. Maarten is Philipsburg, here you will find shops, hotels, casinos, and their historical courthouse, which is located on Front and Back Streets. My friends and I stayed at Divi Bay Resort. It was a great place and had every amenity we needed. Divi sits on a private peninsula which jut out into Little Bay and Great Bay. It's really a get away from town. Also in Divi's vicinity there's Fort Amsterdam and you can view Philipsburgs from the top of the hill.
Divi Little Bay Resort
This photo of Fort Amsterdam is courtesy of TripAdvisor.
Walking up the hill toward the Fort from Divi Bay Resort was something special knowing history was at our fingertips. The view is stunning and overlooks Philipsburg and the Caribbean Sea. The Fort Amsterdam concrete wall still remains showing all the ruins despite having largely succumbed to nature over the years. The historic cannons that once protected the island from invading forces still point out to sea.
Fort Amsterdam
It's hard to believe as it may be, St. Maarten/St. Martin has thirty-seven beaches on its thirty-seven square miles! Whatever your lifestyle or vacation style, there will certainly be a beach suited to the ambience you desire. For the action seeker, many beaches offer watersports of every description. Oh yes! Don't be surprise if you see nudist sun bathing on the beaches in St. Maarten/St. Martin. You are allowed to bare it all if you like. During my stay, I went to Cupecoy Beach and found a location to sun bathe on top of a hill, the view was magnificent. I didn't realize until after I'd uploaded my pictures that I captured a nudist walking the beach. What a wonderful sight!