CUR: Otrobanda

September 24, 2018

Willemstad, Curaçao

The capital city of Curaçao is classified into two main quarters: Punda (lit. city) and Otrobanda (lit. the other side). The two of them are geographically separated by Sint Anna Bay channel, but connected with two bridges. The development of the latter began in the 18th century when Punda became overpopulated.

Curaçao Suites Hotel, where my BFF and I stayed at, is located in Otrobanda. It takes about 10 minutes to walk from the hotel to the waterfront area.

Apart from yellow school buses, I doubt I'd ever seen such a brightly coloured tour bus before.

Unlike Punda that was once a walled city, Otrobanda has never been one. It's said that the first building permit in Otrobanda was issued in 1707. By 1774, the quarter has been filled with houses.

Some of the rooms at Otrobanda Hotel & Casino offers a magnificent view of Sint Anna Bay.

Simon Bolivar was the president of the First Republic of Venezuela.

The waterfront area sees a lot of locals selling souvenirs whenever there's a cruise ship stopping by Curaçao.

All sorts of items are sold along that long row of stalls.

Colourful tote bags, anyone?

Take time to enjoy the view of Punda across the channel.

Behold, the iconic colonial shophouses of Curaçao!

One of the bridges connecting Otrobanda and Punda is the modern Queen Juliana Bridge that was declared open on 30 April 1974, the Queen's Day of the Netherlands.

"The sun goes down, the stars come out, and all that counts is here and now~"

Bon Bini is a Papiamento phrase for 'welcome'.

On one of the evenings, we had dinner at a gorgeous restaurant called Gouverneur de Rouville, which serves local cuisine.

An unforgettable dinner with a view~

The other bridge connecting the two quarters is the older Queen Emma Bridge that was originally built in 1888. It's a pontoon bridge that is hinged and opens regularly to enable the passage of vessels.