Caribbean Cruise (February) 2025: Curacao (Willemstad), part 1
Day 4 of the cruise we docked in Willemstad, Curacao, another small island in the Caribbean with a total area measuring about 171 sq mi. Roughly 38-40 miles long and 2-8 miles wide. We had planned on doing two things here: 1) visit the cave, and 2) visit the Curacao distillery. We booked a private van with a driver just outside the port to take us to these two destinations. From the cruise terminal, it took about a 15-20 minute drive to Hato Caves. The Hato Caves are a major tourist attraction. They are formed over million of years from marine limestone. Imagine my surprise when I found out that the caves are located near the airport. The caves were used by the Arawak Indians, with petroglyphs estimated to be 1,500 years old; although I don't remember seeing petroglyphs. They were later used by runaway slaves as a hiding place. The caves are also home to a colony of rare long-nosed fruit bats, which we saw from afar. The compound includes a garden and a small cafe....
