Caribbean Cruise (February) 2025: Curacao (Willemstad), part 2

The other thing we wanted to do in Curacao was visit the distillery of the Blue Curacao liquer. The Landhuis Chobolobo or the Blue Curacao factory/distillery is a 15-20 minute car ride from the Hato Caves.

For those that do not know, Curaçao is a popular orange-flavored liqueur made from the dried peels of the Laraha citrus fruit, a bitter orange grown on the Caribbean island of Curaçao. Known for its vibrant blue variant, it is a staple in tropical cocktails, offering a sweet, orange-peel flavor profile, typically with 15–40% ABV. They have a few orange trees growing in the compound. The liquer was created in the island in the 19th century with Senior and Co holding the rights to "Genuine" Curaçao, using the original Laraha citrus recipe. While the original is colorless, it is often dyed to represent the blue sea (Blue Curaçao) or in shades like orange, red, and green. It is essential for cocktails like the Blue Hawaii, Mai Tai, and various margaritas, adding both color and a bitter-sweet orange taste.

I was bitterly disappointed that the tour that I was expecting did not materialize, although I was alone in that sentiment, as none of my travel mates were showing any signs of concern at all.

There are many reading materials posted on the walls about the history of the liquer and the Senior family. I pretended to read, then decided that I should just take photos and hurry on to the tasting area.

Watching through the glass, I think this is just a show for tourists/visitors.

The three flavors for tasting for that day: chocolate, triple sec and tamarind.

You can't go there and not get a cocktail. You'll need it to keep you cool.

Then on to the gift shop. The original blue.

Other colors/flavors.

Proudly posted in the store.

When the visit was over, the four of us got dropped off in town, while the couple and their kids went straight to the ship for nap time. I thought we were walking aimlessly with no destination in mind, but then my husband announced that we were here. Here is the old market or Plasa Bieu. A food court. It's airy, with picnic tables and food counters with open kitchen offering local cuisine.

It was very crowded, but soon a picnic table opened up just enough to accommodate the four of us. As we waited for our orders, in comes people doing some filming. I don't know if she is a professional or someone with tiktok or youtube account. It was fun watching the filming because they took quite a few takes on one particular portion.

This is the local dish I got - rice and beans with conch shell meat with some veggies.

So when it was time to leave this place, I found that my knee went stiff. I hurt my knee for no reason at all a week before the cruise. It was so painful that I couldn't bend my knee at all. After doctor's visit and x-rays, nothing was found except for mild arthritis, which could not explain the pain I was feeling. I was given a very strong pain meds along with anti-inflammatory meds. It solved that problem. However, I decided against bringing that magic meds and insisted on taking the other pain meds I was using. Anyway, after the food court, I could no longer continue to walk so my friend and I took a taxi back to the ship. My husband and my friend's husband continued to explore the downtown area in search of something someone asked him to bring back.

While the husbands were out and about, my husband was taking photos, which I am sharing here.

Queen Emma Bridge

So back on the ship and as we sailed out I took these photos.

Queen Juliana Bridge