Cas Abou, Daaibooi Baai, Playa Kalki and the most gorgeous blue water in the southern Caribbean

 

There are incredible beaches and crystal-clear blue water along this southern Carribean island gem. The two dozen beaches on Curacao's western and southern shores, which are tucked inside sea battered inlets and protected by limestone cliffs, are absolutely spectacular. 

The flamingos of Curacao

 

Flamingos are often seen around the salt flats at Jan Kok on the way to the beaches at Banda Bou and Cas Abou, and we were lucky enough to see these fine birds. Brine shrimp is one of their favorite foods, and these salt flats provide ample supply. The carotene in the shrimp gives the birds their pink color.

From Venezuela direct to the Punda market

The Curacao floating market is a conglomeration of Venezuelan vendors that travel by sea 40 miles to sell their fresh fish, vegetables and fruit at the openair market along the waterfront. As you wonder around the stands, vendors and customers switch back and forth between Dutch, Papiamento, Spanish and English. The floating market is a long-standing tradition and a valuable resource for Curacao since the island can't substantial grow produce locally. The mangos we get every morning are the best I have ever had!

The street art of the Punda and Otrobanda Districts

 

Colorful street art is everywhere in Willemstad”s historic districts of Punda and Otrobanda. Murals can be found around almost any corner and add color and character to the already brightly painted city. These are some of my favorites.

Willemstad, Curacao; full of history and color

 

The city was stablished in 1634. These night photos are looking at the Punda quarter of Willemstad, which is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Interesting mix of languages spoken here, including the official country languages of Papiamentu, Dutch and English. Willemstad is also home to the oldest surviving synagogue in the Americas.

Honolulu, Waikiki and Diamond Head

Some fun facts about the Honolulu area: The Hawaiian translation of Honolulu is “sheltered/protected bay”. The area of Waikiki, which is known for gorgeous, protected beaches, used to be a swamp (Waikiki in Hawaiian means spouting water). Western explorers and traders hiking the slopes of Diamond Head in the late 1700s mistakenly thought calcite crystals sparkling in the rocks were diamonds. Thus became the common name for Oahu’s most famous landmark.

The Dosewallips River on the Eastern Flank of the Olympic Mountains

 

The 25-mile long Dosewallips River begins as two forks near Mount Anderson, which then join about five miles from the headwaters. The name Dosewallips comes from a Twana Indian myth about a man named Dos-wail-opsh who was turned into a mountain at the river's source. There are also Klallam legends about the "Great Changer", Doquebatl, who transformed a mythical Klallam chief into a mountain at the headwaters of the Dosewallips River. Two species listed under the federal Endangered Species Act, Puget Sound chinook and Hood Canal summer chum, reside in the river.