No longer curious about Curacao (1 - 7 February 2010)

So my Caribbean time comes to an end as I finish my week in Curacao before I leave the West for the mysterious East. I have enjoyed it but not sure I would rush back. It’s a beautiful place, with clear turquoise seas and small beaches dotted around. The people seem to be friendly and nice and there is certainly no feeling of threat that you can find sometimes in other Caribbean Islands – but perhaps this is the problem – it seems to have much less character about it. As far as I can tell all the hotels seem to be Hilton like – I have seen no signs of any small communities or areas outside the capital where you can find restaurants. You end up a bit of a hostage to fortune (and the interminable buffets of “international fare”) as there is no obvious local transport and the hotels are a bit isolated. But don’t get me wrong, it’s a great place to be if you want the beach life, and the Hilton is a comfortable place in a great setting with beaches and pools galore – I’m glad I came and it gave me the excuse (as if I need one!) just to enjoy the beautiful sunsets and veg out for the week.

But there were some “lounge lizards” about – no, not lounging around the casino that’s attached to the hotel (even with my free gambling tickets, I chose not to try it out......), but frightening the life out of me at the pool and beach bar and restaurant. Now I’m a seasoned traveller and even though I’m not keen on local wildlife, I have got used to gecko’s and small lizards. As you walk down the paths to the various beaches, lots of small lizards dart about – how sweet, I thought! But nothing quite prepared me for the huge pair of lizards that have made their home by the pool bar. Sitting quietly with my grouper and chips I was startled to see the man and wife pair wandering about. She of course was quite plain and he was the peacock of the duo flashing his frilled neck..... I hope you like the National Geographic pictures I took! I do think the one of the lizard looking over into the pool looks just like the Dyl when he is being curious too....

I am sitting in the lounge at Miami Airport for several hours waiting for connecting flights that don’t quite connect and have just spotted Denziel Washington – I wonder if he wants to play Ant in the Hollywood film version of this blog - Julia Roberts plays me by the way.... The airport is busy today – it was the Superbowl last night and it was played here in Miami – so that’s why the Superbowl stalls selling merchandise at the airport were so busy today. I must say, I got an “old fashioned look” when talking to some people in the lounge and I asked where the Superbowl took place.... they couldn’t understand quite how I wasn’t aware! There are quite a few “saddo’s “ wandering around all togged up in the team outfits – but I guess it’s no different to the FA Cup final – I don’t understand all that either! But hey ho – they are no good on our geography either. Was talking to another lady who lives in New York – she has relations in London that she has visited lots. When I asked where in London they lived, she said “Nottingham”! They sure must think London’s a hell of a big place.


It’s funny being here – again! Am sitting where Ant and I sat all those weeks ago – ten I think, just before we boarded our flight to Guatemala – how nice it would be if we could go back in time and do it all over again....