The Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue in Curacao is famous for its sand floor, which holds deep historical and symbolic significance. Built in 1732, it is the oldest continuously operating synagogue in the Americas, and the sand floor was initially introduced to muffle footsteps during services, allowing for undistracted prayer. Over time, the sand came to symbolize the Israelites’ desert journey, humility, and the resilience of the Jewish people. The sand also serves practical purposes, helping to keep the building cool in the Caribbean heat.

Chi Chi dolls are a vibrant representation of Curaçaoan culture, celebrating the strength and warmth of the island’s women. While their origins are rooted in Afro-Caribbean artistry, Curaçao’s diverse heritage, including its long-standing Jewish community, has influenced local traditions. Some artisans incorporate Jewish symbols and motifs into their designs, reflecting the island’s rich multicultural history. These unique handcrafted dolls not only serve as cherished souvenirs but also as a testament to Curaçao’s dynamic cultural fusion.

The Ritz Ice Cream Factory in Curaçao holds a special place in the island’s history, not only as the largest ice cream producer in the Caribbean but also as a cherished part of the local and Jewish communities. Founded in 1938 by Otto Senior and his wife Rosalynde, the factory grew from supplying milk to U.S. soldiers to producing beloved ice cream and dairy products enjoyed across the region. The factory was located in Scharloo, a historic neighborhood that was home to a thriving Jewish community, including Max Lowenthal, whose home later became part of The Ritz Hotel.

When you fly into Curacao, you may have noticed the rust belt of abandoned oil tanks. Curaçao's Refinery was the cornerstone of the island's economy since its establishment in 1918 by Royal Dutch Shell. Over the decades, it played a pivotal role in processing Venezuelan crude oil, significantly contributing to local employment and economic activity. However, a confluence of economic, environmental, and geopolitical factors led to a slow unwinding of this business. Here is some background.

Unlike other pirates of his day, who were European sailors turned to piracy, Black Caesar was said to have been a West African chieftain, he was deceived, captured, and transported across the Atlantic before he escaped. Shipwrecked off the Florida coast, Caesar’s men operated in the shadows of Willemstad, gathering intelligence on outgoing ships, their cargo, and their vulnerabilities.

Curaçao’s history is a captivating blend of piracy, colonial intrigue, and modern-day challenges. From the daring exploits of infamous pirates like Black Caesar and the legends of hidden treasures near Santa Martha Bay, to the defiance of Dutch merchants scuttling their ships and the eerie ghost ship of Watamula, the island’s past is rich with thrilling tales.

The story of Jewish pirates in the Caribbean is a fascinating chapter of resilience and revenge. Driven from Spain and Portugal by the Inquisition, many Sephardic Jews sought refuge in the New World, where some took to piracy to fight back against their persecutors.

From the cheerful whistles of the trupial and the chattering flocks of prikichi in the morning to the soothing hum of cicadas and the haunting calls of barn owls at night, the island is alive with sound. Even the waves at Watamula, with their rhythmic crash and hiss, add a calming, almost meditative vibe. Whether it’s the rustle of ghost crabs on the beach or the trill of tree crickets under the stars, every sound tells a story about the island’s wild, beautiful spirit. Take a moment to pause, listen, and soak it all in—Curaçao’s natural orchestra is something you’ll never forget.

Watamula Cactus Scrublands is a haven for over two hundred bird species and other wildlife. The Iguanas is a perfect Villa animal: loves sun and hardly moves. The Whiptail Lizard is native to Curaçao: thin brown ones (lagadishi) are the females and young, the larger blue green ones (blò-blò) are male. Wara is a solitary scavengers that hunt for their food on the ground. Found on other islands, it is only called Wara Wara in Curacao, Aruba and Bonaire. Read more about the Cliff Villa residence.

Here is a visual snapshot of paradise from Watamula down to the Blue Room. Westpunt, the most north-westerly point in Curacao, has most beautiful and pristine sandy beaches, soft as powder, made from the island’s white coral. The main beaches as you travel down the westerly coastline are Playa Kalki, Playa Forti, Playa Gipy, Grote Knip and Kleine Knip. The beaches are hidden between the rocky cliffs and magically appear as you motor off the coast in a boat or drive down the windy roadway. Some beaches are secret and secluded. Go to the northerly tip near the large coral geysers and you will find a snow white inlet that you can spend the day in peace and quiet.

I am going to show you how to fillet a Blackfin Tuna for sashimi and fish soup. Yum! If you are lucky to live in Curacao near Playa Piscado in Westpunt - pick up a whole tuna 1.5 kilograms or more. Once you have made a crescent cut, join the top incision with a straight cut on the top of the fish and then down the same from the gill down the belly. Do not cut too deep just to pierce the skin. You now have a cut around the one side of the fish. Now the tricky part. Grab the skin at the top point and pull the skin off slowly.

Outside of the wonderful local fish and a few greenhouse herbs, the island has lots of imported options. Carrafour and Van den Tweel give you a slice of Europe - Van den Tweel is wonderful for self-squeezed orange juice but just doesn’t full the Curacao pantry for me. My favourite supermarket is Centrum … mainly because of the vegetable and fruit section - the life of any kitchen. Here is a shopping list for Centrum Supermarket based on what I deem to be necessities. I have broken them into categories: fish, soup, steak, dessert … I have also given high level cooking instructions to guide your selection.

The bird life and unique white-tailed deer are already in retreat from the urban zoning along the coast. Saving the pristine stretch of coastline along the tip of the island is a heritage for the next generation. The bird life and unique white-tailed deer are already in retreat from the urban zoning along the coast. Saving the pristine stretch of coastline along the tip of the island is a heritage for the next generation.  Westpunt is a destination for a growing number of tourists that seek scuba and land-based activities that are not readily available in the more developed part of the island.

Save Watamula! Save beautiful, iconic Watamula and make it part of the eco-corridor with Christoffel National Park … Red het prachtige, iconische Watamula en maak het onderdeel van de ecocorridor met Christoffelpark. This desert scrub eco-region is a haven for over two hundred bird species and other wildlife such as white-tailed deer. We all need to lobby to have this area protected for the forna, flora and wildlife. This is a valuable destination for tourists exploring the natural sea geysers carved into the coral. We are actively lobbying to make Watamula a protected nature preserve.

This soup is simple and allows you to substitute ingredients. What you cannot substitute is a fresh fish from Playa Grandi - Red Snapper is my go to fish however Tuna is also delicious. Fillet fish and use the left-over to make the stock. Place in pot with water and salt to boil. Chop white and red onions, scallions, leaks, garlic (lots of everything) Add dry bay leaves. Add salt, black and|or white pepper and two palm fills of paprika (important). Add cayenne pepper to taste

Fish of Westpunt, Curacao: Walk ten minutes from Cliff Villa to Playa Piskadó on the edge of Playa Grandi in Westpunt to buy fish directly from the fishing boats. Barracuda, Mahi Mahi, Blacktail Tuna, Yellowtail Tuna, Red Snapper, Queen Snapper, Yellowtail Snapper, Wahoo, Sailfish, Amberjack, Bluejack, Black Grouper, Lobster, Octopus, Lion Fish and many more.

There is no question that the following recipe is the best and most delicious ceviche in the Caribbean. It will change your life. It is simple and allows you to substitute ingredients. What you cannot substitute is a fresh fish from Playa Grandi - Blackfin Tuna is my go to fish however Red Snapper, Queen Snapper and Lionfish are also delicious. Add limes, brown sugar, red onion, scallions, passion fruit, kosher salt, hot pepper and love.

The discovery of the Blue Curacao drink is an amazing story - half mistake and half out of necessity. By accident the liqueur was invented on the island from the dried peels of the Laraha bitter orange imported from Spain. The Laraha orange now grows on Curaçao but it originated from the Seville orange, which Spanish explorers brought over in the early 1500s. It was a fortuitous discovery as the actual orange is too bitter to think of using in a recipe. Ingenious moonshine makers worked out that they could extract the delicate favor and Curaçao Liqueur was born.

Curacao is location just north of the equator means view magnificent views of both northern and southern constellations. If you are coming from the north, you are in for a Curacao treat. Stand on the tip of Cliff Villa Peninsula and look for constellations such as Crux, Carina and Centaurus, and objects such as the Carina Nebula and the Jewel Box cluster. These are astronomical gems that cannot be seen from North America or Europe. Note that in the Caribbean, the moon and planets pass overhead, as opposed to being close to the horizon as you may experience in Europe and North America which means the objects are brighter and clearer.

The Cliff Villa Peninsula is in the center of the Watamula Nature Preserve. It is part of a larger network of parks which will be connected by ecological corridors. The entire area is surrounded by the turbulent water called Watamula from the Dutch word Watermolen meaning “water mill.” The nature preserve stretches from Sabana Westpunt to the westerly tip of the island where you can walk on a lunar-like landscape and watch the sea erupt from natural sea geyser carved into the coral over the millennia. The two westerly currents meet at Cliff Villa Peninsula making it a remarkable drift diving spot.