If your husband came for the spectacular diving, take at least one morning to shop. Curacao is a shopper's heaven! Over 200 shops are found in the heart of the shopping district in Curaçao called "Punda". Colorful stores line St. Anna Bay. Quick Tip: Stores are open Monday through Saturday from 8 AM to Noon, and 2 PM to 6 PM, but avoid the cruise ship crowds and do your shopping in the morning.

What to shop for? French perfumes are highly discounted. Shops abound with Dutch Delft, Italian silks, jewelry, leather goods, rum and liqueurs - (but, of course, Curacao liqueur, blue in color). Make sure you pick up a small wheel of Gouda or Edam cheese.

We are looking in this picture, standing in front of the Penha store, across the bay to "Otrabanda", another shopping area.

Although difficult to see, the small, round arches are from the Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge. Here it's being pushed open by a barge to allow a boat to leave the bay.

If you look closely in front of the red and white barrels, you can see the wake of the stern of the barge in the water, and some of the pontoons from the bridge. In the distance, the "Hotel Otrabanda". Otrabanda means "other band" or other side of town.		 Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge
Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge

The Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge, or "The Lady", as she is affectionately called by locals, is the largest floating pedestrian bridge in the world. Before the bridge, you had to catch a ride in a boat or back track into the island to cross over.

Built in 1888 by then American Consul to the Netherlands Antilles, L.G. Smith, it spans 700 feet and was a noted engineering feat at the time. The bridge pivots and opens some 30 times a day or more to allow ship traffic in and out of the bay. While the bridge is open, Curaçao runs a free ferry to the other side. Every few years this bridge in Curaçao undergoes maintenance.

This "Lady" is a landmark; something which draws tourists to the downtown area, because it's different and picturesque, and somewhat of a necessity for residents.

Above left, opening of the bridge in 1939 after a long overhaul.

Below, the official opening in May of 1888. Note the tall mast ship in the background, and, many of the same buildings we have today.

Amazing, this is still in use today and most locals wouldn't know how to live without it. It serves a great purpose in the area for transportation by foot, but must be moved so the cruise ships can go in to port.

If you're lucky, watch it open and close as a ship comes and goes. It's an engineering marvel and human ingenuity at its best.

Once on the "other side", there's a myriad of shopping outlets and restaurants in Otrabanda. It's from here that you get some of the most charming views of the city. The bridge ends right near Fort Waakzaamheid. Back in 1804, Captain Bligh of "The Mutiny on the Bounty" fame, besieged the fort. As a matter of fact, an old English cannonball is still embedded in its walls.

Maybe it's just me, but I felt Otrabanda was more residential than the main downtown area. Walk over for yourself and look around. You will get a grand view of the Dutch influenced pastel store fronts, and looking up into the bay, an unforgettable view of the very high Queen Juliana Bridge bridge over the bay. Whatever you do, don't forget to bring your camera to Curaçao.		 Otrabanda side
Waterfront view So here's a glance back, from the Otrabanda side, at the beautiful waterfront of St. Anna Bay. The storefronts make a picturesque statement and are even more impressive at night. There are plenty of shops on both sides of the bridge, and Willemstad is well know throughout the world for a bargain haven for duty free items.

Upper floors on some buildings are actually residences. Nice view, right? You can walk all around the downtown area, so there is no need for a car unless your hotel is far from here - and take note - most are. Curaçao is a diving, beach going haven, so most hotels are on the oceanfront.

As with most Caribbean islands, in Curaçao there are certain laws which permit foreigners to own homes on the island. If interested, you will find a few brokers downtown, plus you can study your options online before you go.
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