I did not know how Curaçao (but I did not hate it)

I did not know how Curaçao (but I did not hate it) -

The oil refinery I saw rent on the way to my apartment in Curacao, was a harbinger of things to come.

Caribbean conjures up images of white sandy beaches, palm trees, coral reefs and tropical drinks. This summer, I wanted to travel a lot of the Caribbean (Spoiler alert: I do not). At the top of my list of places to visit was Curaçao, which in the Netherlands Antilles, part of Holland and famous for its casinos, nightlife and eponymous blue liqueur.

When I flew in Curacao, I have dreamed of all offered the Caribbean and asked me on long white sandy beaches with a piña colada to relax in hand. The largest and most robust of the ABC (Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao), Curacao also held the promise of good hiking and non-beach activities.

But almost immediately upon arrival, I was disappointed.

What it does not show in the brochures, is the oil refinery on the outskirts of the city. You know that these beautiful, colorful, waterfront photo that is the view of Curaçao famous showing off?

Well, very close, there is a not-so-wonderful oil refinery blows black smoke into the air, which in - and it is highly visible from the city

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Curaçao was

the refinery set the tone for the week, as we say: ". .. meh" it was not a bad place, but it has not blow my mind. I left the country indifferent. The atmosphere on the island and I just do not mesh. I wanted to love it, but when I boarded my flight home, nothing in Curaçao filled me with sadness to leave or to stay the desire

Let's start with the beaches. Nice, but not great. Those are near all the city's resort beaches, that you have to pay to enjoy it if you do not already staying in one of the resorts. You are with people, sun lounger and protect artificial surf the waves and create a calm swimming area. (Not that a calm swimming area is bad, but the breakers reduce the flow of water, and since most resorts boats and docks, I do not feel the water was the cleanest.)

The northern beaches are public , wider and more natural, but still, they are not the long, white sandy beaches, we often think. Furthermore, the coast is filled with dead coral and rocks. Were they pretty? Yes. Did I sit there and go, "Damn, that's nice"? For sure. Was I blown away from them? No not true. It is better.

I was also disappointed by the lack of affordable and accessible public transport. The buses run every two hours, and taxis are incredibly expensive ($ 50 USD for a 15-minute taxi ride). If you want to see the island, you really need to rent a car during your stay. Not with a really limited in what you can see.

to top it off, the cities are not so pretty. Outside Willemstad famous waterfront, and I was not impressed by the landscape, buildings, or houses. The resort looked outdated. There is nothing like a little dirt and wear and tear on a city to give it a certain charm, but in Curaçao, the grain added only a sense of sad neglect.

One thing that I loved, however, was the locals. They made the trip. They were friendly, helpful and great to talk to. I was in an Airbnb rental, and Milly, my host, was very friendly and helpful. They even went the extra mile and drove me a few places, so I do not take a taxi. When I return to Curacao, I would stay back in their place.

While looking for places to eat, I stumbled into a local, family-run restaurant near my apartment and ate most of meals there. Every time I went in, they greeted me, as it was known to me for years (I was probably the eating only non-local there). Jack, from another restaurant, kindly gave me to call his phone number if I needed anything and when he saw me, remembered always and I really loved his lemonade.

And then there is the bus driver were who helped guide me in the city, the locals who let me ride with them when the bus did not come, and the countless other small moments of friendly conversation and help, that happened during my week.

When I decided to go for back, it is for the people would not be the right place.

Curaçao was not horrible, but I have already experienced better goals. Perhaps had I do not like, because I had high expectations - if you think near Aruba and Bonaire, think Caribbean paradise, and I lumped Curaçao only with them. Expectations can often lead to disappointment when we build places in our head.

I went away to go back without burning desire of Curaçao. I'm glad I went, and I would encourage others to go, but there was nothing in Curacao that you do not find elsewhere better and cheaper.

, you can not love each destination. It is impossible. I can usually good in any place to find, but people have opinions, feelings and preferences (including Vietnam!) -. And my Curaçao not favor

you should go for the island and explore. You just will not find me there.

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