21 February 2013. Willemstad, Curacao.

Arrival 07.00 - All Aboard 22.30.

Today we were hiring a car from Smart Wheels located in the cruise port. It was challenging getting off the ship as although we had arrived well before 07.00 we were not cleared to disembark until 08.00 and the ques were massive.

Smart Wheels was in the port and ready with the keys, no fuss, off we went. Today was the final day of Carnival due to the procession the roads would be closing from about 16.30 so we were glad to be off early.

To navigate out of Willemstad we headed for the airport, then up the Atlantic side of the Island to Shete Boka National Park, a sea turtle sanctuary, but we didn't see any.

Shete Boka National Park

Then visited the beaches and coves on the Western Side, or Westpunt, here we did see Turtles at Playa Jeremi.

Stopped and swam & snorkelled at a few coves, but as the rain was sweeping in and out we didn't sun bathe. We called at a plantation house but it was closed due to Carnival.

We Stopped at the Flamingo area / sanctuary

Then made our way back to the cruise port.

We had time to explore Willemstad, a really nice place and relax among the carnival crowds. We watched the Carnival procession on local TV as it approached Willemstad, but sadly the procession did not reach central Willemstad until just after 23.00 and that was when the ship set sail.

But like Bonaire, Curacao had been a great stop and one i would consider visiting again. Now for Aruba to completer the A, B, C Islands.