Curaçao
Our three-month stay in Curaçao was an important part of our world journey.
Curaçao is a beautiful island located in the southern Caribbean Sea part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It is the largest of the three ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao) and has a population of about 160,000 people. The island is known for its vibrant culture, rich history and stunning landscapes which include pristine beaches, clear turquoise waters and a diverse underwater world making it a popular destination for diving and snorkeling. Willemstad the capital is a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its colorful Dutch colonial architecture and lively waterfront. Curaçao has a warm, dry climate and is outside the hurricane belt making it a year-round destination. The island’s economy is driven by tourism, oil refining and international trade. It is also known for its unique blend of cultures, reflected in its languages including Dutch, Papiamento and English.
We completed a three-month internship at the Curaçao Dolphin Therapy & Research Center which greatly enriched our professional expertise. While working full-time in dolphin-assisted therapy we had evenings and weekends to explore the Caribbean island and its flora and fauna.
In addition to birds and reptiles we were especially impressed by the breathtaking underwater world which we visited as often as possible equipped with fins, masks and our snorkels to marvel at the diversity of marine life.
We often reflect on this extraordinary island life, such as the vibrant local joy of life which was also evident in weekly dance events that we regularly participated in.
Furthermore we were happy to have become part of the wonderful CDTC family with friendships and memories that have lasted long after this special time.