Category Archives: Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao

The ABC islands

Hike to the Top

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In an effort to get a little exercise, we decided to hike to the top of the mountain overlooking Spaanse Waters.  We had already hiked to the Indian which was almost to the top, but couldn’t find a trail from the Indian to the tippy top.

This is a shot of the mountain we hiked.  I took this from shore, just West of the Beekenburg Fort.  We were already a bit higher than the water, as you can see we are overlooking one of the anchorages.

Mountain overlooking Spaanse Waters.

Mountain overlooking Spaanse Waters.

The initial trail is pretty easy as it is on roads that lead to a dirt path.  You just have to watch for prickles (bushes with prickles), cacti, and other sharp, pointy plants.

Road leads to dirt trail just prior to the lava rock path.

The cacti are pretty easy to avoid, as you can walk around or over them, but the prickly plants that cover the path make it hard to pass without getting stuck.

Mean prickles that like to reach out and touch you.

As we continued to climb, our nice dirt path turned into a lava rock (or fire rock) path. As you might remember, I have a history with lava rock as they left a pretty memorable scar on my leg when we encountered each other last.  Besides being challenging to hike on in flip flops, the lava rock has catci growing in the crevices making it hard to avoid.

Lava rock with hidden cacti.

No stabbing today!

Matt forges ahead, attempting to find the best path while avoiding the pointy tips of the plants.

Matt searching for solid footing around the cacti.

Half way to the top, I stop to take a photo of Santa Barbara Beach Resort.

View of Santa Barbara Resort: half way to the top

We eventually made it to the top, after a round about way up and it was worth it!  The view takes your breath away.

“King of the World”

Panorama of Spaanse Waters.

After a short rest, we head back down – this is trickier for me than going up as my body protests.  But, we took it slow and made it down without incident.

 

Tug Boat Beach

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We had stopped by Tugboat Beach on our way to Fort Beekenburg and the Quarantine house several weeks ago, but we did not have time to jump in and explore underwater.  So, we decided to return to this beach to see what one of the most famous snorkeling sites on Curacao had to offer.  Tugboat Beach is located just off the Caracasbaai Peninsula and it got its name when a tugboat sank many years ago after an anchor was dropped through the deck.  The little tugboat is full of sea life, fish, and coral and has quickly become part of the seascape.

It is pretty easy to access Tugboat Beach from Fisherman’s Harbor as it is only a short 1.5 miles walk.  Unfortunately, the first thing you see when you arrive is a large generator that they recently installed for the massive oil rig tied up to the dock.  So not only is it an eye sore, but it is noisy.

The generator on the left and the massive oil rig which has been here for many months.

Despite being located in an industrial area, it still is a pretty little beach.  You can crop your photo just right to block all the ugly out.

Tugboat Beach entrance.

To the left is a new make-shift bar which was built a few years ago but has never opened because they could not get a food and beverage license.  So, now locals use it for parties or domino tournaments.

Dive School Rental Lounge Area.

To the right of the beach is a scuba/snorkeling center that will rent you beach chairs, or sell you beverages for a pretty penny.  They also sell local jewelry carved out of sea shells and rocks.

Dive School Rental

Local jewelry sold at Dive School – for a pretty penny or twelve.

We did not want to spend too much time ashore as we were anxious to see the tugboat.  We quickly changed into our snorkel gear and gingerly walked across the rocks into the sea.  After swimming under the giant lines that held the oil rig, we were able to quickly see the tugboat.

Tugboat beach: rocky area, with large anchor line for oil rig.

With the sunlight illuminating its shape and schools of fish darting through its windows and doors, the tugboat is an enchanting discovery.

Approaching the bow of the tugboat.

Tugboat: view of port side and stern.

Tugboat hatches brimming with sea life.

Matt free diving to capture the fish inside.

School of blue tangs.

Abandoned anchor on the sea floor.

The Guardian Indian

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During one of our fabulous pizza parties at Thom and Bianca’s house, one of their (and our new) friends, Ingmar mentioned an Indian statue up on the mountain protecting and overlooking Spaanse Waters.

As the story goes, Spaanse Waters was underseige with the enemy hunkered at the top of the mountain shooting down.  The Indian showed the locals a protected way to get close to the top, under a huge rock overhang to take back their territory.  And now the Indian lives there watching over the bay.

Sounds fascinating, so we wanted to meet this Indian.  We had a general idea of where he was located which meant we knew which mountain he was on, and which approximate overlook.  We did not know how tall he was, what he looked like, what he was made of or how big he would be – just that there was an Indian protecting the bay.

The first time we went searching for the Indian, we were in our standard shoe attire – flip flops.  We made it 3/4 up the hill when we realized we were either on the wrong path or wearing the wrong shoes so we turned back.

On a different day, we wore tennis shoes.  Let me tell you that it felt incredibly weird to wear enclosed canvas over my feet – they felt cramped, hot, and miserable – why do we wear shoes?   At least they gave a little more protection against the prickly thorns, cacti and plants.  We followed the same trail and got to the part in the path where we are had to shimmy sideways between a large boulder and cliff to continue forward.

We were able to finally spot the Indian from the trail – follow the pink arrow and zoom in.

Pink arrow pointing to the Indian. View from 1/2 way up the mountain.

Up, up, and up we climbed until we were finally rewarded with the site of our elusive Indian.  He sure does have majestic views from his perch high up on the mountain.

Guardian Indian over Spaanse Waters

Panorama view – so pretty

The Indian’s view of Curacao Yacht Club

The Indian’s view of the channel (to the right of the bay)

Matt meets the Indian

Sharing a reflective moment.

We didn’t just do that, did we?

Accomplishments:

  • Great hike
  • New discovery
  • Awesome views