The Capital city of Willemstad, steeped in history and rich in a Dutch heritage is one of the most colorful and vibrant cities on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Once you have visited this city and walked the streets of the charming neighborhoods - you will understand why this island is loved above all others. 
Behind me is the colorful neighborhood known as Punda. To me, it closely resembles the city of Copenhagen, Denmark. To get to this neighborhood - you must walk across the pedestrian bridge. This bridge - the Queen Emma pontoon bridge - is a floating bridge that rests on 16 floating pontoons. The bridge swings open to allow boats to pass into and out of the harbor.
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This is the only floating pedestrian bridge of this type in the world and it is truly remarkable. If you are standing on the bridge when it swings open - you can "ride" the bridge while it opens and closes . The Gardener and I "rode" the bridge and it was a fabulous experience! (I will tell you lots more about this later~~)
Come with me for a little walk around the charming neighborhood of Punda~~Be sure to bring your cameras - the sights are amazing!
(Don't forget that you can click on any of the photos to get a zoomed in version!)
The Gardener and I practically wore the soles off our shoes because we walked so much around this beautiful city! We took a gazillion photos (don't worry you won't have to see them all!) 
Our friends Bob and Jan did their touring the easy way - in this adorable little car! We snapped this photo as they drove by~~ 
Our ship is parked next to the Historic Rif Fort area. The fort was built in 1828 to defend the city of Willemstad. Today - the fort area is a restored shopping area and hotel complex. You must walk through the Fort area in order to get to the floating pedestrian bridge that leads to the colorful Punda neighborhood.
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Here are a few photos of the Fort area and around the city ~~
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I love this colorful street~~ 
The bells play every hour and they have the most wonderful sound. At the noon hour they play a beautiful song.
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One of my favorite shops in the city is located right along the waterfront.
The entire downstairs is filled with beautiful fabrics - but if you climb the rickety wooden staircase to the upper level - you will find a fabulous assortment of handmade laces and trims. Most of them are made on the island or imported from the Netherlands. (the day we visited was a National Holiday and the shop was filled with people - I could not get a photo of the upstairs area because it was so crowded :( 
If you walk along the harbor front - you will come to my most favorite place in the city - the vibrant and bustling floating market. For me this colorful mix of fresh fruits, vegetables, people, and handicrafts is a true photographers paradise. The Gardner and I were here forever just taking photos. If you go to Curacao - this is a not to be missed experience~~
The boaters arrive before dawn and set up at the market along the waterfront. Some vendors sell fish and vegetables from their boats. Others bring their goods to the covered stands and sell from that area. The market is busy and loud, there are children laughing and playing, the fish mongers are selling their fresh catch, - it is an atmosphere that is sensory on every level~~
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The real business of the market takes place "behind" the market~~
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I will be back with a second post of photos in a few days. We will visit some more sights around the city including the beautiful Jewish Synagogue - the oldest Jewish synagogue in continuous use in the Western Hemisphere. I'll also take you to the Governer's Palace and the Fort Church - which still bears the scars of a battle with the British in 1804. You can see the cannon ball that is still lodged in the wall of the old church.
AND- I will show you a video of this floating bridge as it opens to allow a boat to pass into the harbor. The Gardener and I are riding the bridge as it opens~~
There is so much to see and do on this beautiful island - one cannot begin to do it all in one day as you visit from a cruise ship. I already have my plans made for when we visit again next year!
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Some updates~~
Don't forget to enter my "nest" give away - you have until May 25. The link is on my sidebar. I am in the middle of working on my new line of Limited Edition nests - all I can say is that I am getting so excited about them. I will have a beautiful preview of the yarns and embellishments to show you soon~~
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Thank you all for your wonderful and endearing comments about our precious little Keri Beth and her birthday celebration. We really did have a wonderful time with her. She is crawling everywhere now and starting to pull up to a standing position. We think she is the best thing since sliced bread!! (but then we feel that way about all our precious babes!!)
xoxo,
Vicki
ps - An unbelievable thing happened over the past few days ~~ 500 happy little follower faces magically appeared on my blog! I still cannot believe that you all want to be here with me - I am amazed and more grateful than I can ever say !! Although I had not planned to have another give away so soon - you can bet that we are going to celebrate this in a BIG way!! So look for that in early June - I am thinking Vera Bradley and something WONDERFUL!!
