R. Doug Wicker — Author | Stories of Mystery and Adventure

May 3, 2013 · 5:37 am

“A” is for Aruba

Orajestad Panorama

We left Curaçao late Saturday for a short sail to the “A” in the ABC Islands — Aruba and the town of Oranjestad. Aruba is just as deserty as it’s more famous cousin, and perhaps not quite as picturesque, but it still has it’s moments. The shopping bargains are perhaps a bit better here, however. We found prices on Tanzanite comparable to what we would expect to pay in St. Thomas (which we’ll visit later this voyage), and that rather surprised us. We’ve grown to expect the best deals in jewelry in the U.S. Virgin Islands in general, and St. Thomas in particular.

Oranjestad, Aruba

Search around and you’ll find a nice restaurant/bar on the second floor of a building directly across the street from Oranjestad’s main shopping area — a rather bizarre U-shaped pink structure framing large round building with a gold-colored dome. From here you can snag a pretty good panorama of this rather unique structure and all the hustle and bustle going on nearby.

: Oranjestad, Aruba

: Oranjestad, Aruba

: Oranjestad, Aruba

: Oranjestad, Aruba

: Oranjestad, Aruba

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Tagged as Aruba, cruising, NCL Dawn, photography, R. Doug Wicker, travel

May 1, 2013 · 5:35 am

Curaçao Continued

Floating Pontoon Foot Bridge

Curaçao is one of those places you’ll never tire of visiting. If you’re a photographer it’s just that fun. But, surprisingly for a Caribbean island, the ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao) is incredibly dry. Go into the interior of the island and you’ll find flora more associated with a desert — cacti, mesquite, prickly shrubs, and grasses brown with thirst.

Ostrich Ranch

Desert Shrubs and Cactii

If you’re wondering why you would want to go into the interior, there is a rather unique ostrich ranch worth the visit. Once you get back to Willemstad, however, you’ll once again find yourself practicing up on your panorama skills as the Old Town is perfectly lighted by the late afternoon sun.

: Blue Skies and White Clouds

: Willemstad

: Fish Market

: Old Town Streets

: Old Town Willemstad

: Waterway Separating Old from New

: Old Town

: Sidewalk Bar

: New Town Willemstad

: Towns Both Old and New

: Interesting Architecture

: New Town as seen from the NCL Dawn

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Filed under Photography, travel

Tagged as cruising, Curaćao, NCL Dawn, photography, R. Doug Wicker, travel

April 29, 2013 · 5:35 am

The “C” of the ABC Islands — Curaçao

Curaçao

Saturday found us in one of my favorite photo destinations — the picturesque and unique UNESCO Heritage site of Willemstad on the Caribbean island of Curaçao. Ursula and I have visited this charming place several times in the past, but I look forward to revisiting it every time.

Curaçao Panorama

From the cruise terminal one walks through the expected shopping areas, but these shops are decidedly high-end. After that you cross a floating bridge to Willemstad’s Old Town. That pontoon bridge is designed to swing the entire structure to the New Town side of the main waterway so as to allow passage of large ships.

Pontoon Foot Bridge

Once you arrive to the Old Town you’ll find charming fishing boats floating on glassy, reflective waters as the fishermen sell their fresh catches at the local fish and produce market. Meander through the streets and you’ll find great little cafés with internet access, fun shops of all types, and wonderful little restaurants. But more importantly you’ll find picture opportunities at every corner.