Just Cruises Plus

Last week’s winners of our photo contest were Stanley and Evelyn Sobel of Cherry Hill, NJ.  The Sobel’s were randomly selected from 11 who correctly identified the bridge in the photo (shown below) as the Queen Emma Bridge located in Curacao.



Photo Contest - July 29, 2011



The bridge is a pontoon bridge that crosses St. Anna Bay in Willemstad, Curacao’s capital city.  The bridge connects the Punda and Otrobanda quarters of the city. It is hinged and opens regularly to enable the passage of ocean going vessels. On the opposite end from the hinge is a small shelter where an operator controls two diesel engines turning propellers. The propellers are mounted perpendicular to the length of the bridge and allow it to swing parallel to the shore. The process only takes several minutes to complete.



View of Queen Emma Bridge as it opens.



It’s fun to watch the mad rush of savvy locals and tourists who scurry to make it onto the bridge just before it is about to disconnect from one side of the channel to make way for passing ships.



Pedestrians hurrying to board the bridge before it opens.

Curacao is a long, arid, and generally flat island, stretching approximately 40 miles from southeast to northwest, at about the same north-south angles as it’s sister islands in the ABC group (Aruba to the west and Bonaire to the east). The island is about 10 miles  at it’s widest point, and the area is about 180 square miles, making it the largest island in the Netherlands Antilles group.

The coastline along the south is irregular, peppered with small bays and inlets, including the spectacular bays and beaches at the west end of the island. The largest bays are located along the central-east and east end of the island, where you’ll find the capital and major port of Willemstad. Most of Curacao’s 130,000 residents live in and around this historic town.

When we cruise, we always try to wake up early enough to watch the ship as it approaches each new port.  Willemstad is, by far, one of the most lovely ports to sail into, with it’s richly colored, Dutch style buildings lining the waterfront.



Willemstad's beautiful waterfront.

Another lovely view.

And another....

In addition to the shopping, beaches and water sports that are available in many of the Caribbean islands,  Curacao houses several museums.  We enjoyed our visit to the Jewish Museum, located right in town and very walkable (if you enjoy walking).  The museum is part of the Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue, the oldest in continuous operation in the Western Hemisphere. The museum displays an impressive collection of religious artifacts from the congregation’s history, such as Torah scrolls and Chanukah lamps, as well as antique personal and household items.



Entrance to Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue.

View of Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue's chapel.

Photo Contest Juy 15, 2011

The photo, taken in 2004, is of the natural bridge, one of Aruba’s most popular attractions.  The bridge was created through a formation of coral limestone cut out by years of pounding surf.  It stood approximately 23 feet above sea level and spanned more than 100 feet.  In September of 2005, the bridge collapsed.  Fortunately, no one was hurt.  The location is still worth visiting, both to see the bridge in it’s collapsed form and also to see a smaller baby bridge located nearby.

Aruba is one of a group of 3 islands referred to as the ABC islands (Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire) of the Leeward Antilles which is the southern island chain of the Lesser Antilles.  Aruba is one of the four constituent countries that form the Kingdom of The Netherlands – Curacao, Sint Maarten (the Dutch side of St Martin) and The Netherlands are the other three.  Aruban citizens hold Dutch passports.

Aruba is 19 miles long and 5 miles wide.  It maintains a jagged coast on the windward (northern) side and 7 miles of beautiful sand beaches on the leeward (southern) side.



Aruba's Beautiful Jagged Coastline

Aruba's Lovely Beaches

When in Aruba, in addition to the bridge and the beaches, it’s worth taking a drive to the California lighthouse, named for the U.S. ship “the California” which sunk about two years prior to its construction in 1910.  It is located near the island’s northwestern tip.  From this point, one can view both the smooth beaches and the craggy coastline.

Aruba's California Light

Last week’s winner of the photo contest was Joann Westerfer of Lower Gwynedd, PA.  She was the first to correctly identify the contest photo (shown below) as being shot from the portico of the Pantheon in Rome.  The Pantheon is located in the beautiful Piazza della Rotunda.



Photo Contest June 17, 2011



Rome holds a special place in our hearts.   The history and unparalleled architecture, the art, the food and the wonderful colors of the city are timeless.

While on a 2-day visit to Rome at the end of one of our cruises, we took a 1/2 day tour (to see some of the classic sites) and spent the rest of the time just walking — all around the city.


A Moving Experience

Want to get a feel for the sights and sounds of Rome?  Click on the photo below for a 7 1/2 minute video of our visit to Rome. The video includes some footage of our tour to the Colesseum and the Vatican, and also includes a casual walk through the city which ends with a lovely stroll along the Tiber River.



Click on this photo to see our VIDEO of Rome