A_B_Curaçao

Willemstad is a capital of Curaçao and it, with its suburbs, covers about 1/3 of the entire island. In the heart of this city stands a sublime oil refinery. I couldn't believe it until I saw it. People who live down-wind from this industrial gem are obliged to inhale its flowersome fumes.
Population density of Curaçao, compared to Banaire, is almost 7 times higher what gives this island a city-like character. Even though I was told it's dangerous there I've only met nice people.
I arrived late at night and I had no intention to look for a hotel. So I exited the airport premises and started to hitchhike to the right(yes, I didn't have a clue where that would take me). Two young Curaçaoans stopped and seem puzzled when I told them I wanted to go in direction of Willemstad. I got in anyway, they turned back and drove me few kilometres towards the "centre". Near the place they dropped me I found larger area covered with bushes and I spent a night on a comfortable pile of hey which I laboriously accumulated from near surroundings. The night was mosquito-free!

Next day was hot and dry, I hitched my way downtown with a cheerful mid-aged lady who was driving her car fast and listening to high-volumed music, including salsa and hip-hop. Looking for a cheap and authentic place to eat lunch I found a little bar/restaurant with very loud music and a few merry-drunken elders where I was served fried fish. Happy and fed I set on the road once again, mission this time being a beach-search. What an adventure it sometimes turns out to be. It included, but was not limited to, a stormy argument between bus driver and one of the passengers over spilled drink, round-the-prison excursion and finally a ride by Esther, who happened to take me to one of the nicest beaches I've seen on this island. After hearing my story she even decided to have me the following week. When visiting the local yacht port and marina we met a guy who's name I don't remember but who took as on tour on his large fibre-glass dinghy around the boats on anchor so I could offer my services directly to those who were heading to Colombia. No success, but it was fun!
Esther lives alone with her two crazy cats. I assisted her with cooking and tidying up as an exchange for her sincere help. She also lent me her precious bicycle which I used to stroll up and down the island. Down south, near the marina I found some sharp boulders and so I could maintain the smile on my face. A week later I moved over to stay few days with a cosmic-turbo-mother harMonica with whom I had lots of fun, so much that for people who aren't used to it, such an experience could be unbearable. Together we explored the island, climbed the highest peak(45 minutes walk with a pleasant scramble in the end), watched water, under the pressure of sea motion, jetting out from the small but sharp caves, jumped off the cliff into the turquoise Caribbean... And many more. Monica can manage many things and people at the same time, we are the same hyper family.

Picture sources:
http://imgc.allpostersimages.com/images/P-473-488-90/21/2157/416CD00Z/posters/ken-gillham-oil-refinery-willemstad-curacao-west-indies-central-america.jpg

http://www.lago-colony.com/MCCALL/Swing%20Bridge%20Curacao.jpg