The High Flying Adventures of Lucky and Axel: Curacao, Netherlands Antilles, Dutch Caribbean ~ Part I

Tropical Thanksgiving 2012

Curacao, N.A. a Dutch island located just off the Venezuelan Coast in the Caribbean Sea.

Getting here was relatively easy. 2 flights and 7 hours of fly time with a 6 year old and an almost 2 1/2 year old who won't nap. Half hour before landing Axel starts burning up and eventually throws up all over himself, me and the seat. Luckily we had the row to ourselves and he did get most of it in the barf bag. Unlucky for the rest of the people around us. Pew.

Ugg.

Getting lost on the island after dark and trusting that the rental car place would have actually strapped the car seat into the car, we stop fast and Axel belted into the car seat went flying into the back of the passenger seat. Freak out. He's okay. Strap it down. Go. More puke. Lots of it.

Ugg.

Pull into the fancy all inclusive resort which we quickly discover is a total dump and all the beautiful renovations that supposedly were finished was absolutely not true at all. Gross. Mosquitoes. Moldy. Smelly. Shower. Bed. Figure it out in the morning. Lucky wakes up vomits all over the bed. Takes over an hour to get new sheets.

Ugg.

Morning. Leave hotel with plans to never return.

Search the island for the only Starbucks.

Lucky blows more chunks on the walk from car to coffee shop.

Ugg.

Internet service. Book new room.

Lucky can't eat.

The island boasts that it is mostly crime-free however Axel gets mugged by an unexpected thief...

That's more like it...

Mike drops us off. Checks us in, heads back to deal with Sunscape and gathers our belongings. Lucky hurls again on a stroll around the grounds.

Let's try a little lunch.

...and the rest of the day was spent relaxing on the beach.

We have a new found intrest in the NAVY,

maybe there will be a base we can visit over New Years.

If we are good. *wink* *wink*

Day 2:

Upchuck Free

A picnic in the shade...

...and a day of rest...

...dreamy sandcastles...

No pressure.

Just relax.

Around the corner and up the hill...

...a Thai restaurant...

...provides dinner...

...and a show.

Day 3:

Mike wasn't feeling all that hot the day before we left. That on top of little sleep, airplanes and the heat is what did the boys in, but finally everyone is feeling well enough to venture out into the world.

Curacao Ostrich Farm is where it's at.

An ostrich safari...

We learned alot about these prehistoric like birds.

Don't upset them. Warning dance, before the attack!

Lucky got to feed them.

Mike did too...

Their eggs can withstand 400 pounds. That's the average weight of one.

Just don't drop it. It will break.

The farm also houses hogs and crocodiles. Everything gets used or repurposed here. Nothing goes to waste. Ostriches can live up to 80 years in the wild or 100 years in captivity, but when one does kick it, these guys are here to get rid of what is left of the carcass.

Speaking of dead birds...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Not all the birds at this place are dumb and ugly...

The view from here is spectacular...

...just don't forget to look up...

All kinds of lovely.

BON BINI means WELCOME.

Serena has an Art Factory...

A chichi is a sensual, well rounded Caribbean figure.

She represents the smart, strong, happy and caring elder sister everyone deserves.

An Aloe Vera Plantation is in the neighborhood...

We popped in for a peak...

...and raided the gift shop. I am ready for some natural healing.

The next beach over from our spot is piled with boulders...

A rock tosser's paradise...

Not a care in the world....

I would climb any mountain, Sail across a stormy sea

If that's what it takes me baby, To show you how much you mean to me...

It's 5:00 somewhere....

Axel & I leave the other 2 behind for a little happy hour beach date.

Pirate's Cove is what's for dinner. If we can find it. The sign points down a closed road and there is another small makeshift sign with a single arrow. Doesn't seem right. Driving down a dirt road that isn't even really a road that leads to an abandoned beach and a pack of wild dogs. It has to be around here somewhere. RIGHT???