Curacao Sunshine
Contributor
- Messages
- 632
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- # of dives
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Hi Jim,
It would be easier to pick up some groceries before you get to Westpunt since the stores are a half hour away from the Lodge.
From the airport exit right and at the rotary go half way around. Please note, there are triangular signs in the rotary. If there is an arrow in it, you have the right of way. If it is empty you must stop for incoming traffic even if you are in the rotary.
At the 1st set of lights, if you take a left and drive to a set of lights, Cost U Less is on the right. It has US beef but is more like a warehouse store with a lot of groceries. On the left is L'Esperamos. It's a fairly good size and is considered a local store.
From the rotary if you drive to the 2nd set of lights and take a right, Centrum will be immediately on your left. It is also a good size store and might feel more American. If you arrive on a late plane, Oassis is a ways past Centrum and opened until 9 (8 on Sundays). Look for a sign on the right.
Another note; at L'esperamos and Centrum you must take the items out of your carriage and put it on the belt and leave the carriage. It will not fit next to the belt. Someone will come and take it away. The bagger will bag everything and bring it to your car. I usually tip a guilder for every hundred I spend. A guilder is worth 57 cents. An easy calculation would be to multiply by 6 and divide by 10. In other words round off 10 guilders to $6.00. The baggers are not paid by the stores. They buy their own T-shirts and rotate for tips. You'll often find someone willing to pump your gas for a couple of guilders as well.
In Banda Bou, the West side there are 2 stores and a few very small tokos. In Terra Cora you will find California Market, a Botika (drug store), a gas station (gas is over $5 a gal.), an ATM, a bakery a doctor and a vet. In Barber there is a gas station, fire station and ambulance, bank, 2 bakeries and I think an (store bought) ice cream store - I haven't been in it. Across from the church there is a road that leads to beach (south) side. At the bottom of the hill there is a small store called Barbara but at the top of the hill is a large green building Centro MM. It will have almost anything you would need except produce if you are staying in Westpunt or Lagun.
Landhuis Daniels and Dokterstuin are now restaurants. Landhuises Ascension (1st Sunday of the month), Knip and Santa Marta also have food. Habitat and Sunset Waters and the Lodge Kura Hulanda have restaurants. You can eat at the beaches at Porto Marie, Cas Abou, Lagun and Playa Kalki and snacks at Knip and maybe Daibooi. For other dining options you have the Butterfly Garden, Villa Monte, Playa Forte, Jaanchies, here at Sol Food and at any number of Chinese snack shacks. On an east side note; I like the loempias best at the Alaska Shack or On Wan. On Sunday Mornings there is a local market in Barber and you'll also find local food at Boca Shete/Tabla. On Sunday nights there is a BBQ in Barber and on Thursday nights there is one in Lagun. You won't go hungry on the west end.
There is a beach restaurant at the Lodge and 2 at the hotel. It's nice to sit on the terrace but ask for both menus as they are different.
I'm sure we'll run into you, please stop by and visit. if you'd like some company on your first couple of dives, let us know. We often accompany our guests on their self imposed "check out dives". The staff at Ocean Encounters West is very nice and you will love the house reef; Alice In Wonderland at Playa Kalki. See you next week! Sunshine
It would be easier to pick up some groceries before you get to Westpunt since the stores are a half hour away from the Lodge.
From the airport exit right and at the rotary go half way around. Please note, there are triangular signs in the rotary. If there is an arrow in it, you have the right of way. If it is empty you must stop for incoming traffic even if you are in the rotary.
At the 1st set of lights, if you take a left and drive to a set of lights, Cost U Less is on the right. It has US beef but is more like a warehouse store with a lot of groceries. On the left is L'Esperamos. It's a fairly good size and is considered a local store.
From the rotary if you drive to the 2nd set of lights and take a right, Centrum will be immediately on your left. It is also a good size store and might feel more American. If you arrive on a late plane, Oassis is a ways past Centrum and opened until 9 (8 on Sundays). Look for a sign on the right.
Another note; at L'esperamos and Centrum you must take the items out of your carriage and put it on the belt and leave the carriage. It will not fit next to the belt. Someone will come and take it away. The bagger will bag everything and bring it to your car. I usually tip a guilder for every hundred I spend. A guilder is worth 57 cents. An easy calculation would be to multiply by 6 and divide by 10. In other words round off 10 guilders to $6.00. The baggers are not paid by the stores. They buy their own T-shirts and rotate for tips. You'll often find someone willing to pump your gas for a couple of guilders as well.
In Banda Bou, the West side there are 2 stores and a few very small tokos. In Terra Cora you will find California Market, a Botika (drug store), a gas station (gas is over $5 a gal.), an ATM, a bakery a doctor and a vet. In Barber there is a gas station, fire station and ambulance, bank, 2 bakeries and I think an (store bought) ice cream store - I haven't been in it. Across from the church there is a road that leads to beach (south) side. At the bottom of the hill there is a small store called Barbara but at the top of the hill is a large green building Centro MM. It will have almost anything you would need except produce if you are staying in Westpunt or Lagun.
Landhuis Daniels and Dokterstuin are now restaurants. Landhuises Ascension (1st Sunday of the month), Knip and Santa Marta also have food. Habitat and Sunset Waters and the Lodge Kura Hulanda have restaurants. You can eat at the beaches at Porto Marie, Cas Abou, Lagun and Playa Kalki and snacks at Knip and maybe Daibooi. For other dining options you have the Butterfly Garden, Villa Monte, Playa Forte, Jaanchies, here at Sol Food and at any number of Chinese snack shacks. On an east side note; I like the loempias best at the Alaska Shack or On Wan. On Sunday Mornings there is a local market in Barber and you'll also find local food at Boca Shete/Tabla. On Sunday nights there is a BBQ in Barber and on Thursday nights there is one in Lagun. You won't go hungry on the west end.
There is a beach restaurant at the Lodge and 2 at the hotel. It's nice to sit on the terrace but ask for both menus as they are different.
I'm sure we'll run into you, please stop by and visit. if you'd like some company on your first couple of dives, let us know. We often accompany our guests on their self imposed "check out dives". The staff at Ocean Encounters West is very nice and you will love the house reef; Alice In Wonderland at Playa Kalki. See you next week! Sunshine
