Willemstad, Curaçao
One of the Caribbean’s most distinctive skylines is found in the capital of Curaçao. Colorful buildings line St. Anna Bay, providing a welcoming site to travelers. To access the colorful downtown from the cruise terminal, passengers can walk (or bounce) across the Koningin Emmabrug (Queen Emma Bridge), a pontoon bridge that connects the Punda (de punt, or the downtown) and the Otrobanda (literally “the other side” in Papiamentu.
The bridge is a signature feature the Willemstad skyline. First constructed in 1888 and renovated twice since, the Queen Emma bridge swings open to allow boats to pass in and out of St. Anna Bay. The ingenious design allows for minimal impact to the bay and to downtown foot traffic, as free ferries are available to pedestrians when the bridge is open.
In my two trips to Curaçao, I’ve never seen the bridge swing open, but it gives me an excellent travel goal for the next time we visit the Dutch Caribbean. But if the bridge connects both sides, be thankful this bit of 19th century engineering makes Willemstad a wonderful city to walk in and enjoy!
