A to Z: F is For Fun

So what does one do for fun in Curaçao?

Happy Hours!

I should probably clarify. You know how your neighborhood bar has "happy hour," with drinks two-for-one or something? And it usually happens like in the middle of the afternoon, or an otherwise slow time of the day? You walk in (by mistake, usually) and it's still pretty slow?

Happy hours in Curaçao are not like that.

Wet n' Wild. No, really. That's the name of the bar.

There's happy hours at several places throughout the week, but the rocking ones are on Friday. Technically they last for an hour, but only as far as the cheapo drinks are concerned. Place gets packed during the actual discounted-drinks phase (5 to 6, usually), but no one leaves when the bar starts ratcheting the prices back up.

If there's food available, you'll probably stay until 10 or so. Otherwise, after all that beer you drank, well... Let's just say you'll probably make it an early night.

Snèkies!

Snèk is local spelling for "snack." Dutch tends to be somewhat like Spanish in that everything good is turned into a diminutive, thus: snèkie.

But no, we're not talking about snacks. These places might sell food, but plates piled high with Dominican comfort food hardly qualify as a snack. And that's the key: snèkies are run by Dominican women, at the very least Colombian. Otherwise it's not a snèk, period.

What makes these places special? Well, Latin hospitality, certainly. Dominican (and Colombian) women have made a name for themselves in Curaçao as sexy and flirtatious, which drives Dutch men (maybe all men?) completely gek (do I really need to translate?).

The other distinguishing trademark of a snèk is the music. BACHATA! Which is, of course, Dominican.

Snèkies, if you can put up with non-stop bachata (every song sounds the same, I swear) are fun. Laid-back, relaxed, casual. Which is good, because us non-Dominicans need a lot to even try that two-step four-step sideways back-front thing.

Not a bachata lover? No problem. There's more than enough to choose from. Our favorite is Miles, a jazz bar. The only jazz bar in Curaçao.

Beach BBQs! (hand in hand with Diving!)

The first thing you must do when coming to Curaçao, especially if you plan on staying, is to find--fast--some South Cone friends. Chile, Argentina, Uruguay. No one can grill meat like them. No, I mean it. I'm absolutely 100% serious about this.

If said South Cone friends also happen to be divers, you've got your weekends covered. No better spot for an asado than the beach, and no meat (or beer, or chips, or anything) tastes better than after a double dive on the amazing reefs of Curaçao.

Thank you, Hans, for the brilliant photos!
If you're ever in Curaçao, contact Hans Pleij--he's not just an awesome photographer; he's also the best
dive instructor and guide on the island. Maybe--no, not exaggerating--in the world.

F, sadly, is also for FAIL. This will be my last (formal) A-Z post. There's too much going on--editing, copywriting, vacation to Perú, dog rescuing--and I can't keep up. I know, I should've pre-written (I swore I would), but I didn't, and... well.

I was so excited about sharing Curaçao with you all, dang it. I will write the posts I planned, though, and publish them later, but it's gek to think I'll be able to complete the challenge. Thank you, all you faithful followers, all you new visitors, for coming by. I hope you'll be back after April--we'll catch up then :)