Saturday, April 6, 2013

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 :)

27 comments :

  1. I was really enjoying your posts. They are just fantastic. Love them. Take care and look forward to reading the rest. X

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    1. Thank you, Yyrahaa :) I'm so sorry to disappoint; I'll definitely try to keep posting as often as I can during April, and will definitely finish the series during May--who knows, maybe I'll just make Life in Curaçao a regular feature on the blog :D Thanks for stopping by, and for your comment :)

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  2. Really, really nice! Love your spare comments and great pics. You are putting a lot of work into this free-style creativity and it works! Congrats - I don't want too much coming in but I like this so much I'm subscribing by email.
    Mary at Mary A to Z

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    1. Mary, I'm honored! So glad you decided to subscribe, and I look forward to getting to know you through both our blogs :)

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  3. What a wonderful share of Curacao. I have never been but it looks fun! Thanks for taking the time to put together such a wonderful post.

    Cheers,

    Christine London

    Author of 100 Romance's Best of the Year - When We Were Amazing

    PINTEREST page: http://pinterest.com/christinelondon/

    Christine on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Christine-London/71009389201

    Christine At Amazon Author Central https://www.amazon.com/author/christinelondon

    Latest A-Zed post: "F" is for Fiction http://christinelondon.com/f-is-for-fiction

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    1. Thanks, Christine! You should definitely visit Curaçao if you're ever in the neighborhood--I think you'd like it :) Loved your blog, and your F is for Fiction post really nailed it!

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  4. It's so hard to keep up, isn't it? I also wish I would have prewritten. Good luck with everything else you have going on!!

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    1. Thanks so much, Kimberly! Maybe I'll learn for next year (which is the same thing I said last year, but at least I did finish the 2012 challenge) and prewrite waaaay in advance :D Thanks for stopping by!

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  5. "everything good is turned into a diminutive, thus: snèkie" - another sign that we are long lost sisters. Rick laughs at me because I love all little things. I think they are adorable and more fun to eat.

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    1. Right? "A chocolate" doesn't taste as good as "a little piece of chocolate"--even if they're the same size :D

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  6. Great post! EXCELLENT photo's!! Curaçao sounds like somewhere I need to go!
    Curaçao

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    1. Hope you make it down here one day, Connie :) Thanks for the visit!

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  7. Hi Guilie,

    I was dropping in from the blog hop list (I was checking to see who was before and after me...you were the one after) and noticed that I'm already following you on Google Plus :)

    Since I'm not that active there, anymore, I should probably follow you here so...bingo...new follower :)

    It looks like you guys have a very kicking night life over there. Looks like lots of fun.

    Have a great A to Z!

    Left and Write

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    1. Mark, thanks so much for following here, too! I also kinda dropped the ball on G+--I did like it, and I sometimes still post there, but... Well. Glad we reconnected via blogs :) I'll hop over to yours now and make sure I have it in my blog roll. Have a super day!

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  8. Cool blog! I nominated you for a Liebster Award. If you would like to accept, come on over for the details….

    http://dgwordworks.wordpress.com

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    1. Thanks so much for the visit, Deidre, and for the Liebster nomination! I'll be happy to accept :) Off to check out your blog now!

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  9. oh how I need a rocking Friday happy hour!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Sandra--and I hope you've managed to squeeze in a Friday HH since then! Sorry it took me so long to reply. Off to catch up on your blog!

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  10. Gorgeous photos on your AZ Challenge. Entices one to take a vacation!

    Play off the Page

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    1. Glad you liked the pics and the posts, Mary :) Thanks for stopping by!

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  11. Curacao is the next place I HAVE to go to. It looks wonderful.
    http://www.melanieschulz.blogspot.com

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    1. Glad you feel that way, Melanie :) It's a really wonderful little island, full of surprises. I'm sure you'd love it. Thanks for stopping by!

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  12. Looks like everyone is having a good time. Who doesn't like happy hour!
    A-Z

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    1. Thanks for the visit, Sandy! Indeed--HH is a universally happy event :D

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  13. All of that stuff looks fun to me!

    Pity you have dropped out of the A to Z?? Hope all is okay!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Trisha! Oh yeah, lots of fun :) Good we don't have to choose one or the other, huh? :D Yep, I had to drop out--been on vacation for two weeks, and didn't write enough posts in advance... Next year I'll do better, I promise :)

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    2. Understandable! Last year I scheduled most of my posts because I was away during March/April ;)

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