Curacao Trip Report

greenie · Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 Post subject: Curacao Trip Report

Hi everybody. I always like to post a TR. I've been a member of this board a long time and really appreciate the travelers comments!

May 16-24.

We went to Curacao this May for 9 days. Flew AA out of Atlanta thru Miami. All went well. The return was not as great, but who cares, right? Most of it was weather related in MIA. Can't do anything about that. But AA handled it well, and we hung out in the Admirals Club most of the time, so no big deal. The FA's on the AA flights were so nice. It was almost freakish!

The Hato Airport is nice/clean and has jetways. Car rentals are a short walk from the arrivals area. Immigration lines were short. In Customs they make you scan your bags through a machine. Different.

We rented from National--or as we affectionately called it during our week--Rent-a-Wreck. The car was a junker with 73k miles and brakes that were very grindy sounding. Also, the girl at the desk tried to overcharge me, but I wouldnt budge. I had my internet receipt and wasn't paying a penny more. And didnt! (wink)

We stayed at the Lodge Kura Hulanda. Highly, highly recommend. The only downside of this place is its on the western most tip of the island (West Punt)and about 45 min from town or airport.

The island itself is like Arizona desert. Very arid, cacti everywhere, dusty. No rain to speak of. I loved it!! The beaches are the draw and wow...very nice.

The LKH has an excellent snorkleing beach, Kalki, fabulous. Saw seahorses, eels, rays, and more fish of varying sizes. This was the best spot other than Hawaii that I have ever snorkeled. You def. need reef shoes or dive booties to negotiate the shoreline. We didnt bring them and had to back in and out with our fins on. Hehehe...what a sight! Great dive shop next door. My hubbies masked cracked in transit and we were able to buy him a quality mask for not much more than it would have cost here.

We also visited Knip beach (really nice), Cas Abou (loved it...snorkeled in a school of sardines...wild), Porto Mari (best beach bar food ever). Loved them all.

The LKH is a small resort with less than 100 rooms. Not a lot of walking. Everything was very well laid out. They also had two computers in the bus. ctr with free internet.

We had a oceanfront studio. Nice and roomy with a wonderful patio that looked out on the sea. The place is clean and well managed--about 2 years old. The manager was always around and knew us by name. The food was really good. Always something really good on the menu for dinner.

The pool area was great with thatch covered huts to lounge under. Teak loungers with pads--always a plus--and one of the cleanest pools I've ever seen. The watered just sparkled! Nice, never crowded either, with bar service (well the bar was a few steps from the pool anyway).

LKH was one of the most relaxing places. No hassles (big plus in my book). If you want it, they'll get it for you.

They have a sister resort in Willemstedt that has a big spa and several dining options. We went to town one day but it was so crowded and hot...we couldnt wait to get back to LKH.

I want to go back again next year. I just wished Delta would fly direct. They did until about April and then stopped (seasonal). Oh well.

Peace, Greenie