Curacao is Open - The Place To Be! Dushi!

The Caribbean island of Curaçao is eager to start 2021 on a high note, announcing restrictions have been lifted! All American residents are allowed entry without quarantine as long as we follow entry protocols!  PS: we've got non-stop flights from the eastern seaboard. Why choose Curacao?

• Discover our ABC islands, Dutch-owned: Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao
• Come for sparkling clear waters, just like famous nearby Aruba
• Excellent for scuba diving, snorkeling and swimming
• Enjoy balmy temperatures outside of the hurricane belt
• idyllic, secluded beaches
• luxurious hotels
• home to many different must-see attractions
• a distinctly European flair underneath the Caribbean sun

Get your breakfast! Get sticky, laugh with the locals	Find one-of-a -kind jewelry, crafts, clothing and goods	Get your signature Curacao liquor for home, choose from 4 flavors!
Visit Museum Kura Hulanda in a 19th century slave quarters with exhibits that extensively cover the history of slavery in the Caribbean	Listen as Curaçaoans ping pong between languages: Dutch, Spanish, Papiamentu, local creole and English!	​For music expect radios blasting bachata, reggaetón, American pop, tumba and ritmo kombina
​Amazing food scene, check out the Iguana stew (recipe below) with a side of bitterballen*!	A Dutch Caribbean island known for beaches tucked into coves and expansive coral reefs.    ​	Find the famous blue women paintings around the city
​Get into the street culture with colorful murals in the Otrobanda and Pietermaai neighborhoods. Check out Pietermaai, a cool new avenue for food/night life with geometric shapes, portraits, political opinions	shop among candy-colored buildings and cross floating bridge Queen Emma Bridge on foot	​Handelskade (Merchant’s Wharf), a hang out with bars, authentic dining spots, the technicolor market, where fruit vendors from Venezuela dock to sell in bright stalls full of mangoes, plantains and papayas

Iguana Stew
  
It’s going to be difficult to find iguana at your local supermarket, so I suggest you substitute fresh tuna or chicken for the reptilian meat! Since the spices and other ingredients are the same as used in Curaçao, you will have a close rendition of this dish. Note: As the recipe cooks, you might need to adjust the consistency with more water or coconut milk. Ingredients:

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    * 2 pounds iguana meat, or substitute tuna or chicken, in large chunks
    * Juice of 1 lime
    * 3 cups water
    * 1 cup coconut milk
    * 10 small potatoes, diced
    * 3 tomatoes, chopped
    * 3 bell peppers, cut into 1-inch pieces
    * 1 cup noodles, such as macaroni
    * 2 bay leaves
    * ½ teaspoon oregano
    * 1 sprig parsley
    * 1 sprig thyme
    * 3 stalks celery, cut into ½ inch pieces
    * 2 habanero chiles, seeds and stems removed, chopped
    * 3 cloves garlic, chopped
    * Salt and pepper to taste
    * 1 ounce whiskey of choice

Instructions:  In a bowl, toss meat with the lime juice. Cover and while the meat is marinating, combine all the remaining ingredients, except the whiskey, in a large pot, and bring to boil. Reduce the heat, cover, and cook over low heat for 45 minutes. Add the marinated meat, adjust the consistency if necessary, cover and cook over low heat for the following times: iguana, 1 hour; tuna, 20 min.; chicken, 40 min.  Just before serving, add the shot of whiskey and stir well.  Servings 4-6  

* Bitterballen: a Dutch meat-based snack, typically containing a mixture of beef or veal, beef broth, butter, flour for thickening, parsley, salt and pepper, resulting in a thick roux

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