We have now been on Curaçao for a week and Otis and I have completely mastered the rhythm here: rise and shine at 7 AM, a relaxed breakfast, chilling on the beach for the rest of the day, swimming a bit, and in the evening having a bite to eat with our feet in the sand while the little man sleeps comfortably in his stroller. I can keep this up for a while. It would only be really perfect if my husband could join us, because he is currently working from 7 to 7. Just a few more days and then we can enjoy this little vacation together before we head back to the cold and rainy ‘home‘. But for now, flip-flops, bikinis, and fresh watermelon are still the order of the day.

‘Oh how cool, you’re here on Fuik day!’ a friend said to me a month ago. I had no idea what she was talking about. I can now confidently say that Fuik day is a thousand times more fun than King's Day in Curaçao. Why? Let me tell you in vivid detail. To start with the explanation of this spectacle: on Fuik day, everyone comes by boat to Fuik Bay, where in no time a kind of village is built from boats lined up next to each other, and fantastic music is played. In one little street, Hardwell was spinning, and we were only two boats away from DJ Chuckie. Yes, I’m fully caught up and can sing along flawlessly to all the hits of Lil’ Kleine (who was also present on a boat) and Ronnie Flex.

It’s also a must to bring as many inflatable items as possible, so you can float around with your drink between all the boats and sway to all the crazy ‘pokoes’. Meanwhile, you can’t help but admire all the women who are ‘daggering’ in the most fantastic creations. There’s definitely a lot of bling and little fabric involved… If this picture hasn’t convinced you enough: all of this takes place in 30 degrees, with a clear blue sky and an azure blue sea. I think exactly what you’re thinking: next year, I must and will be here (again).

Now Jan Thiel Bay is the epicenter of Dutch tourists, but let me tell you about a hidden treasure I’ve discovered that I’d love to share with you. The cabanas at Zest beach club are lovely, but with a bit of bad luck, those spots are already fully booked for the next two weeks… If you walk all the way to the end of the bay, behind restaurant Tinto beach club, Kokos is hidden away: you immediately feel like you’re in an oasis of calm compared to the rest of the bay. The beach beds are top-notch, the lunch menu is delicious, and the laid-back/hippie vibe gave me that ultimate vacation feeling right away. Then end your day with delicious sushi at Kyoto, located next to Albert Heijn. Yep, you read that right: there’s an AH on the island. Now you understand why this bay is the epicenter for the Dutch tourist.

If you’re on the island, you can’t skip Mambo Beach. A bit more American than Jan Thiel with a small shopping mall and a Starbucks, and if you want to party in the evening, this bay is the place to be. But this mother finds it a party to enjoy a glass of bubbles in the afternoon at Madero Ocean Club: Ibiza meets the Caribbean, a bit tacky, but we like that from time to time. We had a cabana right by the sea and Otis couldn’t stop smiling. A bit of sand, an occasional playtime in the sea, and you couldn’t make him happier. We’ve caught ourselves a tropical child.