Love from Dushi Curaçao

I actually shouldn't be writing. Because free is free. Vacation is vacation. But the writers among us will understand me. Writing is like painting. Like singing. Like dancing. It's an outlet. And as it works with outlets: sometimes things need to come out, then there needs to be some clattering.

So I grab my laptop (which colleagues said I shouldn't take to Curaçao) out of my suitcase. My fingers have missed the keyboard. It's not strange at all when you consider that I enjoy language. For me, writing doesn't feel like an obligation, but like an enrichment. Something that becomes even more therapeutic when you don't have to deal with deadlines.

So Bon Bini, Amayzine you. I would personally like to pull you through my laptop right now to enjoy this late sun together. You know, that nice last moment of the day, just before sunset. I'm lying on a stretcher on our balcony and have a view that just made me feel a pure little tingle of happiness. You know, those rare moments when you look around and think: life is good. We (we is boyfriend including me, btw) checked in yesterday at the Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort. Because hotels are just happy to have guests, we immediately got an upgrade to a suite. Read: an unusually large ballroom with a double walk-in shower, a bed where you can definitely sleep four people, and a balcony with designer stretchers. You immediately understand: that little happiness tingle will last a while.

On Instagram, I see questions coming by whether it is all ‘doable’ now, Curaçao. We think it is. We celebrated a week of vacation with the in-laws and dropped them off at the airport yesterday. Now Sander and I are staying for another five days to chill together in the Antilles. You mainly live outside here. It's safe and code yellow. On one hand, it feels quite strange, mi dushi Korsou is quieter than ever before. The shake-your-booty parties are difficult with a curfew of 11:00 PM and also the happy hour parties that the island is so known for simply cannot happen.

But on the other hand, I also see the advantages of this strange vacation in pandemic times. You have the pearl-white beaches almost entirely to yourself. The average influencer would kill for beach photos where no one needs to be removed with Photoshop. At no restaurant do you hear: ‘Sorry, we are unfortunately already full...’ and never before has a stay at the Marriott been so chill priced as now. It is a unique and unusual time, in which everyone is trying to make the best of it in their own way.

Curaçao is currently the only island of the Caribbean Kingdom with a yellow travel advisory, which means that the locals and the travel-hungry Dutch are the only ones coming together. And true: a negative result of a COVID-19 test taken no later than 72 hours before departure must be submitted upon arrival. And yes, you have to wear a face mask for ten hours on the plane. But personally, I absolutely didn't find it a problem at all, in exchange for these wonderful two weeks of sun. Here, corona seems far away, at home very close. So, if you still want a last-minute trip to the sun before your winter depression fully kicks in: Dushi Cura is your spot.

Follow me on Insta via @kikiduren, where I will soon share a whole load of hotspots and restaurant tips for when you want to head that way. If it's still allowed, of course. Fingers crossed.

Ayoooo dushi’s!