For my husband Pieter it was the 5th time that he went to the Island of Curaçao in the Caribbean. For daughter Liz it was the 3rd time (in December 1973 and again in 1978 from July 3–24)). Also for me the 3rd time and 1st time for Liz's husband Hans. Husband Pieter gifted them both with a flight from Amsterdam, The Netherlands to Curaçao.
With Google it is great for looking up former places where you have been. When I did scan old slides I did come across this one from December 1973, where Liz is sitting on the terras of the bungalow where she stayed with her Parents. It was than called Arthur Frommer and the crew from KLM Royal Dutch Airlines used it as well. Close to the airport and along Piscadera Bay. When we did rent a car and Liz driving us around the island, we literally did go back in time. It no longer is under the same name, but now it is the Floris Suite Hotel and it is designed by the famous Dutch designer Jan des Bouvrie. We did visit and had a cup of coffee near the pool. Liz could remember by the smell that it was the very same place where she stayed twice before. Indeed, we could hear a plane on the runway nearby and we also did pass on the way over the former Shell Oil Refinery that now belongs to a Venezuelan company since 1985. The very first trip Pieter made to Curaçao was on behalf of the local government. They asked him to do a feasibility study for growing mushrooms on the island of Curaçao. For that he also went by boat to Venezuela where they would have to purchase the straw. Long story short; it was not feasible mainly because of lack on ingredients. Pieter and his family did go back one more time on vacation, together with his best friend Harry and wife Suzette. Harry passed away at the age of 59 and his wife Suzette is suffering from cancer. Just talked to her and shared some fond memories...
Here Liz(zy) is sitting on the patio of the bungalow. The house number looks like 51 when enlarged...
Typical Agave and other tropical Curaçao vegetation.
From the staff we learned that still a few of those bungalows were there... So we did snap these photos and the one on the left has house number 52. So probably the one to the right was the 'old' one with number 51!
It looked like not much had changed!
On the car parked next to number 52 is written: bluehelicopters and we had no idea you could have such fabulous helicopter tours over the island!
Have you ever gone back in time during a favorite vacation with loved ones?
Related links:
{Comment about Killer Legs - Daring to Pose in my Escada Hot Pants} | previous post with photos taken in Curaçao
{Curaçao Airport on Coronation Day King Willem-Alexander} | previous post by me
Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort Curaçao | Where we were last year and again this year (formerly Hyatt)
{Flora from our Curaçao Vacation} | previous post by me
{Our Curaçao Vacation II} | previous post by me
{Back Home from Curaçao} | previous post by me
{Our Curaçao Vacation} | previous post by me
{Hyatt Regency - Santa Barbara Plantation Curaçao} | previous post by me
{Trupial or Orange Breasted Oriole - National Bird of Curaçao} | previous post by me