Tanya Batson-Savage, Freelance Writer 
Hotel Otrabunda and La Bahai Restaurant
THE BEAUTIFUL buildings of Broad Street, Punda (meaning Point), which look out at Santa Anna Bay are the perfect example of the medley of colours to be found in Curaçao. To get another wondrous blend of colours, look back at it from Otrabunda (meaning other side).
When one enters downtown Willemstad, these buildings are the most striking feature, easily distracting from the shopping mecca that is available in these same buildings. While the architecture speaks of the island's Dutch history, the blend of colours shout a vibrant Caribbean spirit as mixed as their local tongue Papiamento, a mixture of English, Spanish, and Dutch.
One would have to try very hard to imagine a colour that is not on a building in Curaçao. A rainbow would have to try hard and in vain to keep up with the numerous colours. Houses use shockingly bold blends like lemon yellow trimmed with lime green, or more stately but unusual dusk pink.
A drive through the countryside presents a vision of blues, reds, yellows, greens and pinks, none of which has anything to do with flowers which are few and far between. As a result the lively colours complement the stark countryside made up mainly of cacti and scrub.
MYTH
Myth has it that the country has its varied colour scheme because of a governor's decree. Locals however, say that it simply reflects the Caribbean spirit and colourful houses are a part of the island's tradition.
The town square of the capital, Willemstad, has been added to UNESCO's list of heritage sites and the organisation is helping to ensure its preservation. While there are some dilapidated buildings in the square most of it comprises stately town mansions that have now been converted to function as business places. In the same vein, the old forts that line the harbour have also been converted into either government buildings or restaurants.
