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      Visiting the Cathedral of Saint Domnius

      October 15, 2019

      Featured

      The Colourful Streets of Punda, Curacao

      June 7, 2017

      Featured

      The MUD of Saint Lucia

      June 7, 2017

      Featured

      The Sacred Pompeii

      June 7, 2017

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      April 21, 2017

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      Tropea: A Best Kept Italian Secret

      April 21, 2017

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Cities and Oceans
  • About C&O
  • Shop C&O
    • NEW ARRIVALS
    • C&O Brand
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      • Swimwear
      • Glam Cozy Dresses & Fits
      • Sweaters
      • Bottoms & Athletic Wear
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  • Blog
    • Featured

      Visiting the Cathedral of Saint Domnius

      October 15, 2019

      Featured

      The Colourful Streets of Punda, Curacao

      June 7, 2017

      Featured

      The MUD of Saint Lucia

      June 7, 2017

      Featured

      The Sacred Pompeii

      June 7, 2017

      Featured

      East Coast Zip Lining

      April 21, 2017

      Featured

      Tropea: A Best Kept Italian Secret

      April 21, 2017

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Monthly Archives

June 2017

FeaturedNatureTravelTravel Journeys

The Colourful Streets of Punda, Curacao

by Connie June 7, 2017

Looking for unique, street art, and 3D visuals in the Downtown core of Curacao, known as Punda, was like a hidden treasure hunt. In no other place, did I see sunflowers shoot out from the wall, parrots look so lifelike they could almost sit on my shoulder, or #Pundawings that made me “look” angelic.

The island of Curacao is a colourful feast for the eyes. The city centre of Punda is at the heart of it. With artistic expressions of street art that takes on an authentic Caribbean vibe, Punda is alive with hidden treasures one can search for without a map. I got lost in a maze narrow streets with wall art as my guide.

The locals would refer to the wallart as a reference point for street directions and shout out, “Did you walk past the parrots?” “Did you see the boy angel with wings?” “If you walked passed the Dushi Flamingo’s, you’ve gone to far!”

During the day, Punda is an artistic expression of the local culture. This expression is heightened by the presence of the ocean. A tantalizing display of colour in the form of a floating market can be found on most weekdays. Fruits and products from Venezuela, a South American country approximately forty minutes away, provides tourists and locals  with a wide selection of fresh fruit. The full-sized, mouth-watering fruit is beyond comparison to fruits normally found in Northern Ontario.

Aside: “Dushi” means sweet. This is similar to the word “Dolce” in Italian. Everything in Curacao is “ultra dushi” – not to be confused with the Canadian or American slang version of the word. It is used to describe “the good things in life” and locals refer to themselves as being “super dushi!”

The streets of Punda are very sweet. Sweet with a “love for life” not normally seen elsewhere. This expression for the “good things in life” is captured in the form of eternal artistic expressions on the walls of buildings and walkways. The artistic representations of the “good life” makes a tranquil tapestry one can compare to birth marks. These birth marks are uniquely attributed  to “everyday” life in Curacao.

The walk through the downtown core was priceless. With a camera in hand, I scooped up a collection of photographs. As a result, I met local shop owners like #dhanarts. I learnt that the artwork found in the city streets is utilized as a tool to encourage tourists to walk around the entire city centre. Her artwork is displayed outside her shop in the form of a statue of a 3D black cat which showcases the colourful UNESCO houses on his back – the symbolic cat of Curacao.

It was an honour to witness the work of locals such as Nena Sanchez, who, surrounded by the beautiful bright colours of Curacao painted as well as sculpted it’s beauty; and “The Three Little Birds” located in Jojo Correa public square by local Maduro and Curiel Bank (“MCB”). If you listen closely, you can almost hear their Caribbean song.

I highly recommend a walk-through Punda, not solely for the Queen Emma floating bridge, which in itself is a wonder, but to navigate the streets of Punda and find these artistic pieces to experience a purely Punda vibe.

Be sure to follow @theoriginalcitiesandoceans on Instagram for more travel stories from #citiesandoceans

June 7, 2017 0 comment
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FeaturedMomentsTravelTravel Journeys

The MUD of Saint Lucia

by Connie June 7, 2017

Making MUDDY Handprints!

The Sulphur Springs of St. Lucia are remarkable and unlike any other tourist attraction I have visited. Although highly recommended by locals and frequently visited by tourists,  including celebrities like Oprah, the springs are said to be rejuvenating, energizing, and a natural wonder.

The springs are a result of the collapsed Soufrier Volcano which last erupted in the 1700’s and is now considered dormant. The mud baths are filled with minerals from the volcano and are suppose to help detoxify the body and provide relief to skin ailments such as sun burns, arthritis, and even ease sore joints, as well as decrease your age by ten years!

While visiting the hot spring, you are instructed not to test the water but simply walk down the four steps into a shared pool. The water is not crystal clear, but rather a dark grey, smooth liquid that is opaque and slightly slimy. The temperature of the water is above 100 degrees and the heat is an initial shock, especially when the temperature outdoors is quite warm.

After about three to four minutes, you are encouraged to step out of the pool and under a bridge where a gentleman is mixing the mud in wine-like pales.

The mud is not brown but grey and rough. Tiny little grains make up the mixture and you are told to lather yourself and apply the mud freely.

The gentleman encouraged all of us to apply it to our face and rub to exfoliate the skin. Unsure of what exactly was in the mixture, I was naturally hesitant but after feeling the softness of the mud on my stomach and thighs, I decided that I had already come this far and began to apply the mud to my face. The coolness of the paste was marvellous and calmed the sunburn forming on my nose.

Friends who had joined me on the tour stood with me alongside of the creek as we dried out like prunes.

The mud hardened in every crease of my skin making it feel painted. If I touched my face, tiny flakes of mud would sand off.

A few moments later, we were ushered back into the same spring pool and we were able to rinse of. The natural minerals in the mud and water seemed to reverberate through my skin and into my muscles – I really felt alive.

The pores on my skin felt renewed and I could not wait to look into a mirror to see the age-difference – after taking a selfie (lol).

I realized that I was the same beautiful age and that the only permanent change was the massive smile on my face for having experienced another (in my opinion) natural world wonder.

June 7, 2017 0 comment
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FeaturedMomentsStoriesTravel

The Sacred Pompeii

by Connie June 7, 2017

Once a sophisticated Roman city, Pompeii was buried in meters of ash and pumice after the catastrophic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 C.E. Near the coast of the Bay of Naples, the site features excavated ruins.

It was a thriving provincial center with a population of between 10,000 and 20,000 people. Its narrow streets, made narrower by street vendors and shops with jutting cloth awnings, teemed with tavern goers, slaves, vacationers from the north. A colossal new aqueduct supplied running water from the Lower Apennine mountains, which gushed from fountains throughout the city, even in private homes.

It was a wonder to visit this site on August 1st.  An exhibit of bronze statues throughout the site added an extra visual appeal to the unbelievable breathtaking ruins. 

June 7, 2017 0 comment
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I hope my blog provides you with a first-person perspective you can rely on and utilize on your own adventure, whether solo or alongside good company!

Let the travel bug bite you!

Popular Posts

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    The Colourful Streets of Punda, Curacao

    June 7, 2017
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    The Sacred Pompeii

    June 7, 2017
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    The MUD of Saint Lucia

    June 7, 2017
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