Willemstad, the capital of Curaçao, was established by the Dutch in the mid-1600’s and recalls the quaint designs of Amsterdam, mixing traditional architectural styles with Caribbean accents and bright bold colors. Divided by Santa Anna Bay, it’s a natural harbor, perfect for cruise ships and commerce – but not so great for anyone stranded across the water from each other in either Punda, “the point,” or Otrobanda, “the other side.” Practical as ever, the Dutch solution to living on two sides of the bay was a bridge. However to not obstruct the daily parade of merchant ships a little ingenuity was in order: opened in 1888, the Queen Emma Bridge is the only floating pontoon bridge in the world. Nicknamed “the swinging old lady,” check back tomorrow to see her in action.
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