Good morning, Klein Curacao! After a fish-less and uneventful sail, we finally arrived at this breathtaking island. The moment we laid eyes on it, we were captivated. The water sparkled with pristine beauty, inviting us to dive in. The coral reef greeted us with a kaleidoscope of colors, teeming with vibrant marine life. And oh, the beach! It was a dreamy expanse of soft, white sand, as fluffy as a cloud. Excitement filled the air as we ventured around the island, eager to explore its wonders. But our pace quickened when we noticed a coast guard chopper circling above, reminding us that we hadn't completed the check-in process yet. Caribbean jail wasn't on our itinerary, so we decided to play it safe. Still, we couldn't help but admire the crashing waves that had brought an oil tanker, Maria Bianca Guidesma, to its final resting place in the 80s. Its presence stood as a reminder of the untamed power of the sea. And as if to join in the island's collection of shipwrecks, the Tschao, a sailing yacht from France, met its fate in 2007. While its crew safely reached the shores of Klein Curacao, the damage to the ship was irreversible, and it became yet another testament to the island's intriguing maritime history

Day 1 on the main island of Curacao started off with a flurry of exciting activities as we hopped between customs, immigration, and port authorities, which, conveniently, were located miles apart. It turns out that Curacaoans are incredibly sociable people and insisted on seeing the entire crew before stamping our entry paperwork. Fortunately, within walking distance, we stumbled upon the first Starbucks we had seen in over a year. Surprisingly, we found ourselves genuinely elated to see that familiar green logo.

Eager to explore, we ventured into downtown Willemstad, the vibrant capital of Curacao. The city's colorful buildings painted a picturesque scene, and we couldn't help but marvel at their beauty. As we strolled along, we witnessed the pontoon bridge opening to allow a massive ship to pass through, accompanied by two tugboats and a pilot—a fascinating and seemingly complex operation.

Our wanderings led us to a local market, where we discovered an array of fresh fruits. Among them, we encountered a few unusual ones, like tamarillo (Tomate d'Arbo), which didn't exactly blow our minds but offered a novel taste we hadn't experienced before. Furthermore, we were thrilled to find fresh coconut water, a treat we had dearly missed since our time in Guadeloupe.

Day 1 on Curacao's main island was a mix of administrative errands, unexpected delights, and intriguing encounters. It set the stage for the adventures and discoveries that awaited us during our time on this charming Caribbean island.