Caribbean - Wander-Lust

CaribbeanAugust 26, 2019
Restaurant Nul Twintig | good food on the coast of CuracaoRestaurant Nul Twintig is the Caribbean sister restaurant 212 in Amsterdam. Chefs Richard van Oostenbrugge and Thomas Groot have worked together for many years in Michelin star restaurants and made their dream come true in 2017 by jointly opening the first ‘no table’ restaurant in Amsterdam. But Restaurant Nul Twintig on Curacao is a little different. As soon as I entered the big front yard of newly opened restaurant Nul Twintig the beautiful green color of the building and the white window frames caught my eye. You can just feel this is a building with a lot of history but now completely redesigned with a new purpose. A piece of tranquility in the turbulent Penstraat, just what we needed on Curacao! Restaurant Nul Twintig Located in an old country house at the coast right between the lively Pietermaai neighbourhood and the touristy Mambo Boulevard. This country house served for years as a residence and it was then also used as an event location. After that it was empty for a long time and completely neglected. It has since been refurbished and transformed into a modern restaurant with a beach vibe interior. Pleasant music, amazing sea views and delicious drinks to cool you off Interior When you enter the restaurant you have the option to sit inside in a small intimate space with a view of the open kitchen. Due to the white walls and the use of natural materials like wood and rattan, this part of the restaurant looks very light and spacious. But if you really want to enjoy the view and hear the sounds of the sea crashing into the rocks you need to take a table outside. Pleasant music, amazing sea views and delicious drinks to cool you off, if this doesn’t get you into the holiday vibe I don’t know what else will. The Nul Twintig kitchen bar Food The menu is compact and straightforward and filled with known dishes but with its own twist. Think of dover sole, grilled cod and veal cheek combined with garlic cremolazta or coconut and lime sauce. They are planning to expand the food menu further but for now I chose the Caesar style salad with red miso and white pepper shrimp as an appetizer. A light and fresh salad with a nice bite thanks to the tasty shrimps. I then treated myself to roasted cod with baby squid and a celeriac puree. This is really the perfect dish to eat for lunch while sitting the sea. It is not too heavy and a good balance between sour and salt. Highly recommended if you like fish! All round location Curacao is a small island where lately more and more new hospitality initiatives have emerged that will make you happy. Restaurant Nul Twintig is certainly one of them. What I like about this new spot is that it is an all-round meeting point: you can have a lovely lunch, a romantic ocean front dinner, afternoon drinks with friends or just relax *poolside. Furthermore, this is a wonderful location where they pay a lot of attention to good food and great service, something that both tourists and local people can appreciate. Soon they will be open 7 days a week from 12pm till 10pm so you basically can spend your whole day here. Something I definitely wouldn’t mind! Love, Gala Restaurant Nul Twintig 300 Penstraat, Willemstad, Curaçao Website / Instagram *Note: work is currently being carried out on the realisation of the swimming pool and the outside bar, which will probably be finished by the end of 2019.... Read more...
Caribbean / Off the Beaten TrackJuly 2, 2019
5 hotspots in Curacao you need to visit12 days of sun, food and relaxing before my baby is due. I can recommend that to anyone! Curacao isn’t new for me. I actually visit the island every year to see my friends and family. So you could say I’m quite familiar with this small Caribbean island. Every time I’m there I love to check out new places to spend the day or go for a bite. And that’s exactly what I did this time! These are my 5 favourite hotspots in Curacao! Madero Ocean Club People who travel to Curacao for quite some years now probably know Mambo Beach. Well, say goodbye to Mambo en welcome Madero Ocean Club. This stylish beach club is part of the renewed Beach Boulevard and very popular among tourists. If we’re talking about hotspots in Curacao, this is it! I love coming here on Sunday afternoon when the DJ is playing my favorite lounge tunes. www.maderooceanclub.com 8 The Experience This place is my number one must-visit when I’m in Curacao ad I recommend it to anyone who is planning on going. 8 The Experience is an exclusive Spa, which opened in early 2015. It’s located on the west side of the island on a cliff overlooking the ocean. Talking about dramatic views! I love to take a massage in the morning and literally spend all day on their comfortable beds next to the meditation pool. Refreshing cocktail anyone? www.8curacao.com Karakter If you take the path down to the beach from 8 The Experience you will arrive at beach club Karakter. If you’ve have ever visited Curacao you know this island has a lot of beach clubs from all different kinds, but Karakter is definitely one of my favorite. Not necessarily to swim but I love that it’s located in a quiet bay. The beach club really has a relaxed vibe and the lunch menu is worth the car ride! www.karaktercuracao.com Mosa My friend took me to this new restaurant and I’m so thankful that she did! Mosa can best be described as intimate, personal and delicious. Mosa is a small shared dining restaurant with an introduction to Bistronomy (bistro + gastronomy). Try the red beet salad with mango and feta cheese or the octopus with chorizo and black olives aioli. Definitely one of the new hotspots in Curacao! Facebook BijBlauw Romantic dinner for two? Go to BijBlauw in Willemstad. This restaurant is part of a boutique hotel and a favorite among locals and tourists because of the ambiance and service. Enjoy your dinner on the outside terrace listening to the sound of the ocean hitting the rocks. BijBlauw is actually located in a street with the beautiful colorful houses the island is known for. Make sure you have the time, before or after dinner, to takes some pictures. Believe me, this whole street is Instagram worthy 😉 www.bijblauw.com Love, Gala *Gala is one of our guest bloggers from from the Netherlands who lives on the island Curacao. She knows everything about beachwear and shares her best finds and summer essentials for Wander-Lust this season. You can follow Gala on Instagram for bikini inspiration!... Read more...
CaribbeanMay 16, 2019
Sint Maarten | Back on track after the hurricaneHurricane Irma, the strongest storm on record to exist in the open Atlantic region, struck Sint Maarten (Saint Martin) and the surrounded islands at contingency strength 2 years ago. Fortunately, the island is now already as good as recovered and ready for visitors! We were lucky enough to visit this happy island and to join the locals on their special celebration: the 50th edition of the Sint Maarten Carnival! The story of Hurricane Irma Before we dive into the current state of Sint Maarten, let’s reflect on the horrible situation back in 2017. The island Sint Maarten and others got struck by Irma, the hurricane which passed stage 3 to a stage 5 in less than half an hour (It usually it takes a day or two for a hurricane to get from one stage to another). Even though this came as a surprise, the population did as much as they could to prepare for the worst. Unfortunately, evacuation wasn’t even an option, because there was not enough time.. People lost their lives, homes and businesses. The aftermath Recovery in progress The locals in Sint Maarten are very open to talk about their experiences. During the hurricane, one of the residents had to hold on tight to the front door for almost two hours as the storm passed at its highest speed. Irma itself took about 8 hours to pass. The storm passed the island, but stayed in the minds and hearts of the population. It’s a traumatic experience, but they manage to stay strong and positive. Now, two years later, the island is already 80 percent recovered. Ready for visitors to have an amazing time! Especially during the great carnival… Maho Beach, Sint Maarten 80 percent of the hotels on the Dutch side of Sint Maarten have re-opened Carnival SXM, a must do! This year, the Carnival of Sint Maarten celebrates 50 years of carnival and this unique experience is something you should add to your bucketlist. Every year during the last weeks of April and the first weeks of May, the whole island celebrates daily (!) at the Festival Village. Yes, residents are real die-hards. Every night there’s another event with another theme. And if that isn’t enough, they all gather on Kingsday (27th of April) around 03:30 at the roads next to the Village for the J’Ouvert Jump Up. Basically, a party in a parade until the sun rises and everybody is covered in colour powder, beer, glitters, water and syrups. It’s a special tradition which everybody can join, also visitors! J’Ouvert Jump Up Tip: put on some old clothes and shoes and leave your belongings at home, it’s fierce. The Festival Village (the centre of everything Carnival related), isn’t only the place to party, various stands also offer the best festival-food you’ve ever had. From Sint Maarten’s own barbecue chicken/ribs, johnny cakes, conch and dumplings and more, to delicacies from Suriname, Trinidad, Dominica, India and Curacao, if you want it, the Village has it. Personally, I had the best meal during my trip in Sint Maarten at the Village at ‘Team No Sleep’. I got conch and shrimps in a creamy garlic sauce with rice and salad. So good! To end the Carnival in style, we watched the Grande Parade. Beautiful costumes, happy music, lots of feathers, glitters and drinks. The parade starts at the afternoon, we’ve watched it at the Holland House Beach Hotel in Philipsburg, a perfect spot! It took about 4 hours for everyone to pass, the time flew by. The local people are so sociable and also very proud of their Grande Parade, it’s lovely to encounter. If you’ve missed it, don’t be sad, the next day they’ll walk the whole parade again! These beautiful costumes have a value up to 5000 Euro! But there is more Even without the carnival, Sint Maarten offers you plenty other activities to enjoy your stay. Get your body moving at Soggy Dollar Bar with their special Tuesday Latin Night at the Dutch side, or dance around in the water at the Poolparty of Loterie Farm every end of the month at the French side. Looking for more chilly vibes? Le Temps Des Cerises is the place to be! Order some cocktails, watch the sunset and enjoy good quality food. Hanging around like a real island girl at Le Temps Des Cerises If you stay at Divi Resorts like we did, you won’t have to go far for the beach. The sea is right in front of your room! Even the locals visit the resort to have a nice beachy day. The water is amazing, not too cold and crystal clear. Great for watersports, snorkeling and swimming! More of a pool-person? Make sure to check out the infinity pool… Dive into the Infinity pool at Divi Resorts Good to know: you’ll be able to use your European phone data at the French side, but not on the Dutch side. While visiting Sint Maarten, make sure you try the Guava Berry Pina Colada with their locally brewed rum. It’s delicious! Also don’t miss out on the fishy dish ‘Mahi Mahi’, again a local specialty. At Sandy’s in Marigot they’ll serve you well. As much as there is to do at Sint Maarten, this destination at the Caribbean gives you the perfect opportunity to check out some of the surrounding islands as well. Island hopping: Visiting Saba If you’re a thrill seeker, you don’t want to miss your flight to Saba. Even though a flight is a bit more expensive than going by boat, the adrenaline will make up for it. The landing strip at Saba is one of the ten most dangerous landing strips of the world. It’s so short, that not every pilot is allowed to land. Besides the thrilling travel, Saba combines the charm of small-town life with the warming smiles of the Caribbean. Fun fact about Saba: every house requires a red roof. Since the island is so small, this was how, in the earlier days, pilots flying over the island could see its inhabited. At Saba you’re able to hike the highest point in the Kingdom of the Netherlands: 2855 feet high, 1064 steps to make and around 90 minutes one way. Hiking the Mt. Scenery is a real adventure, almost like you’re in a suspense movie. Once you reach the clouds, the scenery changes into a rainforest. Make sure you stay hydrated! At the end of your hike, Queens Gardens is the place to relax and enjoy one of the best gin & tonics you’ve ever had. It’s the only place of the island where you’ll find a spa and you can even stay here for the night with a private jacuzzi. If you don’t want to leave anymore, we totally understand. About to reach the highest point of The Netherlands Island Hopping: Visiting Sint Eustatius Most people visit Sint Eustatius to dive (look out for the sharks), but you can also hike here, even in the crater of the volcano! If you want to hike the crater, make sure to put on some of the best hike shoes you have. It can be slippery here. There’s a good chance that you’ll meet some protected species such as land crabs of hermit crabs on any trail you choose. Be careful, you can hike the outer slope your own, but they recommend to hike the inner slope a buddy (doesn’t have to be a tour guide). Sint Eustatius In the end, I look back on a special time at the sunny side of Holland and France. The island is as happy, tropical and warm as I always thought it would be, even after the hurricane. If Irma can’t break Sint Maarten, nothing can! Larissa *Larissa is one of our guest editors from The Netherlands. She is only 22 years old, and just graduated, but already runs the two lifestyle magazines BLVD and MisterDaily for two years. Her dream is to write a book one day, but now she’s focussing on her writing and content creation for brands and magazines among which Wander-Lust. Follow her on Instagram! ... Read more...
Caribbean / Europe / Off the Beaten TrackFebruary 17, 2019
Most colourful places in the worldWe’ve selected our top 7 most colorful places in the world so you can travel and bring some color to your life! 1. Chefchaouen, Morocco’s bluest village Blue Monday has never looked so good. We are totally mesmerized by this beautiful Moroccan village called Chefhaouen. Chefchaouen (or Chaouen) is situated in the Rif Mountains, just inland from Tangier and Tetouan. Founded in 1471, the town now has about 200 hotels & apartments because of the increasing number of tourists. Did you know? That the countryside Chefchaouen region is one of the main producers of cannabis in Morocco. Hashish is subsequently sold all over town, but is mostly the domain of native Chaouenis. We can’t get over these beautiful colors 2. The Favelas, Rio De Janeiro Notorious for their crime wars and poverty, this part of Rio is looking rather colourful since a couple of years thanks to 2 Dutch artists. They employ local youth to paint the buildings and houses for a few reasons; Give them something they can be proud of and take them of the streets. We love this and that’s why it’s our number 2. Check their website for more info and other projects. The Favela have never looked so colorful (Source: Favelapainting.com) 3. Isla Mujeres, Mexico This small Caribbean island is one of the most colorful places on earth because of all the shops and houses there. It’s only 7km in length and it’s perfect for lazy beach days. Did you know? That Isla Mejeres literally means “women island” Wouldn’t you just want to live in a house like this one?! (Source: Fotolia/AP) 4. Havana, Cuba Yes, you knew this one was going to be in the list right? Havana is becoming more popular now that the USA renewed their bond with Cuba. If you want to experience Havana in all it’s original beauty, you must hurry up. We’ve heard that the first MC Donald’s have been spotted.. Still authentic.. 5. Vernazza, Italy It used to be only accessible by sea or steep walking routes, but now the milk train provides easy access. Vernazza is one of 5 villages along the Cinque Terre coast of Italy and the train runs into each of the five towns. The blue sea and the green trees certainly help but this village owns its own colourful reputation. Did you know? That there is a trail that connects all 5 towns together? So bring your walking shoes! All the colors match in Vernazza. 6. Rainbow Mountain Only visit when it’s sunny they say, because you might be disappointed with the pallet of colours as you arrive. But rainbow mountain still remains something special and should not be excluded from this list. Have you been? 7. The Netherlands (during Tulip season) During April, May, something beautiful is happening in the Netherlands: Tulip Season! People from all over the world come to look at a variety of tulips in all sorts of sizes and colors. We can’t wait for this year, and we hope to take some drone shots! Love, Elke... Read more...
Caribbean / Off the Beaten Track / South AmericaMay 14, 2017
The Cuba ExperienceIt has been said a million times: “go to Cuba now, while it is still authentic”. And people will probably say it a million times more. Before the Americans flood this paradise, with their all-inclusive resorts and McDonald’s and the Cuban culture is lost. But after spending three weeks on this island, I am convinced it will take a lot more than some Americans and hamburgers for the Cuban culture to get lost. These people are proud of their country, of their food and of their way of living. Even if they don’t own a fortune and have some struggles. So. I would like to rephrase that sentence “Go to Cuba”. Into; it will be authentic for a pretty long time if you ask me, it’s a hell of a country. And while you are there, here’s what you definitely should do to enhance that Cuba experience: 1. Turn of your phone and enjoy the ride If you are as addicted to your smartphone as I am, this might sound a bit scary. But after a few days of digital detox, you’ll ask yourself why you have never done this before. You see, in Cuba internet and WIFI are not that common. A lot of people don’t even have an internet connection in their homes, let alone on their mobile phones. And they don’t miss or need it. Some Cubans even believe that the internet should be banned from their country since it is making people less and less social. Do as the Cubans do, let go of the feeling of always wanting to be connected to the whole world. Yes, this also means no Google maps and no Instagram. Just look around you, talk to people and feel completely lost and happy. 2. Drink a Mojito every day, wherever you are Relax, you’re on a holiday, a little boozing and snoozing won’t hurt. Specially not when you are in Cuba, home of the Mojito. This delicious rum cocktail is what it is all about in this country and you should try as many as possible. No Mojito is the same, whether it’s because of some secret ingredient, the vibe or the view. Not to mention that fact that this elixer of life usually is cheaper than a cola. So it’s best to take another one. The Cuba experience is not complete without a Mojito! You can get one on every street corner, but these are my favourite places: Hotel Nacional – Havana Vedado: this famous hotel bursts with history and the drinks come with an amazing complementary view. The little beach hut on Playa Los Cocos – Playa Giron: where the lifeguard is your bartender and the prices will have you order round after round. Centro Recreativo La Punta – Cienfuegos: in a little park, at the southern tip of Cienfuegos, a perfectly well dressed bartender will create a masterpiece for you with precision and craftsmanship. Of how I wish I was there right now. Hostal Colina – Trinidad: on the road to disco Ayala, this casa particulara offers ‘special Mojito’s’, and they sure are special. Just like the garden you will be in while drinking them. 3. Travel with a Taxi collectivo, even if it is just once Getting around Cuba is easy if you book the Via Azul tourist busses. But it’s fun when you book a taxi collectivo! You’ll share this oldtimer ride with as many people that fit in the vehicle (and sometimes even more) and your luggage on top. This is traveling in style, Cuban style. it’s easy to arrange your taxi collectivo on the streets, many drivers offer their services. Usually it’s easy to bargain and to come to an agreement of the price. Just never pay in advance, you can settle that with the actual driver on the day of your trip. 4. Only stay at Casa Particulara’s Thinking about booking a hotel in Cuba? Don’t even bother (unless you have unlimited funds and are aiming for an ultimate high-end holiday). Try a casa particulara, you won’t be disappointed. these casa’s are rooms that are rented out by the Cubans. Usually they come with your own bathroom, your own rocking chair on the porch and sometimes your own entrance. And if you are lucky, with breakfast. It’s the best way to travel for a reasonable price and feeling the local vibe. Also, Casa owners have lots of friends and family in other cities, so if your traveling onwards they always know a new casa and will even arrange it for you. Easy does it! Check out: Casa Eliza – Rafael Trejo, Vinales: spotless rooms, your own entrance and breakfast under the gazebo. Oh and it’s just on street behind the mainstreet, hello centre location! Casa Hostal El Castillito Yaya y Monolito – Playa Giron: great food, big rooms and Yaya is like a mother to the guests. Casa Castro & Anita – between C43 and C44, Varadero: big rooms, great location and sweet people. What more can you ask for? 5. Taking a dive Cuba is home to some real sweet diving spots. However, the best ones are hard to reach and will eat half of your budget. But there is this one place, between two very tiny villages, where the water calls your name and you won’t loose oxygen over the price. Bahia de Cochinos (Bay of Pigs) is where you need to be. There are several dive spots, suited for beginners to the more advanced Dive Masters. First timer? At Playa el Tanque you can go into the water without a boat. Just put on your tank and goggles and go! Best village to stay for this dive trip: Playa Giron. It offers not more than about 4 dusty roads, some houses and a war museum. But it has a beach, some restaurants and the divers bus to take you to the fishes. Dive and chill, my friends. 6. From Cienfuegos to Trinidad through the mountains Cienfuegos, it’s a pretty town a lot of travellers skip. Which is a shame since it is the perfect city to do absolutely nothing for a day or two (and sip on those amazing Mojito’s I mentioned earlier). But beside that cocktail, there is one reason why I would urge you to go to this city, and that is the way out to Trinidad. In Cienfuegos you can book a tour at Cubanacan to travel to Trinidad through the beautiful Parque Natural Topes de Collantes, including the amazing El Nicho waterfalls. At the end you will be dropped off in Trinidad. This private tour will take you through the mountains in a jeep, with a real Cuban tourguide. He can tell you all about the surroundings as well as the (communist) culture and lots of other stories. Plus, he knows exactly when El Nicho is not flooded with tourists and you have the natural swimming pools to yourself (oh and he can take stunning pictures from you). You’ll drive past small, simple villages (which have a school and a discotheque) and taste the most amazing coffee you will ever taste at this small cafe in the middle of the mountains. If you are lucky, you’ll also have the chance to sing along to The Backstreetboys playing on an old CD in the car. Here’s your authentic experience! Cuba’s nature is stunning too Enough said. Go to Cuba. Enjoy it to the fullest. Love, Jill Read Jill’s tips about New Zealand here:... Read more...

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