After having hiked to the top of Christoffelberg, we had enough time to continue exploring the park. A driving route recommended by the visitor's center brought us to a few interesting sights, including a remote beach, a dark cave, and ancient rock paintings made by the Arwak Indians.
Curaçao's most popular hike, and perhaps its only popular hike, is the trek to the summit of Christoffelberg. At a modest 372 meters above sea level, this is the tallest peak on the island, and reaching the top requires an effort of about 90 minutes.
We had heard about a hike around the small Caracasbaai Peninsula, leading from Tugboat Beach up to the top of the Kabrietenberg, and then back around the southern side of the peninsula. It would lead past mangrove forests and coral wastelands to Directorsbaai, before passing an abandoned mansion and returning to the starting point. Sounded perfect, and we couldn't resist checking it out.
Every once in awhile, Jürgen and I will cross our fingers and embark upon an excursion which we know nothing about. Our trip to Hanchi Spelonk was one such adventure. There's almost nothing on the internet nor in guidebooks about this little park, but we supposed it was worth a shot... if for no other reason than the excuse to say "Hanchi Spelonk" repeatedly throughout the day. Hanchi Spelonk!
A small nature preserve near the town of Barber, Hofi Pastor is best known as the home of Curaçao's oldest tree. We spent an afternoon here, checking out the ancient kapok and exploring a couple short trails that snake through the park.
Leaving from Boka Sami, there's a circular hike leading around the lagoon and salt flats of St. Michiel, and up to the top of Michielsberg. It's an easy walk, about five kilometers long, and shows off some of Curaçao's diverse nature.
Built in 1705 on the small Caracasbaai Peninsula, Fort Beekenburg once protected the natural harbor of Spanish Waters from attacks by pirates and foreign nations. The fort has remained in excellent condition, and makes for a fun excursion.
After parking our car at Landhuis Ascencion, we embarked on a hike which would bring us through some wildly diverse nature, including forests, cactus fields, and towering granite outcrops. But the highlight came at Boka Ascencion, where we stood atop a small cliff and watched turtles swimming in the sea below us.
After having visited the Curaçao Ostrich Farm, we left our car in the parking lot and walked over to nearby St. Joris Bay. With its calm waters and steady breeze, St. Joris is a popular spot to practice wind-surfing and kite-surfing.
The inland region between Vaersenbaai and Grote Berg is known as Malpais, which can be translated as "The Badlands." Despite the rather uninviting name, we embarked on a hike through this undeveloped, uninhabited terrain, following the Biná and Jamanika trails, and ending with a swim at the secluded Boka Unico.
