Punda was the first area in Willemstad to be colonized by the Dutch, and today has become famous for the superb condition of its colorful, 18th-century buildings. Although we lived in Otrobanda, we crossed the bay almost daily to spend time in Punda, to eat, shop, or just enjoy the neighborhood's lively atmosphere.
Two bridges connect Punda to Otrobanda. For cars, there's the towering Queen Juliana Bridge, which reaches a height of 56 meters above the Saint Anna Bay, and is the tallest in the Caribbean. And for pedestrians, there's the Queen Emma Bridge, which rises zero meters over the water. The Queen Emma, you see, is a floating bridge.
When you think of "Curaçao," you're likely to think of things like "scuba diving," "liquor," "beaches," "cruise ships" and "historic Jewish community." Wait... what was that last one?! It's unexpected, but this little island has the oldest Jewish congregation in the Western Hemisphere, with a history that dates to 1651. And Willemstad's Mikvé Israel-Emanuel is the New World's oldest synagogue.
Willemstad is the capital of Curaçao and by far its largest city, with about 98% of the island's total population. In many respects, Willemstad is Curaçao. And for 91 days, it would also be our home.
