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A Final Postcard from Curacao | Episode 16 | Dive Curaçao (Watch Video)

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Welcome to Episode 16 and the final Postcard from Curacao.

The virtual “Postcard from Curacao” series, that launched 16 weeks ago, was initially designed to transport you to a place where you would rather be and bring you a moment of joy, and tranquility to your day so you could dream of Curaçao, an island located in the HEART of the Dutch Caribbean.  The fact is, this series also became extremely important to our community, our island and, also for us personally.

As you may know, if you have been following the series, we have taken you to the BEST Beaches, visited the BEST hotels, dove with the BEST recommended dive operators and given you the opportunity to see, above and below the waterline, why Curaçao is consistently a world class dive and vacation destination.  But these experiences alone can also be said about so many other world class destinations too, such as our better-known sister Bonaire.

As true as the above statement is, as a community “Curaçao is clearly distinguishing ourselves from these other world class destinations by focusing on not only the blue factors but also highlighting the topside richness of our island where you can experience the essence of Curacao through the culture, language, music, and history.” says, Jeremiah Peek, General Manager of Ocean Encounters.

Jeremiah went on to say, “The fact is that Curaçao is one of the most unique islands in the Caribbean, if not the world, that offers everyone who visits something different because it bridges all the gaps, intrigues the senses and allows you the freedom to experience it, on your own terms.  I guess that is why we say that you need to dive in and feel it for yourself”.


Travel Tip:  Discover Punda Vibes every Thursday night in downtown Willemstad.  This interesting event has turned into weekly habit that has been making waves in Punda on Thursday nights. Punda Vibes has a simple goal: to make people from all walks of life fall in love with Curacao’s booming art scene, history, and culture.  It is a celebration of Punda’s booming art scene wherein the town showcases work from local artists.  Pop-up craft markets, live theater, and historic dancing is combined with music that fills the alleys and where you will find yourself dancing under the stars. Afterwards, a stunning fireworks display decorates the sky.

Do not forget to check out this incredible area and weekly event when you are planning your Curacao vacation so that you can immerse yourself into one of the most beautiful inner cities in the world that is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.


View or Replay your favorite “Postcard from Curacao” episode

  1. Premier Espisode – March 25th, 2020
  2. Caracasbaai – April 1st, 2020
  3. Cas Abao – April 8th, 2020
  4. Eastpoint – April 15th, 2020
  5. Santa Martha – April 22nd, 2020
  6. GO WEST Diving – April 29th, 2020
  7. LionsDive Beach Resort Curaçao and Ocean Encounters – May 6th, 2020
  8. The Dive Bus at Marie Pampoen – May 13th, 2020
  9. The Kenepa Plantation – May 20th, 2020
  10. Avila Beach Hotel – May 27th, 2020
  11. Blue Bay Beach – June 3rd, 2020
  12. Jan Thiel Bay – June 10th, 2020
  13. All West Apartments – June 17th, 2020
  14. Curaçao Sea Aquarium – June 24th, 2020
  15. Klein Curaçao – July 1st, 2020

At the very beginning we wrote, “It has been said that we should be patient in a storm and focus on the sunshine after.” But we all know that these “ground-hog days” during this global coronavirus epidemic (COVID-19) are not easy but we chose to ignore the obvious challenges and focused on the task of providing you with these weekly reminders that quickly became reminders for us too.  Why, you may ask? Because, we have the opportunity every day here on Curaçao, to feel, to taste, to experience Curaçao but like most, the proverbial “forest always gets lost in the trees”.  By providing you these moments, we also reminded ourselves how fortunate we are to live on this coral rock we call home and the inherit need to protect it for future generations.

​Additionally, we must say that we are overwhelmed by the volume of positive feedback we received weekly from you.  PLEASE, do not stop!  It is one thing to develop and deliver content where the only indicators of its effectiveness are the numbers displayed on a screen.  But it is completely another thing when we hear from you personally via email or facebook messenger that our goal to provide “you a moment of joy, and tranquility to your day” was effective and appreciated, not to mention wanting to plan your next visit Curaçao as soon as you can!  WOW… THANK YOU for the overwhelming response and please continue sending us messages because we love hearing from you.

Although this maybe our official last postcard episode, we are planning a few encores plus we are already working on numerous concepts for several new series that will allow you to virtually be here in the heart of the Dutch Caribbean to Dive Curaçao.  If you have ideas, you are officially invited to share.

Thank you all and once again, we hope you have enjoyed this Postcard from Curaçao and we also hope to see you soon.  Please, do not forget to subscribe to our mailing list and to the Dive Curaçao YouTube Channel to be automatically notified.

Sincere Love from Curacao,

Bryan Horne, Dive Curacao

Tilo and Yvonne Kuhnast, Nature Pics Films


Videos produced and edited for Dive Curacao in cooperation with Nature Pics Films.

Bryan Horne wasn’t born in Curaçao; he’s a Canadian native, drawn to the Island “out of a passion for scuba diving and the underwater world.” Moving was always going to be a life-changing decision, but in diving, Bryan had found his calling. As the founder and owner of Dive Curaçao, he spends his days showing off Curaçao’s hidden undersea treasures – and does his part to preserve them for future generations.

Marine Life & Conservation Blogs

Book Review: Shells of the World

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Shells of the World: A Natural History by M.G. Harasewych

Shells of the world is a guide to the world of marine, shelled molluscs. And what a varied and interesting world it is. Some of my favourite things to find on a dive are detailed in this book, including disco clams (or Electric File Clams as they are correctly names), the cephalopods, giant clams and sea hares. There are also many on my wish list, top of which is the Nautilus.

Each chapter provides a detailed description of the species, along with beautiful images. You can dive deeper and discover where they live, both with global distribution and the habitat they prefer. Learn about their diet, reproduction and diversity.

Having dipped in and out of this lovely book over the past few weeks, it has inspired me to learn more about this group of animals that we see on most divers, wherever we are in the world. Some of the shells are incredibly intricate and beautiful. I have always agreed with never collecting, or touching, marine life. The description of a certain set of cone shells should be a warning to those that are happy to pick up marine life! One of the cone shells has a local name called the cigarette snail. Why? Because once the venom is in your system from this animal, you only have time to smoke one cigarette before the affects of the venom are fatal!

What the publisher says:

Mollusks are invertebrate animals with a remarkable natural history and a rich fossil record, and their shells are prized for their breathtaking variety and exquisite beauty. Shells of the World provides a wide-ranging look at the incredible diversity of marine mollusks. An informative introduction outlines the lineages covered, followed by a directory section, split into classes, that profiles a broad selection of different taxa to give a sense of their sheer numbers and variety.

  • Features hundreds of beautiful color photos, depicting both the live animals and their shells
  • Discusses mollusk evolution, anatomy, life cycles, behavior, and ecology
  • Describes unique characteristics, distribution, habitat, and size
  • Provides valuable insights into the conservation of the world’s marine mollusks
  • Ideal for malacologists and shell collectors everywhere

About the Author:

M. G. Harasewych is research zoologist emeritus and former curator in the Department of Invertebrate Zoology at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History. A fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, he is the author (with Fabio Moretzsohn) of The Book of Shells: A Life-Size Guide to Identifying and Classifying Six Hundred Seashells.

Book Details

Publisher: Princeton University Press

Hardcover

Price: £25

ISBN: 9780691248271

Published: 9th April, 2024

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Gear News

Go anywhere with Stahlsac

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stahlsac

Stahlsac dive bags and travel luggage are built for our community of divers, surfers, kayakers and outdoor explorers who need bags that are constructed with durability, toughness, and stahlsacthe highest quality the industry has ever seen. We were founded by one man determined to build better watersports and dive bags, and today, that mission is carried on by many. Adventure doesn’t just present itself; it requires discovery. When we design dive bags, we make sure they are tough enough for you to explore in all conditions—warm and cold, wet and dry—to the nearest and farthest reaches of the earth. And for those times you want to push the boundaries of adventure, Stahlsac dive bags make sure you can truly GO ANYWHERE.

Abyss Duffels

stahlsacMade to be your partner-in-crime on every adventure, Stahlsac’s Abyss Duffels protects your gear from Mother Nature’s worst. Tough and 100% waterproof with double-TPU nylon material that shrugs off daily wear-and-tear, and RF-welded seams further boost the bag’s potential for lifelong exploring. Get Wet. Get Lost. Go Anywhere with Abyss.

  • A weatherproof duffel for trips, travel, and adventure
  • Ultra-durable double-TPU nylon protects your gear
  • Material repels water and keeps your equipment dry
  • RF-welded seams are flush, tough, and waterproof
  • Removable straps transform duffel into backpack
  • Zippered internal stow compartments carry essentials
  • External zippered flap is easy to open and close
  • Welded external handles make transporting a breeze

stahlsac

Panama Mesh Backpack

stahlsacThe most copied design in scuba diving, the Stahlsac Panama Mesh Backpack is the “original” design and features two high-density foam padded shoulder straps, extra durable polyester mesh, duffel bag handles and our unique zippered dry pocket inside that combines with a wet pocket outside. The bottom’s built from reinforced 18-gauge PVC nylon to combat the wear and tear of your active coastal lifestyle, and, as a bonus in every bag, we supply a 12″ x 12″ mesh drawstring satchel for extra stowing utility. Pack up your beach kit and go.

  • Density foam padded shoulder straps
  • Outside wet/dry pockets
  • 2 Carry handles
  • Tough, snag-resistant polyester mesh
  • Reinforced PVC bottom

stahlsacstahlsacstahlsacstahlsac

For more information about Stahlsac bags, visit www.stahlsac.com/dive-bags.

Sea & Sea is the home of Stahlsac and other leading diving brands in the UK. 

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Experience the Red Sea in May with Bella Eriny Liveaboard! As the weather warms up, there’s no better time to dive into the crystal clear waters of the Red Sea. Join us on Bella Eriny, your premier choice for Red Sea liveaboards, this May for an unforgettable underwater adventure. Explore vibrant marine life and stunning coral reefs Enjoy comfortable accommodation in our spacious cabins Savor delicious meals prepared by our onboard chef Benefit from the expertise of our professional dive guides Visit our website for more information and to secure your spot: www.scubatravel.com/BellaEriny or call 01483 411590 More Less

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