# @kirstenalana on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/BWbj3QIFYej
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/2430280-kirstenalana-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/302c20638f.jpg
- **Posted:** 2017-07-12T02:59:47.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Kirsten Alana (@KirstenAlana) — https://gondola.cc/KirstenAlana

## Caption

Today for the second day in a row, after spending the morning at the resort, @sbrcuracao & @benchmarkresortsandhotels arranged for me to see the island with a guide named Reggy. He works with the island's tourism board to regularly show people the side of the island that you never see if you're a cruise ship passenger. And he knows it because guiding is all he does, he doesn't work in an office! I was saddened to learn that many people experience Curaçao only during the shore excursions from their cruise ship. Especially American tourists. This saddens me because while Willemstad, where the ships dock, has some enjoyable elements - it isn't really the full picture of this island. If that's all you experience, I'm not sure you can leave saying you've seen "the real Curaçao." However, because of Reggy I now know the best beaches to snorkel from without needing to get on any boat. I know what it looks like when the sun sets over the soaring cactus of the National Park on the West side. (For that matter, I also know that the West side might just be the best side. It all depends on what you want to learn!) I wanted to learn where to see turtles close to shore and Reggy took me to a beach where the turtles visit so often that they each have names and their photos hang on the wall of a building close to the pier so you can learn who they are and feel invested in wanting to protect them! It was on the way to that place that I spotted these trees. Painted by residents of the local village, they're a powerful declaration that is hard to miss. Vibrant and fun, like the music Reggy and I listened to as we drove around. Personal, like the stories Reggy told me of his family and his friends. Now I know Curaçao is so much more than resorts and colorful Dutch architecture. And for that I will be forever grateful. 🇨🇼
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#rightnowincuracao #sbrcuracao #benchmarkresortsandhotels #curacao #curacaoisland #curacao_island #wonderful_places #artnerd #artlover #sonyrx1rii #focuscamera

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 2,002
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- **Comments:** 44

## Tags

focuscamera, curacao_island, artlover, curacaoisland, sbrcuracao, wonderful_places, sonyrx1rii, rightnowincuracao, curacao, benchmarkresortsandhotels, artnerd

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