Bon Dia

This week, the DH and I are on vacation. I'm sorry if you're freezing wherever you are, but today I am in sunny Curacao, which is 12 degrees north of the equator. It's thirty-five miles off the coast of Venezuela and is part of the Netherlands Antilles. Two other islands, Aruba and Bonaire, make up the rest of the island group and together they're often called the ABC islands. The people speak a language called Papiamento, which is a strange mix of Dutch and Spanish. Bon dia, the title of this post, means good day.

The water is clear and turquoise. I went snorkeling in the hotel's lagoon. It's shallow enough that I can stand up if panic starts to set in. But I saw coral and some purple fish and I'm a happy camper. The beach isn't your typical sandy shore. It's filled with washed up coral and were it not for my Crocs, I couldn't even get into the water.

So while the shore's a little rough, this island has one HUGE plus going for it. You can drink the water. You also don't have to scrutinize every bite you eat for fear it's been washed in contaminated water. Haven't needed the Immodium once. I know: TMI.

It's been nice and breezy and warm. We have had to battle rain every morning, but that's better than the snow and cold parts of the US are battling. The resort is all-inclusive, which means all I have to do is beckon Sandrik, the cabana boy and ask, "Will you please bring me another of those wonderful fruity drinks with a little paper umbrella stuck in it?" I took merengue lessons on Sunday afternoon and salsa lessons yesterday, and Georgio and Ramon are just the cutest instructors a gal could want to have. And what hip action! I also read Problem Child's book under the shade of a big palm umbrella. And I met a very nice woman from Finland who is reading a book called HOUKUTUS. Translation: TWILIGHT. The craze is worldwide.

I'd post photos but I just can't get blogger to upload any. That's a shame because I have a wonderful photo I took on the beach today. I was walking in the surf and amidst the pieces of coral that resemble brains, sponges and part of the male anatomy that will remain nameless, I found a heart-shaped piece of coral -- El Corazon. It seemed appropos after the ride into town for shopping this morning. Drivers here are somewhat crazy and the only difference between my ride to Willemstad and Joan Wilder's trip away from Cartagena in "Romancing the Stone" was we had no pigs and chickens in the van.

We'll get back home on February 1st, and I'll post an account of the trip. Stay tuned. Same Playground time. Same Playground channel. And keep the Playfriends company for me while I'm gone.