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WILLEMSTAD, CURAÇAO
A quick look at Willemstad's waterfront and it could
easily be mistaken for the canals of Amsterdam. Clear
skies and year-round warm weather, however, are dead
giveaways for Curaçao's capital city and the pastel-
hued buildings carry a certain islandy beat to them.
Despite its colorful reputation, the city did not always
appear quite as cheery as it does today. A fact I learned
during my visit in 2017. Up until the 1800s, Willemstad
resembled the likes of a village in Greece made up
entirely of white stucco. Its rainbow-inspired palette
was one that was later put into place by government
decree, after Governor Albert Kikkert claimed to have
suffered migraines from the strong Caribbean sun
reflecting off the whitewashed walls—or so legend
has it. In order to maintain their vibrancy, Willemstad's
buildings and residences are repainted every two years.
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