Travel

The Cuisine of Curaçao You Gotta Eat Here!

Published

8 years ago

January 12, 2017

BY ALYSSA MAHADEO

One of the most exciting things to do while on vacation is to experience new and different cuisines and dishes unique to the native land. The chance to sample new food items, with foreign names you’ve probably never even heard of offers a sort of daring adventure, one that’s sure to satisfy even the hungriest of bellies and leave your taste buds tingling for more!

On our recent trip to the Dutch Caribbean Island of Curaçao we had the chance to try many different types of food, some we were familiar with, while others we experienced for the first time. Our hosts at the EM City Hotel in Curaçao were very accommodating in recommending dishes for us to try, noting the difference in preparation of your typical island food in Curaçao opposed to the other islands.

On our first night on the island we had dinner at the Cafe Americano located conveniently downstairs from the hotel. The evening was warm with a gentle breeze, and the restaurant was playing slow and rhythmic samba music while the gentleman on the track played guitar and sang sweet ballads in papiamentu. It was a very casual and relaxing atmosphere and to eat they offered Caribbean style cuisine that we were familiar with, such as stew goat, and stew oxtail. We learned that many of their dishes are stewed and also we were encouraged to try their Iguana Soup. Iguana’s are very prominent reptiles on the island of Curaçao and the colonise on many of the local sandy beaches, climb on the trees and rest on rocky cliffs, as we learned on our sightseeing tour of the island. Iguana meat and eggs are considered, powerful aphrodisiacs and Iguana Soup is a local delicacy. Although we were a bit apprehensive at first, it turned out to be very delicious and packed with flavor very similar to hearty chicken soup definitely a dish that would warm you up on a cold winter’s night!

Another evening while we took a stroll down to Mambo Beach Boulevard, one of the most happening beaches on the island Mambo Beach offers many bars with live music and restaurants right there on the beach. If you are looking for a bite to eat the boulevard offers many different options depending on what you’re craving. There are chain restaurants as well as different types of cuisine from various places in the world. They offer Chinese, Italian, Indian, American, you name it they have it especially after a night party on the beach.

If you’re used to hitting up a food truck at 3am instead, Curaçao also has that covered. One of the best places to grab a bite to eat whether it’s a night out the town or you’re just looking to grab something and go, Koki Riba Blocki or Chef on Blocks is one of the most sought after food trucks on the island to get a tasty and filling meal. Their famous dishes consist of your choice of meat such as chicken, beef, conch, lamb, or chorizo with fries topped with peanut sauce, ketchup, soy sauce and other tasty and flavorful garnishes that they offer. They are a family operated business, with very high quality food and standards that have been maintained over the years. Owners Talel and Fadia Akkari were born in Venezuela but their family is originally from Lebanon. Talel, an experienced chef worked in many restaurants and hotel before opening his food truck restaurant. He saw that there was a demand for his food, and that it was something not only locals but people from abroad enjoyed. They open their truck nightly from 9pm – 4am and every evening brings line ups of people waiting for their delicious BBQ meals. They encourage people to call ahead to have meal prepared, and they are open rain or shine due to high demand. Located at St. Rosaweg Willemstad they are about a twenty- minute drive from the hotel, but well worth the trip!

About a five-minute walk from the EM City Hotel, across the Queen Emma Bridge better known as the ‘Swinging Old Lady’ pontoon bridge in Punda is a restaurant called Indosur, that offers tasty and flavourful authentic Indonesian and Surinamese influenced cuisine. Owner Richard Lam was born in China, and raised in Surinam where people are prominently Indonesian and Surinamese. The diversity of the country greatly impacted the type of dishes they prepared and so Richard chose to open a restaurant combining the different cultures with the help of his Indonesian chef. People from all over the world have visited his restaurant to sample some of their unique, savory, and delicious dishes commemorated by the many mementos written by people who have visited since they’ve opened. Each dish is a plateful of vibrant combination of meats, rice and noodles prepared with Chinese, Indonesian and Surinamese style influences. In addition to the great food, they offer a colourful drink menu of some of Richard’s personal concoctions including cocktails and alcoholic smoothies, as well as non-alcoholic smoothies. They are open from 8am-9:30pm Monday to Saturday, and their menu always has something new for you to sample!

Whether you’re out for a night on the town or looking for something a bit more low-key Curaçao’s Cuisine is an experience all on its own. Sit back, relax, grab a cerveza and a bite to eat, this is a place where you want to be!

Related Topics:Curacao Cuisine Indosur Koki Riba Blocki

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Antigua & Barbuda Welcomes More Canadians as Air Canada Adds New Flights

Published

2 years ago

October 10, 2022

TOCaribNews

St. John’s, Antigua – The dual-island destination of Antigua & Barbuda is seeing an uptick in Canadian traffic just in time for the winter travel season. Beginning today, October 8th, a new offering of flights from Air Canada is expected to help realize a recovery to pre-pandemic airlift levels in the Canadian market.

The Air Canada flight arrived this afternoon carrying 106 passengers from Toronto and the aircraft was given a welcome back water cannon salute. Passengers were also greeted by cultural dancers and music and small token welcome gifts.

“We are extremely pleased with Air Canada’s decision to both resume and increase service to our shores and look forward to extending our famous Antigua and Barbuda hospitality to our Canadian visitors,” said Colin James, Chief Executive Officer of The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority. “We know many Canadians are more than ready for a vacation and we are equally ready to provide the relaxation and escape that Canadians have been craving.”

As noted, the rollout of the new service begins today with a single direct flight weekly from Toronto (YYZ) to St. John’s (ANU). Service will continue to ramp up to meet the traditional demand of the holiday season, with Air Canada forecasting the eventual operation of five weekly flights at peak traffic.

Travellers from Montreal looking to fly south for the winter can look forward to once-a-week direct flights (YUL to ANU) beginning December 23rd.

The return of Air Canada flights to Antigua & Barbuda comes in the wake of the destination’s latest travel advisory, which has lifted all COVID-19 restrictions for passengers arriving by air, yacht, and ferry. While a successful strategy of mass vaccinations and proactive public awareness campaigns has kept COVID-19 infection levels low, visitors are still encouraged to wear masks and practice social distancing in public spaces where crowds are likely to gather. You can read the latest travel advisory here.

“Over the course of the pandemic, Antigua and Barbuda has seen a monumental, joint effort involving both the government and industry stakeholders to make the destination as safe as it can be,” said Mr. James. “With that goal now realized and our Canadian friends set to return, we are extremely excited that our guests will once again be able to experience everything our home has to offer.”

Travel

Gambling Regulations In Canada And The Caribbean: What You Need To Know

Published

2 years ago

August 27, 2022

TOCaribNews

There are several trusted licensing authorities that oversee land-based and online gambling in the Caribbean, and in Canada, it’s all overseen in each province by the local provincial government. You also have the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, which is situated on an Indian land reserve in Quebec.

This trusted licensing authority is independent of Canada, and it’s part of the Kahnawake Mohawk Territory government. At one time, it was the licensing authority in the whole of North America, prior to US states regulating online casino gambling. Here is a look at gambling regulations in Canadian and the Caribbean and what you need to know as a player.

Are online casinos in Canada licensed by the Canadian government?

In Canada, gambling at online casinos is legal, and the gambling operator that’s based in that province must be licensed by the local provincial government’s licensing agency. For example, in Ontario, gambling is monitored and regulated by iGaming Ontario, which is a subsidiary of AGCO (Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario).

In other words, to legally operate an online casino in Ontario, an operator must have first obtained a license from iGaming Ontario. However, there’s still nothing stopping a foreign operator that’s based outside of Canadian borders from aiming their business toward Ontario citizens because they fall outside of Canadian jurisdiction. One of the other major licensing authorities that has issued licenses to hundreds of online casinos is the previously mentioned Kahnawake Gaming Commission.

Because the regulation and licensing of online casinos and other similar real money gambling sites is still relatively new in Canada, it’s why you will see that many of today’s best Ontario casino sites are licensed outside of Canada, by one or more other reputable licensing authorities, such as the UK Gambling Commission, the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority, or the Malta Gaming Authority.

How is online gambling regulated in the Caribbean?

There are several different gambling regulators/licensing authorities in the Caribbean, but these are often referred to as ‘rubber stamp’ licensing authorities. For example, you have the Directorate of Offshore Gaming in Antigua and Barbuda, the Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority in the Anjouan and Comoros Islands, and the Curaçao Ministry of Justice in Curaçao (the former Netherlands Antilles).

While not all online casinos that have obtained a license from one of these authorities can be classed as ‘rogue casinos’, the best thing to do would be to stick to playing at the sites that are licensed either by a provincial Canadian government licensing authority or by one of the others mentioned above (e.g., by the UK Gambling Commission – one of the most trusted online gambling regulators in the world).

Why sign up to a casino that’s licensed by a provincial Canadian government or the Malta Gaming Authority?

These reputable authorities don’t just hand out a license to any old operator that has the cash to buy one. They heavily vet their licensees and carry out the necessary due diligence prior to issuing a license. They have the best legal framework in place, and they only license the most trusted operators. Should an issue arise at a casino that’s licensed in one of these jurisdictions (which is highly unlikely), you would have the proper legal backing that you, as a player, deserve. In other words, your complaint or issue will not go unanswered and will be resolved within a relatively short period of time.

Travel

11 Fun Vacation Ideas That Will Keep You Entertained

Published

2 years ago

August 11, 2022

TOCaribNews

When it comes to taking a vacation, many people think they need to go somewhere exotic to have a good time. This is not always the case! Plenty of fun vacation ideas will keep you entertained without breaking the bank. This blog post will discuss 11 different vacations you can take without spending a lot of money. So whether you are looking for an adventure or want to relax on the beach, we have you covered!

Hiking and camping

If you are looking for an outdoor adventure, hiking and camping are great options. There are many trails all over the world that you can explore. And if you camp in an RV or tent, it will be even cheaper! This is a great way to get in touch with nature and see fantastic sights.

Try your hand at gambling

Gambling doesn’t always mean going to a casino—there are many different ways to gamble, and not all require money. You can play card games or bet on sports games with friends. You may wager on sports, horse races, and other events from anywhere with just a computer or mobile device and an internet connection. You should give it a chance now that single-game betting in Ontario is legal in different provinces. Numerous online betting firms provide bonuses and incentives, and the whole idea of gambling is to have fun.

Visit a national park

Another excellent option for those who love the outdoors is to visit a national park. There are parks throughout the United States and in many other countries. This is a great way to see some of the most beautiful places on earth without spending a lot of money. Many parks offer free or discounted admission days, so check out before going.

Take a road trip

A road trip is another great vacation idea that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. You can explore different parts of your country or even take an international trip! Just be sure to plan your route and budget accordingly. And don’t forget to pack snacks and games for the car ride.

Have a staycation

If you are short on time or money, a staycation is always an option. This is where you spend your vacation at home or in a nearby city. There are many things to do on a staycation, such as visiting local attractions, going out to eat, and seeing movies. You can also use this time to relax at home and catch up on some much-needed rest.

Take an art class

One fun activity you can do on vacation is taking an art class. This is a great way to try something new and connect with your creative side. You can find classes for all different types of art, such as painting, pottery, and photography. And you may even be able to find free or discounted classes!

Visit a museum

Museums are another great option for those who want to learn on vacation. There are museums for different topics, such as history, art, and science. Many museums also offer discounts or free days, so be sure to check that out before you go.

See a live show

Seeing a live show is an excellent option if you are looking for some entertainment on vacation. Depending on your interests, you can see a play, musical, or concert. This is a great way to experience some cultures and see something new.

Visit a theme park

Theme parks are always a popular vacation destination. And there are many different ones to choose from all over the world. But you don’t have to spend a lot of money to have fun at a theme park. There are often discounts and promotions available if you plan ahead.

Take a cooking class

One last fun vacation idea is taking a cooking class. This is a great way to learn about new cuisines and get some hands-on experience in the kitchen. You can find cooking classes for all different types of food, such as Italian, Chinese, and Indian cuisine. And you may even be able to find free or discounted classes!

Visit a winery

If you’re looking for a relaxing vacation, visiting a winery is a great option. You can spend your days touring different vineyards, sampling wines, and learning about the wine-making process. And many wineries offer discounts or complimentary tastings if you visit during certain times of the year.

These are just a few of the many fun vacation ideas that you can try. So get out there and start exploring! And don’t forget to have fun!