What is CuraDura?
A plan, project, idea, dream, … providing a basis for activities, in
which nature & environment, culture & art, and a healthy way of living
come together.
This future project I describe here as if it’s already existing.
We’re busy getting a project-group together now.
passiflora suberosa, our 'logo'
Where?
At the beautiful Caribbean island of Curaçao! At a quiet central spot,
starting point for hikes in nature, trips to the beach or to Willemstad.
Who?
It involves different target groups. It’s an ‘eco-camp’ for tourists. It’s
an accommodation for workshops, attracting both locals and visitors.
We, the project-group, come from different directions. We’re tied
together by our love for Curaçao, for nature and for humanity.
Eco-camp, what do you mean?
Curaçao isn’t regarded ideal for camping. Nevertheless this is almost a
camping site. Imagine an oasis; small (2 and 4 person) holiday-homes shaded by
palm trees, separated by cactus bushes and a garden full of fruits and
vegetables (‘permaculture food-forest’). A larger central building. All built in a sustainable,
eco-friendly way, with local natural materials such as palm leaves. Still
everything modern tourists need is there. Electricity and hot water from solar
panels and a comfortable designed interior, with smart natural ventilation.
Even for die-hard-campers who bring their own tent there is a
tree-shaded field. Hammocks are available!
Really sustainable?
Our aim is to make it possible to fly from Europe or USA to Curaçao (and
back) and have your CO2-emission ‘zeroed’ by your accommodation.
Sustainable includes a human aspect. This project provides nice paid
work for a diverse team of Curaçaoan people. It provides education for
co-workers and visitors. As far as possible it gives access to all kind of
people, including handicapped and disabled people (and their helping dogs).
Will it be fun?
Of course different people like different things. This is the place-to-be
for nature-lovers, art-lovers, active families who want to go to the beach some
days and join organised activities other days. There's a lot of room to play for children.
What activities?
A choice of creative, artistic, educational and sportive activities both
indoors and outdoors. The central building gives room to the indoor activities. Outdoors there's the play-field and trips to interesting spots on the island, by
foot, bike or mini-bus.
What’s healthy?
The permaculture garden provides healthy fruits and vegetables. Our
kitchen prepares healthy meals and smoothies with these products. Next to the
‘restaurant’ there’s a ‘spa’, using regional herbs and sea-products for
treatments.
Also healthy is the quiet natural environment. We (you too) help this
environment stay healthy, even become healthier! So a rule is: no smoking!
What workshops?
A workshop is a short course, one to a few hours, on one day. We offer
an opportunity to local and international ‘teachers’ to teach about something
they know. Short creative, cultural or artistic workshops, but also education
on aspects of nature, environment, sustainable solutions, health, etc.
We hope to provide a choice of different workshops and trips every day.
For everyone: old and young, tourist and local, all together. This
‘togetherness’ is an extra cultural aspect … people from very different
backgrounds get to know each other.
Is that all?
You want to do more? You can work in the permaculture garden, the
kitchen or the service (and get paid!). You can organise your own workshop,
trip or other activity. And there are many activities organised by different
organisations all over the island.
Can this be affordable?
Of course it isn’t cheap. But you will get value for your money. Our
goal is not to get rich, but to make this sustainable project a success.
If you have barely enough to pay the flight … you can bring your tent
and camping gear and work for us to earn your stay!
What’s
exciting about this small island?
Curaçao has hundreds of wonderful beaches at the South. Willemstad is on
the World Heritage list. These two facts most tourists know.
There’s so much more … the list could be endless … CurAloe aloe vera
plantation, Ostrich safari, windsurfing at Sint Joris Bay, Dinah Veeris herb
garden, kayak trips, Hato caves, salt lakes, Christoffel mountain and national park, Shete
Boka at the North coast, the old plantation houses, some of which now are
museums (varying from modern art to the not-so-nice slave-trade history of the
island), etcetera, etcetera.
Join the project group?
fruits on a tree at Curaçao
