travel guide Archives - C. C. Solomon

It’s November, time to give thanks (or keep giving thanks) to our friends, family, and military. This month I’m thankful for the freedom to travel and write. To highlight that I’ll give a quick guide to my birthday trip to Curacao and highlight some reading opportunities I hope you’ll grab (including my new beta request for Mystic Awakenings)!

Curacao Getaway

Curacao is a tiny Caribbean island and if you like water activities and nature this place is for you.

Stay

We stayed at the lovely Avila Hotel. The property was upscale with a nice restaurant and pool along with a private beach. There’s also a popular jazz club on site. It wasn’t too far from the down town area, about a 15 minute walk, and other nightlife and restaurants were even closer.

Eat/Drink

There are many places to eat in this town and if you are a lover of live music there is enough to keep you occupied.

Check out Saint Tropez Ocean Club on a Friday if you want to hear a DJ instead of live music. They played a good mix of everything and the vibe is sexy.

Blues Bar & Restaurant on a Thursday for great live jazz.

Kome Restaurant has really good food and drinks and after 10 p.m. on Saturday there’s a DJ. Not too far from this place are a ton of other options to check out for live music as well.

For authentic food check out Marshe Bieu, the old market building in Willemstad.

For many food options, a bit of shopping and the beach (you’ll have to pay a small fee to access) go to Mambo Beach.

Do

While here it’s a fun idea to go do the Curacao Liquor tour at the Landhuis Chobolobo. I actually learned a few things.

Do a city tour, it’s quick and gets you the lay of the land.

Shop in Punda. It’s the downtown area with a ton of places to eat and buy things.

If you don’t have access to a private beach at your hotel then it’s a great idea to do a beach excursion. There are tons of them and if you are adventurous go do a cave tour and snorkeling. Don’t forget to see the turtles and the flamingos!

If you are more low key there are many options for a spa visit. Or visit Kura Hulanda, a museum for African history on the island.

Tips

The country accepts American dollars so no need to exchange your money.

Also cabs can be pretty expensive so many people rent cars. My friend and I just split the cab rides because we were too lazy to drive.

Reading Opportunities

If you’re looking for a chance to read fantasy and paranormal books for free in exchange for an honest review on Amazon and Goodreads, check out this opportunity before the special ends on the 14th!

And I’m still open to readers for reviews for Mystic Realms out now.

I’m looking for beta readers for book 3 in my Paranormal World Series, Mystic Awakenings. Here’s the draft summary:

Amina finally knows the sinister forces behind the many attacks on her life and the other members of The Six. Awakened by the return of magic to the world, the first soulmates want their reigning power back. The only problem? There can only be one strong soulmate pairing at a time and the new soulmates, Amina and Phillip, are in their way.

Still new to her bond with former enemy, Phillip, Amina is far from ready to find and battle the ancient soulmates. Not to mention, she’s trying to grow her connection with The Six, which is easier said than done since past hurts have caused a fracture in the group. Then there’s the growing threat of a possible disease that affects only Paranormals, making them primal and violent. When the town’s new barbaric leader enforces a kill law on all those infected Amina’s fight grows even larger. Can Amina and her friends come together to prepare to battle the first soulmates, protect themselves against the regressive disease and stay under the radar of the new leader? They don’t have a choice.