A Lighthouse that’s just about still standing…
Name: Jonathan Jagot Age: 26 Specialty: has been sailing around the world since the age of 13
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Publié le
26/09/2024
Par
Jonathan Jagot
Numéro :
198
Parution :
Nov.
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Dec.
2024
As I wiped the sleep from my eyes at dawn, I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised by the amazingly beautiful and photogenic scenery.
One day more or less doesn’t make much of a difference to a long journey, so I decided to stay a while...
My first stop was the island’s lighthouse; it’s the only one you’ll see, yet Klein Curaçao is infamous for the many ships that have run aground on its rocks. The most famous of these is the Maria Bianca Guidesman, whose rusting hulk can still be seen on the island’s beach. This Venezuelan tanker ran aground in the 1960s. Today, only the stern deck remains above water.
Built in 1850 to guide ships through the sometimes- dangerous waters around Klein Curaçao, the lighthouse has been renovated several times over the decades. Originally, the lighthouse’s lamp was powered by oil, but as technology advanced, it was electrified - albeit without any improvement in reliability.
Today, though in ruins, the lighthouse remains a popular tourist attraction: its solitary silhouette, perched amidst a cactus-filled desert landscape, continues to tell the stories of long-ago sailors and their adventures. It adds a touch of mystery to the island, which is definitely something I appreciate...
