Day Four, Hey, Mambo!

After hiking and exploring the day before, on Day Four we decided to have a relaxing beach day.  Since there was no cruise ship in port that day, our destination was Mambo Beach.  It's a popular spot with people who are visiting on a cruise ship, which can make the beach crowded.  

Mambo Beach is more than just a beach.  Think of your local Town Center, you know, restaurants, shops, etc.  Then put that on a beach and you've got Mambo Beach Boulevard.  There are a few choices for beach entrance fees here.  Basic, which gets you just a lounge chair.  Premium lounger, self explanatory.  Beach bed, a large cushioned bed with shade that includes four people.  And that was the splurge we had planned for ourselves, a beach bed.  

Oh yeah, there is also a pool, but that's a separate fee, so we stuck with the beach.  And there is a floating obstacle course that looked pretty cool but is also an additional fee.  Since our kids aren't big enough, we decided to save that for next time.  

​So here's our slice of paradise.

We actually arrived at the beach before it opened, so we had our choice of beach beds and were lathering on the sunscreen on a mostly empty beach.  It was one of the best days ever.  The kids could splash in the water while we lounged.  Rob and I took turns going in and swimming with them, plus there was plenty of shade for Ryan to play in the sand.  There were beach attendants, so we ordered lunch right to our bed!  Plus, when we paid for the bed, we found out it came with two complimentary glasses of Prosseco.  Bubbly on the beach? Don't mind if I do!  

The kids had so much fun they needed a nap halfway through the day.  They didn't fall asleep, but we had a nice oceanside cuddle.  Eventually, the fun came to an end when it started to rain.  We toughed it out for a bit, but after 5 hours on the beach we decided to call it a day.  

Yes, the water really was that blue.  It was such a gorgeous day!  I realize I need a thesaurus because I'm running out of ways to say how amazing Curacao is!  

I think part of what made this trip work so well is our kids being at such a great age.  We can now go to the beach and enjoy ourselves without so much work.  No changing diapers in the sand, fewer fatigue related meltdowns.  They can just eat whatever we eat.  Their swimming skills are coming along and they  listen if we say only go in to their ankles.  Of course we are always watching them!  But 4 years ago when we were slogging through the blur of babyhood, I never imagined we would be able to spend a day on the beach and wish it could go on forever.