Leslie writes: “Oil – not tourism – is the main industry in Curacao, and a massive oil refinery is located just north of the tourist area in Willemstad. The refinery isn’t visible from the floating bridge or the cruise ships that dock on the south side of the island – but if you drive a car to or from Willemstad you can’t miss the flaming smokestacks and industrial barges. After exiting the highway, which encircles the refinery, I came across an abandoned building covered in street art… This is clearly a critique of the oil industry; the mural includes a tiger wearing sunglasses (or blinders?) with the logo of Shell oil company. Smokestacks billow in the distance– contrasting with the topical flowers and sea shells above them…” (This mural was created by Instituto Buena Bista guest artist Liesbeth Labeur with the assistance of IBB students. A Dutch artist, Labeur spent her childhood in Curacao and is writing a graphic novel about the “waning days of the Shell corporation” on the island)
1000 Awesome Things About Curaçao 
