Curaçao is a Dutch Caribbean island, famous for its beautiful beaches and coral reefs, which are rich in marine life. On Curaçao, people speak Dutch and Papiamentu, from which the word Dushi in the title of the rally originates. Dushi can mean many things from tasty (food), babe or darling (kids or adults), sweet or loving (in thanks), sexy (women or men!), nice or beautiful (eg Dushi Korsou – beautiful Curaçao).
Report written by Rita Koopmanschaap, President WIMA Curaçao.
The Dushi WIMA Rally was organized by WIMA Curaçao, at the request of at least 80 WIMA members, who were participants of earlier rallies. It took five years to prepare, investigating wishes and options, resulting in our invitation. No less than 96 participants came to the first ever WIMA Caribbean rally. The central location of hostel Bed & Bike offered everything WIMA needed, including push bikes and easy access to the cosy atmosphere of Pietermaai. This is an area in Willemstad, full of restaurants, close to the beach and the Ponton bridge, which crosses from the Punda to the Otrabanda on the other side of town.
The rally programme offered pre-rally Happy Hours and get togethers, the opening dinner at the waterside restaurant Timeless, horseback riding and mountain- bike tours, workshops with cultural activities like headscarf folding, making souvenirs with recyclable materials, salsa dancing and percussion. We also had an evening ride out and street party with all the Curaçao bikers, an island tour to highlights on the west side of the island ‘Westpunt’ and a parade by motorbikes, scooters, coach and rental car, a scavenger hunt full of fun tasks, dinner at Chobolobo’s (Blue Curaçao) museum with traditional Curaçao music (Tipiko) and local dancers, a boat trip to remote Playa Fuik and closing farewell party with Dushi WIMA cake. After the rally, many had to return home, but quite a few participants stayed for the King’s Day Ride and party, more snorkelling and diving, and some returned to Curaçao, to travel home after exploring the wider Caribbean.
2019 WIMA Curaçao International Rally – Promotion Video
