Pedestrians normally cross St Anna Bay between the two parts of Willemstad using the Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge. Originally built in 1888 and rebuilt in 2005, it consists of 16 floating pontoon boats; it is one of the oldest and longest non-military pontoon bridges in the world. Pedestrians had to pay a toll between 1901 and 1934 unless they were barefoot. Here you see the bridge resting open along the Otrobanda waterfront. Veronica and I braved the ferry that runs when the bridge is unaccessible. Since 1974, cars use the Queen Juliana Bridge soaring 185 feet above sea level (the highest bridge in the Caribbean and one of the highest in the world).
You can see the closed bridge in the distance behind the family. We enjoyed watching from the balcony of the
De Gouverneur Restaurant as it swung (with pedestrians aboard) partially open to allow some boats through.
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