Willemstad Curacao.

[Jim Brady]

I just had a pint with this guy he said he was on tankers running to Willemstad.He was talking about going into town to the Seamens Mission and jumping on a bus to Campo Ellegro (spelling maybe wrong) Happy Valley in other words,I never went there but I believe it was a big camp set up by Shell which was a brothel for the tanker men.I only ever walked through the refinery to a bar which I think was still in the confines of the refinery.It was a good place for a good drink and also a good shop.I remember buying quite a few pair of Wranglers there and also some Chanell 5 for my girlfriend.I think the name of the place was the "Madhouse" this guy said no such place.I know the "Doghouse"was in Cristobel but can anyone remeber the name of this bar in Willemstad.
Regards.
Jim.b.

[Glenn Baker]

Oh Yes the Mad house was there alright, I guess most Tankermen that visited Curacao would have been to the Mad house, and the Campo or Happy Valley, i m not sure but I was told at the time the Hostesses for want of a better word were shipped in from other Islands maybe even Haiti.
The Rum was cheap and Didnt Shell realy look after their employee,s , I wonder if the Happy Valley Campo is still operating now. all the best Glenn baker Australia

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi Jim and Glen.
I was there on some BTC tanker, I was on that many I can't remember which one. We all went to the Mad House, on the way back got into a fight with some shore wallas, for reasons I cannot remember, we ended up on the ship with blokes throwing everything they could lay theyre hands on to repel boarders. Plates, cups, darts you name it. Can't remember the outcome, except no dart playing thereafter.
Cheers Des

[Neil Morton]

As an asst/stwd on the Port Nelson I had to have a blood test taken in Wilhelmshaven. (dont ask)! I remember how quaint it was ,with cobbled streets and multicoloured houses in pastel shades. Still have the ID card issued by St Elisabeth Gasthuis , Curacao ,N.A. Strangely they give my blood type as "B" whereas nowadays its "O" can that happen?

[Doc Vernon]

No. Neil It's impossible for that to happen. If you are born with whatever Type A,B,etc, then you"r that blood type for the rest of your life.
A Human error was made along the line!
Cheers

[Phil Crawley]

search Campo Alegre Curacoa, the full story is there compete with "job opportunitys"

[Tony Wilding]

Did they need a cv to get a job there, ? Many of the girls came from venezuela to work there.

[Glenn Baker]

Mmm I had a look at the place on Google too and by all accounts it is still operating as the Campo, although I note the Prices have gone up a bit, Many of the Hostesses are from Columbia, . I never got any Dear john letters from there when I was on the Tankers. all the best Glenn Baker Australia

[Pete Leonard (Bruno)]

I was on a shell tanker in the early 50's tramping around that part of the world. I say tramping because that was basically what it was, you would discharge your cargo and it was usually ' Curacao for orders' I remember the cantina in the refinery, what a place, not a bottle or glass in sight (for H&S reasons) all beer in cans. The one thing you could almost always guarantee was a good punch up. I found that the Brits nearly always teamed up with the Norwegians and vice versa when threatened by any other nation. The Campo Allegro was quite a place (so I am told). It appears that all the girls were regularly checked by the Shell company doctor who signed a certificate of freedom from infection and pinned it to their door. Which was fine if you didn't follow some dosed up low life who couldn't care less.
Cheers
Pete

[Albert Bishop]

Called in to Curacao about four year ago on a cruise, Seemed to be unchanged from what it was fifty year ago. Bit more up market now, and a lot more expensive, But still the same old town, Taxi driver told me the valley was still going strong, but I had the wife with me so couldn't check. Cheers Albi