"The Chobolobo Mansion or Country Estate was built in the early 1800's. The Country House is located in the center of a 10 hectares large piece of land. The property's history is rather sketchy, but very probably the country house never had any other use than to serve as a country residence for wealthy merchants. It is close to Schottegat to the north-east of Punda.
"Shortly after the Spaniards discovered Curaçao in 1499, they started planning the agricultural development of Curaçao. One of the plants they carried with care on their long sea voyages from Spain was the so-called "Valencia Orange". The different climate and soil conditions however changed this juicy fruit into a kind of bitter, almost inedible produce. In short, the project was forgotten and the "misfits" of the once proud "Valencia Orange" grew wild and abandoned, not even touched by our infamous goats.
It was not until decades later, that someone discovered that the peels of this orange contained an ethereal oil with an extraordinary pleasing fragrance. Since 1946 Chobolobo houses the distillery Senior Co, which has produced the famous Bleu Curacao.
During the guided tour of the distillery you can also get a good impression of both the interior and exterior of the land house. There is also a garden-restaurant with live music on weekends. Local artists' work is displayed as well."
Submitted by MT