The second of the ABC islands that we visited was Aruba. We had visited Bonaire the previous day. Aruba is one of 4 countries that make up the Kingdom of Netherlands, along with Curacao, St Maarten and the Netherlands. Aruba is 70 sq miles and has over 90 nationalities. Its history dates back to its ancient Caiquetio Indian roots, Spanish and Dutch rule and now is a constituent country of the Netherlands. The Aruban florin, AWG, is pegged to the US dollar at the rate of 1.79 florin per USD. US dollars are frequently accepted as payment at the rate of 1.75 florin per USD. Language Dutch and Papiamento.
Like Bonaire, Aruba is very flat, dry with lots of cacti. The port is Oranjestad.
The Christmas decorations were still in the terminal in mid January
I joined some people for a tour of the island. Went through town and along to the airport then turned inland and went past The Haystack (Hooiberg) which is in the centre of the island and one of the highest points. It is popular with walkers.
Went across the island, past the Ayo rock formation which is an impressive group of huge boulders - spot the wild goat on the top. This whole area is cactus and not much else.
Stopped at a Chinese supermarket to buy a beer, Balashi, which is an Aruban beer. Most supermarkets on these islands are Chinese owned.
We went past the ostrich farm, and came to the coast and into the national park. Went along to the Natural Bridge. The main bridge collapsed in 2005, but there is still a smaller one. The sea was calm today compared to normal. So many UTVs out (utility vehicle buggies). People were still standing on the bridge despite the signs saying not to.
Went back and stopped at the ruins of the Spanish gold smelter, Bushiribana gold. It was abandoned when the English built a new one.
Backtracked past the ostrich farm then past Sero Crystal hill. Stopped at Casibari rock formation and climbed the steps up the huge quartz rocks.
Unlike Bonaire, the houses on Aruba seemed to be scattered all over the island. View of our ship and oil rigs behind
This is the only remaining Aruban style house, it is at Alto Vista. The sign says 1919.
We then took the road to Alto Vista chapel. The road is lined with the Stations of the Cross, used by pilgrims. The chapel was rebuilt in 1952. The coast of Venezuela is just 27 km away.
Different cacti and a common ground dove -
Headed for the western tip of the island, on the way we drove round the gated community of Tierra del Sol where houses start at $3 million. All in pastel colours, but hot with no real trees or gardens. Onto the California lighthouse, our last stop.
We then headed back, driving along the coast, through an area of expensive houses, Arashi beach, past a kite surf school (Aruba has the windsurf champion with 17 world titles). The past all the very expensive hotels that can be seen from the ship, including the Rui which looks like an ugly Indian palace -
The beaches are all public but you can’t walk through the hotels to reach it and there are only a few access roads. The next stretch there are no hotels on the beach side of the road. Saw the hospital which has been expanded cos the population has grown since independence in 1986. Divi resort is a Dutch one, generally low rise.
That was the end of the tour. I went back to the ship for lunch, then had a walk around the town. The shops in the main street are mostly jewellers.
There are 8 statues of blue horses around town. These represent the early history of Oranjestad, the horses were brought over during the Spanish colonisation and arrived at Horse Bay where they were traded.
There is a free tram that runs through the main shopping area and I just had time to do it before having to board the ship. The yellow archaeology museum and other old buildings -
As we left, we sailed past the oil rigs at sunset
And finally, this sums it up -
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