Aruba, the A B C islands

Hi Guys,

Aruba - Netherlands Antilles – 3 April 2011

(Latitude: 12 31’North   Longitude: 069 58’ West)

(Time -5 GMT)

Average temperature 82F/28C

We pull into the dock at Oranjestad on the south western coast and it is a fine port but very ordinary, few buildings, few containers, not much of anything and a very flat terrain. The town is only a few steps from the dock so we require no shuttle bus. Curiously, another port we visit on a Sunday where all the shops are closed.

We are on a scheduled excursion to de Palm Reef Island where we will snorkel, drink punch and have a little lunch during the morning. 43 of us go on the coach to the Island about 15 minutes through town to a dock where we catch a launch over to the Island. There is a water slide for the kids and various buildings for changing, a restaurant and a meeting center and the most beautiful beach separated by several jetties into cosy enclaves. We spread out and grab a lounger and soak in the atmosphere. We gingerly walk over the coral shoreline and get into shallow water between the jetties and we are quickly surrounded by smaller gray fish and larger green fish, however, the pelicans make short work of anything that seems to be swimming nearby. It is quite amazing to see these prehistoric denizens plummet out of the sky with wings crooked and come to the surface trying to empty their bills. We collect rum punch and later go from lunch with great breaded grouper, rice, fried plantains, salad and delicious tartar sauce. All too soon it is time to get back on the boat and return to the Aurora.  .

I go on board to pick up the computer and enjoy a $5/hour connection on the dock while Susan does some special shopping at the jewelry store. I return from the ship with the computer, pick up some local beer and it is suddenly 5 PM and time to get back on the ship.

From each port there is a “sail away” party with most of the P & O entertainment staff in a party mood. There is wine and beer flowing (at your own expense) and everyone has a good time while the band plays on. Quickly there is a line of line dancers strutting their stuff.

As it was a port day, we go to the Orangerie, a buffet upstairs and later find out that if we had been at our table in the dining room, it was decorated with balloons for our anniversary. Now this is curious as our anniversary is July. Finally the P & O computer has been over ridden to recognise this celebration. 

Beach at Orangestad

Roy and Susan on De Palm Beach

Beach at Orangestad

The island is 19 miles long and 6 miles wide. The cactus-studded terrain is flat, with the exception of three small hills rising to about 500 or 600 feet. The dry climate 











means that Aruba is no lush paradise with only 20 inches of rain annually, the vegetation Is Arizona style with cacti and aloes set amongst strange rock formations. A distinct feature of the island is the Watapana or divi divi trees with their branches bent at right angles to their trunks by the every present trade winds.

The first inhabitants were the Arawak Indians, peace-loving farmers and fishermen, who survived constant attacks by the Caribs. Then in 1499, Oloso de Ojeda claimed the land for Spain, but because the Spaniards considered it to be valueless they did nothing with it. Throughout the swashbuckling colonial era that followed, the island had its fair share of visits by pirates and buccaneers. In 1636, towards the end of the Eighty Year War between Spain and Holland, the Dutch took it over.

Gold was discovered in 1826 and mined for about 100 years but finished in 1915 where the aloe plantations took over as gold mining had become uneconomical. But it was black gold which brought real prosperity. In 1929 two oil refineries were built and 8,000 people were employed producing more than 400,000 barrels of oil a day. Further prosperity was brought to Aruba by tourism and in 1959 the first luxury hotel was opened. In 1985 the refinery was closed due to reduced worldwide oil demand and tourism, mostly from the USA, has gone from strength to strength.