Hiatus is Over ~ I'm Back!

ARUBA

Welcome!  ("Bon bini" in Arubian). 

I am back, after a brief hiatus and I am anxious to share with you more adventures.  Having just returned from Aruba only a few months ago, the memories are fresh and vivid in my mind.  What a beautiful and exciting place! 

Aruba is one of the three sister islands that form the Dutch Antilles and what are referred to as the ABCs:  Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao.  The weather was perfect; the sky was blue, white sand beaches and crystal clear waters.  One of the most cleanest beaches I have seen to date - Palm Beach, Aruba.

There are two popular areas of Aruba that tourists enjoy; Eagle Beach (located minutes from the capital city of Oranjestad and commonly referred to as the "low-rise" area) and Palm Beach (located approximately 20 minutes from the airport and city center).  I enjoyed my stay at the Holiday Inn Sunspree Aruba which shared Palm Beach with other known resorts as the Mariott, Hyatt, Radisson and the Riu Palace, to name a few.  The "Palm Beach Strip", in my opinion, is a self-contained area for all those vacationing on Palm Beach, with access to many restaurants, local vendors, boutiques of all kinds, a movie theatre, convenience store and an indoor mall even featuring high-end designer shops.  The Strip had a very new and extremely clean appearance, well-maintained by the locals.  Everything was within walking distance and easily accessible.

No trip to Aruba would be complete without a trip to Oranjestad.  There is public transportation available so you can just hop on a bus and enjoy the ride into town, only 20 minutes away.  There you will see the island's true flare and what it offers by way of its traditional dutch architecture.  Since Oranjestad's harbor is where the cruise ships port, there is an abundance of shopping offered to all tourists from local souvenirs to high-end designer merchandise, much of which is duty-free.  I must have counted approximately 15 jewelry stores in just a 2 block radius alone!  Amazing!

When the sun goes down and after enjoying a lovely dinner, casino gambling is a popular entertainment for many.  Most all of the resorts have casinos but tourists are welcomed in any casino on the Strip.  I tried my luck at a few hands of blackjack; so the key word is "tried."

In stark contrast to the beauty and calm waters of Palm Beach, the opposite side of the island, much less inhabited, is worthy of a trip to see its natural rugged beauty.  Whatever you do, do not forget to bring your camera for some great shots.  As part of the tour, you will even have the opportunity to visit a gold mine ruin, and trust me when I say, there is no gold to be found - unfortunately!

The island as a whole is a friendly one and the Arubians are very nice people, easy to talk with.  Because the locals make you feel very welcomed, you can't help leaving with the desire to return.  Aruba is definitely a destination worth adding to your list.  A good time was had by all.

Talk to you soon.