Apr 02, 2004 08:11 AM
2842 Views
(Updated Apr 02, 2004 08:11 AM)
Aruba is one of the ABC Islands, (Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao), in the Carribean. Our Ship docked in Oranjestad, and we spent a day here.
The population is about 70.000 people, who are from Holland, Spain, Portugal, France, England and Africa. Dutch and Papiamento are the official languages, (a mixture of Dutch and African languages), but we heard English and Spanish spoken every where we went..
The first thing we saw as we were approaching the Island was a windmill. After we docked our Tour Bus was waiting for us.
.:The History:.
Like most of the Islands in the Carribean, the first people to live here, were the Arawaks, (Caiguetios), who came here, about 2,000 years ago, from South America.
The first European to land on the Island was Alonso de Ojeda, (1499), and claimed this Island for Spain. It became a forgotten Island until the Dutch landed here, (about 1635).
For a short time, during the Napoleonic War, it belonged to the British. The Dutch took it back and it became the capital for the Dutch West India Company. Since then it has been part of the Netherlands Antilles.
.:What We Saw On Our Tour:.
It's impossible to see a lot of things in one day, unless you take a Tour.
The History Museum Of Aruba, has a wonderful display of the cave drawings, clay pots, and other artefacts of the Arawak Indians.
We went to see Fort Zoutman, that is the oldest building on the Island.
We drove past the 11 Casinos on Casino Row, on our way to see San Nicolus, (Aruba's second largest City). We were given a half an hour to took around, and after we window shopped we had a drink at Charlie's Bar. This bar is over 60 years old.
On our way back we saw Palm Beach and stopped ta the Natural Bridge. The bridge is made of coral, and is 100 feet long and 25 feet high.
We had lunch at Boonoonoonoo Cafe, that served a buffet of Aruban and Argentine food.
Our last stop was at the Arikok National Park. The Park is a desert and had a lot of the cacti I saw in Arizona. We also saw wild donkeys and goats. We went into a cave as saw the etchings and petroglyps.
When we got Oranjestad, we walked around and looked at the Dutch heritage buildings and shopped.
.:The Best Things To Buy:.
I brought a small oil painting, some T-Shirts, some Edam Cheese and a sugar and creamer made by Delftware.
.:What You Should Know:.
The currency is the guilder, and the will only accept USD, but only if they are the new ones. They do accept Travellers Cheques and Credit Cards.
It is always very warm here, over 90 Cel, so bring cool clothing, a sun hat and a good sun screen.
The water is safe to drink.
People from the United States and Canada don't need to have a passport to enter the country. Everyone else does.
.:My Final Thoughts:.
I wish we had more time here, because there was a lot of things we didn't see, (go on a booze cruise, swim, go deep sea fishing or gamble).
If you want to know more about Aruba the link is:
https://aruba.com/home.htm
''Mi stima Aruba'', I love Aruba, and I know you will too if you visit this beautiful Island.
Thanks for reading my review.
©LL2004
