MARCH 17TH   -  ARUBA

OUR FIRST ARUBA TOUR

Our day got an early start because we had to meet our tour guide at 8:30.  Skylar got us settled in his oversized 15 passenger van.  A very personable young man, Skylar was an excellent tour guide. Born and raised on the 90 mile long island, he was a wealth of island lore and legends.

Our first stop was the Aloe Factory Tour.  The tour started outdoors next to an aloe field.  This tour guide gave us all the basic aloe facts and a demonstration of stripping the aloe leaves.

After his very informative presentation we moved indoors.

We were taken on the tour in the factory.  There were MAYBE 6 - 8 people that I saw working, but lots of stainless steel machinery.

Tour over, they lt us loose in the store with dozens of sweet smelling soaps, candles and lotion for simply everything.  Since 1890 the aloe has been grown, harvested and processed onsite.  They were having a holiday sale of 40% off so, of course Susan and I had to shop!  We did our part for the local economy.

On to our next stop.  We rode for about 20 minutes on sometime dirt roads and sometime blacktop that hasn't seen a repair crew since the day they were built.  It was obvious that Skylar knew the roads, it was the hundreds of ATV's that worried me,  Between school bus type tour busses, 15 passenger vans,  regular cars and the ATV's...... IT WAS A NIGHTMARE!

Casibari Rock Formations was the tour stop,  This is a cluster of absolutely HUGE rocks, maybe boulders would be a better choice of words.  big enough that one could climb some steps to get to the top for a birds eye view of the city, beaches and the sea.  All three of us opted to see those things up close and personal and kept our feet firmly planted on the ground.

Skylar told us about the owls so we went in search of those birds.  They weren't hard to find in the enclosed area.  Enclosed because of snakes, namely boa constrictors.

Cute little owls. 

shy one???

I always offer to take the picture when I see a couple and one is taking a picture of the other standing near something of interest.  I'm almost always taken up on the offer.  Today I got an offer in return, So the three of us took our place on the swing.

Walt found a seat on a unique rock.

We took a walk through the "retail" section, if you will.

It was time to move on, we had places to go and things to see.  Next stop was the Natural Bridge.  At one time there was two but in the middle of the night, the larger of the two collapsed.  That was a blessing because during daylight many people walked over it.  walking not permitted  on the remaining natural bridge.

i don't know if the rough today were usual for this area but this coastline took a beating today.  The waves were high and they arrived like they had a score to settle.

 Walt and I were witness to something that well made us laugh like hell.  

  We stood mesmerized by what was about to happen.  You see, two pretty young teens were walking back from the water's edge when we saw an enormous wave coming in.   The wave rolled in full force and when it hit the rock wall its "splash" (gosh that sounds so weak and it was anything but!) shot up so high and with so much water that when it came down the wind carried it.  Directly over the teens.  They had no idea it was coming and they got totally drenched!  Walt and I looked at each a split second later and busted out laughing.  We weren't laughing AT the now dripping wet girls, we were laughing WITH the, oh hell, who am I kidding? we were laughing AT them!   But we weren't the only ones. Honest!    

Did you know that Aruba is not in the hurricane alley?  I didn't, but its true!  There has never been a hurricane here.

Did you know that Aruba uses the sea water to desalinate for drinking water?  It is the best water I've ever tasted.  Its crystal clear.  They also bottle it for sale.  Its the same as the islands household water supply.   The sea water is also used to produce the islands electricity.

The next stop on our tour was this little chapel.

  I really don't know why this was on the tour at all.  No guide was there to tell us the significance of it other than its size and location.

I think we spent 10 minutes here.

Our next stop was the Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins.  This historic site marks where gold was first found.  This mill was 1872.

Our last stop was this light house.  We could have, but didn't, climb to the top.  Our climbing days are over!

Arriving back at the condo, we decided it was time for the beach.  The condo gives every guest 2 beach towels everyday.  We can also reserve a thatched roof hut on the beach for shade.  Lounge chairs are also provided.  Marriott Ocean Resort is doing a bang up job of taking care of their guests!

It was unusually windy today.  It seems there is always a stiff breeze here and when on the beach it is usually welcomed.  However today, at times, it seemed we were being sandblasted.  We had  had enough after about 90 minutes.  Back to the condo we went to shower and relax.

Dinner time came and I cooked this meal and Susan cleaned up.  Walt just ate.  What's wrong with this picture?

They called it an early night and I stayed up to get this post done.