Aruba January 2015

Our timing is impeccable, the Atlanta area was experiencing its coldest temperatures in a year, and we were on our way to Aruba. We left on Wednesday with temps going into the teens that night and when we arrived in Aruba, it was a glorious 85 degrees! 

We stayed at the Renaissance. It has the Marina Hotel for adults, where we stayed, and the Beach Hotel for families. It had its own shopping malls, casinos, restaurants, and private island, which is a short 15 minute boat ride from the hotel. The island, where we spent a lot of time, has two lagoons, a beach for adults and a beach for families, restaurant with bar, and fitness facilities. The Renaissance is in the capital of Aruba, Oranjestad. As a bonus, we could eat the food and drink the water in Aruba with no worries.

Although we did exercise for a couple hours each day, unlike most trips, we spent every day, with one exception, at the beach on the Renaissance Island. It was very relaxing and unusual for us, but very enjoyable.

On our first full day, we went for a 5-mile walk and passed by Fort Zoutman and King William III Tower.

 The rest of the day was on the Island. The Island has a small flock of Flamingos that only hangout at the adult beach. The staff feeds them at noon, which is probably why they stay there.

The adult beach also had Iguana’s that are big, really big!

 

On the family beach when it was close to 5 pm, the hermit crabs would pop out and just start walking to hide for the night!

 

The Pelicans stay near the family beach. They perch themselves in the trees!

 

The next morning we hiked three miles to the Hooiberg, translates to haystack. It’s almost in the center of Aruba, which is about 6 miles wide and 19 miles long. Once there, we climbed the approximately 600 steps to the top.

 

 After hiking back, we spent the rest of the day at Renaissance Island. You don’t need money on the island just your room key! Nice for ordering beer while lying in the hammock!! We would swim in the lagoons (just for more exercise) and could see all the colorful fish that enter the lagoon from the ocean. As another bonus, Aruba has no sharks.

 

The next day was another “boring” day on the Renaissance Island. Loved the “boring” days!! We tried to figure out a way to stay longer!!

On our 4^th day, we took an all-day jeep tour of Aruba. Our guide, Albert was very accommodating and took us to see almost everything there is to see on the Aruba. When Albert, told us it would be very bumpy…..Cathy was a little tense to say the lease! Albert’s driving skills were very good though!

We went to the Natural Bridge. The large one collapsed in a storm a few years ago. The small one is still intact. We were on some rugged jeep trails getting there. In fact, we were on rugged jeep trails most of day! Even though Cathy often felt the jeep would tip over, it never did.

 

Then to Bushiribana Ruins, which was once used for gold smelting.

Next was Alto Vista Chapel, the first church on Aruba; Catholic, of course. Most of the original church was destroyed in a fire in the 1970s. The Pope, at the time, was personally involved in the church rebuild. Masses on Tuesday and Sunday.

For there we went to California lighthouse, this is where the “Best Italian Restaurant” in Aruba is located. Also, has a great view. We did not have the opportunity to dine there, but will on our next visit.

 

We drove past the remains of a WW2 German destroyer and stopped for lunch.

 

We thought the jeep trails in the morning were rugged; they were just the warm up for what we experienced in the afternoon. Cathy was hanging on for dear life.

We went to Arikok National Park,

 

 

and Qaudirikiri Cave. Legend says that an Indian Chief’s daughter was the most beautiful woman in the tribe. One day she met a man and fell in love, however, her father did not approve and condemned their love. She married her lover anyway. Her father was insulted by this act of treason and ordered her to be kidnapped and held captive in the cave. She was never seen again.

 

  

We even had time to swim in the natural pool. It was pretty rough water; Cathy opted out of that after talking with several people who said they were holding on for dear life! It was also a little cold!  

From there we went to Boca Prins, Seroe Colorado and Baby Beach. We never made the Baby Beach snorkel, as a storm was rolling-in.

Instead of the snorkel, we ended the day at Casibari Rock Formation. This was very cool! Huge rocks that just happened to form here! No one seems to know too much about it.

That night was the first Carnival Parade of the year. The parade route went right past our hotel, so, we had a good viewing position right on the street. It was the Parado di Flambeu, torch parade. We stood next to some participants who explained everything to us and were passing us drinks from other parade participants. Crazy night! Lots of fun!

 

 

The next morning we walked to Eagle Beach and had to stop for cover three times from the rain showers. The rest of the day, we were at Renaissance Island.

 That night we spent our requisite $10 in the casino on the penny slots. Five for Cathy and five for Zach! Cathy should have walked away when she was up $11.

Monday was another walk and beach day. Our last full day on the Island! Boo Hoo!

Tuesday we hung out at the beach on the lagoon at the Beach Hotel until it was time to go to the airport and flew home.