Tuesday, 26 January, 2016 – Aruba

Tuesday, 26 January, 2016 – Aruba

A is for Aruba, B is for Bonaire, C is for Curacao or the ABC islands which are all Dutch dependancies. Aruba has its own government separate from the other islands of the Netherlands Antilles but they are all tied to the Netherlands or Holland. Citizenship is Dutch which means they are EU citizens and enjoy free university in Holland, free medical care, etc. All the islands are beyond the Hurricane Belt and are desert islands receiving little rainfall. And, although the temperature is in the 30s, as they would say in Winnipeg – it's a dry heat! Believe me, it makes a big difference.

We took a private 2.5 hour tour with a local guide who was very knowledgeable. He said that the unemployment rate on Aruba was virtually zero, which also meant that there was almost no crime. Housing on the island was also very affordable with all kinds of mortgage schemes supported by the government to get people into their own homes. Obviously, there is pride in ownership and no slums. The average 150m² home is about $150,000US and being a desert – no lawn! The downside of living on Aruba is that everything must be imported, making products quite pricey. Water is all from desalinisation. Apparently whisky is the preferred drink. When I questioned if they made their own Rum as most Caribbean Islands do, the guide replied that they do but you would have to be some desperate to drink it!

After a brief tour of the capital of Oranjestad, we went to the Casibari Rock Formations

where we climbed to one of the highest points on the island. Although not that high, we almost blew off because of the wind (thank goodness for the constant feedings on the ship to give us bulk). There are few high points on the island, and with lack of vegetation, there is no leeward side to the island, just the side the wind comes from.

The next stop was the Alta Vista Chapel, built in 1750 as the island's first Roman Catholic Church. The Altar and Sanctuary are inside a simple yellow and orange building and the pews outside – very practical given the climate. Interestingly, we did not spot any confessionals.

The next stop was the California lighthouse on the western tip. It was built in 1910 after the loss of the merchant ship “Californian”, a tragedy that spawned its construction.

As we drove back into town, we saw all the people participating in the wind and wanter sports – wind sailing, kite sailing, etc., all thanks to the constant winds.

From there we went to the local market for a few last minute souvenirs and back to the ship.