CAA Niagara Travel

ARUBA SEA AND SHORE:  The steady trade winds off South America delayed our arrival sundrenched and semi-arid, Aruba but it was worth the wait.

Aruba more than lived up to its reputation as a windy island, greeting us with gusts that result in their divi-divi trees growing bent in the direction of the wind.

Our first stop on this Dutch Island, discovered by the Spanish in 1499, was the giant rock formation at Casabari where you can climb stone stairs to get a panoramic view of the island and the Haystack, a reminder of the island’s volcanic formation.

From there, we were whisked to the “Natural Bridge” made of coral and carved by the sea on the island’s windward coast. Here you can stack rocks and while doing so you make a wish…which should then come true. Here’s hoping. Watch the blog!

Next, it’s time to get back on water and by “semi-submarine” we get a glimpse of the island’s undersea world, without getting wet or trying to overcome my snorkeling phobia.

The “semi-submarine” is basically a regular boat, but the hull is lined with windows and seats where we can perch to see marine life and a fascinating wreck of a German vessel that has been at the bottom of the ocean since World War II.

Our final destination is the California Lighthouse on the northwest tip of the island. Its name comes not from the state, but from the name of a ship that sank just offshore. It is a romantic reminder of the seafaring days that we get to recapture thanks to our cruise vacation.

Of course any port of call would not be complete without at least stopping at a few local shops. Aruba is no different. And despite this island being a less than 20 miles from Venezuela, it has every American fast food outlet you can think of!

ZZZZZZZ: oh yes, those pills are still making me drowsy. Wow! I’ll think twice before taking that remedy again. I’d rather be a bit nauseous than nodding off!

Tomorrow, we stop in Santa Marta, Columbia and our passage through the Panama Canal is just three days away.