Motorcycles, Island Style

If you like to tour on motorcycles, you’ll find a couple of operations on the island of Aruba that can set you up with a rig. There is a Harley-Davidson dealer as well as an independent operator who is located at the Paseo Herencia Mall by the large hotels. You can rent motorcycles as well as go on a guided tour with a guy who knows the island inside and out. Here’s a photo of his bikes:

The tour usually starts on the north end of the island, heads up to the lighthouse at California point where you’ll have a great view of the Caribbean. Then you’ll motor south, check out some local spots, great scenery, possibly stop in to a local fisherman’s wharf. Eventually you’ll work you way into San Nicolaas, my favorite town, and stop at Charlie’s Bar. From there, you’re on your own and it’s easy to find your way back. Then again, half the fun may be getting lost. You’ll only have a great time. On this island, you can’t go wrong.

As things progress here at the Bent Page, I’ll continue to add more photos and descriptions of activities, restaurants, and things to see in Aruba. Please let me know of your own experiences of if I’ve left anything out.

Published in: on July 9, 2008 at 8:55 pm  Comments (1)  
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Cassave Chips

I have to admit to being a potato chip junkie. One day I was looking for some really delicious homemade potato chips when I came across Cassave Chips. This was on the island of Aruba, where I happen to be right now. Anway, I bought a bag of these things, which come from Surinam. Here’s a look at the bag:

Notice the bag has been opened. No, I couldn’t wait to take the photo without crunching into one of these bad boys. These chips are harder than potato chips, as well as slightly thicker. They have a mild sweetness to the aftertaste that comes through the initial salt very well. I should mention the flavor is more subtle than plantain chips. These things are perfect with sandwiches, crumbled into a salad, anywhere that needs a little extra texture.

Of course be sure to do what my cardiologist advised: Pre-pay your open heart surgery. This way the price is fixed and you’re good to go. Eating stuff like this can not be good for the cholesterol.

Published in: on July 9, 2008 at 3:33 pm  Comments (1)  
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Dawn Comes to Vejer

The start of the day is my favorite time. I am a morning person, my wife likes to remind me. Before the sun comes up, I’m already prowling. We were on a trip to Spain with friends and found ourselves in Vejer de la Frontera in Andalucia. This is one of the pueblos blancos, that is the white towns. Of course I was up early, walking the streets, greeting the odd stray cats, and looking for good story material. Here’s a view from the town into the valley below.

The fog rolls in from the sea, shrouding the entire valley from view. Then, as the sun rises, it gradually burns away the veil, leaving a beautiful view from the road that climbs up to Vejer. Driving from town to town in Spain is a favorite activity of mine. They have similarities, but each one has unique characteristics, such as their own style of church, a different type of fountain in the plaza, or a clever group of shops arranged along a winding street. Invariably the people are both hospitable and genuinely pleased to meet the traveler. Of course, the food is beyond excellent, which is why I always wear my expandable pants when I venture to Spain.

Where is your favorite drive? Let me know.

Published in: on July 9, 2008 at 1:36 pm  Comments (2)  
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Sinking of the Red Oak

The Red Oak was a United States Coast Guard buoy tender. As mentioned in previous posts, I used to build artificial reefs by sinking ships and other materials off the coast of New Jersey and Delaware, USA. The Red Oak was stripped of all re-usable equipment, including her engines, generators, and other machinery. All fuel, oil, and floatables were also removed. In the end, she was a steel hulk that looked like this:

We towed her from Baltimore to a spot just off Cape May, New Jersey. Once anchored, I went below and cut several holes at the waterline using a standard cutting torch. Water lapped into these holes and to accelerate the process, I removed two covers from the stern tubes that were well below the waterline. It took about half an hour until the hull heeled and took solid water over the deck like this:

It was strange how this vessel sank. The holes were in the stern, but it went down bow first. There was less space forward and thus less water was required for the area to lose buoyancy. However, the stern was definitely heavier and should have pulled itself down first. No matter, soon the scene looked like this:

I’ve heard that the wreck is an excellent dive and fishing spot. Given that it is close to Cape May, I’m not surprised. There are any number of good charter operators who take people fishing from the various marinas most every day the weather is good enough. The artificial reef program in the United States has done wonders for the sport fishing community and the environment. It is an effort that deserves continued support. Please enjoy our marine resources responsibly.

Now, if I could only get my friends in Aruba to do this. Aruba has ideal conditions to sink wrecks for both diving and marine habitat enhancement. One more thing I have to work on there.

Published in: on July 9, 2008 at 3:52 am  Leave a Comment  
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