Island Wind Power, Part 1

I am optimistically titling this post Island Wind Power, Part 1, because I hope to post numerous more times on this subject. Here in Aruba, the trade winds blow just short of constantly. They range from a breeze of about 5 knots to a steady cracking of 30 at times. Nonetheless, the island currently relies on an oil fired electricity plant. Part of this plant has boilers and turbines, the other part is giant reciprocating units (think big diesel engines). To me, this is outrageously foolish. (There is a plan to investigate a wind farm here but it’s moving slower than backwards.)

Anyway, some people have put up small wind mills to generate electricity for their domestic needs. The unit shown below doesn’t look like much, but it is probably in the 500 watt class.

 I’ve seen a bunch of these go up in the last six months. With the price of fuel, it’s no wonder there aren’t more. So, just how much power can this unit provide? Given that the wind in Aruba is steady and strong, the unit probably runs at 90% of it’s output about 80% of the time. Thus, we’re talking about 72% of 500 watts or 360 watts at any given time. Doesn’t sound like much, does it? Well, consider that this is 24 hours a day. (I know it’s an assumption so don’t remind me how this may be inaccurate. We’re making an example to illustrate the point for discussion. Okay?) Then, 360 watts times 24 hours equals 8,640 watts per day. What will that do for your electric bill? Here in Aruba, it will do a lot. That is enough power to run one of my air conditioners about four hours a day which is all I run it in the first place. Given that air conditioning is the single biggest user of power in my house here, it would reduce my electric bill by a significant amount thereby giving me a handsome return on the investment for the wind turbine, and protection against future price increases.

If your eyes haven’t glazed over yet, let me say I’m cutting the cable now so as not to bore you to tears. These posts will take a look at how a system can be put together, one piece at a time, and supply virtually all of a home’s electricity needs off the grid. In Aruba, there is foolish talk that if you put up a windmill the electric company will cut you off the grid. Not true. The electric company does not want your system CONNECTED to the grid and at present this is a good thing. In the first place it is a safety issue to protect the linesmen who must work on the transmission cables. Secondly, every Tom, Dick, and Harry, dumping power into the grid without a standard is bad for the grid. Therefore, as long as your system is COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT of the grid, you’re okay. They will send you a nasty letter, and after your lawyer sends a nasty one back with verification that you’re not connected the story ends there.

But our energy alternatives will continue here, hopefully, because I love the idea of making a reasonable investment, getting a great return, and protecting the environment in the mean time. Power on!

Published in: on July 24, 2008 at 11:01 am  Leave a Comment  
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Screaming Eagle Restaurant, Aruba

For an upscale dining experience during your stay in Aruba, you might want to try the Screaming Eagle Restaurant, which is located between the low and high-rise hotel areas. Both indoor and outdoor dining are available in this spacious location. Here’s a look at the building.

The bar is well stocked, well staffed, and well equipped to satisfy your thirst if you simply want a good drink in a funky atmosphere. And the atmosphere here is very “lounge.” That type of music plays softly, there are burning candles everywhere, and lots of gauzy fabrics hanging as seen below.

If your prefer to dine in bed, that is also available as can be seen here.

That’s not my style, but I can appreciate how some newlyweds might find it romantic or someone who wants to deepen their lifestyle groove might find it attractive. Table and chairs are my preferred dining support equipment. Whatever your choice, let’s have a look at the food. I went with the tried and true here because in Aruba I’m usually eating more downscale than this. I also think the standard dishes are a good test of a restaurant because if they don’t invest any quality in them, then I know they’re all style – no substance.

Well, things turned out fine. My wife and one friend started with the escargot, which came piping hot with delicious, creative toasts on the side. I had a shrimp cocktail, which was good and included a delicious salad beneath the shrimps. We moved on to the main course and we’re equally pleased.

My wife had the duck which she proclaimed fantastic (photo below).

One friend had the veal, also very good (photo below).

The other friend had the lamb, again, good, (yet another photo below).

And I had a sirloin as you can see here.

I like my steaks cooked medium well and here the Screaming Eagle missed the mark a little. The steak was much more medium. I never send them back, because they’ll only be dried out. For this small error I can not fault them as if the diner doesn’t really like his meat cooked there’s no going back. Still, it was fine.

Service here is about the highest quality on the island. The waiter did a thorough job without being intrusive, the captain surveyed the room and our table a few times, keeping her sharp eye on everything, and the bar staff supported the operation with fine beverages on the fly.

Prices are steep compared to what I’m used to paying on the other side of the island. But quality pays, it doesn’t cost. I would recommend this place for that special dinner out with friends and family, that time you want to treat yourself to a great meal in a unique atmosphere.

Published in: on July 23, 2008 at 10:34 am  Comments (1)  
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JoAnn Snack, Aruba

There’s a little restaurant known as JoAnn Snack. This is a local joint with food that tends to be Colombian in style. We’re talking simple food, stuff that makes you feel good and full. I’ve been eating here for at least ten years. Recently, the sign for the place was taken down but rest assured it is still open and doing well. To get there, take the main road south from the airport. Turn right where the sign says, “Parkietenbos.” Maybe half a mile after that right you’ll see JoAnn Snack on the right. If you come to the end of the road, you went too far. It can be easy to miss, especially without the sign, so here’s a look at the building.

You enter the door into some strong air conditioning. There’s a bar straight ahead but you want to turn left, pass through the swinging doors, and enter the dining room that looks like this.

The owners clean this place like fanatics. (Sometimes there’s the heavy scent of cleaning fluids in the air but don’t let that put you off.) Anyway, on to the food. I like the pork chops in salsa criollo as shown below.

This platter contains two thin pork chops that are first grilled then smothered in the criollo sauce. The sauce is tangy sweet, and beyond that, hard to describe other than that it is good. You also get the rice, fries, salad, and fried plantain for the same low price. My wife likes the grilled chicken platter, that is shown here.

These platters are a great value, costing less than US $10. Best of all is the service. The same nice woman has been working here for as long as I can remember and now her daughter works with her. They always have a big smile for whoever comes in, usually locals and a few expats like me. Spanish skills are helpful but not a must here. The menu is in English and you can point to what you would like and the order comes out correct.

Next time you’re in Aruba and are looking for local fare, give this place a try for simple, hearty food, that will make you feel good all day.

Published in: on July 22, 2008 at 5:43 pm  Comments (2)  
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Renaissance Hotel, Aruba

In previous posts, we looked at a high-rise on Palm Beach, a low-rise on Eagle Beach, and now we’re going to have a glimpse of the Renaissance Hotel, which is located in downtown Oranjestaad, Aruba. The hotel fronts the main road which runs the length of the island.

On the opposite side of the road is a handsome marina where you can charter a fishing boat or go on a submarine ride to see the undersea life up close. I’ll show that in a separate post on those subjects. Here is the bar and lobby area.

I should note here that this area is a full level above the street. When you take a few steps up from here, you’ll come to the pool which has a spectacular view of the marina, out to sea, as well as the street below. Have a look for yourself.

That fellow over there is standing at a glass wall so don’t worry. No doubt he’s having a gander at the Adventure of the Seas in the distance. At night, this is a great place to watch the coming and going of both the cruise and cargo ships. This pool is very nice and worth a second photo.

The tent in the rear of the shot is used for events such as weddings, retirement parties, and so forth.

So, now I’ve posted about the various types of hotels that can be found in this part of the island. I’ll be adding some more, names you may recognize from the international brands as well as one-of-a-kind establishments. As this blog continues to grow, I’ll also add guest houses, and small joints where I used to stay before I had a house here. Hopefully, you’ll get an idea of the variety and quality that can be had here in Aruba.

Published in: on July 22, 2008 at 12:27 pm  Leave a Comment  
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