Iguana Harry, Aruba

Harry the Iguana lives at the Paradera Park Apartments, located as you would expect in the Paradera neighborhood on the island of Aruba. Debby de Weerd, the manager at PPA took this photo of him.

pict0126Brilliant photograph of Harry, eh? There are tons of Iguanas on this island, most of them not very large. However, from time to time, you come across one that is three feet long. Just one of the many types of wildlife, like those owls I posted about a while ago, that can be found here.

More important, if you’re looking for a different place to stay for your island retreat, give the Paradera Park Apartments a try. They are located inland, away from the crowds of the high-rise area. Yet, the beaches, restaurants, and sights are only a short drive away. The rates are more reasonable, which allows for a longer stay on the same budget. Furthermore, you’ll meet interesting people who like to get off the beaten path, explore, and experience a culture from the inside out. This year, I had the good fortune of meeting Judith, who introduced me to her friend Will, and so on and so on and so on. This is an aspect of Aruba that makes it the cross-cultural mecca that it is, thanks to places like the Paradera Park Apartments.

So, if you see Harry, say, “Bon dia,” and if you’d like check out the Paradera Park Apartments, give this link a try: http://www.paraderapark-aruba.com/. It’s a good place to start your travel planning.

Bon dia from Aruba.

Church of the Immaculate Conception, Aruba

This example of the Church of the Immaculate Conception is located in Santa Cruz, Aruba. The interior has been repainted a beautiful sky blue on the ceiling and around some of the niches. Take a look at the video.

The church is located in the center of Santa Cruz. The blue cross atop the bell tower is illuminated at night and can be seen for quite a distance. As the sun sets to the west, northwest, it is a striking backdrop for the bell tower and this cross. Another interesting sight is the adjacent cemetery were there are many examples of fine statuary and haunting photos of the deceased.

There are several more large churches in Aruba and I hope to make videos of every one. Bon dia from Aruba.

Published in: on January 27, 2009 at 11:08 am  Leave a Comment  
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Another Savaneta Sunset

The sunsets seen from Savaneta, Aruba, are some of the best in the world. Here is a video of one to make the point.

Can never get enough of this.

Published in: on January 21, 2009 at 9:54 am  Leave a Comment  
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Aruba’s Burrowing Owls

Aruba’s burrowing owls are fascinating creatures. They nest in the ground as opposed to in trees. They’re well adapted to the environment as their coloring and marking makes them difficult to spot in the landscape. I made the following video when I happened upon a pair nesting at the base of a sand pile. No doubt this was easier to dig than the usual burrows. Take a look.

As you can see, their movements are rather snappy. One stands guard from his perch atop the sand pile, while the other minds the next below. I never disturb these owls. Instead, I use the maximum zoom on my video camera which enables me to stand off a good distance.

Bon dia from Aruba.

Published in: on January 18, 2009 at 10:33 am  Leave a Comment  
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