Pool Table with a View!

In the town of Savaneta on the island of Aruba, you’ll find a place called Zeerovers. In Dutch, Zeerovers means pirates. However, this place is more of a fisherman’s hangout than a pirate’s nest. Best of all, you can shoot a game of pool on this table, with that view. (Click to enlarge.)

Up for a game? The locals play rounds here: winner continues on the table while the loser waits for his next chance. Just to give a brief orientation, here’s a look at the exterior from the road that fronts the place.

The little wooden building out front is a lottery shack. If you’re feeling lucky, you can buy a chance at winning the Aruba lottery. It only takes two florins and a dream, just like anywhere else. I’d skip that and go straight inside where you’re guaranteed a cold drink, friendly company, and fresh fish if the catch has been landed. I’ve been coming to this place off and on for about six years now. It is a location frequented by one of my characters in An Island Away. I wanted to use as much original material in the book as possible, including places like this that are not so much off the beaten path as they are overlooked. As you drive by here, you might never realize what happens on the other side of those buildings. Here’s a look at where the fishermen land their catch.

That man is good with a knife. He can filet a fish faster than you can line up your cue stick on the pool table. There’s also a cat that lurks around here. I couldn’t find him when I took these photos, probably because there was no fish to be had. He must be the biggest cat on the island, certainly weighing more than 20 pounds. Feasting on all the cast offs keeps him pleasantly full, but he’s always up for more. Local residents as well as buyers from restaurant and hotel kitchens come here for the catch of the day. Some sport fisherman will bring the results of their own efforts, too. Wahoo, mahi, and grouper are just a few of the varieties that you’ll find. Here’s one last look, this time a reverse angle on the pool table showing the walk-up bar and jukebox.

If no one is playing pool then someone is usually dancing. Hey, with that view, what difference does it make? You’re bound to have a great time.

Published in: on July 11, 2008 at 9:13 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Piedra Plat Church, Aruba

In the area known as Piedra Plat on the island of Aruba, there stands this handsome Protestant Church. The proportions of this building always seemed pleasing to me. It stands about a hundred meters away from the main road, on a small street of its own. Services are still held here on Sunday afternoons.

As the plaque shown indicates (in Papiamento), the Protestant congregation began in the middle 1800’s in the area of Canashito before building this church in 1899. The building was restored in 2000.

My previous posts included photos and brief discussions of a few cathedrals in Spain. At the same time, I wanted to mention structures such as this one, which have as much atmosphere as those larger ones, albeit in a different way. They are more likely to be intimate and charming spaces rather than domineering or imposing.

When traveling, I try to work in small stops like this, especially if they are an active part of the community. They teach volumes about the culture of the population and thus give greater insight into the area. Do you remember a favorite place that seemed insignificant at first but turned out to be more interesting than you thought it would be? Let me know.

Published in: on July 11, 2008 at 12:34 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Palapa Huts, Aruba

A nice feature of the beaches in Aruba, is that there are Palapa huts constructed in front of the various hotels and at other spots as well. After several hours in the lower latitude sun, it’s a good idea to find a little shade. Here’s a look at the huts on Palm Beach, near the Hyatt Hotel.

That guy in the middle of the frame probably has a good book. He’s kicked off his flip-flops, just had a sip of a fruity drink, and is diving back into the story. I hope it’s An Island Away. There is a scene in the book that takes place right here. One of the characters is at the Hyatt Hotel. She has a swim and lays out in the sun, enjoying the good life before getting a heavy dose of reality in her chosen profession. Anyway, be careful in the sun. Like all things, use in moderation.

Have you ever visited a location that was featured in a book or a movie? Let me know.

Published in: on July 10, 2008 at 8:52 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Paseo Herencia, Aruba

One shopping alternative near the high-rise hotels is the Paseo Herencia Mall, which was completed recently. Almost all the stores are active now. You can buy sneakers, jewelry, local crafts, high-end lingerie, watches, clothing of all types, and more. Here’s a look at one of the entrances.

There are several restaurants here, too. Mr. Jazz is a club where you can hear live music. A multi-screen movie theatre is tucked upstairs. The popcorn and soda is priced reasonably, I might add, unlike in the United States. Here’s another look, this time at the interior of the plaza.

The central fountain helps keep the place cool and sometimes bands set up here. Other cultural events ranging from dance show to historical displays are put on as well. The guy who gives the motorcycle tours of the island is located on the outer edge of the mall. He’s usually there in the evenings, during which you can make your reservation and check out his bikes.

This is just one of several shopping areas found on Aruba. I’ll post more photos and details over the coming weeks. Stay tuned.

Published in: on July 10, 2008 at 3:49 pm  Leave a Comment  
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