Aruba, Day and Evening

There were too many requests for more Aruba photos. I admit, I’m holding out on you a little. I showed that stuff from San Nicolaas and then the beach but have yet to put in anything about the hotels, shopping, and various other attractions that many people find interesting. We’ll get there, just stay with me.

So here is another view of the interior of the island. This was taken in the area known as San Fuego, looking north, northwest.

The desert landscape is looking green thanks to the rain that has been falling more frequently in the last few years. (And yet, this year things have been more dry.) At any rate, the tall cactus among the boulders make for striking contrast. Those boulders are granite, which you might not expect to find on a Caribbean island but the vagaries of the earth’s geography put them here. On the far right you’ll see a bit of a large water tank. Aruba’s water comes from a desalinization plant and is pumped to these tanks to maintain proper pressure in the lines. Works great and the water is pure and delicious.

In this part of the island there are fewer houses than on the north end, which hosts most of the tourist activity. There are many old “cunucu” houses as they are called. (I’ll post some photos of them later, too.) When traveling through the area, you get the sense that the island is much bigger than its 17 miles in length. Between the hills, you might think you’re in the middle of New Mexico or some such place. But, after passing over a ridge or two, you’ll soon see the ocean and be reminded that this is a small rock in a big sea.

As mentioned before, my pal Bob loves to greet the sunset every evening. Here’s another one of those.

This one is looking south from Savaneta toward San Nicolaas. From those tiny piers sticking into the water you’ll often see kids swimming. We jump in there from time to time, too. Great place to splash around. They also show up in my book An Island Away as a principal location.

As you can see from these photos and the ones in previous posts. There are many places in Aruba where you can experience a part of the Caribbean that hasn’t changed much in the last seventy-five years. As small as the world is, it still has places like this, places that aren’t so much unspoiled as untarnished, places that may fit your ideal of what it could be like, if only…

Published in: on June 22, 2008 at 12:51 pm  Comments (2)  
Tags: , , , , ,

Kite Surfing

With the steady tradewinds blowing, Aruba is among the best places in the world to kite surf. When I first visited the island, wind surfing was all the rage. This is done with a board and a sail fixed to mast that is attached to the board. Kite surfing on the other hand is done with a kite that flies well above the surfer, who stands on the board with his feet in special loops. Here’s a photo taken near the Malmok area of Aruba.

These guys move fast, fast enough to jump waves, do stunts, and actually travel for miles if they want to. That guy in the frame is shooting a rooster tail!

Using two handles that control the lines up to the kite they’re able to maneuver the kite itself and increase or decrease the amount of power derived from the wind. I’ve seen some surfers just cruise along, while others go full blast.

The kite is actually shaped like a wing. This is what allows it to “fly” above the surfer. The lines change the shape of the wing, just like the control surfaces on an airplane. So, if you’re kite surfing, you’re sort of flying. Someday I have to give this a try. It has to be incredible fun.

 

Published in: on June 20, 2008 at 9:38 pm  Comments (3)  
Tags: , , , ,

A Long Goodbye

On the southern edge of Aruba, beyond the famous Baby Beach, is an area where pets are buried. We all love our pets, think of them as members of the family, and treat them better than ourselves at times. It’s only appropriate they are buried respectfully. Here’s a view of the way it’s done on the island.

This is a solemn place. You can’t look at the makeshift crosses without thinking about your own pets, both past and present. I’ve seen people come here to place flowers and other offerings, which only proves how beloved these animals were. Some day I want to incorporate this scene into a story.

And yet only a quarter mile away you’ll find families frolicking in the water, people snorkeling, and others just working on their tans. In the distance, beyond that clear blue water, you’ll see super tankers and cargo ships passing by.

Life goes on, but it’s only right to pause once in a while to remember the ones we loved, especially our pets.

Published in: on June 17, 2008 at 4:26 pm  Leave a Comment  
Tags: , ,

Too Much of a Good Thing?

Since so many people have messaged me to demand more beach and Aruba photos, I’ll bow to the pressure and put just two more up. Then, we’re going back to Spain. But we’re still in Aruba for now, going to one of my favorite spots to snorkel. This is an area known as Mango Halto (which can be spelled many different ways) also known as Spanish Lagoon. This area features a dramatic cliff that drops straight to the water. The ocean is buffered by a reef located about two hundred yards from the cliff. Some nice soul cut a stairway down the cliff to a spot where you can don your gear and get in the water.

The mast (flagpole) and landscaping here was installed by a local fellow who wants to keep the spot as a pleasant retreat for those who appreciate the opportunity to enjoy nature’s beauty. People respect this, leaving it as they found it, clean and tidy. That boardwalk leads to the stairs down to the ocean.

The snorkeling along the cliff is average. There are usually a bunch of fish but very few spots of coral. Nonetheless, if you go out toward the reef you’ll find all sorts of coral including fans. The fish swimming here are the brilliantly colored types that are never boring. Sometimes the choppy waves make the swimming a challenge. Early in the morning is the best time to go.

Then after some awesome ocean viewing, you come back up the stairs and take a seat here:

You can see this is a comfortable spot for two. Here you can dry off, relax, maybe enjoy your favorite beverage. Just one more reason why so many people love Aruba, and rightly so.

There’s a small hotel within a two minute walk of Mango Alto. It’s called the Sea Breeze, and it is a charming bit of Caribbean hospitality. They have a small swimming pool in the courtyard, a barbecue, and a bar. It’s the type of place to stay when you want to get away from the crush of the high-rise hotels, when you want to get back to the basics. Isn’t that why you came to a Caribbean island in the first place?

Published in: on June 17, 2008 at 12:57 pm  Comments (1)  
Tags: , ,
« Older Entries
Newer Entries »