St. Francis Church, Aruba

There are many beautiful churches in Aruba. I made this video of St. Francis Catholic Church in Oranjestad. With the church, I included shots of the nearby Catholic Cemetery. There are many fine statues there and a small chapel, too. It’s worth a quick look around. Here is the video:

The music is “Santa Maria” by Los Niños de Sara. As you can see, there are several fine stained glass windows in the church and a few notable shrines. I’ve seen the faithful come here on various occasions. The level of their devotion is impressive.

Regular readers of this blog will know that I enjoy visiting sites such as this, particularly when they are in use. Whether it be Spain or Aruba or elsewhere, it is an authentic experience to see the people of a particular place living their culture. Furthermore, when experienced “live” you get a better sense of the actual rhythm of daily life as opposed to what you might hear from a guide or read in a book.

Bon dia from Aruba.

Published in: on December 4, 2008 at 7:22 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Palm Beach, Aruba (video)

Palm Beach, Aruba, hosts a line of high-rise hotels. This beach is wide, clean, and inviting. The Caribbean is always warm. Depending upon the wind direction, the water is either as calm as a millpond or rolling to shore in small waves. Take a look at the video.

I took this video later in the afternoon when many people have left the beach. There are palapa huts along the beach, usually maintained by the hotels. These have to be occupied early, as many people stake them out all day. You’ll also find that some hotels offer drink service on the beach. Quite convenient. Along the way are two piers where you’ll find bars, water sports equipment rentals, and your fellow beach lovers enjoying themselves.

Be careful because the sun is strong in Aruba!

Bon dia from the island.

Published in: on December 2, 2008 at 12:18 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Hyatt Sunday Brunch, video

The Hyatt Hotel in Aruba serves a fantastic Sunday brunch. I posted photos before. This time, I’ve made a short video. I left out the breakfast foods, but rest assured, there is every type of breakfast item on offer. Take a look at the video.

Also not shown in the video are the excellent waiters who make this brunch as good as it is. They’re on top of everything. The mimosas stay full, the coffee fresh, the soiled plates disappear as if by magic. Plus, they’re friendly without being officious and congenial without disturbing your meal. Over the years I’ve gotten to know several of the staff. It’s always a pleasure seeing them.

Published in: on December 1, 2008 at 11:17 am  Comments (1)  
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One Happy Cat, Aruba

Along the main road in Aruba, you’ll find guys selling fresh fish from wooden tables. The make-shift stands are very popular among the Arubans. Some are literally “drive-up” operations. The customers pull off the road, close enough to the stand to make a purchase without exiting the vehicle. Of course, where there are fresh fish to be had, you’ll typically find a well-fed cat. Here’s a video of one.

That’s quite a fish lying there on the table. And that cat likes his share of the scraps. I’ll be posting a few follow-up videos showing the other stands and cats. They’re lots of fun.

Bon dia from Aruba.

Published in: on November 30, 2008 at 12:53 pm  Leave a Comment  
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