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: , ,

A Beach of Your Own?

Have you ever wanted a beach of your own? Or maybe just a beach all to yourself for a day? Well, take a look at the photo below. Can you see yourself there?

If you look carefully, you can see a small structure at the very edge of the left side of the frame. This is a little pavilion constructed on the bit of land that is only two feet above the ocean’s surface. Think about yourself and a few close friends having a small party out there. Simple, beautiful, perfect. This is the beach in Savaneta, Aruba. Most weekdays, you might find a few people here during the day. A fisherman or two pass by with hand nets, catching bait fish that the pelicans don’t scoop up. On weekends, the Arubans camp out with their families.

There are actually two beaches, each of them framed by mangroves. They aren’t very big, maybe a hundred yards long. The nearby ocean is quite shallow, perhaps 15 feet at its deepest, all the way to reef. After the reef, the topography drops off to deeper water.

From here you can watch the ships pass by. Once in a while a tugboat sails from San Nicolaas on the southeast end of the island, where the refinery is, to the harbor at Oranjestaad, which is more centrally located. These tugboats assist the cruise ships and cargo vessels calling there. You can wave to them and sometimes they’ll give you a whistle back.

I came to this place in 1995. I pulled over, looked at the beach and surrounding area. I thought, “I could live here.” It was a goal that took me a long time to accomplish. But all that hard work was worth it. The good things in life are worth waiting for. (You’ve heard that one before, I know, but it is true.) Don’t rush it. Don’t get discouraged. Stay the course, weather the storm, and get where you want to go and take the ones you love with you. One of my characters in An Island Away sets out to do this. Sorry, I can’t reveal what happens without ruining the story.

After a brief interlude to talk about some other things, I’ll post a few more views of the interior of the island that are just as appealing this one, as well as some more beautiful sunsets.

Published in: on June 16, 2008 at 11:39 pm  Comments (1)  
Tags: , ,
« Older Entries
Newer Entries »