California Lighthouse, Aruba

At the northern end of the island of Aruba stands the California Lightouse. It sits approximately a kilometer from the shore but high on a bluff that overlooks the sea on both sides of the island. I took these photos a few mornings ago. The first one shows the lighthouse standing against a bank of heavy cloud that had rolled in.

 Many people ask me about the weather in Aruba. What is the best month to visit? Will my wedding be rain free? Does it rain all day or just showers? These questions are impossible to answer. All I can say from experience is that it doesn’t matter whether it rains, is cloudy, or if the sun shines all day. There are plenty of things to do. For the most part, Aruba is a desert island, located south of the hurricane track. Sometimes you’ll have a day of rain, even two days of rain. That said, there have been times when I’ve been seen doing an ancient rain dance after three weeks of nothing but blazing sun. Of course, there is the breeze, the trade winds that keep the island deceptively comfortable. (Yes, use a dermatologist recommended sun block.)

So, after I took this picture, I waited about fifteen minutes. Lo and behold! The clouds shuttled off and the following view could be seen.

That’s right, blue skies on the way after a refreshing, cleansing shower. Looking down from the bluff at the sea, here is another vista. Can you imagine being on ship looking back at the island?

Therefore, don’t worry about the weather no matter where you’re traveling. Sure, you’d like to have that perfect day. I would venture to say it’s more about how you look at it than what the weather actually is. Furthermore, consider the opportunity to make new friends or get closer to the ones with you. Before you know it, the weather will have changed and you’ll be on with your journey.

Published in: on July 14, 2008 at 12:40 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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One Anchor, Many Souls

On the southeast tip of the island of Aruba, there stands a giant anchor, serving as a memorial to all the sailors who ventured to sea. My friend Charlie Brouns, Jr. had the anchor placed there. Upon Charlie’s death, his dear friend Mr. Speiziale had the anchor repainted bright red, Charlie’s color of choice. Here’s a photo taken early on a hazy morning:

As much as sailors love the sea, they still long for the comfort of terra firma, especially after a particularly long or arduous voyage. And then there are those who die in the clutches of the ocean, lost forever to the deep. A character in my novel, An Island Away, finds himself adrift in the Caribbean after his tugboat sinks at the edge of a storm. He comes within sight of this spot and is nearly cast upon the rocks by the driving waves. Salvation seemed to be at hand, only to be snatched away. Ultimately, he makes it to a beach some distance from this spot, but he’s nearly dead.

Many of us may not realize the risks taken by people such as members of the merchant marine. Even in this modern day, the sea claims its share of casualties. Products ranging from crude oil, to fruit, to automobiles, to computers are all transported aboard ships before they reach our homes. And there are still pirates out there, cut-throat misanthropes willing to kill for profit instead of earning an honest living. Now there’s an idea for a story: someone attacked or kidnapped by these recent additions to the shameful list of pirates. The plot could be one of violent intrigue surrounding a valuable cargo that must be recovered for some important reason. Hmmmm…. have any ideas?

Published in: on July 8, 2008 at 3:37 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Hurricane Season

Hurrican Season is off to a good start with two named storms already. Bertha is plunging across the Atlantic in search of a target. One of the reasons I like Aruba so much is that the island is south of the hurricane track. In a worst case, it receives the back spin of a storm passing to the north, as is illustrated in my novel, An Island Away. Even that is a rarity. Miami, on the other hand, gets hit on a regular basis, although not lately. Below is a photo from a hurricane that struck the city in September of 1926. The photographer jokingly calls the beach the new “drydock.”

That’s a decent size ship there on the left and a barge on the right. The motor launch at the far left does have the look of a rum runner, doesn’t it? I could see Hemingway on her, or maybe a bunch of guys steaming up from Cuba with cigars, bootleg booze, and a story to tell. Those were the days. And to think the smugglers of today think they invented something new. The only difference is they use airplanes.

Anyway, calm weather gives the good sailor a chance to repair. So be sure to keep an eye on the weather. Don’t ignore hurricane warnings. These storms are among the most powerful on earth and once they are upon you it is too late. There’s no place to hide. As far as smuggling goes, well, if it’s material for a good story, I might be inclined to listen. Send me a note about what you’ve been up to. Thanks.

Published in: on July 7, 2008 at 7:10 pm  Comments (2)  
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