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Teresa and I had done the western Caribbean a few times as well as the Bahamas. This was my first time to the Southern Isles. The Dominican Republic and St Thomas (USVI) were amazing. Of course, when I hear Aruba, the beach Boy’s song “Kokomo” pops in my head.
Aruba is a generally flat, riverless island in the Leeward Antilles island arc of the Lesser Antilles in the southern part of the Caribbean. It lies 77 km (48 mi) west of Curaçao and 29 km (18 mi) north of Venezuela’s Paraguaná Peninsula. Aruba has white sandy beaches on the western and southern coasts of the island, relatively sheltered from fierce ocean currents. This is where the bulk of the population live and where most tourist development has occurred. The northern and eastern coasts, lacking this protection, are considerably more battered by the sea and have been left largely untouched.
As my group headed off the ship and onto the big red bus, that Beach Boy’s song is stuck in my head. I get on this wacky red bus and I know this will be an adventure. The motto of Kukoo is “Catch the Island spirit and get ready to paint the town red. The Kukoo Kunuku is all about making new friends while having fun.” and fun we had. The windows had maracas we could shake, wacky sayings painted inside and out, and the driver (Carlos Montrose) had some good music playing while he showed us around. He stopped a few times, showing us this point of interest or that one, but I think what touched me most was how he related it to friends and family, especially is mother.
Our tour was going to take in Casibari Rock Formations and Alto Vista Chapel. Then we were off to one of Aruba’s favorite beaches, in our case, Arashi Beach.
One of the things that surprised me was that Aruba (and the others in the area known as Netherlands Antilles) was a dessert island. For some reason, I always envisioned them as tropical. But, Carlos mentioned a short rainy season and the rest of the time, it is arid. Cacti are abundant here.Alto Vista Chapel is a small Catholic chapel that stands on the hills above the north shore of the sea and to the northeast of the town of Noord, on the island of Aruba, 27 km north of the coast of Venezuela. The church, painted on the outside in stark bright yellow, makes it a conspicuous religious monument for people to visit. The present Chapel of Alto Vista was completed in 1952 and stands in the same location as the original chapel, which was built by Domingo Silvestre, the Venezuelan missionary from Santa Ana de Coro, Venezuela, in 1750.
Carlos let us know the original church was made of driftwood and anything else that was usable. The “new” one is extremely small, as was the original, but that does not stop large services and the waitlist for weddings is quite long.
The church is on top of a hill and the surround by seating. Further out is a forest of cacti, with trails to hike through.
After we left the church, Carlos was telling us that he was going to show us best beach. We’d pass others, but this was his beach, his favorite, and he loved taking people there. He called it “Arashi”.
Along the way, he pointed out some of the original style homes and other sites. He told us of the homes near the northwestern shore and how much one of those cost, and when we got there, I could see why. The views alone were magnificent.
Once we got there, part of the tour included beach chairs and as we unloaded, a couple of gentlemen were working to get people where they wanted to be seated. They had some umbrellas for shade too. The beach itself is public, so the “palm shelters” are open to anyone. Our group wanted to get as close to the water as possible. I opted to find shade further back. It was a great opportunity to relax, people watch, and to read (yes, I brought my kindle). We were going to have a few hours there, where there was a bar and grill, rentals of snorkels and such, and showers.
Now I did get into the water, up to about my knees and it was refreshing. But, I was still fresh from the bad reaction on my arm from that bug bite and while it looked and felt better, I was not going to chance it in the salt water. So, I bought a coke (for much less than on board ship), laid back in my chair and drank in the fresh air and sunshine (while trying to figure out who was playing the spy).
Once our tour was over, there was still time to tour Oranjestad, do a little shopping and maybe get a local snack. I set out on foot.
I had seen someone wearing a Hawaiian style shift from each port we stopped at. I wish I had thought to look sooner. So, I stop at several booths and shops. I start looking and either I don’t find my size OR the shop keeper stops me and suggests another shop. Oh well, I keep looking.
I was also on the look out for hats (caps) and there was no shortage. Most places pairs/bundled them with a matching color t-shirt.
I stepped into one shop and something immediately caught my eye. It was a butterfly gossamer wing pattern with rhinestone highlights. It was pretty and something Teresa would like. I pick the hanger up and check the label, “One size fits all”. I check the length and it seems okay. I moved closer the sunlight and find it is not a sundress, but a coverup. Still, it is pretty and sparkly and I think Teresa would like it. I turn to the woman in the booth and ask how much?
“$35 US”, she says. I step back in and put it back on the rack and step further into the store.
“$30”, she says. I pick up print shirt.
“$25”, she says. I put the shirt back down.
“$20”, she says, her tone does not change and it is not a questioning one.
I stop before stepping out of her store. “I’ll think about it”, I say.
I step into the walk way, reach into my pocket and pull out a $20. “I thought about”.
She smiles and bags it up for me. I hope Teresa likes it. (Note: She did.)
Tonight for dinner, I was invited to join Tim (from Texas). He was who I shared the buggy with a few days ago. His wife and daughter were dining elsewhere and he figured, “why should we dine alone”.
This is the first time I’ve been in this restaurant. It and The Aqua share the same kitchen and have the same nightly menus. And while both are elegant, this one seems a bit more so.
Tim admits he likes this particular restaurant and that they let him get two appetizers. I smile, I’ve done that too. We sat and talked about lots of things, work and careers, kids (and kids these days), his family, mine… and we still have not seen a waiter.
Finally someone notices and steps up, apologizing. She gets our drinks and sets out to find out who was supposed to be serving us. She comes back and apologizes again, saying she will be taking care of us.
As we eat, Tim tested the waters, mentioning something only slightly political. I land on the same page as him. He seems relieved and says he avoids talking politics for fear of getting into an argument. I assure him that while I don’t mind getting into a discussion, or even a debate, I do my best to avoid the “fight”.
We finished the main course and ordered desert. I found it refreshing to talk to someone who shared most of the same views, and those that we did not did not cause any issues.
Tim was tired and wanted to catch up with his family. He took of his way and I went mine. The big show tonight was “Black Panther” in the Stardust. Seen it, thought I missed the start of it and did not want to find a seat. Nothing in the Bliss appealed to me either, but there was an entertainer in the Atrium playing acoustic songs. I made my way to the bar, grabbed a drink and went upstairs. Michael and Teresa were up there and asked if I wanted to play a game. I apologized to them, I was just not feeling it. I had a mystery to solve and got back to my book for a few hours before heading to my cabin for the night.