Thursday – Aruba
Last port of call today. *sad face*
We docked at 8am, and it was already hot (32ºC/91ºF)) but not surprising considering we are only 15 miles from the shores of Venezuela, South America! This is the furthest south I have ever been.
Aruba is only a few miles from Curaçao, so it was a short voyage. They share a very similar history, and are also members of the Netherlands UK. It's a small island (6 x 19 miles) but it's very different from Curaçao. The main city, Oranjestad, is a pretty city, with multicoloured buildings, and lots of fabulous shopping. The ship's shopping guide said this was THE place to shop on the cruise- but he meant the expensive things again.
There's one season here – summer. The “cold months” average around 81F, while the warm months” stay around 32ºC/91ºF. It's drier here – the humidity was only 77%, and they get less than 20 inches of rain a year. The south side of the island, where we docked, is where the lovely beaches and the gorgeous blue-green Caribbean waters are. The north side- a mere 6 miles away- is a desert, with virtually no rain, strong year round winds, no ground water, etc. It looks like something from an old Western, with sand, cactus and scattered rocks-- although these rocks are coral. The western side is the calm side, where the resorts are. Lots and lots of resorts, each one with a casino and spa. Very Vegas-like. The beaches are just beautiful, and watersports abound.
Cathie and I took the same tour, while Leslie and Davie went shopping. (It is, by the way, their 2nd wedding anniversary today.) Our tour guide, Mirto, was a chatty older gent with a wry sense of humour. He was telling us about the natural plants and animals- for example, there are 21 different types of cactus growing here. There are 2 natural snakes – garden snakes and rattlesnakes. However, there is also now one new snake here- the boa. They started as pets, and then got too big, and people just let them go... and this is a great environment for them, and they have litters of dozens of babies, 3 times a year. It's become a huge problem here, and there's actually a bounty on them. They are afraid that there will be no birds or small mammals or lizards left in another decade because the boas are eating everything in sight. Not more than 15 minutes after that, he slowed the bus down and showed us a young boa curled up on the side of the road, soaking up the heat. The north side, as I mentioned, is wild and desolate – I liked it! We stopped at the collapsed Natural Bridge, and the Baby Natural Bridge. Wild surf, rocky shores – it looked like home, until you turned around and saw cactus and arid desert.
Rock formations are common here, and we stopped at the Casibari rocks- you can see the whole island from the top. There are some lovely grounds here – a peaceful, zen-like garden. I would have been happy to spend a couple of hours here, but back on the bus and to the other side of the island for another photo stop at the California lighthouse (named after a ship, not the state). We also made a stop at a small chapel in the middle of the desert, called the Alto Vista chapel. It had one service a month, and is just a serene little oasis, with a very peaceful and timeless atmosphere. Aruba is a nice island – and if you are a fan of beautiful beaches and watersports, this is the place for you.
We were back early enough to do grab some lunch on board and then go dockside for some shopping. We picked up our free charms* at Diamond International, and our free necklace at Effy's, and then had time for some souvenir shopping in a pretty mall. (*On the first day of the cruise, we attended a shopping seminar, and were given cards that allow us to collect freebies in each port. Diamond International is all through the Caribbean, and they give you a “gold” charm bracelet, and you collect charms at each port- free. At Effy's, we get a free 0.5 carat pendant-- a different gem at each port. And so on... it's great!)
We had supper reservations at the Sun King Steakhouse tonight. Two years ago today, we had supper at the Steakhouse on the Carnival Glory for Leslie and Davie's wedding supper, so it was great to celebrate their anniversary at the same place.
Departure was delayed from Aruba tonight due to some medical emergency. We heard someone being paged to the medical centre and then - we were on deck- we heard the ambulance coming, and watched it turn on to the dock. Someone was eventually taken off, but the departing ambulance only had lights flashing, but no siren, so I don't know if that was a good or bad sign. We left port about an hour late and are sailing straight for Florida... takes about 2.5 days. Then flying home. Wow... this has gone by so fast...
Foodies :
Breakfast : scrambled eggs, bacon, OJ, fruit
Lunch : Calamari, onion and zucchini fritters
Supper (steakhouse) : Caesar salad,
Lobster and cognac bisque,
Filet mignon with wild mushroom sauce, yukon gold mashed potatoes with wasabi, sauteed mushrooms, steamed broccoli
Bottle of Australian Shiraz.
Dessert : Davie had pre-ordered a chocolate torte (shaped like a heart) for dessert, and they were wished a happy anniversary by the staff. (Then he and Cathie each ordered - and ate!- the chocolate sampler!!)
I finished with a latte, and thought it possible that I may never move again.
Lobster and cognac bisque,
Filet mignon with wild mushroom sauce, yukon gold mashed potatoes with wasabi, sauteed mushrooms, steamed broccoli
Bottle of Australian Shiraz.
Dessert : Davie had pre-ordered a chocolate torte (shaped like a heart) for dessert, and they were wished a happy anniversary by the staff. (Then he and Cathie each ordered - and ate!- the chocolate sampler!!)
I finished with a latte, and thought it possible that I may never move again.
Kitties :
All is well. *happy face*
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