ARUBA, "ONE HAPPY ISLAND"
BY CLAY LARROY
BY CLAY LARROY
Across the America many couples are having
wonderful weddings after months of planning. The bride and groom will need a
honeymoon to rest and recuperate. Vacations
are so important, as it gives us a way to connect with each other in a stress
free relaxed environment. Couples that take vacations together build memories
that will last a lifetime. Couples vacations and travel can be a most rewarding
experience especially in the Caribbean. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!
Aruba may be best known for its beautiful Caribbean beaches and
perfect weather, but venture off the sand and check out fun attractions. You’ll
find a happy island full of history, culture, rugged landscapes, exotic local
dishes and even more fun activities in
Aruba.
Lean back and take it easy
on Aruba: the best that Caribbean sea, sand and sunshine have to offer. Aruba's
balmy breezes and relaxed pace are just the tonic for any frazzled visitor;
just like the soothing aloe vera plant that is found everywhere on the island.
The surrounding waters are populated by colourful creatures such as parrotfish splashed with teal and gold, while bright pink flamingos populate the national park. Aruba's capital, Oranjestad, also dazzles: orange facades brightly array the architecture, indicating the island's historical ties with The Netherlands - Aruba's head of state is still the Dutch ruling monarch.
The surrounding waters are populated by colourful creatures such as parrotfish splashed with teal and gold, while bright pink flamingos populate the national park. Aruba's capital, Oranjestad, also dazzles: orange facades brightly array the architecture, indicating the island's historical ties with The Netherlands - Aruba's head of state is still the Dutch ruling monarch.
Things to
see and do in Aruba
Archaeological Museum of
Aruba
The Archaeological Museum
of Aruba has reopened in the restored historic Ecury complex in central
Oranjestad. A former family home, the building has been transformed to a
state-of-the-art, 21st century museum that preserves Aruba's Amerindian
cultural heritage.
Arikok National Park
The park covers one-fifth
of the island's landmass and contains a multitude of plants and animals,
including flamingos.
Bonbini Festival
Held every Tuesday
(1830-2030) in the courtyard of the Historical Museum, the Bonbini Festival
offers an insight into local customs, music and cuisine, as well as a chance to
get to know the islanders.
Bubali Bird Sanctuary
Amongst this sanctuary's
inhabitants are 80 migratory species including herons, egrets, gulls,
cormorants and skimmers.
Carnival
Aruba's annual colourful
Carnival is in January.
Cave art
Aruba's several systems of
caves contain examples of cave drawings. Fontein was once used by the Arawak
Indians, the original inhabitants of the island; the caves at Guadirikiri are a
haven for bats; and Huliba Cave is nicknamed the 'tunnel of love'.
Chapel of Alto Vista
The Chapel of Alto Vista on
the north coast boasts a 100-year-old hand-carved oak altar behind the bright
yellow exterior.
Divi-divi trees
Aruba's unofficial
trademark, the distinctive shape of the divi-divi trees
(also known as watapanas) stretches out at alarming angles in a land of cactus
in the Cunucu.
Golf
Aruba Tierra del Sol's
par-71 championship 18-hole course was designed by the Robert Trent Jones II
Group, renowned for protecting the natural ecology of sites.
Hit the beach
Hadicurari Beach is
renowned for excellent snorkelling, Baby Beach's shallow waters are ideal for
children and Palm Beach is right in front of the main hotel strip. Aruba's
constant trade winds offer ideal conditions for windsurfing and kite-surfing at
Arashi beach. The Hi-Winds Amateur World Challenge windsurfing tournament takes
place there each June.
Hooiberg (Mount Haystack)
Hooiberg looms out of the
flat landscape of the interior to the northwest of Santa Cruz. Walk up a series
of several hundred steps to see across to Venezuela at the 165m (541ft) peak.
Horse riding
There are riding trips in
the Cunucu (countryside) and along the coast.
Oranjestad
The capital has
pastel-coloured gabled buildings which make Dutch heritage of Aruba obvious.
Also here is Fort Zoutman, the oldest building on Aruba (1796), and home to the
Aruba Historical Museum. Fresh fish can be bought straight from the boat at
Oranjestad's daily market in the Paardenbaai (Schooner Harbour).
Santa Cruz
Spectacular boulders lie on
the road north from Santa Cruz to Casibari and Ayo. They are the result of an
unexplained geological catastrophe.
Seroe Colorado
Seroe Colorado has a local
iguana community and is also notable for its fine beaches.
Shopping
Malls and both unique and
designer stores can be found in Oranjestad's Caya GF Betico Croes. Duty-free
shopping is the main lure.
Snorkelling
Aruba has 40 dive sites
where visitors can look for one of the vivid parrotfish or dive amongst the
wreck of a WWII German freighter. The coral at De Palm Island is great for
snorkeling.
REFERENCE SITES:
http://www.aruba.com/
http://www.travelresearchonline.com/blog/index.php/destination-guides/
"The voice of the sea speaks to the soul. The touch of the sea is sensuous, enfolding the body in its soft, close embrace."
Kate Chopin
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