Aruba 1 | Aruba

Saturday 2/23/19

Link to today's photos

Slept in by mistake, must have needed it. Off we all went to a Dutch Pancake place named Linda's quite close to their place. The Dutch pancakes are the size of the (large) plate and have the ingredients baked into the batter. I had bacon and apple, Tom had bacon & gouda cheese. Forgot what Abbey had. In the middle of eating a shower came through - very intense but quite short. Then back to blue skies.

The conveyance is a purpose-built battery-powered streetcar. The line runs from the cruise ship area through the shopping district and back. Aruba is a carbon-aware place by policy. The cars are piloted by resident volunteers. More about them here. The downtown map is here.

Last time we were here, they did a tour for us around the south end of the island. Today we went around the north end. Many beautiful homes along the shore. Typical dry ground and dirt roads inland. We went up a small hill to see California lighthouse, named after a sunken ship near there. Good place for a lighthouse, unobstructed view all round.

We continued the tour until we reached SuperFoods, a tremendous market. It's close to the resort area so many come here for wine & beer for their parties, and some nibbles. Parking is non-existent at first glance, so the trick is to wait until someone pulls out and jump into that space. The market had about 15 checkout lines and all were in use. Incredible.

We went back to the house and sat and chatted until we had a light meal of tapas & wine. Then talked some more.

Around 7pm we headed by back trails and roads to the far side of downtown where the parade was forming. This is carnival season here. This parade warms up for the full day festivities next Sunday. People were there in all sorts of fancy costumes that would put New Orleans to shame. Massive trucks with tremendous loudspeakers powered by on-board generators with bands on the trailer belting out carib music. Trucks in the parade carrying refreshments, including alcohol for the marchers. There were even porta-potty trucks in the parade. These folks were out for fun.

Sunday 2/24/19

Link to today's pictures

Up, then coffee, juice, fruit, and bread things on the lanai. People dropped by now and then to chat. Abbey found a couple who were going to church who agreed to take D. The rest of us sat around and talked and reviewed pictures from last night.

D returned and a bit later we got going. Off to the south end of the island to a unique restaurant called Zeerover (Sea Rover in english). All outdoor, shaded, seating. You stand in line, then order what you want from a limited menu, pay for it, then take your number to a table and wait (with your beer or wine).

Tables were hard to find but Abbey talked a young couple into sharing theirs. It turned out they were from Italy, which sparked some conversation. They left not long after that but the ladies didn't move out to their end of the tables due to encroaching sun. Matter of fact, they moved away some more, trying to push us onto the deck. The pictures slideshow should show a good part of this.

We headed back toward downtown via the scenic tour along the water Downtown, Tom found parking so we could split up for shopping. D & I found a few things for the grandsons in the kiosks, then toured the big fancy Renaissance center near the ship port where thankfully everything was closed (late in the day Sunday, tour ship getting underway).

After touring the mall (found a few more things in a sundries place) we got back on the street. I found a cow and got Abbey & D to pose with it. The cow touts for the steak-and-chop place across the street. There are also blue horse statues around town for which we haven't found the reason.

Back with Tom we returned to the apartment to relax. A good day, somewhat taxing due to the warmth and sun, but good.

To Top

Next Page

Aruba

the happy island