Aruba

Aruba was our first port of call. Beautiful, blue Aruba. Very friendly natives and lots to see and do. We took a highlights bus tour and then did some shopping on our own before we set sail.

There is volcanic rock and coral formations along the windward side. The sea was crashing against the rock and spraying upward. Some of the coral forms a natural "bridge" over the water. The larger natural bridge crashed into the sea in 2005.

There is a lighthouse on top of a hill over looking the sea and natives with machetes chop open coconuts and serve frozen drinks to people getting off the buses - very delicious and refreshing.

 

In town, there are hundreds of banks and duty- free diamond stores. And the stores are full of customers.

 

I loved the open air stalls with all the crafts and street art.

  My first purchase was some wind chimes for my mom.

Pretty funny ... even in Aruba, guys waiting for their wives in the local shopping mall!

Didn't buy, but loved the colors!

Great local crafts market on the main street next to the pier.

 

Allan started a collection of old license plates to hang on his office wall.

I choose delft - since Aruba is a Dutch island.

Before we knew it, it was time to head back to the ship.

We enjoyed our stay in Aruba and would love to go back. Our next port is Cartagena, Columbia.