11/12/2021 - 19/12/2021: Aruba (2)

Calendar:

11/12/2021 - 19/12/2021
Aruba beach villas, island excursions, tropical beach life

Noteworthy:

Aruba has chosen the motto "Una isla feliz" (Papiamento, the second official language alongside Dutch). Translated, this slogan means "a happy island". Accordingly, advertising buildings and billboards are scattered throughout the island, presumably so that the (few) locals internalize the "One happy island" philosophy. By the way, do you know the motto of Switzerland? It is "One for all, all for one". However, I imagine lived solidarity crisis management in the times of Corona differently... Slogans remain slogans...

In the capital Oranjestad, huge cruise ships dock incessantly. For organized land vacations, these ocean giants then empty themselves of their human cargo, which spreads like vermin all over the island. Due to the international clientele, a luxury boutique is lined up next to each other around the port in Oranjestad; all brands from Gucci to Prada are present here. One happy island?

In Palm Beach, there are numerous high-rise hotels along the long fantastic sandy beaches, the sight of which makes you shudder. Mass human husbandry in its purest form, which cell would you prefer? It somehow reminded us of Alcatraz. Pro Wildlife or PETA should take action here. It is probably bordering on masochism to pay around 600 euros (!) for that. All inclusive, even the happy hour. Surprisingly, the reviews of the inmates are almost uniformly positive. One happy island?

Fortunately, Palm Beach has also developed a further tourist infrastructure (restaurants, bars, shopping opportunities) due to these hotels, which we also gladly took advantage of. So, here we feel more like tourists again, although it is difficult to grasp an actual Aruban culture. Aruba as a globalized island (tourists mainly come from the USA, Canada, Venezuela, and the Netherlands) simply lives from foreign visitors.

I went to the hair salon here in Aruba (for the second time after Palm Springs). Unfortunately, I couldn't communicate with the hairdresser because he only spoke Papiamento. Apparently, he wanted to do me a favor and make me look younger than I am, but I'm happy to embrace my age! In any case, I now have to walk around with a half mohawk haircut for the next few weeks, but I guess that will correct itself.

The northeast coast of Aruba has a lot to offer in terms of landscape, this part of Aruba is not overbuilt thanks to nature conservation, the wide and bumpy sandy roads lead through cactus forests to and along the coast. Here you can also find the natural bridges. The bridges were created due to the strong surf erosion of the coral limestone. The larger of the two bridges (30 meters long) collapsed on 05/09/2005, but the smaller intact bridge is also beautiful to see.

Near the Natural Bridge, there are also the ruins of the former gold mines of Aruba (Bushiribana and Balashi). Gold was first discovered here in 1824, and a total of more than 1,700 kg of gold was mined in Aruba (state monopoly).

In the middle of Aruba, near Paradera, are the massive rock formations (quartz and diorite) of Casibari and Ayo. The rocks can be climbed, and from the top, there is a beautiful view of the island.

The barren soil of Aruba is mostly unsuitable for agriculture. An exception is the aloe vera plant, which has been cultivated since the mid-19th century. The gel extracted from the plant is used for various cosmetic purposes.

In the southernmost part of Aruba, near Baby Beach (apparently the name comes from the fact that bathing for toddlers is unproblematic due to the shallow water and lack of waves), there is another secluded kiteboarding school. Here, things are even more turbulent than in front of our apartment. In the surf waves, the true cracks surf against each other.

On 12/12/2021, we explored the sand dunes near the lighthouse with our scooters. Sylvia wanted to imitate the quads and gracefully glide through the partially wet sand paths. However, she apparently overlooked that the stability of four wheels is much better than that of just two, and slipped in the mud (albeit at a walking pace). Result: A free mud pack! We immediately returned to our place, luckily the good soul of Aruba beach villas, Alec, a Venezuelan, was still on site and offered to hose down and clean the scooter with a garden hose. We gave him a generous tip for that.

However, Sylvia's knee began to hurt more and more. Fortunately, there was no swelling. After two days, we went to an orthopedic clinic; Sylvia received a high-tech knee brace there. Nevertheless, her knee still hurts even after 5 days, so we unfortunately have to limit our activities accordingly.

Just now (17/12/2021), we heard on the radio about the latest measures taken by the Federal Council in relation to the Covid crisis in Switzerland. It is already exhausting that there is still no end to the pandemic in sight here. Currently, the 7-day incidence rate in Aruba is 134 cases (CH: 734 cases). Over the holidays, there is likely to be an increase here as well, as many Dutch people will spend their vacations in Aruba despite the lockdown that has just been announced there.

In planning our next leg, Covid once again seriously intervened. We discovered that there is a quarantine for incoming travelers in Jamaica, so we are looking for possible alternatives.

Stay healthy!