We arrived at 7am to what looks like a flat, barren, industrial island. There are large petrochemical plants that have processed Venezuelan oil since the 1920's. We moored alongside a rusty old ferry in the working docks, to clear customs and immigration. Our agent Jerome, handled all of this and was very quick.
We then moved to the marina in the capital of 'Oranjestad'. It is a cruise ship town and tourism is now the island's principle industry.
We had a walk around the town and a ride on the new tourist tram. We did a bit of shopping and then visited the archaeological museum. The museum occupies several old restored 19th century houses. It has a well presented exhibition representing the establishment of this island 2500 years ago by the Amerindians through to the Spanish invasion in 1499 and the later Dutch control.
This island is associated with Curacao, both Dutch colonies. Aruba is 30 kms long and 10 Kms wide. The population is 106,000, with many large cruise ships swelling the population between December and May. It is renowned for it's white beaches. We visited the popular 'Arashi Beach', which is good but not outstanding. We passed 'Eagle Beach' with it's multiple high rise hotels and quaint restaurants and bars in a small village behind the beaches.
Thank goodness we spent most of our time in Tobago and Los Roques as the ABC Islands offer little for us, including not being able to anchor in the wilderness.
Thursday. MB has his last swim in the Caribbean and Yoga on the back deck.
We are packed, now we fly to Costa Rica to fish for Tarpon.
JB and Mick