Two Week Cruise - Oct. 27 to Nov. 11, 2018



After three days at sea and a stop in Jamaica, we arrive in Arube on Thursday, November 1st

We dock at Aruba's capital, Oranjestad

Depart the ship for a paid guided tour excursion

We will find our way back to the Carnival Freedom in four hours or so

We tour the city in our air conditioned motor coach

Encouraged to visit the local jewelry stores to make a purchase

Interested in a submarine, but how to get it home?

We pass by the marina . . .

And on to the shopping center and movie theater

A Star is Born and Bohemian Rhapsody are the big headliners

Continue past the yet to be discovered Aruba selfie spot

A similar to New Orleans, above ground cemetery common to areas prone to flooding but in colorful caribbean island colors

We make our first stop at the Casibari Rock Formation

Located in the center of the island, northeast of Oranjestad

No falling down and calling your lawyer!

A bunch of steps to climb but worth it to an adventurous traveler

Hiking the trail to the top presents great views of the island

Casibari Cafe and Grill has lunch offerings for hungry hikers to the east

The Hooiberg, a distant volcanic formation to the south, towers 540 ft

Conclude the circle with a view toward the west

Time to head back down, make sure to hold the handrails!

Virginia would like a few more handrails available!

Curious rock formation known as 'Dragon Mouth' at the entrance

Board the motor coach to head to our next destination

Next stop, Natural Bridge Aruba, a natural coral limestone bridge

Whoops!   It collapsed in 2005 due to Hurricane Katrina

But no worries, we now have a baby natural bridge you can check out

The rocky seaside landscape is still worth a visit

The volcanic island shoreline is quite picturesque

Kathy and Jerry get as close as they dare to remain dry

Both natural bridges were just the remaining ceiling of caves

Jerry and Leo pose with large volcanic rock

We still have a ways to go so stay clear of the spray

This is nice but I prefer a sandy beach on extended vacations

Beautiful rocky shoreline on this former volcanic island

View of the former largest natural bridge of Aruba

Another angle with the erosion channel that helped form the bridge

Travel to the northernest point of the island, the California Lighthouse

Built in 1910 and named for the ship that wrecked here in 1891

Jerry waits in-line near the lighthouse for a refreshment

Yes, mam, your finest ice cold coconut water please

The top is cut off a coconut and handed over to Jerry, delish!

Depart the lighthouse and travel to the Alto Vista Chapel

Built in 1952 on the site of the first Catholic church in Aruba, back in 1750

An interesting solitary tree shades the belongings of swimmers

Aruba is a territory of the Netherlands and the Dutch have their windmills!