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!