Mural at Palm Beach's main dock
We’re just back from a week in Aruba, with a firm grasp of what makes this “happy island” unique in the Caribbean. While 75% of visitors to Aruba go year after year to merely wander out to a soothing, breeze-swept beach and lie down for weeks on end, it’s safe to say there’s more to the story.
The most arid island in the entire Caribbean, Aruba is largely covered with cacti and rocks. After a good rainy season (which 2009 didn’t have), swaths of the interior are fluffy and green, bursting with wildflowers and birds.
One of six islands in the Netherlands Antilles, Aruba has been an autonomous state within the Kingdom of the Netherlands since 1986. All Arubans share triple citizenship with Aruba, the Antilles and the Netherlands.
Within a population of about 120,000 people, there are about 82 different nationalities represented. We met folks who originally hailed from Holland, West Africa, Austria, Colombia and more.
Aruba is about 20 miles from the northwestern tip of Venezuela. Last week, Hugo Chavez attended the climate conference in Copenhagen, railing about a U.S. and Dutch military conspiracy to take over his country. Meanwhile, Aruban refineries process his country’s oil, and some Arubans fear he may be planning a coup of his own.
There’ll be more to come in the weeks ahead, but for now I’ll let these images help me tell more of Aruba’s tale.
Courtyard of the Historical Museum of Aruba; every Tuesday night, locals pay $1 apiece and gather to keep Aruban cultural traditions (e.g., music and dancing) alive
Aruba Aloe is the oldest continuous business (1890) on the island; locals use the Arabic pronunciation, "aloo-weh"
Early Aruban homesteaders grew cactus fences; some locals still use it to reinforce their metal fences
The Wish Garden used to be where fisherman stacked rocky offerings for a good catch; now it's become a place for locals to wish for love
In the Penedes District, the departed are buried in elaborate tombs; after locals are done touching up their houses, extra paint is used in island cemeteries
...as long as you don't bring up the Dutch colonial period to non-white locals
Aruban Parliament, which flies flags of both Aruba and the Netherlands
Aruba has a large Chinese population, most of whom run groceries or restaurants
Interior of the rebuilt (1952) Alto Vista Chapel, on the site of the island's oldest church (1750)
The wind always blows hardest on the volcanic northern tip of the island
Aruban sunset on Eagle Beach
See related posts:
Ahhhhhh…ruba
The Softer Side of Aruba: Bucuti Beach Resort
Eat Your Heart Out in Aruba
Caribbean Desert: Arikok National Park
Island. Aruba is 1 
Fantastic photos! From the looks of you two on those loungers, you has a relaxing time, I hope.
Thank you, my friend! The champagne in the photo was a gift from Bucuti for everyone participating in their monthly beach cleanup — an activity I usually engage in, anyway! A little community service, a little community enjoyment…the perfect combination.
GORGEOUS sunset! Such great photos.
Had Lisa arrived before you went to cemetery? I told her they were chock full of color on Aruba…
Thanks, bubbie! You were very missed…and I never did have a Balashi (Aruba’s national beer) for you.
I did have an Aruban Sunset, though; not surprisingly, it’s a deep orange and knocks your socks off!
Lisa didn’t arrive ’til several hours after we visited the cemetery, so she missed this adventure. No worries, though, we all managed to find some local color and fun. It was a great trip!
gorgeous pictures and good story…. thank you !