With all the doom and gloom in the world today I thought this would be a good time to write this. I hope the beautiful pictures of Aruba lighten your day.
Prior to the current mess that’s going on in the world Jacquie and I took off to Aruba for a week of blissful r&r. The locals in Aruba have a saying. “Is this your first time in Aruba? It won’t be your last.” While this is technically our second time in the country it’s our first extended stay on the island and I guarantee it won’t be our last. If you like warm people, beautiful beaches, 30c sunny days, North American standards ( quality drinking water from the tap ect) and an island full of gourmet restaurants, Aruba is for you.
When Jacquie and I head out on holidays we generally like to slow down and unplug. Which to us means the beach. Usually we are on the beach by 8:30-9:00 am and there’s a good chance you will find us there still at sunset. In between consists of a couple of good walks, followed by a swim, lunch on the beach ( awesome fish tacos and grouper sandwiches ) a couple of Pepsi’s and cranking out some tunes. Sometimes with our family but on this trip it’s with the love of my life. Does it get any better? Yes, you add a gourmet dinner at night usually on a patio overlooking the ocean. Repeat the next day and you get an idea of what a week of holidays with us looks like.
This year we have decided to switch it up slightly and spend one day touring the island on atv’s. Our gracious hosts for the island tour are Steve and Penny Eckensweiler. Steve and Penny spend a large portion of each winter in Aruba and know the island intimately.
Early one morning we pick up our atv’s and are off for a day of sight seeing, swimming, snorkelling and beers. Our first stop after heading out is the Casibari rock formations. Basically a couple of huge rocks in the desert, however the view from the top is outstanding and the cool little bar at the bottom ( casibari music cafe and grill) had cold morning beers. A good start to the day. Next stop the Arikok national park. A quick 15-20 drive and we arrive at Arikok national park. Wow! This place is stunning. Even if sightseeing’s not your thing the park is a must see. A quick stop at the visitors center to buy admission tickets and we are off to see the sights. Rugged, arid, hot are words that come to mind when describing the park. The trails are rough as we make our way to the natural pool ( a pool surrounded by rock formations and filled when ocean waves crash up and over the rock into it). We park our atv’s at the top of a cliff preparing to walk several hundred steps down to the pool. However I spy an enterprising local sitting in the back of his pick up selling beer. Ahh how do they make beer so good! Once we reach the pool we climb up over the rock face and slowly descend into its warm waters. This is very cool. I brought my snorkel gear to view the abundant marine life and it doesn’t disappoint. We climb the steps back up and away we roll on our atv’s. Next stop the Guadirikiri cave.
Outside the cave is a park ranger answering any questions we may have. He asks not to turn on any flashlights or the lights on our cell phones as to not disturb any life in the cave. It’s a quick hike to the main chamber which has an opening letting sunlight beam down on the cave floor. A fascinating spot and shortly we are in our way. Next stop Big Mama bar and grill on baby beach.
Our way to Big mamas is dotted with windmills, wild donkeys and the second largest anchor I’ve seen today. The anchor is dedicated in memory of all seaman. A quick photo-op and several minutes later we roll into the parking lot at big Mamas. This is my kinda place. Excellent food, cold beers and what a view. I order up a grouper sandwich and beers for everyone. After lunch we venture out to the beach for some swimming and snorkeling. Mid afternoon we decide to head to Charlie’s bar and restaurant in San Nicolas. What a place. 75 years old ( and looks it) friendly staff, the coldest beer I’ve had in Aruba and a local strumming the guitar in the corner. Maybe not for everyone but the amount of history here is incredible. I can just picture the sailors and oil refinery workers quenching their thirst here between bar fights 75 years ago. Quirky, eclectic and frankly very cool.
Last stop is the California lighthouse on the northwest end of the island near Arashi beach. The view from here is fantastic. It’s a long drive from San Nicolas on the south end to the lighthouse but also on the way to return our atv’s. It’s been an incredible full day. The sights, the snorkelling, the swimming, good food, cold beer and most importantly great company. A big thanks to our tour guides Steve and Penny .
On another totally unrelated topic thanks to Jimmy Buffett who airs past concerts on Weds and Saturday nights as part of his virtual cabin fever tour. It makes my nights go by much quicker and far more enjoyable for Parrot heads. Check em out on Margaritaville tv.
My next blog will cover how a bbq guy gets by with no bbq or smokers cooking his steak while living in a condo. As always “ earls dead Cadillac for sale”.