The island of Aruba: a rescue from hurricanes and problems
We already wrote about Wonder Island Bonaire in the warm Caribbean Sea among the Netherlands Antilles. Aruba is a western island in the Lesser Antilles, a federal entity within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Just like in Bonaire, it is always warm, the sun shines, the eye pleases the paradise landscape.
The unique location of the island saves it from hurricanes that often occur in these parts, and fate keeps from terrible troubles.
History
The island of Aruba for many centuries passed from hand to hand, from the Indians to the Spaniards, to the Dutch, the English and back. These lands were never considered particularly fertile, but in the nineteenth century they were successfully grown aloe, then Waters Gravenhorst discovered a large deposit of phosphates.
In the early twentieth century, oil was found in Aruba, and the economy began to strengthen.
During World War II, the territory of Aruba was of strategic importance to the Allied army, as the island was the largest oil refinery in those years.
Capital
Oranjestad translates as “Orange City” and is home to around 29,000 people. The city will surprise with an interesting combination of “toy” European architecture in the bright scenery of the seaside resort.
In the center of the city there is a tram, in which you do not need to buy a ticket, it will take you to all the sights.
Shoppers will have a place to wander in Oranjestad, because in the center there are shops of shopping houses Gucci, LouisVuitton, Guess, RalphLauren. Pay attention to the relatively inexpensive Colombian jewelry: topaz, diamonds, emeralds. The seaport and surrounding areas are a duty-free zone, hence the prices are affordable.
Social life is active: restaurants, nightclubs, discos, cabaret.
The oldest Catholic churches on the island are the Cathedral of St. Anne (founded in 1919) and Alta Vista (founded in 1750).
Road.
There is no direct flight from Moscow to Aruba. The flight from Amsterdam (KLM) will take approximately 13.5 hours.
Queen Beatrix International Airport receives flights from Europe (Amsterdam, London, Frankfurt), the United States and Canada. By sea, you can get to Oranjestad by cruise ship or personal yacht.
Arikok National Park
19-20% of the territory of the entire island of Aruba is occupied by the Arikok National Park - the northern part near the mountains of Yamanota and Arikok.
Here grow colorful tropical flowers, exotic cacti, divi trees.
Animals inhabiting the reserve: rabbits, lizards, rattlesnakes (cascabels).
The island carefully preserves its history: in Masiduri there are ruins of Dutch colonial settlements, old plantations in Prince Valley and ruins of a mine in Miralamar, where gold was mined for a long time.
Ancient petroglyphs of the Arawak people were found on the walls of the Fontaine cave.
Fans of pirates will be interested in the cave complex Guadirikiri. Tradition says that in these places sea robbers founded a secret base.
We advise romantic natures to go to the Tunnel of Love (or the cave of Juliba). The long, almost hundred-meter corridor resembles a heart.
Beaches.
First of all, Aruba is an island by the warm sea. The best beaches are outside the city limits - municipal Arashy Beach and Druif Beach, Hadikurari Beach, Bukuti Beach, Eagle Beach, Palm Beach, Roger Beach. You can reach them by private car or public transport in a few minutes.
From the harbor of Oranjestad during the day boats sail to the island of Renaissance, opposite the capital. The beaches of the island are monopolized by the Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino, flamingos freely walk here, numerous lizards, crabs, iguanas, herons live, mango trees grow.
Entertainment
The beaches of Aruba are a paradise for professional athletes, people interested in water sports, and people in love with the sea. Diving, snorkeling, yachting, windsurfing, kitesurfing, catamarans, water skiing, fishing - year-round warm sea gives everyone the opportunity to engage in their favorite sport.
On the island open ostrich farm, donkey and bird reserves, butterfly farm in the resort of Palm Beach.
In addition to all of the above, for tourists, walking tours around the neighborhood, trips by bicycle or a guide car are arranged. Fans of the underwater world will be interested in walking on submarines with windows.
Kitchen
The basis of local cuisine is marine life: lobsters, various algae and shells, lobsters, shrimp, always fresh fish.
Photo: caribeportal, abtt, proboating, tcc