Enjoying Life on Aruba

Aruba Arikok National Park

While we have been fixing the boat here in Aruba, we have been enjoying the natural beauty of the island. Last week we traveled to the National Park, a large area on the windward (eastern) shore of the island with some friends. Aruba is the driest island we have seen in the Caribbean, and very desert-like. In the two months we have been here, it has rained only once.

Natural Bridge at Arikok

The road through the National Park is part gravel with some paved sections, but there are areas you can only hike or mountain-bike through. We had a driving tour through the desert park, seeing wild donkeys and goats, along with ubiquitous lizards.

On the windy side, the waves crash against the shore almost continuously. We were always aware that this is what we will be sailing out into when we leave Aruba.

Arikok Cairns

The photo on the right gives a feel for the dry conditions on the island. Almost as far as we could see, people have made piles of stones in one area of the National Park.

Quadirikiri Cave

One part of the National Park has a series of caves that look like limestone. The photo on the left reveals the cave with the camera's flash. Windows opening to the sun peek out throughout the cave.

At the northern tip of the island

Up at the northern tip of the island is a lighthouse, under full re-construction. A good view of the western (leeward) shore of the island can be seen, including the big hotels and Orajestad (the largest city on the island) in the distance.

We are fully ready to leave and now just waiting for the wind to come down a bit. We've heard several stories from other sailors who have left and limped back into port, so we want to be sure of our weather.