Travel With Me #15: Oranjestad, Aruba in the Southern Caribbean

Aruba, just like this sign, is one of the most colorful islands you will ever visit.

Aruba is a tiny Dutch Caribbean island off the coast of Venezuela. It has sunny weather all year round with beautiful beaches and gentle surf off the coast. The constant trade winds provide cool tropical breezes throughout the island and it is the cause of the divi-divi trees to slope southwesterly.

This island is full of beautiful beaches, Palm Trees, and wonderful people. The waters off the coast are so crystal clear. You will find a wide array of fish swimming the waters near this island too. Aruba offers an abundance of water activities besides those found at the beach. Other activities include deep-sea fishing, kayaking, beach snorkeling, sailing, scuba diving, submarine tours, windsurfing, and kite surfing. Divers will love Aruba because of the large number of ship wrecks, caves, and reefs available for exploring.

Aruba measures 20 miles (32 kilometers) long from its northwestern end to its southeastern end and 6 miles (10 kilometers) across at its widest point. Aruba together with Bonaire and Curaçao form a group of islands in the southern Caribbean referred to as the ABC islands. Collectively Aruba and the other Dutch islands in the Caribbean are often called the Dutch Caribbean. Aruba is one of the four countries that form the Kingdom of the Netherlands, along with the Netherlands, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten. The citizens of these countries are all Dutch nationals.

Aruba is known for its shopping. Shoppers often visit Aruba for its bargains on jewelry, perfumes, leather goods, designer fashions, electronics, clothing, locally made arts and crafts, Cuban cigars, souvenirs, and other favorably priced goods. If you are serious about shopping then you will want to visit the shopping district near the cruise port with the shops lined along L.G. Smith Boulevard. The shopping area is very busy when cruise ships are in port.

If you love animal then you might find Flamingo Beach enjoyable. Here are a few pictures of the interesting wildlife we came across during our journey.

When we arrived here we didn't realize how much the island of Aruba would have to offer for its visitors. Our cruise ship was in port for 15 hours and this island was the highlight of our vacation. Overall I think we accomplished our goal of getting to know the island and gaining a favorable impression of the culture and the people of Aruba. We fell in love with Aruba and we know you will too.

Goodbye Aruba for now. We will see you again soon!!

As our ship sails away from the island and the sun is going down for the evening, we have many great memories of what a fun time we had on this beautiful island.

We sailed on the Emerald Princess by Princess Cruises roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on an 8-night Southern Caribbean Cruise to visit Aruba along with Bonaire and Curacao. What a great time we had.

If you are interested in sailing on a Caribbean Cruise then see what Princess Cruises Offers.

To see more travel blogs and for resources to help you begin planning your next journey then visit The Sophisticated Travelers

Your Journey Awaits!!