Aruba

Eddie told me a few months ago he had to go to Aruba to give a speech for work.  The first words out of my mouth were "Do I get to go with you?"  So of course...off we went.  We spent the first day on a jeep tour of the island. We learned a lot about the island on the tour.  For instance, it is a desert, it is always windy and you can tour the whole thing in a day.

We realized we were not in the U.S. any more when the driver told everyone that he had plenty of water and coke so just ask whenever you want some...followed by..and I have some rum under the seat if you need it.  This was followed by the directions to the volunteers that were driving...you are only allowed to buy and have 3 drinks at each stop.  It can be any combination of beer and hard stuff...just only 3.

Our first stop was the  California Light House.  It was named after the U.S. ship California-which sunk about two years previous to its construction in 1910.

This is the view from the light house.

You will notice from these pictures that it really is a desert.

Our next stop was the Alto Vista Chapel.  This was very interesting.  We were just four wheeling and all of a sudden there it was....a "little-bitty" chapel.

Here we are cruzin' in the sun and wind.....

 I wish the camera could have picked up how beautiful the coast was.....the waves were beautiful!!!

This is our tour guide....and no he is not picking his nose.

Our next stop was the Bushiribana Gold Mill.  In the 1400's and 1500's adventures came to the island in search of wealth and discovered gold.  They built the mill to look like a fort so when the pirates spied it they would be scared away.

This is the Wish Rock Garden.  For years people have built these towers to protect the island from storms and other evils.  The tourist now build them and make any wish they would like.

 I hope my wish comes true.

Our next stop was the Natural Bridge.

We had a nice stop for lunch at the Ostrich farm.  We got to feed the ostriches there.  It is a funny place.  I think they built it to give tourist a place to stop.

 At times it was a pretty bumpy ride!

We stopped to snorkel in the natural pool.  The water comes over those rocks down there and forms a little round pool.

 
We also went through the caves in the Arikok National Park.

The hieroglyphs were cool.

 We ended a great day snorkeling at Baby Beach.  It was beautiful.