Aruba

Arrived Oranjestad the capital of Aruba around 6:30am. A “constituent island country” within the Kingdom of Netherlands. It is only 18 miles north of the Venezuelan peninsula of Paraguana. Population is around 108,000. A volcanic island mostly covered by dry shrubs and cactus. Mostly sunny today with temperatures around 32C. Met around 8:30am on the dockside for the jeep exploration tour and a short bus ride took us to our waiting jeeps. 30 of us split up into 4 green, open sided jeeps. Our driver was Regie along with Dave, Bogo and Julissa driving the others. Passed through town then the airport, heading east. Eventually arrived at the entrance to Arikok National Park. From here we proceeded over the hills on very uneven, rugged dirt roads. After approximately 20 minutes of being thrown around we descended towards the parking area above the Conchi natural pool. Spent nearly an hour here to allow time to walk down the rough steps to the rocks and pool. The natural pool was out in the volcanic rocks with several swimmers in the water. Climbed back to the top and returned to the jeeps. Return journey back over the trails was interrupted when we stopped behind a broken down jeep struggling with a flat tire. The other 3 jeeps carried on while we stayed to help. 15 minutes later we restarted our journey and soon reached the park entrance where we turned in a different direction along a partially paved road. We finally reached the ocean again and joined back up with our other parties at the Fonteine Cave. A large cave in the limestone rocks going back around 300ft. The cave history goes back to about 1000AD and there are drawings and etchings on the walls. Exiting the cave we took a short walk down to a pond and stream where there are small Garra Rufa fish. We were able to put feet in the small pool for the fish to exfoliate the skin for a short while. Return journey out of the park took us past 10 large wind turbines. Eventually stopped near the airport and transferred to a bus for our final ride back to the dockside by 1pm.

Extra photos were taken at the local butterfly farm and the natural bridge.