17 December Aruba

We came. We saw Oranjestad. We got wind blasted and we left.

tourist tram

Government offices

Aruba is a cruise ship terminal and shops with an island attached. That's how it feels. Aruba isn't very big and it does feel like all the original culture is being replaced by jewellery shops, souvenir shops and chain stores. The American dollar is accepted in all shops and restaurants.

We were here for a week and I would estimate the wind rarely dropped below 20 knots in the anchorage. By the time we left the decks were covered in a greasy film. There might have been some aviation fuel residue as we were almost under the landing path.

There is a positive. We went alongside the fuel dock at the Renaissance marina and took on diesel and pure, reverse osmosis water. The water was just $10 for 1000L and inside the marina the buildings act as wind shields.

the cathedral 

marina resident

more darn tourists

I can say we've been to Aruba, but I wouldn't take the boat there a second time. When we cleared out we had to go to the dock behind the cruise ships and tie on to a wall in 20, gusting 26 knots with either a large bollard or a small metal hoop to tie lines.

Of the three elements that make up the ABCs Bonaire was our favourite, Curacao second and Aruba a long way behind.