Aruba

We left Toronto, on an early morning flight that took us into Charlotte, North Carolina, with a short layover, then onward, forward to the small island of Aruba which lies in the southern Caribbean, just 29 km off the coast of Venezuela.

Aruba's first inhabitants were the Caquetio Indians from the Arawak tribe who immigrated there from Venezuela to escape attacks by the Caribs, indigenous people native to the northern coastal areas of South America.  Today, the Caribs or Kalina live largely in villages on the rivers and coasts of Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and Brazil.  Spain explored the island in 1499, and then in 1636 the Netherlands laid claim to the island.  After a brief rule by the British, the Dutch regained control of the island in 1816, and it officially became part of the Netherlands Antilles in 1845.

Languages spoken in Aruba are English, Dutch(official language), Spanish, and Papiamento, an Afro-Portuguese Creole language spoken since the 16th century.  The currency is the Aruban florin, its 2014 estimated population is 103,400, the island is 33km long and 9km wide.  Aruba is mainly flat with a few hills, and is renowned for its white sandy beaches.  This small island is located south of the hurricane belt which means that it rarely rains for extended periods, but rains often for only a few minutes at a time.  The temperature hovers around 29 degrees Celsius.

Aruba is the most touristed island in the southern Caribbean with North Americans fleeing winter for the warmth and charm of this tiny island.  The draws are obvious; miles and miles of white sand beaches, plenty of all inclusive resorts and time shares, the quaint bustling capital of Oranjestad which many cruise ships dock to allow passengers to disembark and stroll the streets to eat and shop.  Aruba's extreme ends are rugged, windswept vistas, and uncrowded beaches.  Crystal clear waters are full of sea life, and shipwrecks, and plane wrecks provide opportunities for snorkeling and diving. The island's motto is "One Happy Island".