Caribbean – Aruba :- One Happy Island

Tue, July 30

A few days ago, our captain announced that we would be changing course and heading straight for Aruba due to a hurricane forming in the vicinity of Antigua, where we should have been heading to.

We decided not to pre book an excursion and found it quite easy to hop on a mini bus which took us all around the island. The people were warm and friendly and even children are taught at school how to be nice to tourists, as it is the only industry on the island. Aruba became its own country in 1986, although it still remains a Dutch protectorate.

It is a small island, only 19 miles long and 6 miles across its widest point so it didn’t take long to drive around and see the highlights which included the Casibari Rock Formation which we climbed for a good view of the island, past some beautiful beaches, the Butterfly Farm, the Californian Lighthouse, named after the steamship which sank near the coast in 1891 and the Alto Vista Chapel The island does not get very much rainfall and it was amazing to contrast the lovely beaches on one side with the arid desert-like conditions on the other, with lots of cacti growing in the bush.

The weather was quite hot, so after some lunch back onboard, we set off for to do some shopping. Aruba is known for jewellery shopping, diamonds in particular, and although I loved the range of pink, yellow and blue diamonds, Alex was quite relieved when I wasn’t tempted to buy.

We then hopped on the local bus for a short ride to Eagle Beach, one of the many excellent beaches around the coast. I was quite pleased to see that it was netted, as we had been told that sharks and sea snakes (growing up to 5 feet long!!!) were on the other side of the island. We rented two banana lounges and had a lovely afternoon on the beach. Aruba’s beaches are stunning and the water was perfect. I had forgotten how lovely it is to swim in the ocean and could have spent the day there quite happily!!!

When we arrived back downtown, we stopped (as always) to try the local beer. It was very good on such a hot day and we were amused to find that the beer glasses were so heavy; we had to use two hands to drink! We loved this island with its crystal blue waters and white sandy beaches and were on deck to wave goodbye as we sailed at 7.00pm.

California Lighthouse

Alto Vista C hapel

Eagle Beach

The highlight of my day in Aruba

Cacti growing down the middle of the street near the beach

Old number plates decorate a bar

Aruba shopping

Local beer – Sea Princess in the background

New York, U.S.A.

Thu, July 25

New York signaled the end of the third leg of our journey around the world, and a number of passengers disembarked, including our captain and chief engineer.

The ship made her way up the Hudson River in the very early hours of the morning and when we awoke, we were just making our final approach in to the Manhattan cruise terminal. New York City was right at our door! Which is the reason we had cancelled our Princess excursion and went on online and booked a Hop-On Hop-Off Water Taxi Cruise which included a 9/11 Memorial Ticket.

Just as well we decided to get off the ship early, as we all had to be fingerprinted and photographed by US Customs. We left the ship and 7.00am and were through by 8.00am. Other people who were doing their own thing in the “Big Apple” tried to get off the ship later and were held up until lunchtime – not good when we had to be back on the ship at 5.30pm to sail at 6.00pm!

Anyway, we had a busy day ahead and we started off by hopping off at Battery Park, where we walked to the 9/11 Memorial. It consists of two pools set where the original Twin Towers used to stand. Thirty foot waterfalls cascade into the pools, each then descending into a centre void. The names of the victims are inscribed in bronze around the pools. The rebuilding of the World Trade Centre is going on around the memorial and museum currently, so there is some security to go through until the buildings are all finished. It is a very moving tribute and was a “must see” for us to pay our respects.

We then hopped back on the water taxi for the other highlight of NYC – which of course included the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. What can I say – a dream come true to finally see her! We also saw the Wall Street Bull as we walked up Wall Street and all the theatre crowds gathering later in the day as we strolled along Broadway. You have to remember to look up – so many skyscrapers! We had a hot dog from one of the many stands around town, as we walked up Avenue of the Americas and caught a NYC cab to Michaels, a shop I was interested to see because it is well known for its arts and crafts. We then made our way to the Cake Boss’s newest shop – a cupcake was a must and we met Buddy’s sister there, which was a perfect photo opportunity! Brooklyn Bridge, the Chrysler Building … so many iconic sites – everywhere you look there is something that you remember from the movies or television. I found it a very exciting place to explore.

By this time it was getting a bit late and we had been warned by the cruise lecturer that the city gets very busy from mid afternoon and to start thinking about getting back to the ship after 3.00pm. Meanwhile we found ourselves right at the Empire State Building, and much as we wanted to go to the top decided not to risk it, so grabbed a cab and made our way back. (Just getting in a NYC cab was another experience to tick off.)

We had a wonderful time and will definitely be back. A very easy city to find your way around and we look forward to seeing Central Park, getting on the Metro and of course going to the top of the Empire State Building that we didn’t have time to do this time around.