Aruba!!!!

This morning we sailed into Aruba - the weather looked like it was going to be fantastic, and we were up early so that we could get to our fun activity on time. We have been here once before, but the last time it was pouring down rain so we barely got off the ship. This looked to be a different experience. We were the only ship in port today, although we did find out there were 3 yesterday and 3 planned for tomorrow. The port area is pretty nice, there is a big open building you walk through to get to the main drag. It's the white roof at the bottom of the below photo.

We had some breakfast, and met our friends Pam, Michael, Sarah and Anthony at 8am to all head off the ship together. We were ready for some Trike riding!!!!! We had to take 2 cabs over, due to the fact that legally, a cab can only carry 5 passengers (although they can hold 7.....) and arrived about 830am. The trikes are all parked outside, so we got our first viewing of them as we pulled up.

Inside the building, we all signed our lives away and paid for our tour. 2 other couples have shown up as well meaning we'll be taking all 5 Trikes out for the tour this morning. Chris and the other drivers each got a brief lesson on how to drive them - as they were a manual transmission vehicle. After that, it was off for our tour.

We actually had 4 stops, and ended up driving around almost the entire time. At each stop, we'd all get off, take some photos and wander around for a few minutes and then get back on, and the trike at the front would become the tail of our little parade. That way everyone got to enjoy each space in line.

Our first stop was an old lighthouse up on a hill. We snapped a few pictures, waved at the army men standing around and then drove off down the hill.

The next stop was some big rock outcroping, I'm not sure what it was called but we all climbed (carefully) to the top, where we could see most of the island. And took some photos, of course.

Stop #3 was Baby Beach, which was beautiful! Lots of good snorkeling here, according to our guides, and there were quite a few people there as well. Looked like a good beach spot.

 

Last stop was another pretty beach/bay, just a quick photo op before we headed for Oranjestad, where ouship was docked.

We did a little parade thought the downtown area, waving to everyone as we went. It seemed like every 3rd person was taking our picture, so I'm sure it was quite a show! Pam is having a good time

Back to the starting point we went. It was definately getting REALLY hot outside now, and we were all thankful for the liberal application of sunscreen throughout the trip. We caught a cab back to the port (he squeezed the 6th person in!) and then we got back on the ship to grab some lunch. And then a siesta, as it had been a long day already.

We've got dinner plans at 630pm, and then who knows what will happen after that!!!!

 

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