Aruba

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Aruba
One Happy Island!
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Aruba is part of the ABCs
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Aruba Fast Facts

• Independent nation, member of Dutch Commonwealth

• Currency is the Florin (1 dollar 1.72 fl)

• Island is 19 miles long by 5 miles wide

• Language is Papiamento

• Nearly everyone speaks English

• Main industries are tourism, oil refining

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Aruba Fast Facts

• Fresh water produced by desalinization
• Favorite stopover for cruise lines
• At least 12 casinos
• Air temp constant year round, low to mid 80s
• Humidity is moderate
• Trade winds constant at 10-25 knots or more

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Aruba Curious Facts

• Service charges and tipping are unique
• Drinking water is best out of the tap
• More lost golf balls per acre than any other
  Caribbean island
• Cuban cigars look like ripe bananas after 1 day
• Even the customs officers are happy
• No out-of-work web site developers on entire
  island

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Aruba Diving

• Best wreck diving in Caribbean
• Water temp 77-78o in March, low 80s in the
  summer and fall
• (youll be OK in a 3 mil, and very happy in
  a 5 mil wet suit)
• 400 Antilles, German Freighter at 60
• Perdanales at 30
• Red Sail Sports
• Unique Sports of Aruba

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Aruba Web Sites

• Aruba.com
• Aruba Travel Guide
• Aruba Links.com
• Aruba Website Links
• Welcome to Aruba (Brittanica)
• Aruba Carnaval
• Airline Routes

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Getting There
If routed to Miami, stay overnight and catch the
morning flight to Aruba
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A short 2.5 hour flight from Miami, adult
beverages included!
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Sonesta Map
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The Sonesta Resort, close yet far away
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The private lagoon is a great place to do
absolutely nothing
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Sonesta island is a 10-minute water taxi ride
away
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A view toward the harbor and Cruise Ship
Central
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The Arubans love color, the more pastels the
better
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Speaking of color, these snowbirds could use a
little
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Shelby and Carolyn in obligatory keepsake shot
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John and Karen sharing a Kodak moment
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Looking toward downtown Oranjestad across the
harbor
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Waiting for water taxi to Sonesta Island
(remember the cooler!)
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The Sonesta Marine Tower and mall dominates the
harbor
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View of Crystal Casino, Seaport Mall, and The
Paddock
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Closeup of Sonesta Marine Tower
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Do you think theyd mind a couple of stow-aways?
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Sonesta Island long-time residents
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Got an itch you cant scratch? Hey, what are
friends for?
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The things they make me do just for a !
cracker!
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Arubans love a good party
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Especially a party featuring lots of colorful
costumes!
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Colorful dancer with young apprentice
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The Aruban Carnival is a very big event in
February
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And of course the guys are not to be outdone
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Young and old alike love a good parade
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The Arubans crown a queen of the Carnival
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The festive air is very contagious!
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Great attention to detail
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Moonlighting as the new mascot for NBC TV Network
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Nice plumage!
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Deserves a second look
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Positively angelic!
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One for the ladies
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But what if I gottayou know, go?
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Nice cactus
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Meet the biggest, baddestand happiest bird on
the island!
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One of over a dozen casinos featuring LV style
gaming
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View toward Sonesta Mall (beware of timeshare
salespeople!)
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View from Sonesta Marine Tower
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Sunny days predominate after 2-minute morning
showers
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Central Plaza, early Sunday morning
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Central Plaza after everyone wakes up
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Whats wrong with this picture?
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Even the local fauna are friendly on Aruba
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Its easy to over-indulge in Aruban cuisine
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Iguana Bar terrace is a great place for people
watching
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Shopping for jewelry, fashions, electronics,
Cuban cigars
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but smoking too many Cuban cigars can stunt
your growth
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Iguanas are ubiquitous, photogenic, and obliging
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Have you heard that people often resemble their
pets?
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Artistic makeover of leftovers
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Sonesta Island is a great place to relax
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Sombra o sol? Decisions, decisions
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Karen enjoys a Cuba Libre (especially good when
smuggled)
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Nature walk on Sonesta Island (thats the resort
in the distance)
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Beachcombing can be an individual or a team sport
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Cant take this conch shell home its occupied!
Eyes on stalks
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Official greeter on Sonesta Islands sugar sand
beach
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Why do flamingoes scratch their tails?
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Location of Lighthouse
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Looking southwest from Lighthouse toward Arashi
Beach
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the Beverly Hills of Aruba
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The Lighthouse Is the Jumping off Point for a
Day-long 4-wheel Safari Tour of the Island.
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Sailing is a breeze thanks to 15-knot trade
winds
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Safari Land Rovers have seating for 4 or 6
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Catching some shade
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Location of Chapel
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Chapel grounds offers 360o vistas of the island
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Karen and local flora
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When on safari, be prepared to shake and bake
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Location of Gold Ruins
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Ruins of gold processing operation
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View to the north from gold processing ruins
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View to the south toward Natural Bridge
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View toward the pier
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The Natural Bridge
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If youre not careful, youll get wet!
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Location of De Palm Island
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Desalinization plant on southwest coast near
DePalm Island
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DePalm Island a nice pit stop!
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Location of Arikok Park
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Indian caves in Arikok National Park
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Indian Graffitti
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Caves are cool in more ways than one
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Near the caves at Arikok Park Visitors Center
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Looking toward the ocean from Arikok Visitors
Center
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Location of High Point
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View from east to west from highest point on
Aruba (600 ft)
Sonesta
Airport
Hotels
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Trade winds especially strong up here
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Looking to the southwest cowpokes would feel
right at home here!
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The World Infamous Carlos and Charlies
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Drinking Games at C Cs
great sign
wearing plastic butt
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Carolyn masquerading as a Hyatt guest
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speaks for itself
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near Divi resort
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Lets Go Latin
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Lets Go Latin
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Lets Go Latin
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Lets Go Latin
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Cuban food is big on Aruba
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Happy sunburned faces
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Pirates snorkeling cruise - Ar be gar and all
that
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The rum punch is a great ice-breaker
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Snorkeling near the lighthouse
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Beverly Hills
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Horseback riding is another popular activity
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A rope swing brings out the kid in everybody
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John impersonating a cannon ball
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Shelby goes skimming
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Good hang time, deserves at least a 9
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Mi Dushi
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Snorkeling is very popular, but dont forget
your diveskin
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You can rent all kinds of watercraft on Aruba
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Pelicans roost on the wreck of the Antilles
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The crew gets to have fun too
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He has to be a quick swimmer to get to the
dinghy in time!
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Aruban Restaurant
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Aruban cuisine is as colorful as the decor
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Sunsets are romantic on Aruba
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and beckon the traveler to return
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Omi stima Aruba!