Aruba – April 11th 2011 – Day 39

Aruba, together with Curacao and Bonaire (that we had sailed to last summer) form the ABC islands of the Leeward Antilles, the southern island chain, just off Venezuela.  Aruba was formally a part of the Netherlands Antilles, however in 1986 it became a separate self-governing part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The architecture is mostly influenced by the Dutch style, with colourful buildings in the capital of Oranjestad.  The language spoken is an unusual blend of Dutch, Portuguese and Spanish, commonly called Papiamento. The island’s main business is tourism with many casinos, great beaches and waters.

Back in the Caribbean sea again.  We took a catamaran trip

– snorkeling, beach stop

and rum punch! 

Again the colour of the water, and the beaches struck up and reminded us how beautiful the Caribbean and Bermuda are.   We saw lots of fish while snorkeling and also a turtle.