Located in the south of the Caribbean Sea, about 29km off the Venezuelan peninsula, this tropical island is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It is known for sun, sand and wind! My friend Arlene came to meet me on this leg of the journey, and it was a treat to enjoy the warm, beachy island with a buddy!

We stayed in an airbnb that was only about a 15 minute walk to Eagle Beach. There were thatched huts along the water, that if you were lucky enough to find a free one, provided shade during the warm, sunny days. We spent several afternoons just chatting and relaxing….and enjoying tropical drinks and fish tacos. 😆

Palm Beach

There is a bus that takes tourists up and down the beach each day, so we were able to explore Palm Beach one afternoon. After looking through some pretty shops, we found a restaurant on the beach and some empty Adirondack chairs and got to enjoy lunch by the water….and later, ice cream!

Fofoti Tree

Because of the high and consistent trade winds in Aruba, these trees that grow along the beach have a twisted bark that always point in the southwest direction. They are a type of mangle that is green year-round and is always growing.

ATVs!

We also took an ATV tour around the island, making various stops at castle ruins, a natural pool and rock formations with views of the whole area!

“Aruba Aroma”

Walking to the beach the first day in Aruba, Arlene and I noticed an unusual, and not overly pleasant, smell. Because of the consistent windy conditions, it was usually transient, but at times, it was fairy constant. When googling it, a ton of posts came up about sewage smells near Eagle Beach and I guess it’s from a sewage treatment plant near by. We started calling it the ‘Aruba Aroma’….gross! 🤣🤨

After spending the better part of 2 months in Latin America, I felt extra appreciative for a week in Aruba where I was able to use English easily, drink and brush my teeth with tap water, and recognize brands from home, like Dominos! 🎉 It really is the little things. 😉