ABC ISLANDS

Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao, The ABC Islands. Part of the Dutch Antilles.

Sun, sea, snorkelling, sailing and strolls along the beach. A great way to spend our day on each island.

Kralendijk, Bonaire we were up and off the ship early to board a small boat to take us out to Klein Bonaire (Little Bonaire) a natural island just off the main island of Bonaire. Two stops for snorkelling along the reef. Both stops quite different. First one was shallow water with corals and numerous fish species. We snorkelled with a guide in small groups, stopping to learn about the reef and the fish. The second stop was along the coral wall where the water dropped away quickly into the inky depths. Many soft corals decorated the walls and fish were numerous as they swam in amongst the coral and rocky outcrops. We were lucky enough to see a turtle swim up to us before turning away. Both were pretty awesome spots. Great hosts on the boat today, very friendly and informative. Bonaire Marine Park is one of the most revered sites in the world for snorkelling and diving.

After showers and lunch we head into the small town for a look around. There is not much to this town apart from small resort style homes along the waterfront. Back a street or two it’s quite a different level of accommodation. Again it is Dutch Heritage with interesting architecture and culture.

Orangestad, Aruba was our next stop for another morning of snorkelling. But first a catamaran ride over to the snorkelling site. Unlike yesterday when we were the only boat load out snorkelling today they were many boats and heaps of swimmers and snorkellers . Today we were again in shallow water but with quite a swell and current which stirred up the sand and made visibility poor. The best thing about this site was that we could just float and there were hundreds of fish just swimming around us. Not as many species today and not as good as yesterday. Our hosts today were not great and the music on the catamaran was so loud you could not hold a conversation with anyone! (P- out with the ear plugs for me! Head banging music and I don’t mix!). But the sailing was good. On our return to the ship we stopped at Palm Beach for an hour to wander the beach, swim or just relax. Then back to port for a snooze before we wander into town.

Aruba was discovered by the Spanish in 1499, by 1636 the Dutch claimed Aruba but no European settlers arrived until 1754. Gold was discovered in the 1800’s and was a major export for almost 100 years. Now more than 500,000 people visit Aruba each year making it one of the Caribbean’s most popular destinations.

(P- Aruba is my least favourite of the ABC Islands, apart from the “ tourist trap” Main Street and the Gold Coast style resort areas it has very few natural features, is very much a desert and the marine life where we have been isn’t as impressive as the B and C Islands. We mostly like to walk past the “artificial face” of these ports, with their top “brand names”, diamond stores, and other “tourist trap” stores (such as genuine “Island Souvenirs” all made in CHINA! We stroll around the local neighbourhoods, where deemed safe to do so, this really does give us an appreciation of lifestyle and living status of the local residences. Aruba appears to be less affluent than Bonaire and Curaçao Islands.

Observation of the week:-

SHIPBOARD NAVAGATION generally consists of, Forward (front), Aft (stern or rear), Port (left), Starboard (right), Deck number and Cabin Number. One would think it would be hard to loose your way! Evidently loosing ones bearings is a frequent thing to do for some! Even after a week on board! Isn’t that so Judith???? P doesn’t always get it right either but whose telling tales.

This evening we set off in search of more exciting destinations.