ARUBA

On docking at Aruba, we could see the general landscape included hills which had probably been volcanic in the past. We visited Baby Beach, which is a very shallow bay and ideal for family bathing. Close by is the oil refinery, but the water seemed clear, with no pollution showing on the beach.

We drove to the northern coast, where the breakers rolled in to a rocky beach.

A special feature along this coast which attracted tourists was a spectacular natural bridge. However the bridge collapsed last year, and is no more.

However, as a consolation, there is a smaller natural bridge right alongside the collapsed one.

We stopped at a huge rock formation in the middle of the island and of course we had to climb it, because it was there. Once at the top we had a special panoramic view of the whole island.

So what did we think of Aruba? Well we saw a lot, but it was a little bleak with a desert type soil and a lot of development on the south coast.