Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Feeling Rummy in Aruba (Again!)

Double-D Thanks for your patience while I'm still en route to my next exciting globetrotting adventure...*sigh*
...hopefully I'll arrive in time for Christmas!
In the meantime, please enjoy this repost of
what I was doing this time LAST year!

After flying all night, I greeted the beautiful island morning with
a refreshing glass of Caribbean Rum Punch
...and was soon feelin' perkier than ever!My cups were all poised and ready for an exciting day of fun and adventure exploring the island of Aruba!
So we hopped in the Jeep and took off!
As you will see, my Island Chaperon was a very supportive
tour-guide...she drove so I could sip my Rum Punch
and take pictures.
Our first stop was the capital of Aruba, Oranjestad. Aruba is part of the Dutch West Antilles, along with two other islands off the coast of Venezuela. Aruba declared their "independence" from the Dutch in 1986, which was largely symbolic, but they do have their own currency and some real independence because of the income from tourism. Here, I refilled my cups with more of that tasty Rum Punch!
When we found this picturesque Alto Vista Chapel, I just had to stumble inside and take a peak...
How quaint!
And with the Alto Vista Rum Shop located right next door, visitors can conveniently combine their sinning and confessing all in the same trip! (Not that I would know about such things.)
More Rum Punch, please!
Outside the church was a Peace Labyrinth - they say there is no "right way" to walk a labyrinth. You only have to enter and follow the path..it may be joyous or somber...it might be thoughtful or prayerful...or you may want to just use it as a walking meditation. (Tip: I recommend doing it before you've had several cupfuls of Rum Punch.) And really, with my mazeophobia, I should have just avoided the dang thing altogether.
Arikok National Preserve makes up approximately 25% of the island, which is very arid and dry (not something you'd expect in the Caribbean.) The island only gets a few inches of rain a year normally, and you will find that Arikok National Preserve shows what the island is really like - lots of cacti and divi divi trees. My Island Chaperon said she thought they were "exceptionally beautiful and different." I said, "Yeah whatever...gimme that Rum Punch."
We saw some interesting natural land formations too - here's the "Natural Bridge." The pounding surf has carved this dramatic bridge out of coral rock - it is the highest coral structure in Aruba and the island's most famous landmark. The arch measures more than 100 feet long and stands 23 feet above sea level. (hic!)
The "Natural Pool" or "conchi" called "Cura di Tortuga" is a great place to swim. And drink Rum Punch!
Well, by now I was feeling pretty wasted hot and droopy...
so after draining what was left of my Rum Punch,
I said "Bottoms up! - Let's go shnorkeling!"
Here it is! The first Angel Fish ever photographed by a
drunken Traveling Bra!
"Hey Olga, how many fingers am I holding up?"
Phew! Back on land and drying out!
And in the the warm Caribbean sun, I passed out fell asleep...
and when I awoke, had a blazing hangover felt a bit deflated to see that the sun was setting on my exciting Aruba adventure!
I had an absolutely lushious time in Aruba...
and would love to return...but believe me,
these cups are never touchin' Rum Punch again!

13 Bodacious Comments (so far) ~ Add Yours!:

Anonymous said...

Can you bring the weather and your rum-filled cups up to New England to warm my freezing tummy with some rummy? ;)

MYM said...

Wow! What amazing photos! But I don't trust you in the hot sun with rum. Hmmm....

Love the snow on your blog - I have the real stuff going on outside my real window ... boooo

Anonymous said...

rotflmao

The last time I saw this originally, I felt your pain. I fell in love with Rum back in 2000 after first trying it...sampling here, sampling there, while being chauffered anywhere.

I just had to giggle while reading this again.

People in the Sun said...

My momma always told me never to mix Double-D's with Rum Punch. I listen to my momma.

Speedcat Hollydale said...

Never tried Aruban Rum, but was given some Jamacan rum once. It lit on fire!!!
I like the chapel the best in this post. (the reason I quit the fire waters)
Did you know we have a labyrinth here in Hollydale? My grandaughter LOVES it. We chase each other along the path :-)
I'm about out of gas for today, and it was nice to see some warm weather photos after having giant icicles hanging from my face all day. Way below zero all day!! "ishhhh"

Goodnight Cuppie

Speedcat Hollydale said...

How come your time stamp says 2:10 AM ????

We are in a wormhole?

Speedcat Hollydale said...

........ really going now

Anonymous said...

love the chapel

Olga, the Traveling Bra said...

Ms MP - I'd love to!...but I'm on my way to Tenessee...JD country! ;)
~Olga

Drowsey - I don't trust me in the hot sun with rum either!
~Olga

Hi John - Rum makes me dumb. I am done with rum!
~Olga

People - Your momma is either very smart or speaking from experience - or both! :)
~Olga

Speedy - I think my timestamp is stuck in your labyrinth! :)
~Olga

Nursie - The chapel is pretty cool, eh?
~Olga

The Rev. said...

Amazing photos!

I love that little chapel! As for the beach, my jealousy is overwhelming, as I gaze out into the freezing rain and fog of Memphis...(sigh).

ps: Where are you?!

Olga, the Traveling Bra said...

Thanks Rev - I don't know WHERE I am! (Again!) But I hope I'm getting pretty close to Tenessee! ;)
~Olga

Anonymous said...

Guess who just showed up and had a nice long shot of Jack with me???

Anonymous said...

Wow ,Great blog it gives the valuable information about Aruba in a systematic way step by step. Information given by this blog help to the traveler those who are planing to visiting Aruba .

Thank You
James Adersion
www.globester.com

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