One happy little island

Aruba is a fascinating mix of European (mostly Dutch), North American, Caribbean and South American influences. People are cheerful and friendly, and number plates on Aruba’s cars bear the proud inscription ‘Aruba, One Happy Island’.

Pelicans plummeting into the sea to catch fish are a common sight

It is situated in the southern Caribbean Sea, 30 km from the coast of Venezuela and 85 km from Curacao, another island which is better known, probably helped by the orange-based liqueur named after it.

There is a fair amount of the laid-back Caribbean approach to life, making Aruba a great place for a relaxing holiday, and it is well organised and geared for tourism, a mainstay of the economy.

Aruba’s income is derived mainly from oil refining and tourism, and the two are kept apart, with the refinery located in the south-eastern extremity of the island, which is 31 km long north-west to south-east and 10 km across at its widest.

The countryside is largely flat, and the highest point is a centrally situated hill 188 metres high, somewhat grandiosely named Mount Jamanota.

There is a bus service but the best way to see Aruba is by driving about in a rented car. Road surfaces are good, cars drive on the right and traffic is calm and free-flowing except for a few streets in Oranjestad, the capital city.

The south coast extends from the California Lighthouse in the north-western point to San Nicolas, Aruba’s second city which lies next to the oil refinery in the south-east end. The airport lies about halfway along the coast, with Oranjestad some five km to its west.

West of Oranjestad are many restaurants, casinos, hotels and timeshare resorts, most of which have direct access to a sandy beach besides extensive, beautifully landscaped pool areas with waterfalls and gardens often housing exotic birds and the ubiquitous iguanas.

The latter are protected animals measuring up to 1.20 metres including their long tail. They look like fearsome mini-dinosaurs but are entirely herbivorous, harmless to humans, and quite shy, invariably moving away if you get too close to them.

Further west, approaching the lighthouse, Malmok has many beautiful villas on view.

Along the southern shore there are coral reefs and miles of beautiful white sandy beaches along which we customarily take a brisk walk for exercise, usually followed by a refreshing dip, all before breakfast, because by 9 a.m. the heat makes prolonged exertion unpleasant. Pelicans plummeting into the sea to catch fish are a common sight.

In contrast, the northern coastal region is a rugged, rocky wilderness, though not lacking greenery, and has a scenic coastline constantly pounded by waves coming from the open sea. The Arikok National Park, which encompasses one-fifth of Aruba’s land area and is well worth visiting, lies in this region. An attractively landscaped road for cars has been built through it to facilitate access.

There is no shortage of leisure activities in Aruba besides swimming and lazing on a beach or by a pool.

There are no less than three golf courses, you can go horse riding, go underwater sightseeing in a small submarine, explore the rugged north in a rented all-terrain vehicle (ATV), see fantastic rock formations at Ayo and Casibari, visit an ostrich farm, a butterfly farm, the Bubali bird sanctuary or the aloe factory, which is a very interesting rarity.

Naturally, Aruba is a paradise for water sports. The clear sea is great for snorkelling and diving, and the steady wind is a boon for windsurfing, sailing and kitesurfing. It is not surprising that Aruba’s Sarah-Quita Offringa has won the Kitesurfing World Championship (Freestyle) four times, from 2008 to 2011.

Aruba has autonomous status within the Netherlands, and has its own parliament which passes its laws. It also has its own currency, the Aruban guilder (AWG) pegged to the US dollar at $1 = AWG 1.75. However, US dollars are accepted nearly everywhere.

The official language is Dutch but the language of the people is Papiamento which, reflecting Aruba’s history, was formed from a blend of several languages including those of Spanish missionaries, Portuguese traders, Dutch colonisers, and some Amerindian words – the earliest inhabitants are thought to have been Arawak Indians. Most Arubans speak English, and many also Spanish.

We have gone to Aruba many times for family reasons and people often ask which the best month to go is. The answer is, any time.

The island is very sunny, with temperatures of 28 to 30˚C all year round, and the ever-present trade winds help with cooling. Blowing steadily always from the same northeasterly direction, they push sideways the local watapana tree, popularly called divi-divi – besides messing up ladies’ hairdos.

Our preference is to go during the Maltese winter, as it feels great to enjoy the sun, beating the system. Though it rains periodically, showers do not last long.

Large sunshades called chickees are commonplace on private beaches and near pools. They consist of a vertical pole supporting a thatched umbrella-like top, two metres or more in diameter. Halfway up they have a shelf – perfect for your pina colada between sips, while you remember that Europe is shivering.

Arubans spend a fortune on large quantities of imported fireworks, which they set off on New Year’s Eve, starting around 8 p.m. and reaching a climax around midnight, when the island’s sky becomes one big joyful, colourful conflagration.

Many buildings in the capital are fancifully designed, charmingly painted in bright colours and impeccably maintained

Carnival is taken seriously in Aruba, with much popular participation and many stunningly beautiful, exotic costumes on show in activities that start soon after the beginning of the New Year and build up to the actual Carnival days.

At Christmas time, houses on a hill near San Nicolas are festooned with thousands of coloured lights, presenting an unforgettable night-time spectacle.

Oranjestad is a delightful place in which to walk around. Many buildings in the downtown area are fancifully designed, charmingly painted in bright colours and impeccably maintained. A visit to its well-laid-out Archaeological Museum is both instructive and interesting.

The main shopping area is along L.G. Smith Boulevard facing the harbour, which cruise liners frequently visit, and in several other streets behind. There are banks, shopping malls and many good shops selling a wide range of goods.

Jewellery is a good buy in Aruba, with attractive prices. In contrast, humble open-air booths in the harbour-front market offer souvenirs and similar modest wares.

In Europe there are direct flights to Aruba from Amsterdam, London Gatwick and Manchester, which take nine to 10 hours. Malta time is five hours ahead of Aruba, becoming six during our summer time. Electric current is 110 volts 60 cycles, as in the US.

Overall, Aruba is not cheap, but it has great charm and hotels and resorts are of a high standard, as are many restaurants offering exciting dishes with exotic touches.

The website www.visitaruba.com is excellent for getting information about Aruba as well as about flights, hotels, car rental, hotels, restaurants and leisure activities.

It also offers a discount card which is a real bargain, costing just $13.95 (€10.30), and it pays for itself with savings on a couple of dinners or other purchases.