In April Claudia and I spent a week in Aruba. It was great. We stayed at the Sonesta Resort. The hotel was just minutes from the airport, in the capital city of Oranjestad. The island is part of the Netherlands. The people speak a variety of languages, Dutch, English, French, Portugese, and Spainish. I did six dives while on the island. They were all great!

Claudia at one of the beachs on the private island.

Phil at the natural bridge. See the people on top of the bridge?

One of the highlights of the trip was the day we rented a jeep and explored the island. The hotels and resorts are on the west side of the island. As soon as you get a little way from the beach the island turns to rock and cactus. Truly a barren landscape. Roads are non-existant. Road signs are non-existant. A 4 wheel drive jeep is a requirement. Our first stop was the natural bridge.

Our next destination was called the pool. We are driving in a desert, no roads, no signs, just occassionaly another group of tourist that don't know where the are going either. Somehow we found it. Nothing special, just a protected swimming area - great snorkling. But as we reviewed the trip - it seemed like a life threatening experience. The terrain was so rough that sometimes we traveled no more than one or two mile an hour. You held your breath the whole way. If you go to Aruba - go 4 wheeling.

The island also has casinoes and some great restraunts. But for my money the trip is all about scuba diving and snorkeling. The picture to the left is the sunset out our window. Aruba is big stop for the cruise boats.