Blogs from Santa Cruz, Aruba, Central America Caribbean

So it’s a sad day in Aruba – last snorkels, last turtles, last visit to Linda’s, etc etc. We were at Tres Trapi for turtle hunting by 8:30, and we were very well rewarded. This time we weren’t so systematic, so perhaps we were seeing the same ones over and over, but we certainly thought we saw a dozen, including you know who – Hungry Boy, the gray turtle. We also found 2 flying gurnards (sorry Robin) and a Queen Triggerfish at last. Still no sign of the short-nosed batfish or the frogfish. David was infuriated by one particular family who pestered the turtles, and the boy who swooped in to touch the turtle as it was coming up for air, and just as David was filming. I’ve been known to tell off anyone I see ... read more

Today was an “iffy” day weatherwise. We awoke early to the sound of rain on the tin roof, but got out the door by 7 am or so, packed with sandwiches and snorkeling equipment, but mainly to go birding in the Salinas (salty shallow waters) up near La Cabana. The rush hour at 7 was nothing like the other day at 8 am either. We got a few photos of the usual water birds, adding a ruddy turnstone and kildeer to the mix (not new birds). We drove up to Arashi beach and saw a lovely collection of Brown Boobies and Pelicans – how clumsy they are on the ground, how majestic in flight. We noticed that they always turned away from the sun as they hit the water. The visibility was poor on that side ... read more

Wednesday Sept 28: While we pray for the people in Florida that are going to be hit today by Hurricane Ian, the weather here is also changeable. We went to the Spanish Lagoon for birding again, around 8, and then came back for breakfast. Still no more humming birds. Then we packed up to drive to the right side of Baby Beach to check out the turtles. This is where we took Tom and Amy, and we have to say – with embarrassment – that after years of maligning Baby Beach for snorkeling, it was very good, especially for the variety of soft corals. I counted 33 different species of fish, including 2 different eels. It’s just that all this is in the very center of the bay, and most people don’t go out more than ... read more

Time to move out of La Cabana to our next Airbnb, but first…. Last snorkel – perhaps – at the n.e. end of the island, getting in at the Infinity pool as usual. It was nice and clear and we were the only people out there so early. Saw a big green moray eel, but he wouldn’t come out to be photographed. We did see (photo) a couple riding those powered fin boards, or whatever they are called. Amazing balance! We had to check out by 10 am, which was tight. So tight that we when we unpacked at Roxanne’s we realized I’d completely forgotten to empty one of the side drawers, so we had to go back and wait for housekeeping to retrieve the things, which thankfully they had. It included our 2 containers of ... read more

We started Sunday with birding at the Spanish Lagoon. It’s easy to get up early because our hostess likes us to keep the outdoor lights on – so the light comes in the windows a bit. Of course we said hello to the burrowing owls, and then stood watch at the flowering cactus to try to catch better photos of the hummingbirds. Then it was off to worship with Ronald from The Kitchen, at the Centro Familiar Hosannah church. We got there in plenty of time, not knowing exactly where it was in the city of Orangestad, or where to park, etc. The entrance area was packed with people having coffee and pastries and even scrambled eggs. Hmmm? And canned praise music was already going – so it was a challenge to understand our Spanish-speaking friends ... read more