Aruba

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Aruba is an island which is part of the "West Indies". It is 20 miles long and 6 miles wide, has 101K inhabitants, and is located 17 miles from Venuzuela and 40 from Colombia. Aruba is an autonomous state within the Netherlands (under Dutch administration and support). An oil refinery keeps the economy strong and Aruba is the world's largest exporter of aloe (once covered 2/3rds of the island). The official language is Dutch, English is widely spoken, and nearly all Arubans also speak Papiamento. We didn't eat any ostrich (there is an ostrich farm on Aruba).

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Photos

Sun Chair Friend
gekos roamed freely around our feet as we read

Dutch architectural influence
Aruba was moving toward full independence but then in 1990 asked to stop the process and remain a state of the Netherlands (enjoying financial support, Dutch military protection, etc..).

Reading Vacation
I delved into 11 books, was very mellow.

Colonial Store Fronts
Aruba was originally colonized by Spain, then the Netherlands, then Britian, and back to the Netherlands

Alto Vista (Catholic) Chapel
on the bluff

Peace Labyrinth
behind the chapel atop the bluff

Sandra & I
had a wonderfully relaxing time!

Cacti
which lined the roads