Change of plans! When we arrived in Cartagena, we met a dive instructor named Jamie Dryden and his crew, a cute 24 year old named Emily. They invited us to tag along with them to the ABC Islands, otherwise known as Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao (pronounced cure a sow). We had intended to head west, but the weather window was unusually calm seas, and Bonaire was one of our dream destinations because of the wonderful scuba diving. So we took 10 days to hop up the coast of Columbia and Venezuela with Jamie aboard 401(k) and another boat with a very nice Dutch couple, Pieter and Inge aboard Baerne. The first photo shows the rugged, rocky coast of Venezuela.
Aruba is beautiful! The cruise ships come and go every day in Aruba's capital, Oranjested, where the architecture is typical Dutch design. The shopping is wonderful (Christmas is right around the corner, you know!). Jamie rented a car and we drove from one end of the island to the other in a few hours.
Much to my surprise, Aruba's landscape is dry and barren, with cactus and rocks everywhere. Quite a few iguanas to see, even on the golf course! Yes, Ricky and Jamie got in 18 holes! 
Just one of many beautiful Aruban sunsets!
High rise, high dollar hotels and condos in the background
The divi divi tree
California Lighthouse built in 1910 stands at the island's northern tip
Surf pounded coastline of Boca Mahos 
Ancients pictographs is the caves at Ayo's rock fornmations
Ricky outside the very famous Charlie's Restaurant & Bar 
I love this sign! It hangs over the entrance to the bar.Sea Ya!
Ricky, Robin and Danielle
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Hey guys.
ReplyDeleteI just thought i would check out your blog! all the photos are really cool. We arrived in Aruba about 10 in the morning after a pretty good sail down, especially past curacao. checking in with customs was fine, it was just actually getting into the dock which was the tricky thing. There was not really any space on the dock because all the venuzuelan fruit boats where on there and dad didn't want to breach any quarantine rules and raft up onto one. But that was ok, we are here safe and sound in the renaissance marina. You'll be excited to know danielle that i got 3(!!) new pairs of HIGH HEAL shoes. ahahah. they are an early birthday prezzie. You'll see them soon cause im going to post some photos on facebook haha. Hope all is going well with you guys and you have a safe trip to los aves and los roques and you don't get hassled by the customs.
Hopefully we will talk soon, but because you are going to those islands and us to san blas, it might not be for a while.
Have fun,
Nikki xxx