Aruba II

We've been here nearly two weeks. So far we have diagnosed, we believe, the steering problem and the reason the generator quit. The steering required a new helm pump for $900+; the generator a rebuild with parts for about the same price. Add the labor to this at $40/hr. And we're in it up to our necks, even before tax season. Ya, ya, we're living the life, but paying I for it, too.

Our view of the downtown and cruise terminal at Oranjestad. Next to us are Tom and Susan on Adina from London, UK. They are waiting for parts and a weather window for Cartagena, too.

We had a joke with Sand Groper in Culebra that they could check out but couldn't leave. Now the shoe is on the other foot with Hotel California here.

California Lighthouse

Looking for the green flats (none: too hazy) from the restaurant (great but pricy) at the lighthouse.

Here are a few scenes from the north side (windward) of Aruba: 25 mph winds, very rough seas and desolate with no trees, few cacti and thorny shrubs. The roads are all dirt with one place that was covered by deep sand. Of course, we got stuck and had to beg help from a passing Canadian (Mannatoba) to bodily push us out(small car, T.G.). And this is the famous Aruban natural bridge (now collapsed). It's at the and on the dirt road that started at the California Lighthouse and wound down the rugged north coast past the gold smelter/refinery (also defunct).

 

 

That's the top of the x-bridge in the center, left of the red car and at the end of the asphalt.

Incredible winf and WAVES.

 

This a shot SW towards Oranjestad and Santa Cruz from the highest point on Aruba (Jamanota) near the Arikok National Park. Isn't high enough to capture the clouds, thus very little rain on this semi desert island

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Highest point with Linda next to car.

The marina has worked a deal with the Renaissance Beach Hotel for us to use the hotel's private island (and all other amenities) located a little east of here at the foot of the international airport.

Yup, flamingos!

View from the private island back towards Oranjestad. The hotel and marina are just off the ship's bow and past the white cruise terminal building. The airport is hard right over the mangroves.

This is Niki Beach between the hotel and the airport. It's where cruisers are told they can anchor after they clear in at Barcadera two miles further east past the smoldering (looks like a lava flow at night), smokey eye-sore dump.




We've ordered the generator parts. They'll have to be ordered by Mastry in Florida from Yanmar USA (could take as short a time as a week depending on weather conditions in Atlanta), then another week by FedEx from FL who doesn't know where Aruba is. Took them a week to find us last time (helm pump). So, we'll be here awhile. Anyone interested in getting away from the weather "up north"? COME ON DOWN!!!

 

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