Aruba

One of almost 300 pictures I recently took while in Aruba. Aruba is a fabulous place to vacation and there will many blog posts about it. So Bon bini (Welcome) to Aruba.

Bon bini means welcome in Papiamento, the official language of Aruba. Though it is the official language of Aruba, most residents speak 3 or 4 languages, fluently. You maybe in foreign country a long way from home, but everyone speaks excellent English, so communicating is not a chore. Papiamento is creole derived from Portuguese, African, Arawak native languages and English, accordingly to Wikipedia. However, when we asked it about while in Aruba we were told it's mostly Spanish and it sounds mostly Spanish when you hear it spoken.

Oranjestad is the capital of Aruba and where the airport is. It's also where the famous Palm Beach, and Eagle Beach is. If you've ever watched shows on TV that list the best beaches in world, you've seen Palm and Eagle Beach in Aruba. There are beautiful! White white sand, aqua blue water that's clear and gorgeous.

Locals in Aruba have Dutch passports. Aruba is located 15 miles north of Venezuela, 12 degrees north of the equator and is 69 square miles, measuring 20 miles long and 6 miles wide. Unlike other Caribbean Islands it is a dry climate, arid with cactus strewn about the landscape. In some areas you might feel like you were in Southwestern part of The US.

We spent 8 wonderful nights in Aruba, and are anxious to plan another trip there. Please keep checking in for information and pictures about the beaches, hotels, restaurants, historical landmarks, casinos, and more.

**Flat Stanley will be away for a couple of weeks, and then..............drum roll please. There will be a very special announcement about his very special contest, so do keep checking in. You don't want to miss it.**