Day 07 11/27/21 - Aruba

This would be our 4th visit to Aruba and 2nd in a month.  We met our friends Catherine & Ronnie shortly after 9am at the pier entrance.  The Rotterdam was berthed in the center pier position (closest to the port exit for passengers) with the Aidaperla in front of us with a mothballed NCL ship behind us which was replaced during the day by the Eurodam.

 

We went to our friends' house for some tea and conversation before leaving for a drive to Arikok National Park where we visited the Quadirikiri and Fontein Caves.  These caves were created when the lava was pushed up and the gases created voids.  The Quadirikiri cave was the prettiest with natural light holes illuminating the rugged interior cave features. The entry fee for the 4 of us was $27.

 

Surrounding this Natural Park is a military zone where they conduct live fire operations so one is restricted to travel on the developed roads and visitor areas.  There is also a row of 10 large wind powered electrical generators bearing their thump, thump sounds with each rotation of the giant blades.

 

We also made a stop at Boco Prins where some scuba divers had just returned with a small catch of six lion fish.  The water currents here are quite strong and swimming is prohibited.  In general, this is a magnificent and rugged  cooled lava formations park.  

 

We returned to our friends' home before enjoying at late afternoon lunch at the Red Fish restaurant.  We had originally planned to go snorkeling but decided not to and our friends dropped us off at the ship around 4pm.  Even though though the on board time wasn't until 10:00pm, we just relaxed on the ship.  

 

We had a very light dinner in the Lido and skipped the two movies that played on the Main Stage.

 

I ended up on Deck 3 above the gangway where starting at 10pm I watched the sail away process and took some night pictures of the fading in the distance Oranjestad harbor area.  It's a short trip to our final destination: Bonaire.

 



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