Aruba- The Happy Island

My last stop on my ABC tour was Aruba. They call it the happy island with the most beautiful beaches- I would agree! Also with it being only 40 miles from Venezuela and Colombia- there was a lot of Spanish influences on the island. I was pleasantly surprised when I found a really good Colombian restaurant and bakery. I was able to get the Pandebono(cheese bread or small cheese balls). I got them 3 of the 12 days I was on the island! I also visited San Nicolas- which is the street art capital of the Caribbean. Nice to see they are revitalizing the city. Overall I enjoyed my entire tour of the ABC islands, but especially Aruba. I hope you enjoy the pictures!

The middle left picture is on the front of a special needs school. Just above that are pictures around town- a Portuguese Bakery, Bus station, 3D picture that you need the 3D glasses for- it was pretty cool! Mosaic benches around town and the visitors center(the little yellow house). Also middle right is what they called A/C back in the day. I can see how that would work with the cool breeze that was always blowing. Now on to the beaches! First one is Baby beach below. See the rainbow on the right?

Then below Mangel Halto and Malmok Reef. Both of these were geared towards locals, which meant they were much less crowded-which I appreciated! Bottom right is lizard and crab.

Then there's Eagle, Tres Trapi and Arusha Beaches below.

Now for some of the food I enjoyed.

Zeeover is a famous seafood restaurant right on the ocean. Long wait, but it was worth it. I enjoyed Barracuda for the first time and it was moist and delicious! Then the cheese balls and Pastechi, wanted Mexican food one day, so a burrito and nachos, Bubble cone for my sweet tooth, O'Neals Kitchen-Jamaican restaurant and I went to one of the tourist traps after the beach one day for a lobster roll and lobster mac n cheese. I missed some of the food like a Lebanese restaurant I found as well as the Colombian restaurant I visited. The food was so good, I just started eating and forgot all about taking pictures-sorry!

Overall my 4 months in the Caribbean was thoroughly enjoyed. It was really hot and the sun just hit different, but I must say Aruba had the best weather too. Always a nice breeze going and made the heat a lot more bearable. Regardless, I would definitely recommend all 3 islands-each for something different. Bonaire to relax, snorkle or diving. Not much else to do on the island, and it was hotest of all 3 as well. Curacao for snorkeling, food and history. They are not quite as developed as Aruba- but they are well on the way. The people were fabulous and welcoming and I would definitely go back. Aruba is the most developed- literally anything you want, you can find here. Meaning not just water sports or hanging at the beach. Museums, Movies, Art Galleries, Casino's, Night Clubs and of course restaurants and bars from all over the world. Another island I would definitely go back to.

Hope you enjoyed my pictures and if you have any questions, feel free to ask!