Aruba is located right at the heart of the southern Caribbean approximately 25 kilometers away from Venezuela. The tiny island is about 32 kilometers long by 10 kilometers wide with an approximate area of about 180 km/sq. On the eastern side of this small country you can find Oranjestad, the capital of Aruba and also its most important and populous city. Oranjestad is usually known as “The Beach” because of its beautifully colored streets. The city is a perfect mix between the new and the old, which makes it more beautiful and interesting to all who visit. Along the streets and avenues you can find stores displaying the latest fashions of the best designers and alongside you can find many old buildings that have been restored to their former colonial glory. The homes seem from faraway create a beautiful mosaic of color and contrast.
The main avenue is adorned with a completely restored streetcar that moves passengers along the way and it’s also connected to the main harbor where cruise ships dock and the downtown area. The trolley makes a total of 6 stops in front of museums, monuments and the main shopping areas. Oranjestad has an excellent and busy nightlife with many bars, casinos, restaurants and nightclubs.
Wilhelmina Park is one of the most popular spots for tourists to visit. The name was giving in honor to the Dutch Queen Wilhelmina who was fundamental in the history and development of Oranjestad. As far as cultural establishments, you could also visit the Archeological Museum, which holds a large and interesting collection of pottery and native utensils that were found once in the island.
Celebrations
Bon bini Festival
Every Tuesday at 6:30 PM on the dot, rain or shine, the doors to the Fort Zoutman Historical Museum open to welcome all the visitor coming from everyone in the world to enjoy Aruba’s enthusiastic vibe. The show goes from 7 PM until 8:30 PM and it combines artistic performances, foods, artisan’s markets and music. Many local musicians gather here and sing the night away at the company of dancers playing steel drums. Bon bini means “Welcome” in Papiamento, the local language spoken by the creoles and the afro-descendant population of the Antilles, Curacao, Bonaire and Oruba. Papiamento is a mix of Portuguese, Dutch, Spanish and some African dialects.
Moomba Beach Bar and Restaurant
This place is one of the most famous establishments in Aruba and is located in Palm-Eagle Beach. The place is decorated like a seaside shack filled with happiness and relaxation. There are tables located under small hay kiosks right on the sand. At night, the place is illuminated by torchlight and visitors start to arrive in order to enjoy the wonderful local Caribbean food along with some cocktails like daiquiris, tequila sunrise or the infamous Aruba-riba, a strong concoction mixing plenty of liquors and considered the island’s staple drink. To top it off, the local musicians really liven the party up with their festive beats and the company of the moon and stars reflecting upon the calm sea.
Image courtesy of Kayla Sawyer at Flickr.com
Paarden Baai Beach
This beach is of great historic importance to Oranjestad and is famous for being very beautiful and maintained always very clean. The beautiful blue horse sculptures are there to commemorate the times of the Spanish conquest of Aruba and represent the moment when horses jumped off their boats and swam towards the beach, setting foot in the island of Paarden Baai for the first time ever. Tourists do not frequent this beach as much, and sometimes you can find it completely empty due to the high currents being quite dangerous and access being somewhat restricted in here, however even if you don’t go swimming, the place is a beautiful spot to watch the sunset and just sit for a while. Nearby there are many restaurants and bars as it is located parallel to one of the busiest oceanfront drives in Oranjestad.
Balashi Beer Brewery
Since 1999, Balashi National Brewery has commercialized and produced their own beer. The brew is a Dutch type ale, refreshing and golden, made using Aruba’s potable water. This is very important since this water is known everywhere in the world for being clean and of excellent quality. The name Balashi actually means “water” in Papiamento and this is something of great pride to residents of the island who stand behind their product’s great quality. Tourists are able to visit the plant and learn about the brewing process as well as trying the beer at their outdoor bar. Everything has a cost of only $6 USD. The Balashi Beer Brewery is place you absolutely must visit; you will not regret tasting some of the best beer in the world.
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