We left Latin America for good, albeit our next port, Bridgetown in Barbados, could almost be
considered part of South America instead of being the South Easternmost Island just
outside the Caribbean Basin, they are only a few miles of open Atlantic and
Caribbean apart.
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| Just Off Main Street, things are not yet touristy |
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| TOurist Arts and Crafts Market |
A popular tourist spot, and a Unesco World Heritage Site,
Bridgetown is the jumping off point for avid divers, beach combers and sun
worshippers. Plenty of resorts to fill the demand!
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| Sea Side Promenade |
Pastel colours prevail in the downtown landscape,
complementing the multihued Caribbean Sea.
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| Shoe Maker's Shop |
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| George Washington Was Here... |
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| Local Fish Market |
A number of markets provide for
locals and tourists alike. A small fish market sells a variety of ‘catches of
the day’. Waterside restaurants invite to a cool cerveza or cappuccino, and
main street Barbados has the usual line up of Diamonds International, Tanzanite
International, Colombian Emeralds and other brand outlets, which seem to have a
foothold on anything Caribbean. Sometimes I wonder who buys all that stuff –
the average cruise ship visitor just does not appear to be eager to load up on
precious stones and designer handbags. T shirts and ‘unique’ beadwork seem to
make up the bulk of island trade.
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| Major Landmark of Aruba's Waterfront |
I jump over our next port (Willemstad in Curacao) for a
separate post and ‘cruise’ directly to Oranjestad, Aruba. Almost hugging the
coast of Venezuela, a strong presence of Venezuelan nationals is evident –
probably enhanced by the dismal economic and political situation in their home
land.
On impulse I entered a beauty salon to get my hair cut. A
young Venezuelan did a credible job in about 10 minutes at a cost of 25 Florins
- $12 US or thereabouts. Almost the only thing that did not cause sticker
shock, as the Caribbean Islands as compared to Continental South America charge
healthy prices even for a simple beer, which costs almost three times as much
on a Caribbean Island than it would cost on the Continent. Well, welcome back
to civilization and Caribbean Tourist and Cruising Season!
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| Large Lizards Baking in the Sun |
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| Cormorants and Oystercatchers |
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| Emerging from the Sea - Like Venus From the Waves |
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| Aruba Fishing Charter Boats |
Aruba had suffered major damage a couple of years ago, when
a hurricane (??) devastated large portions of the Island, as well as in Orangestaad
itself. During my last visit, in the spring of 2013, most of the town looked
like a ‘construction site with widespread works in progress.
Spring 2013 Haven Straat, Main Street was dug up, side
streets were obstacle courses around ditches and holes, many buildings were boarded
up, shops and restaurants remained closed. Not so now: Haven Straat has turned into a well paved promenade, used
by pedestrians and historic tram only, lined with freshly planted mature palm
trees and filled with shops, which are not only open, but have taken on a
‘fresh image’. A good number of historic buildings have undergone
re-construction and remediation. The result:
a clean, pretty and colourful downtown, which has managed to retain its
old Dutch Antilles character. Downtown side walk restaurants and cafes seem
still to be missing – unfinished business – however, the waterfront, L.G. Smith
Blvd., makes up for it, as there are
dozens of venues to eat, drink and take a respite from the ever evident
tropical heat.
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| Restored Mansion |
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| Un-restored Mansion |
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| Still awaiting Restauration |
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| Newly paved Haven Straat |
A pleasant Last Hurrah before reaching Fort Lauderdale a
couple of sea days away, where most of the passengers will leave the ship –
hence packing in progress, FedEx representative aboard, e-mail address exchange
lively, and good bye dinners and parties prevail.
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| Freshly Planted Palm Trees and the Historic Tram |
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| Aruba's Own Brew |
I wanted to send one suitcase full of Antarctic and other surplus
clothing home from Fort Lauderdale via FedEx, a relatively simple and inexpensive
way to rid oneself of extraneous luggage. But, as I am continuing the journey
to Europe, US customs does not permit any luggage to be shipped to Canada.
Alleged reason: danger of claiming US
customs allowance TWICE, once when arriving/transiting in Lauderdale, and a
second time, when finishing the journey a couple of months hence.
The fact that I finish the journey in Europe without any intention
to transit or visit the US at the end of it does not seem to affect US customs
reasoning. Ergo – my suitcase will travel to Rome, where it can be sent at a much
higher cost back to Canada after it has cruised across the Atlantic and then is
flown back across the Atlantic – without ever entering the US. The incredible
logic of officialdom – even the Gods would fight against it in vain.
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| Docked in Aruba |
Flying of course is different, where even for a transit stop
in an intermediate US airport, requires that every bit of luggage is offloaded
and passed through customs as if it is going to stay in USA….go figure.
