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Aruba is a Caribbean island with a difference. Beautiful white beaches, swaying palm trees, a serene blue ocean are the norm, but go inland and you will find an extensive desert landscape, complete with sand dunes and cacti. Aruba’s desert scenery comes as a result of very low humidity, and low rainfall of just 24 inches each year.
To see more of the island’s natural beauty and indigenous fauna and flora, visit Arikok National Park in the northeast of the island. Tour the island on horseback like an old cowboy and visit the nature trails, or take a jeep and go on your private safari. The Bushiribana gold mills are fun to visit, to see where gold mining took place in the nineteenth century. The Aloe Balm Museum gives an insight into another former industry, the harvesting of aloe gel, now a primary ingredient in hand creams and lotions.
On the northern side the landscape changes again to a rugged coastline indented by the huge waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Overlooking the western coast is the California Lighthouse, named after the “California”, a ship which ran aground on the northwest side of the island in 1891. For the adventurous, go cave-hunting in the Tunnel of Love, a 300 foot long tunnel or the Guadirikiri Cave where you can see Arawak drawings on the walls. Offshore, visit some of the best wrecks in the Caribbean, including the Antilla, a 400 foot German freighter from World War II.
For total relaxation, simply enjoy the beach or go sailing on the calm Caribbean Sea. Duty-free shopping is widely available in the capital Oranjestad. For adults there is the excitement of casino gambling available at most large resorts on the island. Specially for children are the Tira Koochi Park, a children’s playground, and the Kibaima Miniature Village and Park, which features miniature versions of Aruban houses.
Restaurants on the island offer a variety of tempting Caribbean dishes, particularly seafood specialties, while internationally fare is always available. At night, take a romantic moonlight cruise or take in a nightclub and party till dawn.
