Saturday, May 30, 2015
With Dutch pancakes on the brain we drive into Oranjestad for breakfast at Diana's Pancakes Place next to the Olde Molen, a decommissioned windmill imported from Holland.
Without an actual street address we can
only guesstimate the approximate location. One of the first things we find is the “I
love Aruba” sign.
Somehow my Spanish 101 class never talked about windmills, so it's Pictionary time; I pull a scrap of paper from my bag and draw a rudimentary windmill for me.
“La Molina?”
Yes, yes!! I nod enthusiastically and she tells us we've been walking in the wrong direction for some time. Once we know where to go it isn't hard to find and a while later we are seated on the outdoor patio.
So many choices!
Sandy orders a Picasso (with
fresh fruit and powdered sugar), while I stick to my old favorite; a
Gouda cheese pancake.
Hmmm, it is sooo good! It's hard to find authentic Dutch pancakes outside of Holland, but Diana knows how to make them and I guess technically we are in Holland.
Hmmm, it is sooo good! It's hard to find authentic Dutch pancakes outside of Holland, but Diana knows how to make them and I guess technically we are in Holland.
We head north along Route 1 on our way to the California Lighthouse, but we have just passed Hadicuri Beach when I spot a corroded shipwreck off in the distance.
As I get closer I'm quickly distracted the colony of resident pelicans.
Arashi Beach is next. Twice a day I've been checking in with Dennis from surf Aruba if it's possible to have a lesson, but it's late in the season and the waves have not been cooperating. Still there's no way I'm just going to drive past without a quick peek.
As I get closer I'm quickly distracted the colony of resident pelicans.
Wow!
Several sea turtles have laid eggs on the beach and there are several thatched cabanas painting an idyllic picture, but there is very little to no wave action. Of course, I knew that, but it's still disappointing.
Hellooooo, waves? ... Anyone??
The California Lighthouse sits at the
Northwestern tip of Aruba. It has has been closed for repairs for years and it's unclear if and when the renovations are supposed to begin. I bet the view from the top would be amazing!
Even so it's a pretty spot from where you can see the sand dunes and the Northern side of the island on one side ...
... and the brilliant blues of Arashi on the other side.
The dirt road towards the Alto Vista
Chapel looks a bit rough to tackle in our little sedan and we
backtrack along the coast. Just before the turn onto Malmokweg, we spot a deserted area with several thatched cabanas like the ones at Arashi. The dirt soon gives way to jagged rock and we pick our way across until we reach the water. 
Even so it's a pretty spot from where you can see the sand dunes and the Northern side of the island on one side ...
... and the brilliant blues of Arashi on the other side.
The water is impossibly clear, but I'm having a hard time gauging how deep it is or how one would get back to shore after jumping in. When I find a set of stairs after skirting the edge for a while the decision is made; we have to come back with the snorkel gear sometime!
Driving up to the chapel is one of the coolest drives on the island. The road is lined with tall, tall cacti and a series of white crosses marking the stations of the cross, interspersed by verses like the one below.
At last we have arrived at tiny Alto
Vista Chapel!
Zen moment after completing the labyrinth of peace.
Whenever we travel we try to buy a local license plate as a souvenir and I can't believe our luck when the vendor set up in the chapel's small parking lot has several Aruba license plates on sale. 'No more than
$20,' we agree before walking over.
I can't believe my ears when we tells us $3! By far our cheapest license plate ever.
It turns out Aruba switches their license plates every single year. He explains that is why you won't find anyone selling the blue ones currently in use. We don't have to think long, before we pick out a black and white 2014 plate and a cute green bracelet.
Philip's Animal Rescue is located just down the street and for $10 each we are allowed to freely roam the grounds and feed the animals from the included bag of feed. There are common barnyard animals like goats and geese, but also exotic species like ocelot, camels and monkeys.
Some of the enclosures were (too) small and unnatural by my standards, but it's probably the best life Aruba has to offer for them.
Not sure if this guy was part of the rescue or just wandering around.
Gorgeous ocelot
My favorites were the naughty camels who took advantage of their long necks wringing themselves into pretzels to try and steel the bag of food and Sandy slippers. When that failed one of them distracted me by yanking on the hem of my dress, while the other got hold of the bag and took off with a bunch of carrots. I was too busy laughing to notice the alpaca had gotten quite jealous and decided to spit on me haha.
Selfie with one of the instigators
I can't believe my ears when we tells us $3! By far our cheapest license plate ever.
It turns out Aruba switches their license plates every single year. He explains that is why you won't find anyone selling the blue ones currently in use. We don't have to think long, before we pick out a black and white 2014 plate and a cute green bracelet.
Philip's Animal Rescue is located just down the street and for $10 each we are allowed to freely roam the grounds and feed the animals from the included bag of feed. There are common barnyard animals like goats and geese, but also exotic species like ocelot, camels and monkeys.
Some of the enclosures were (too) small and unnatural by my standards, but it's probably the best life Aruba has to offer for them.
Not sure if this guy was part of the rescue or just wandering around.
Gorgeous ocelot
My favorites were the naughty camels who took advantage of their long necks wringing themselves into pretzels to try and steel the bag of food and Sandy slippers. When that failed one of them distracted me by yanking on the hem of my dress, while the other got hold of the bag and took off with a bunch of carrots. I was too busy laughing to notice the alpaca had gotten quite jealous and decided to spit on me haha.
Selfie with one of the instigators
~ ~ Please continue to Part II for fun with rocks ~ ~
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