Oranjestad - Aruba

If your idea of paradise is 82 degrees and sunny nearly every day of the year — we’ve found the perfect place for you in Aruba! Learn about some new things you can do on your Aruba vacation.

Oranjestad (English translation -Orangetown) is the capital and most important city of Aruba located on the southern coast near the western end of the island.   In the local language, Papiamento, Oranjestad is often referred to simply as “Playa”.  Aruba is an Island north of Venezuela in South America.

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Aruba is in the southern Caribbean, located about 17 miles north of Venezuela.   Non-stop flight time to Aruba is about 2.5 hours from Miami,  3.5 hours from Atlanta,  4.5 hours from New York City.

I never realized that Aruba is one of the top locations in the world to learn to Kite Surf.  Basically your feet are attached to a snow board type board and your pulled around in the water by a huge kite.  It’s like surfing but you don’t need a wave. You can move really FAST and get some serious “AIR”.  Kite surfing is very popular in Aruba because the water is really calm but there is a substantial wind.

I wanted to try Kite Surfing but after watching the beginners getting dragged around in the water, I thought I should ask a few questions first.   Good thing.  I found out it typically takes a beginner about 8 hours ($500 in lessons) to really get a feel for the kite and be able to stand up in the water while being pulled around by the wind.  They start you out on land learning how to control the Kite.  After some thinking, I chickened out with the excuse I wasn’t in good enough shape to try out Kite Surfing this trip.

Next time I’m heading to Aruba I’ll make sure I’m ready to learn to Kite Surf.  I found this surfing fitness program that I’ll use to get into better shape. Click Here – Surfing Fitness Details! I’ll be able to increase my energy & get fit before I get there.  I’ll have the confidence to give it a try!

So Cowabunga Dude – Yup, another time.  (Cowabunga is a slang word from1960s surfer culture, used as an expression of exhilaration when riding the waves.)

Click Here to enter your name and email in the form and you can instantly download this Surf Specific Workout for FREE to try out the Total Surfing Fitness Program

Aruba’s path to the present day is marked by the mystery of ochre-colored rock drawings left behind by island shamans, the enterprising spirit of European adventurers and settlers and the diverse experiences and traditions brought by the many nationalities that have since sought out the island as either a new home or temporary resting place. The look of the people, the languages they speak and the innate hospitality that manifests itself in the Aruban psyche is the result of a multi-cultural mix that reflects a rich past.

Aruba Kite Surfing School – This is where you sign up to learn how to Kite Surf!  I thought about it but…  they said would take 3 days – about 8 hrs just to get to point to stand up.  So, I just watched.

Looks like me but it’s not!  This is someone else taking a lesson -  Learning How to Kite Surf in Aruba

He made it !   Getting some air, lots of air!

LOOKS LIKE A BLAST!

Kite Surfing Looks Like Fun – Palm Beach Aruba

Wind Surfing Palm Beach Aruba – I’ve done this on Canandaigua Lake in NY (where I live)

My fun-filled day watching water-sports ended with a great Sunset Dinner on the Beach

High End Homes – Palm Beach Aruba

Pirate Boat Tour Palm Beach Aruba

Daily Boat and Snorkel Tours from Palm Beach Aruba

Palm Beach Aruba – High rise area

High Rise Area in Palm Beach Aruba

Palm Beach Aruba – View from Restaurant at Sunset

Here are some of my photos I took at Baby Beach

Professor Beach Explores Baby Beach

Entrance to Baby Beach

Sugar white sand and calm crystal clear water – Love it here!

Big Mama’s Grill – A place to grab a cool beverage & a Burrito!

Snorkeling in Aruba

Aruba Wind Turbines

Professor Beach visits the Ancient Caves in Aruba

Professor Beach Visits Baby Beach

• Swimming Conditions Excellent and a great spot for snorkeling.
• Beach has very shallow water.
• White powder sand.
• Recently updated with some facilities like beach palapas, bathrooms, etc.
• Accessible by Accessible by public bus, car or taxi.

Above photo and information courtesy of www.VisitAruba.com

Baby Beach is a shallow, sheltered man-made lagoon located in Seroe Coloradon, on the southeast end of the island of Aruba, and is frequented by locals and tourists alike.  It is named Baby Beach as the water is so calm it is safe for very small children.  The snorkeling at this location is great for children or travelers new to snorkeling. However, for more experienced snorkelers, it is recommended to try Malmonk or Arashi Beach.

The benefits of this beach include the lack of waves and that nearby waters are shallow enough to stand.  The water in the deeper areas, as well as around the rest of Aruba, is cool and refreshing year-round.  There is a large Valero oil refinery within sight of Baby Beach.  However, because of the direction of local currents, Baby Beach still has very clean, clear water.  In the past, Baby Beach’s popularity led it to become somewhat littered.  However, clean-up programs have largely restored the beach to a pristine condition.

The water level is generally waist high on the inside, but towards the inlet, it deepens significantly. Marine life includes barracuda, squid, parrot fish, blowfish, angel fish, eels, snakes and a lot of other small fish, although the range of most of these animals is limited to the inlet.

At the beach there is a small snack stand, and lawn chairs and umbrellas for rent.  Four-wheel drive cars are also available for rent in which to ride around the beach.  This information courtesy of Wikipedia

Come back to this site in the next day or two – I’ll be posting my photos soon.