Even in a place as relatively small as Aruba, no one could plausibly claim to have seen every single thing. However, spend a full week on the island and you may be able to say that you have seen practically everything of note. I certainly believe that I have. This last set offers glimpses of a few additional points of interest that featured on our itinerary.
The most well-photographed of those is the pile of monoliths known as the Ayo Rock Formations, where well-maintained paths and staircases allow you to get up close and personal with the huge boulders.
Contrary to my expectations, there is no way to get to the top of the pile. Safety reasons, I suppose. In the shot below, I am standing probably at least 15 meters lower than the highest point of the formation.
Goats, of course, can reach the heights that people can’t.
Another similar attraction is the Casibari Rock Formations. This pile is significantly smaller, with stairs leading to the top platform.
A perspective from the top towards the Hooiberg mountain.
Near the northwestern tip of the island stands its tallest structure, the California Lighthouse. Built in the first half of the 20th century, it takes its name not from the US state, but from a British ship that sank off the coast, good 25 years before the lighthouse was constructed.
The view towards one of the best beaches on the island, Arashi Beach, from the elevated ground by the lighthouse.
Shifting the angle leftward from the same viewpoint and using the maximum focal length brings the Palm Beach strip of major resorts into perspective in the distance.
Looking in the same general direction from the Arashi Beach edge.
The boats in the shot above have all converged on one of the prime snorkeling spots off Malmok Beach. The limestone beach is not exactly what an average visitor would choose for sunbathing.
On one of the days, we got into a UTV for a ride around the island. Some of it was along paved roads, a good part on dirt roads, and in some instances, we ventured way off roads. I obviously left my camera behind, but the teen – and in a few cases, the guide – recorded some of the highlights on the phone.
The tour took us to several defined points of interest on the island, such as the Aloe factory and plantation…
.. the tiny Alto Vista chapel…
… one of the natural bridge formations along the northeastern coast…
… ruins of the 19th-century gold mill known as Bushiribana…
… as well as a natural cave pool.
Finally, one beach picture.
I did not remove a single person from this shot, I swear. The best beaches on Aruba get crowded pretty quickly throughout the day, but you can still find pockets where few people go, such as our favorite stretch, Manchebo Beach.
This concludes Aruba recaps. New adventures are right around the corner.