Day 12-Aruba

Dinner in Peninsular was absolutely fine - a first again as I had a mushroom wellington which was lovely. The whole meal was very pleasant. We had had a drink on deck beforehand and after we went to the Live Lounge to listen to Exxile, the Caribbean band. We only stayed long enough for one more drink and then to bed.

Today we woke up in Aruba - another day, another island and another adventure.  We can’t believe it but they get better and better.

Our adventure today was going to be by UTV starting at 8.30. We were a little early and got straight on to an enormous coach. I’d seen there was limited availability so expected it to be full but there was only another couple there. We were shortly joined by a couple of lads but no one else. Another few joined us but there seemed to be some confusion as they were going another tour so they all go back off the bus, leaving only the 6 of us. We had a very short drive to pick up the UTVs and then an even shorter safety briefing and it was all aboard. There were two to a vehicle so only 4 vehicles in total including the guide.

The first section was on tarmac road but that was still fun - great to be speeding along in an open top vehicle. And then we hit the sand!  Fortunately they’d issued us all with snoods which we all rapidly pulled up over our nose and mouth. However it wasn’t long before we made our first stop at the Casibari Rock Formations. These are lava rocks that were thrown up millions of years ago. There are steps to the top where you have a great view over the island.

We headed another shortish distance to a place called Natural Bridge. Unfortunately the bridge fell down on a storm about 20 years ago but there were still some lovely views.

Then it was back on board for the main part of the trip - a really good bit of off-roading. Oh goodness it was fantastic fun but definitely not for the feint hearted. The tracks were rutted, full of rocks and very sandy. You had to be a good driver to handle it. We sped along reaching 60 kph and as a passenger you still had to watch the road so you were ready for the bumps. It was utterly brilliant!  And hysterical when we finally stopped at the California Lighthouse. Everyone was absolutely filthy with the marks of their glasses and snoods clearly outlined in dirt. Why did I wear a white tee shirt. I’m not sure it will ever recover.

At the lighthouse we picked up coconut smoothies and as we were doing so the heavens opened once again drenching us all but not helping a great deal with the dirt 😂.

Then we set off at a very fair lick on the tarmac roads back to base. You just couldn’t wipe the huge smiles off our faces (or the dirt 🤣).

Once again we had the huge coach to ourselves as we headed back to the ship.

We decided to head back on shore after a quick wash as it was only 11.30. I’d seen a trolley train which went into town and lasted about 45 mins. So we thought that might be a good way to chill after the adrenaline rush of the morning. But we weren’t too fussed and it looked like it might be a bit of a wait, so we decided on coffee instead 😀. Then we wandered into a few shops and in order to keep up our tradition of buying something in every port, I bought a sweatshirt/ sweater thing (green Sue 😂).   But there wasn’t much and to be honest we’d had such an adventure we really just wanted to relax. So we headed back on board, had a very unhealthy lunch. I spent some time on deck reading in the shade and then came back to the cabin where Steve had stayed. But he then went on deck to watch our last sail away.

However we now need to get ready to go on deck as Santa is being tracked and he’s heading for our ship now.  🎅

Later there will be carols and then same are booked into Sindhu for dinner.