Aruba's
brawny trade winds have a way of altering the stature of just
about everything -- from the gnarled divi-divi trees on the
beaches to the eerily sculpted boulders in the center of the
island. Don't be surprised, by the way, if you find yourself
tilting at a 45-degree angle. Once you've adjusted your posture,
however, you'll discover that Aruba is among the livelier,
more developed islands in the region, with high-rise resorts,
great restaurants and glitzy casinos lining its white-sand
beaches.
You'll find plenty of things to do, too: sunbathing, world-class
windsurfing and waterskiing by day, and discos, cabarets,
dinner shows and high-stakes gambling at night. What you won't
see is an abundance of natural attractions. Nor is Aruba covered
in lush foliage. It's about as close to a desert island as
you'll find in the Caribbean, with stands of cacti and aloe
vera dotting the dusty terrain. In fact, it is so dry, the
goats eat the cacti in search of something resembling leaves. |
Aruba Shopping
Although Aruba is not a duty-free port, the duty on most
items is so low that shoppers often find discounts on all
sorts of high-quality goods (note that we said discounts,
not bargains). Liquor prices represent real savings, whereas
the prices for jewelry, silverware and china are comparable
to sale prices back home. Popular items are Dutch products,
including Delft ceramics, wooden shoes, and fine cheeses
and chocolates. You'll also find good value in designer
leather goods, Madeira embroidery, Indonesian crafts and
wood carvings. Linens, crystal and perfumes from South America
and Europe are good buys, too. You'll see aloe, grown and
processed locally, in every conceivable form, from soap
to skin toners.
Try
the stores along Caya G.F. Betico Croes (formerly Nassaustraat),
the Renaissance Mall (formerly Seaport Village Mall) and
the Renaissance Seaport Market Place on the waterfront.
All three shopping areas are near the town square. Right
across from the cruise dock entrance is the mammoth Royal
Plaza Mall. Aruba does have some locally made handicrafts
available, but there is no craft market where they are concentrated.
Look in the art gallery and museum gift shops (Access Art
Gallery, Mainstreet 16-18, Second Floor), or visit the beach
vendors for souvenirs.
Oranjestad
Named in honour of the Dutch Royal House of Orange, Oranjestad
has been Aruba's capital since 1797 and has served as the
island's main port ever since. Today, the small harbour
continues to attract schooners, fishing boats and cruise
ships from all over the world. The tiny capital on the southwest
shore bustles with activity as thousands of visitors descend
upon it each day to shop, dine or try their luck at one
of the many casinos.
The
streets that make up the downtown core are lined with modern
imitations of pastel-coloured Dutch colonial houses adorned
with ornate gabled roofs; a good number of them have been
renovated into shopping complexes, administrative buildings,
museums and restaurants. A handful of older buildings, including
Fort Zoutman and the lofty King Willem III Tower, offer
reminders of Aruba's past. Just a hop and a skip away from
the city is the island's main beach strip and resort area.
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