We met many visitors that have made the trip to Aruba numerous times and had no idea of its true beauty. We rented a 4X4 vehicle and went out looking for adventure. It did not take long; the island is only 19 miles long, running northwest to southeast, and 6 miles wide. The west coastline is populated with both tourist and islanders; the east coastline is uninhabited with some of the most wonderful scenery I have ever seen.

Aruba has a little...of everything, they have sand dunes, desert, volcano, lava, small mountains, white sandy beaches, rugged coastline, quite waters and crashing waves....

   The Arubians are an extremely friendly people and the people that you meet outside the tourist areas are more so. I suggest, you change some of your currency for Florin; it will save you a quarter almost every time you make a purchase. The many areas outside the tourist area do not have American currency to give you change and some do not have any American currency so be ready to accept Florin. A 10 Florin paper money is $6.00 American dollars. Sodas are 75 cents if you have Florin but will cost you a dollar, if you do not have Florin. Almost everything will be rounded up to an even dollar.

   As you work your way around the island the first thing you will notice is that there are very few roads and those are bad. You will find yourself traveling over paths that have been worn by travelers before you. If you are like my companion and I, you will seek out areas that only the brave, the proud and a little.... nuts traveled or make your own way. Just be careful not to drive to close to the cliffs edge, they are carved out from the crashing tide or on the sharp lava, there is no service station for a flat tire...

I will admit that we got ourselves in a couple of ruff spots but got out without a mishap. I would like to invite you to travel to Aruba, but enjoy the WHOLE island or you will have missed the best part.