While taking pictures of the setting sun, I moved around quite a bit on the beach to adjust for oncoming boats, people moving around and all that. A sight caught my eye and left a deep impression. There was a dad and his daughter who were mesmerized by the setting sun. They were in the water, standing next to each other. Not a word was spoken. Just dad… And daughter… Taking in the full beauty of nature… both staying in the Now together. Powerful moment.

I quickly retrained the lens to get a silhouette.

Finally, on our last evening this visit, I was able to get the sun setting in the horizon without a speck of cloud. The colors were glorious. It was like a molten gold…

Our final stop for the day – and this trip – was Baby Beach. This is located at the very southwest end of the island. Venezuela is a mere twenty miles or so from here. I was told that on a clear day, you might be able to see Venezuela. I could not see anything. That might have to do with the fact that the sun was already in the west. Maybe I should have tried when the sun was still in the eastern sky.

The three of us did snorkeling – for the first time in our lives here. It was hilarious watching Sharmila and I get used to the snorkeling gear. Nikita was a big help straightening us out. Saw some very colorful fish.

I have mixed reviews about the place. The beach and the water is undoubtedly very beautiful. However, this place is very popular with the locals and gets very crowded. Perhaps, if you come here someday, you can try a working weekday. But that said, if you do make it here, just drive over for a couple of minutes to the beach next to it – Rodger’s Beach and walk up to Rum Reef and order a caipirinha. One of the best ones I have ever had!!

One of the things that you will notice – really for not noticing – is the dearth of animals in Aruba. There are no large mammals here. Other than a couple of dogs here and there (even that, many seemed to belong to tourists), there are not much pets. I did not see a single cat in the whole island.

The only two wild animals we saw were a few donkeys and a bunch of goats in the mountains. Asked a local while having lunch today. Apparently, those are the only two wild animals you get here!!

I am sure the goats here were not going to complain about it as they fight for whatever non-cactus green food is available in the dry desert!!

I believe the name is an original Aruban Indian one. Like Fontein, this one is also carved in to the limestone rock by the chemical process of calcium carbonate being left over during dissolution and then evaporation giving rise to beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. There are three chambers – although we were allowed to go only to the first two. The third one is blocked off from visitors to protect the bats there.

After you see the first chamber, you have to get to the second chamber by walking thru a very dark passage. But moment you approach the second chamber, you can sense that there is a lot of light there. Which would make you wonder how could light make it all the way there (you are about 150 feet away from the entrance by now). Till you reach the chamber and you lift your head up to realize that erosion has eaten part of the roof off and there is direct sunlight coming in thru the holes!!

Formed entirely by erosion of the calcium carbonate in the limestone rocks, this cave has some impressive stalactites and stalagmites. It is currently about 50 to 60 yards long and was last used by the Aruba Indians over a thousand years back.