Not sure if you can see the name of the company for the ship – Jolly Pirates!!

I had a very mistaken notion of Aruba. I had assumed that it would be a tropical kind of island. Certainly the hospitality, humidity, local music and customs will remind you of tropical places. Today, we explored about half of the island (the north and west side). Outside of the beaches, it is as barren as it can be. Not too many trees, extremely rugged and dry soil. In fact, it is called a “desert island”. Funny part is that there was a lot of humidity in the air. But wherever it bordered on water, it was one heck of a blue ocean though. Here is a shot of the typical road we drove on today. Note the dryness of the soil. And the divi divi trees!!!

One of the hallmarks of the flora in Aruba (and I believe the neighboring Bonaire and Curacao islands too), these shortish trees (more like big bushes) are noted for their looks – they are bent and look like pointing towards the west (due to the trade winds).

This one was near Catalina Cove.

The water was even more beautiful here…

About 35 years back, my brother, sister and I used to spend endless hours playing cards (we called them poker and fish but that has nothing to do with the poker and go-fish you know now) sitting out in the light breeze on warm nights in Durgapur before dinner.

Nikita and I did the same today (same two games) on this warm night with nice breeze in Aruba. 35 years later and 8,000 miles away…

Sharmila and I were having Gin and Tonic at the swim up bar. Suddenly looked behind to see Nikita doing her own version of “bottoms up” 🙂

That was a grueling volleyball game in the ocean. Well, it was less of volleyball and more of “now you go get the ball from where you sent it”, but, a good time was had by all. And a few other strangers who happened to be nearby too! Even Sharmila!!!

Smoothies and Hendricks Tonic to cool
down now.

… a volleyball !!!