Aruba II
West Coast
The west coast of Aruba is at least as stunning as the east coast but totally different in its landscape. It is rough, wild, it has loads of stones, lava, rocks against which the waves crush. On most beaches on the west coast you are not allowed to swim due to the strong waves and currents. We still enjoyed to explore it.
Same as in the last blog I ranged the sights from north to south but this time down the west coast of Aruba.
Alto Vista Kapel
A cute chapel in the midst of a rough nature. As it gets to hot at times most of the benches are outside the chapel.
Bushiribana Ruins & Boca Mahos
Close to these ruins at the Boca Mahos a rocky bay you can find the hidden cave pools. You have to climb down these ladder into a dark hole and then suddleny see these beautuful pools.
The pools are protected from the waves which are crushing onto the rocks. People where jumging in and on the right there is a shallow part where I cooled down. This was maybe the only minute where one group left shot before the next came.
Ayo Rock Formations
Casibari Rock Formations
View at the Casibari Rocks Formation. You can climb around it and stand on a larger platform to have a great view.
Beautiful lizards in between the rocks.
Hooiberg
From the rock formations you can see as far as to the Hooberg, to which we went after.
These stairs in comparison with the hot weather really made me sweat. They lead all the way up the mountain.
But the view is worth it! You can even see as far as Venezuela from it.
Natural Bridge
Nationalpark Arikok
I highly recommend going to this national park with a 4 by 4 vihicle. We rented a jeap and didn’t regret it. Going up and the rocky road was so much fun! There are some areas where you can also go without, but you would miss out some nice spots like the next one.
Conchi Natural Pool
We had as super nice swim in this pool. There is a guard who walks you around the rocks and takes care that no one goes to close to the big wayes behind the rocks. Again some people jumped in like my boyfriend. I never do such things as I don’t enjoy hights and the unknown deapth under the water 😉 But I snorkeled a little and got so see some cute fish.
Dos Playa
As you see, big waves and also a undetected strong undercurrent so there where warning sings to not go into the water.
Boca Prins
Quadirikiri Cave
The cave was closed but those goats were climbing on it.
Bachelor's Beach
As mentioned in the first blog about the east coast of Aruba close to the Baby Beach near the southern most point of the island we had the most beautiful sunrise one day. It was super windy and stormy but the clouds lead the sun shine through and we enjoyed the view. We had to get up at 4 am to get there and it was fully worth it! We were all by ourselves. Well not fully as you see on the picture below. There were a ton of little crabs. Afterwards we went to the Baby Beach for an early morning dip.
This is how the Bachelor’s Beach looks in daylight.
Sero Colorado
In between the Bachelor’s Beach and the Baby Beach you can find this lava landscape with a great view south.
After the around three days on this beautiful island, we sadly had to leave. We even debated to extend our stay, as it was so nice and relaxing. I was a great break in between Canada and coming back home.
End of October 2020 we flew to Amsterdam and then took the train back to Germany. I took it to Berlin and my boyfriend to Hamburg where I also moved to soon after. But first I got to meet my family in Berlin.
The day we got there Germany started a strict lockdown where you were only allowed outside for a walk with only one other household together. Also, only two households were allowed to meet. Later they made it even stricter where only two people were allowed for a walk together unless more than one were living together in one place. We had to wear masks almost everywhere except outside in fresh air. We also had to do a PCR test on arrival and do a quarantine until the results came. Unlike in Aruba I waited 12 days for my result, the one of my boyfriend was there after 3 days. That meant I had to stay inside not meeting anyone. Of course, we were both negative and had no symptoms but those were the rules.
I was staying with my uncle and aunt as they had a guestroom with extra bathroom where I could isolate. We only shared the kitchen. I was really glad that they allowed me to stay there and we even had some talks with me at the other end of the stairs 😄 But mostly I spend the time in my room, sometimes calling family or friends but also reading, sorting through pictures, doing yoga, meditating and reading. Also, after that the lockdown meant my return back to Europe was slowed down extremely and even after I only met one person at a time. Honestly, I liked it as it was not too overwhelming.
Mid January 2021 I found an apartment in Hamburg and moved there. Till then I had visited all my family and some friends in Berlin in “small doses” and told loads of stories from my adventures abroad.