With a full day in Aruba

I had a plan - The Eagle Beach, The Ostrich Farm, The Aloe Vera plantation and shop, and a bit of pampering at the Spa Cove on The Renaissance Aruba Private Island.A lot, but I had the whole day for it and plenty of determination.I was ready for Aruba, but Aruba was not ready for me. The island was practically asleep when I left the terminal,no shops open, no tour touts,nothing,not even a Hop On Hop Off,only a couple of taxi driver offering their services.So I quickly decided that The Eagle Beach would be the first option to start my adventures,even though originally I had wanted to go there last and stay until dark,but as the morning progressed, I was very happy with the decision.I returned to the ship at 3 soaked to the bone with sweat. After quick shower I was out like shot, and this time Aruba was ready,but in the wrong order! The ostrich farm bus would not leave for an hour, the bus for the Aloe Vera farm left 10 or so minutes earlier,the queue for the Renaissance Island boat was long and even though I hate queuing I took my place without a murmur and then I saw a familiar red sight - a Hop On Hop Off approaching! All my plans had changed instantly and I was like a shot on the bus, taking me in no time around Oranjestad,the capital of Aruba. Now, I fell in love with Cartagena without hesitation and reservation. Aruba? Not so fast.In fact looking out of my balcony I thought- Good heavens, are we in Civitavecchia,[ Italian port servicing Rome,one of my least favourite, where everything is hot, gormless and charmless.They did not even have a freshly squeezed orange juice there in the whole town]but once out of the terminal I was beginning to warm up to the town,it was clean,and I liked it.And the more I walked,the more I liked it.Not a speck of dirt anywhere.My kind of town. Of course there is some building work going on, but every such area is closed to the public and there is not unnecessary mess anywhere.                                    

People are friendly,kind,helpful.The drivers are courteous,every time I wanted to cross the road they would stop at a distance giving me plenty of time to do so.Shops are immaculate and sell everything I would need should I live on the island.And between the Tamarinj and the Eagle Beach I saw the most beautiful building containing I presume apartments, where I certainly would not mind spending a considerable length of time.

The blue clean,warm water to swim in,the sand soft,a cross between poppy seeds and granualated sugar to take daily walks on.Yes,slowly but surely I had fallen in love with Aruba and the island has gone high up on my list of the places to retire to. 

The bus tour took about an hour, I left my watch in the cabin,but time was of no consequence,I had let the bus take the strain and just sat back and enjoyed.As we returned to the terminal I saw people boarding a bus to the Aloe Vera plantation.I would have liked to go, the spirit was willing,but the flesh,oh the flesh was weak!Back to the cabin and there in my air conditioned sanctuary I stayed for hours!