We left Santa Cruz Bay at 6.45am & had a slow & uncomfortable downwind sail to Aruba. We were seriously checked out by the Coast Guard plane & a military helicopter as we approached Aruba (they both circled us for quiet a while) it is very close to Venezuela & drug running is a problem. We arrived into the anchorage & had our anchor down by about 5pm. We had a couple of beers as we watched the planes come & go – the anchorage is right at the end of the runway – not too noisy though. There are only 2 other boats here. It is a nice anchorage, calm & wide with lots of wind to keep us cool. Good holding too.
Thursday we attempted to check in. We were sent to the airport & then directed to the cruise boat dock.... no luck! So Ange did a bit of shopping & had a walk while Steve read on board & then did some laundry. Thursday afternoon was a bit of a rest & then dinner and an episode of ‘Downton Abbey.’
Today we attempted to check in again & had more luck. We radioed the Aruba Port Control who told us to bring our boat to the commercial dock. Immigration & Customs met us there... that’s never happened before... except in Morocco. We filled in our paperwork & they returned our stamped passports & customs schedule as we finished our cuppa. A very easy & very friendly check in. We have to do the same again tomorrow when we check out. After returning to the anchorage we took the dinghy to the marina & then caught a local bus to the closest large supermarket. It had everything we needed & we stocked up on a few things we may not be able to get in Colombia – the San Blas Islands are in mind. This afternoon Ange has cleaned the boat & prepared dinner for our overnighter tomorrow while Steve went back into town & did some clothes washing.
Cruisers always say Aruba has nothing & should be avoided. We have enjoyed our time here. Yes, it is a holiday island & there are plenty of shops & duty free places around, but we have found it to be friendly, lively & very colourful. The anchorage has plenty of action around to keep you interested (& you can swim) & then main town is only a 5 minute dinghy ride away. It has been refreshing to be a tourist & not just constantly talking and thinking sailing & boats!
Tomorrow we head for Colombia after checking out.