Good Morning

We can't have been sleeping for long before we are all awake thanks to the light of day. We eat breakfast at the house we had fallen asleep at the night before after the wedding day shenanigans, and plans are made for all of us to go to Arikok National Park. Heraclio drives Jennifer and I back to the hotel, where we get ready for the new day.

We can't go to Arikok National Park in the small rental car that Heraclio has, but his friends who have a house on the island are coming to pick us up from the hotel in their Jeep or Jeep-like vehicle. I honestly am not sure what kind of car it is. There's a few of these kind of SUV vehicles, each driven by one of Heraclio's friends, and I get in the same vehicle as Jennifer.

Entering Arikok National Park

We seem to drive across the island, and suddenly we are in a desert-like area. There's a little entrance booth to the National Park, and in we go. I understand now why we couldn't take the small rental car. We are essentially off-roading. There is a dirt road, but it's so worn that we are jostling all around in our seats as we make our way through the land. I see a goat on top of a hill and snap a photo of it from the car.

I continue to get bounced around in the car, holding on to my Nikon D50 like a football, trying to keep it safe. If there is a road, I cannot tell, but at least Heraclio's friend seems to know where he's going.

Enjoying Nord Beach

We pull up and park at what seems to be the top of a hill. There's a slope down, and then the beach. I stand at the top of the hill for a moment, taking it all in. The beach is walled in on either side by cliffs, and the waves are crashing against the walls, but flowing gently onto the sand. The juxtaposition is magical.

We all walk down to the beach together. We lay down towels on the sand. Some people bring yard chairs down, and some bring umbrellas, and soon enough we have practically taken over the beach. Heraclio and his friends grab their surfboards and head out into the water. The few women that are present, including myself, all stay on the beach. One of the ladies has a toddler boy with her, and he starts to play in the sand. He wants to go out and surf with his dad, but his mom keeps him safely ashore, letting him dip his little feet into the water.

Jennifer finds her spot and begins to sun tan. I decide to walk around a bit. I walk to the right hand side of the beach and take photos of the cliff wall, noticing all of the rough edges. I walk to the left hand side of the beach and take photos of that wall. It is pretty much the same as the right wall.

I return to Jennifer, who asks me if I would be willing to take a few photos of her and Heraclio. I tell her that of course I would be willing. She goes to the edge of the water to get his attention. It takes a few minutes, but Heraclio does surf part of the way back, and then swims the rest of the way.

They pose in the water together. He stands behind her for some photos, as they both caress her pregnant belly, and in other ones he stands in front of her. He kneels in front of her for a few shots, kissing her belly as the waves come crashing up against them. It takes several tries, as the water causes them to lose balance.

Heraclio heads back out, and Jennifer thanks me and returns to her towel.

I decide to try a cliché trend and write "ARUBA" in the sand. I take photo of the word with the waves approaching it. Eventually the word gets washed away. I turn and start taking photos of the people on the beach. A few of the guys are now sitting on the beach talking about who knows what, and Jennifer and a few of the other girls are conversing. I go and sit back down on my towel. The heat of the day is getting to me a bit, and I need a break.

I look around and notice that a few other people, not with our party, have joined the beach. The little boy is now finding amusement with a small dog that has befriended him.

The few guys that are on the beach stand up and go off together. I follow them because I am nosy and want to know what they are going to do. We climb up to the top of the right cliff together. I stop and take a few photos of fossilized coral. The guys walk to the edge of the cliff, and I'm slowly following as I came up barefoot. I have realized that my bare feet against this rough rock is not a great combination. The guys are up ahead laughing, and then I realize what they are about to do. They are going to cliff jump.

Sure enough, one of them jumps off the cliff, and then another one follows, landing in the water that seems way too far below. Of course, they are both fine, but good heavens, I don't think I'm a strong enough swimmer to do something like that. While I'm up here, I look out to the other side of the beach and take photos from this vantage point.

I hear someone yelling for me, and look down to see Heraclio waving his arms at me. After I tune into his voice and focus on it, I realize he is asking me to take a photo. I snap pictures of him and his friends down in the water on their surf boards.

I make my way slowly back to the beach, where I relax for the rest of the day under the Aruba sun.

Back to the House

The boys come back to the beach, and we pack up to leave. We each get back into the vehicles and go back whence we came.

There are some people at the house already. We are all still pretty much in our swim wear. Some of us have covers on, and others don't. The guys all head across the street to go sit in the water, and the women stay inside the living rooma. I take some pictures of the girls hanging out, and then head outside and take some pictures of the guys way out in the water. They must notice me, because they all wave at me.

I notice some teeny tiny little crabs and take pictures of those too. The sun is now starting to set, and I see a shipwreck off in the distance. I take some photographs of the sunset with the shipwreck and then head back inside.

On to Another House

Not long after I return to the house, the guys also return. We are all supposed to be heading to another house for a celebratory dinner to celebrate the wedding from the day before. Heraclio, Jennifer, a few friends, plus myself get back into the little rental car and head back to the hotel where we shower and get changed.

Heraclio drives us to a house. It is dark outside now, and I honestly can't tell you much about the house except that it has a nice brick patio area and is a bit crowded inside. Nonetheless the food is good, the company is pleasant, and that's all you can really ask for in a party.

Eventually we return to the hotel where we go to sleep for the evening. It's our last night in Aruba. We will be heading to the airport tomorrow to return to Venezuela.