Day 6: Friday, February 24
In contrast with most other Caribbean Islands, much of Aruba is desert, with an average rainfall of only 17 inches. Just 15 miles from Venexuela, the coast can be seen only on a rainy day. (Polution obstructs the view on clear days.)
Aruba is an independent state within the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the official languages are Dutch and Papiomento (a combination of Dutch, Spanish, French and English).

We docked in Oranjestad, the capital. The extinct volcano is the source of the island, which has sunk into the ocean and risen many times long ago. As a result, it consists of many layers of alternating igneous rock and coral.

A six-hour tour showed us most of the island.

We saw iguanas sunning themselves on huge rocks.

Ron and others climbed Casibari Rock. (I wasn't sure if my hip would allow me.) In the top corner is a view from the top of the rock. Ron took almost identical photos.

A glass-bottom boat took us inside an old shipwreck where we saw stunning coral and many strange fish.

Cacti on the island were as tall as 40 feet!

On the north coast, waves pounded the tall cliffs, sending a huge spray right over the top. They had even carved a "natural bridge" into the rock.