Summer time on Aruba is just what you are looking for in a beach get-away.

Tarzan getting hot under the collar in Aruba.

Aruba, hot and sunny, dry and arid, you chose.

The summer time in Aruba is hot, warm, dry, breezy…..I can go on……. Just what you want for a beach get-away. The island lies just off the coast of Venezuela and hundreds of years ago had loads of trees covering the land. Unfortunately, in the name of progress, the trees were cut down, as they made great lumber for building houses and boats. This left the landscape to be what it is today, cactus, Divi Divi Trees, brush and sand. Still the climate is still the same.

Beautiful Bonaire, have you been there?

Tarzan and Iggy the iguana in Bonaire.

Diving at its best.

Tarzan and I love to travel. We have an affinity to warm and sunny locations, so the Caribbean works well for us. We have been to many of the islands in the chain, and as everyone, we have our favourite places. Bonaire is one of them. Famous for having some of the best diving in the world, with over 30 different sites. We have not dove there yet, but even the snorkeling is wonderful. With only about 14,000 inhabitants, the feel is very intimate.

The queen angelfish rules… (Holacanthus ciliaris). Bonaire, Netherland Antilles. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Leatherback Turtle nest hatches on Eagle Beach, Aruba.

Tarzan watching leatherback turtles hatch on Aruba.

79 turtles make it to the ocean from the nest.

Finally, Tarzan and I watched a nest of Leatherback Turtles hatching. There are 42 nest this year on the beaches of Aruba and they started to hatch over 2 weeks ago. Apparently about 8 female turtles laid all of these nests and they hatch between 60 – 70 days. This nest was at 66 days. When we arrived there was a small group of people gathered around the fenced-off nest. As we approached we could see something! Yes, a small head, or 2! It was beginning to happen. WOW…..

Snake in the grass, tree, garden…..whatever……

Tarzan and the snake.

Boa to be correct, and a pretty nice one too.

OK, so snakes are not my favourite animal, but they are pretty impressive when you come across one in the wild. Tarzan and I love the animal kingdom, or course, and we love to have wildlife around wherever we are staying. When we where in Costa Rica there were creatures everywhere. Aruba, however, is not the same. The snakes on the island were introduced to keep the rats under control that had arrived on the ships of years gone by.

“Hi-Winds Aruba”, our Man comes 9th in the Kiteboarding Lond Distance Race.

Tarzan and Maki, our kiteboarder in the race.

Beautiful day, great result!

Sunday was a big day for the “Hi-Winds Aruba” Kiteboarding Competition. The weather was just perfect for the event. There were kites everywhere on the beach, looking a bit like butterflies sitting on flowers. The colours were spectacular. Everyone was in the party mood, with the DJs playing some great tunes and the drinks were flowing freely. There was plenty of flesh on show, being a beach venue, and there where beautiful people everywhere. The professional photographers were making the most of the pretty girls in skimpy bikinis!

“Aruba Hi-Winds” is here, Windsurfing and Kite Surfing competion, now on!

Tarzan and the Windsurfers of Aruba.

3rd July till 9th July, the 26th Annual Hi-Winds event.

These sports are just great to watch, Windsurfing and Kite Surfing, especially as there is never any shortage of wind on Aruba. This event is held at the Fishermen’s Huts at  Malmok Beach in Aruba. It is so impressive to see all of the tricks that the riders can do with their equipment. Tarzan was quite good at Windsurfing in his twenties, but these guys and girls are simply impressive (sorry Tarzan). There is a whole week of competitions and events. There are categories for everyone, even the smallest children (know as Barracuda class).

Leatherback Turtles nests are due to hatch any day now!

Tarzan and a turtle nesting site.

Waiting for the new arrivals.

Aruba has four types for turtles that come to its beaches to lay their eggs. At the moment, along the beaches of the Low Rise Hotels (Eagle Beach), there are 42 nesting sites. Last week, on Thursday, the first nest hatched and made the headlines in the local newspaper. Great! Tarzan phoned the “Turtle Hotline” to find out which nests would be hatching soon.

Wedding vows in Paradise.

Tarzan and champagne on the beach.

Where will you re-new your wedding vows?

I have never really thought about renewing our wedding vows, until now. Yesterday, a friend of ours (who is a “Justice of the Peace”, here on Aruba) invited us to come along to watch a wedding ceremony on the beach. It was a renewing of wedding vows on a 25th Wedding Anniversary.