Day 6 - May 1 - Aruba today!

This morning we docked in Oranjstanden, Aruba. Once again up early but only twice round the deck as I expect to do a bit of walking onshore. I dressed in my going ashore clothes. We expect to dock at 8 am so about 7.50 am I rush out on to deck to get some photos only to find that we are already tied up to the wharf. In my cabin I wasn't aware of any change of ship speed, changes in engine noise, stopping, or nudging the dock--very smooth driving I think the Captain must have have done it before!
On the way back from breakfast we were told all port procedures had been completed and we could go ashore, and by the way the onshore temperature was expected to reach 38 degrees. Down three decks, pick up a bottle water, have my cabin card swiped, and down the gangplank--Aruba here I come. Passing through the cruise terminal building I buy a hat and then set out to walk through the town. By
the time I am off the wharf sweat is trickle in to my eyes, down my neck, and the back of my shirt is saturated. I walked along the waterfront looking into a shopping plaza, a couple of casinos, and walked around an old fort. One buildings had a restaurant with water access from the sea via a tunnel under the road and a pedestrian bridge.


On shore are many interesting building built in the old Dutch style and painted in pastel colours like in the photo below. A small square in the process of having the paving stones replaced.



After a half an hour and having drunk half my water I headed back to the boat. On the way went into a small shop and bought a tee shirts for my grand-daughters, Emma and Jessie. Just before boarding the ship I walked down the wharf to get a good view and photo of the ship. On the way back I was stopped and politely told to keep to the proper pedestrian route or that what I thought he said.


Back on the ship put some towels on the bed and laid down until I cooled down then had a shower, changed my clothes and sat in one of the lounges until dinner time.


Yes I'm still alive.
After lunch went up to the Crows Nest bar for a nice drink of white wine after dinner only to find that bar was not open. Sat around reading from my iPad, taking a few photos, and eventually back to my cabin.


About three in the afternoon headed down to the Ocean Bar and lounge to finally have a very nice Italian Pino Gris. Here I met up with a Vacouverian and had a very enjoyable afternoon. At four, happy hour started, one drink for two or something like that. At five they gave each of us a very nice plate savories and by six I was back in my room having a rest before tonight's show "A Tribute to the Divas" by Alfreda Gerald in the Queen's Lounge at seven.

Tomorrow all at sea.