Ever imagine living in paradise? A small island in the Caribbean perhaps? Welcome to my new home of Aruba where after 20 years of Miami’s overwhelming, insidious, and insane growth I have found peace of mind thanks to a tiny little spec in the southern Caribbean. True contentment and tranquility have revitalized my state of being; an important and critical as I approach age 64. The pandemic had me (and most of us) stir crazy – literally. I had to escape. In January 2021 I found that in less than three hours one could venture to Aruba requiring only a negative COVID test thanks to their branded “workation”.

 

The explorer I am and desperate for a respite, I embarked on my first of four ventures in four months to Aruba where I believed the island only offered a stretch of white sandy beaches with loads of timeshares. Far flung from my expectation, this tiny, six-by-twenty-mile island part of the Dutch Caribbean which neighbors Bonaire and Curacao, is an amalgamation of the sands of North Africa, the cacti and hillsides of Arizona, and shorelines of Australia. On one coast you have some of the finest beaches I’ve been to - Palm and Eagle beach: calm, delightful with crystal clear waters (Signature beach is my favorite) with powder like sand. On the opposite side, the ocean is rough. Untenable for swimming in fact and where the trade winds begin their transit across the island which, by the way, is always windy. The interior of the island features site including Hooiberg (Haystack) Mountain. A 600-foot volcanic structure rising from the windy hills of the countryside (where I reside.) On a clear day, you can see Venezuela; just 30 miles off the horizon. Numerous public parks including not-to-be-missed Casibari defy nature. Massive rock formations appear as though they were meticulously placed in perfect order by some unknown ancient spirit. Most visitors (tourists) never see nor experience the unexpected contrast and exemplary beauty of this island unless they travel beyond.

 

If you travel to Aruba, rent a car. Be brave and just drive. The infamous Divi trees point to the hotel side so you can’t get lost. In about 4-6 hours you can venture around the entire island starting with and savoring and admiring it’s iconic California Lighthouse and Malmok beach up north to San Nicholas in the south where a miniature SOHO is evolving with some quaint cafes, galleries, shops and bars. Oranjestad, the capital city is a one-mile strip of resort hotels, high end shopping, the crise port and marina and loads of dining and entertainment venues.