When people travel, one of the first things they ask is if the water at their destination is safe to drink. This is never my concern when I travel to Aruba. I have been there many times and have drunk tap water regularly. Not once did I feel ill.
Yes, the drinking water in Aruba is safe. Not only is it safe, but it has also been praised for its excellent quality and delicious taste. That’s because the island’s water comes from the second largest desalinization plant. I feel bad whenever I see first time tourists to Aruba carry heavy jugs of bottled water. I sigh and ask, “whatever for?” But I know they’ll learn about the water’s high grade quality soon enough.
It’s important to remember that Aruba has a semi-arid climate. Given the number of tourists who visit every year and the significant growth in population, officials wondered what this might do to the water supply. So back in 2000, the island decided to use ultra-violet technology instead of chlorine to purify the water supply. This desalinization plant is located in the old gold ruins in Oranjestad, the capital.
My curiosity brought me to this plant and I was amazed at the size - you could compare it to half the size of a football field. I was told by my guide that Aruba takes an extra precaution in purifying the water by subjecting it to ultraviolet disinfection technology before distribution to residents. There are five ultraviolet disinfection systems located at strategic points in the island and are installed at a slight elevation. When water goes through these systems, it is usually the last treatment stage before it reaches the homes and offices of Arubans.
Leave your bottled water at home, folks…
Monday, May 10, 2010
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Mi stima Aruba - I love Aruba!
Mi stima Aruba (or in plain English, I love Aruba!)
I was in Aruba last month and I left it with a heavy heart. People may leave their hearts in San Francisco, but they probably haven’t discovered Aruba. Aruba is the kind of place that gives the words “tourist Mecca” true meaning. My friends asked a lot of questions and each time I say to them, “you gotta see it for yourself.” No description – no matter how colourful and accurate – will justify the actual experience. Aruba is one experience you can’t live vicariously. You have to be there in the flesh, and let the sound of the wind and the playful waves fill all your five senses.
I went to Aruba to break away from my hectic business in the US, to exchange downtown traffic for the slower and lazier pace of this piece of Caribbean paradise. I needed a vacation, but more importantly, I was curious to see if the wind turbines were up yet. The last time I was there, the locals were saying that 10 turbines should be up and running by January 2010.
There they were, all 10 of them and standing tall! Aruba has excellent wind power. Aruba’s Windpark Vader Piet is the site of this project, and this marks Aruba’s effort to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels for producing electricity - proof that Aruba is stepping up their green initiatives. These 10 wind turbines will generate and satisfy about 18% of Aruba’s need for electricity. That’s quite an achievement considering that Aruba’s population is barely over 100,000.
Do it SETAR’s way!
One of the questions a friend asked is how one can go about getting in touch with the outside world once in Aruba. It’s easy. I explained to my friend that Aruba isn’t exactly in the back woods because they have a sophisticated communications system. What I would recommend is if you have an international phone, take it with you to Aruba and upon landing, head for the SETAR kiosk at the airport and purchase a SIM card with pre-paid minutes. If you don’t have an international phone, rent a cell phone from SETAR.
Book that Aruba Hotel
Even when it’s not peak season, reserve a hotel before taking off for Aruba, only because you’ll be asked by immigration officials where you’re staying. Aruba’s # 1 industry is tourism and given its ideal all-year round weather (average 82 degrees F), people descend on Aruba in droves. And I’m not just talking about the international students. Retirees and casino diehards put Aruba on top of their list as a fun destination, so don’t take any chances with those hotel bookings. It’s best to have a confirmed reservation before you leave.
If you’re not renting a car at the airport, cab fare to any of the major hotels will cost you about US$22.00. Not a steep price to pay for comfort and convenience. Cab drivers are a pleasant lot, and are quite knowledgeable about Aruba.
Safety concerns? Put your mind at rest. Aruba is one of the safest places in the Caribbean. And even if the locals speak Papiamento and Dutch, you’ll manage beautifully with your American English!
I was in Aruba last month and I left it with a heavy heart. People may leave their hearts in San Francisco, but they probably haven’t discovered Aruba. Aruba is the kind of place that gives the words “tourist Mecca” true meaning. My friends asked a lot of questions and each time I say to them, “you gotta see it for yourself.” No description – no matter how colourful and accurate – will justify the actual experience. Aruba is one experience you can’t live vicariously. You have to be there in the flesh, and let the sound of the wind and the playful waves fill all your five senses.
I went to Aruba to break away from my hectic business in the US, to exchange downtown traffic for the slower and lazier pace of this piece of Caribbean paradise. I needed a vacation, but more importantly, I was curious to see if the wind turbines were up yet. The last time I was there, the locals were saying that 10 turbines should be up and running by January 2010.
There they were, all 10 of them and standing tall! Aruba has excellent wind power. Aruba’s Windpark Vader Piet is the site of this project, and this marks Aruba’s effort to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels for producing electricity - proof that Aruba is stepping up their green initiatives. These 10 wind turbines will generate and satisfy about 18% of Aruba’s need for electricity. That’s quite an achievement considering that Aruba’s population is barely over 100,000.
Do it SETAR’s way!
One of the questions a friend asked is how one can go about getting in touch with the outside world once in Aruba. It’s easy. I explained to my friend that Aruba isn’t exactly in the back woods because they have a sophisticated communications system. What I would recommend is if you have an international phone, take it with you to Aruba and upon landing, head for the SETAR kiosk at the airport and purchase a SIM card with pre-paid minutes. If you don’t have an international phone, rent a cell phone from SETAR.
Book that Aruba Hotel
Even when it’s not peak season, reserve a hotel before taking off for Aruba, only because you’ll be asked by immigration officials where you’re staying. Aruba’s # 1 industry is tourism and given its ideal all-year round weather (average 82 degrees F), people descend on Aruba in droves. And I’m not just talking about the international students. Retirees and casino diehards put Aruba on top of their list as a fun destination, so don’t take any chances with those hotel bookings. It’s best to have a confirmed reservation before you leave.
If you’re not renting a car at the airport, cab fare to any of the major hotels will cost you about US$22.00. Not a steep price to pay for comfort and convenience. Cab drivers are a pleasant lot, and are quite knowledgeable about Aruba.
Safety concerns? Put your mind at rest. Aruba is one of the safest places in the Caribbean. And even if the locals speak Papiamento and Dutch, you’ll manage beautifully with your American English!
Aruba Vacation Guide Book
The only problem with going on vacation in Aruba is if you've never been and don't know all the "ins and outs" of the island. Knowing what to do for fun in Aruba, the best places to eat in Aruba and the general information you should know about Aruba is important to have beforehand to assure an enjoyable vacation.
I highly recommend the Aruba Vacation Guide book for those seeking to have a really enjoyable time in Aruba. Even if you've been there before, there's probably some tips, ideas and useful information you could use. This inexpensive Aruba book of information can be downloaded and read on the computer, or printed and brought with you to Aruba.
I highly recommend the Aruba Vacation Guide book for those seeking to have a really enjoyable time in Aruba. Even if you've been there before, there's probably some tips, ideas and useful information you could use. This inexpensive Aruba book of information can be downloaded and read on the computer, or printed and brought with you to Aruba.
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