Aruba part 1 - Our island, our Aruba

Promotional video of Aruba - Our island, our Aruba

Promotional video of Aruba, produced for the Aruba Tourism Authority

This is Aruba. This is our home. And we want to share it with you!

I want to tell you about an island. This island son calls home! We’re calling wins. Kiss warm faces. Where deep blue’s from above. Melt into rich blues from a deep. And white carpet announces that you’ve arrived.

I must tell you about our island. A land where smiles were born and children’s laughter in the air. This heaven sea, where happiness lives and plays. Where the people such warm-hearted people who know nothing but love for each other, their guests, their home.

Aruba part 2 - Diving on Aruba

Aruba Dive - Diving off Aruba on the wrecks of the Antila and Peter Nalis.

Penetrating the impressive hull of an underwater wreck often means coming across a school of anchovies or a watchful snapper hiding in the corner. Often it is enough to enjoy the play of light as it too finds its way into the wreck, reflecting off the bubbles emitted by your dive buddy.

Aruba part 3 - Carnival in Oranjestad

Lighting Parade, Carnival, Oranjestad, Aruba, February 14, 2009

The holiday of Carnival is also an important one in Aruba, as it is in many Caribbean and Latin American countries, and, like Mardi Gras, that goes on for weeks. Its celebration in Aruba started, around the 1950s, influenced by the inhabitants from the nearby islands (Venezuela, St Vincent, Trinidad, Barbados, St. Maarten and Anguilla) who came to work for the Oil refinery. Over the years the Carnival Celebration has changed and now starts from the beginning of January till the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday with a large parade on the last Sunday of the festivities (Sunday before Ash Wednesday).
Tourism from the United States has recently increased the visibility of American culture on the island, with such celebrations as Halloween and Thanksgiving Day in November.

Aruba part 4 - Eagle Beach in Oranjestad

Eagle Beach in Oranjestad, Aruba. I am not sure of the instrument. I was trying to recreate the same sound from the steel drum played at the "pirates nest" restaurant... :) This is a clip I found online that resembled it the most.