Americas

[Visited: July 2016]

When I reach the bicycle rental shop, it turns out to be closed on Sundays, so I head to the local bus stop of Oranjestad instead. Luckily, a bus is heading to the northwest of the island, and it takes me to the last hotel on the strip of hotels on the west coast. From here, I walk along the coast, along Malmok beach where kite surfers are taking advantage of the constant wind over the turquoise waters, to arrive at the white sands of Arashi beach. I leave the crowds behind, walk towards the slender white California lighthouse, and find a track towards the northwest. I now venture into empty territory, walking trails through dry and thorny bushes, until I emerge at the rocky shore of the northwest of Aruba.
Walking along the shore, I enjoy the sound and sight of waves crashing directly into the island, sending white foam high into the air and forming temporary rainbows when the sunlight strikes the drops of salty water. I round the cape, the north westernmost point of Aruba, and follow the coastline. More waves crashing spectacularly into the coastline, and to my right, white sand dunes appear. Heading towards them, I find several rock formations in the barren landscape. There is no one around, and I could almost imagine being somewhere in a remote desert. The truth is, of course, that mass tourism is around the corner, almost literally. People are ordering their cocktails at swimming pools and on white beaches minutes away for any bird.
Thinking of cocktails: I stupidly forgot to take any water, and my throat is becoming dry while I work my way through the fine sand on one of the tracks through the dunes. Small plants are clinging to the soil here, in search of moisture to survive. There are more rock formations: big boulders rounded by, I imagine, the constant wind blowing here. There are tall cacti, too. I climb up a rocky wall, reach the California lighthouse, where I find people again. From here, I get a great view over the northwest point of Aruba, the Arashi area, and I buy myself a much needed crushed ice. Walking down towards Arashi beach I notice that nothing has changed here: people are still lying on the beach, cooling down in the waves of the Caribbean.

Around the World in 80 Clicks

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Arashi Northwestpoint (Netherlands Antilles)

Arashi Northwestpoint > Netherlands Antilles > Americas

[Visited: July 2016]

Around the World in 80 Clicks