Aruba: Exploring


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Oranjestad
The capital city, located on the southern coast near the western end of the island, is extremely picturesque with its Dutch colonial architecture in pastel colors. Over the past six years a lot of effort has been spent refurbishing the town and making it attractive for tourists. Along the wharf merchants come to sell fresh fish and produce right off the boats every morning. The downtown area and the Seaport Village are the primary shopping areas on the island.

Aruba Oranjestad

 

Museums in Oranjestad:

Archaeological Museum
Zoutmanstraat 1, Oranjestad
Ancient artifacts, pottery tools, and giant earthen jars of the original Aruban habitants.
Open Mon - Fri, 8 am to 12 and 1pm to 4pm

Numismatic Museum
Zuidstraat 27, Oranjestad.
30,000 historic coins from Aruba and around the world.
Open Mon - Fri, 7.30am to 12 and 1pm to 4pm

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De Olde Molen
This old windmill was first built in 1804 in Holland and then
shipped to Aruba piece by piece and reconstructed in 1960. It now features a moderately-priced restaurant that specializes in continental dining.

 

 

 

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Fort Zoutman And William III Tower
The oldest building in the country, this Dutch fortress now houses the Historical Museum of Aruba, where Caiquetio artifacts from the prehistoric past are now on display alongside of remnants from the Dutch colonial period and other items of local interest.
Open Mon - Fri, 9am to 12 and 1.30 pm to 4.30pm ..................................................................................

Bushiribana
On the northern coast midway down the island lie the abandoned gold mines that were the center of Aruba's gold rush during the nineteenth century. Nearby sit the ruins of an old pirate castle that some say goes all the way back to 1499, the year that Alonso de Ojeda landed here.

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Hooiberg
Shaped like a haystack (Hooiberg means Mt.Haystack in Dutch), this mountain looms prominently from the middle of the island. At 541 feet, it is not the tallest mountain (Mt.Yamanota and Mt.Arikok at 617 feet and 577 feet respectively are both taller), but it is the most accessible. From its peak it is possible to see across to the coast of Venezuela on a clear day.

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