European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 28, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                By Stephen Williams new Day Aruba is the kind of vacation Island that would entice both Jacques Cousteau and Lawrence of Arabia. The invite rarely buoyant Cousteau would love the Calypso Joy and Jive of the place snorkelling swimming sunning and sailing. Rocky coastlines and wrecked vessels to explore. The affectionate. Marketing phrase Quot scuba  Lawrence would have commandeered a jeep or a mini Moke the Caribbean version of a Dune buggy to traverse the dry Dusty desert like Interior of Aruba. There s Sand from Shore to Shore plus acres of Cactus scrub and hot rocks baking in the equatorial Sun. It s not the Sahara but if you consider the immediate surroundings a a rather Large Ocean a it s fairly amazing. Visitors can take their pick Between the peachy Beachy environment and the desolate slightly surreal landscape or find something in Between an amstel draft at a Funky waterfront bar Blackjack or craps at the Hyatt a Venison filet at the Belle a Poque Chez Mathilde or a fragrance sniffing session at a duty free perfume Palace. Aruba where the motto is Quot one Happy Island Quot is All of this plus it is reasonably Safe and relatively civilized. Its people Are by and Large wonderfully Friendly. Sun is practically guaranteed Aruba gets Only 17 inches of rain a year. Not a bad recipe for a week in the Caribbean. Americans love Aruba they outnumber the next largest group of visitors venezuelans by a ratio of 3-to-l even though it is farther from the United states than most Caribbean islands Only 19 Miles off the venezuelan coast and not known for dirt cheap bargains. Quot we be  ripped off Here Quot said. Donna Hull who was enjoying a Sunset Quot Welcome Quot cocktail at the Vonesta Pool bar one evening with her husband Joe. They have been coming to Aruba for four years. \ a a a a a. A. A a Quot each year we stay a Little longer Quot said Donna Hull from Newport news Valt Quot first it was a week a now it s a month. The shopping is great the people Are cheery and the two of us can go out to dinner for $30 a for  Aruba is full of contrasts. The weather is hot because the Island is just 12 degrees North of the Equator but Cooling Trade winds blow aggressively year round. Sunbathers enjoy Aruba and so do wind surfers the Island is billed As one of the Best places in the world for the sport. Oranjestad the capital of the 19-mile-Long, self governing dutch Isle is a precious town with lots of shopping and services. The Faux canal House architecture is charming a for about five minutes a but it is essentially a tourist town there s even a shop called the tourist trap and culturally thin although there is the Museo Aruba no in the restored fort Zoutman and a Coin collection in the numismatic museum. Sint Nicolaas near the Southeast tip of the Island simmers with Street heat a unsavoury characters and barroom playing outrageously loud Jukebox music. Yet even after dark it s not threatening and is sort of intriguing. Visitors with their priorities in order seem to have no trouble negotiating an Aruba vacation. Some sleep a ii Day of the chaise and Gamble All night the More ambitious can climb to the top of Honiberg or the Haystack Aruba s landmark 541-foot-High Hill or Bike to the craggy North coast for a picnic. Just watch the roadsides for strolling goats and the occasional iguana. Mix is what it s about at Aruba. Dutch is the official language but English Spanish German and French Are a few of the local languages. The inhabitants of Spanish dutch and arawak Indian origin speak a charming patois called papiamento. And the cab Drivers bellhops waiters or Casino croupiers do not seem to have their hands petrified in the Quot Gimme Quot position. Service is often included in the Bill which is one of the reasons. The other is attitude the Rubans Are into the free and easy no problems tropical lifestyle. It s infectious. High Rise hotels form a Phalanx on Palm Beach and More hotels Are coming a big ramada at the South end and the Beta at the Northern tip though construction of Caribbean Island Isnit just a Day at the Beach both is currently on hold. Aruba s Economy has not stalled in the recession but growth has and the Island s 6,000 hotel rooms easily accommodate the current Market. The current jewel of the Palm Beach coast is the pastel Hyatt Regency which opened in late 1990. The Hyatt is spread Over 12.acres, All of which seem to he taken up by the spectacular lobby that is wide open to the offshore breezes. There Are private Tours such As Depalm Tours 3fa-hour Circle route around the Island for $15, Ideal for those not wishing the hassle of renting a car. But there s a lot to be said for Independence even on an Island. A Standard shift Toyota rented for $30 a Day i made straight for the Steamboat restaurant in Palm Beach to Load up on a $6.95 Buffet breakfast then aimed for the East end of the Island and Sint Nicolaas a real Sailor s town and die quiet Waters of baby Beach on die far Side of the old refinery. Two More neat destinations Are the natural Bridge and St. Anne s Church in the Village of Noord a Good half Day ramble by car. The Bridge on the North coast less than a 30-minute ride from town is a natural. Formation of Coral that overhangs the surf. Oilers can walk Down to the Beach beneath the Rock but do not be tempted to swim the currents Are Swift and treacherous. Equally inspiring is the Oak altar at St. Anne s Church. Hand carved in Neo gothic style in 1970, the intricate altar anchors the Interior of the Lemon yellow Church. The Cool airy space is inviting on a hot Day additional or of that Aruba is More than just a Day at the Beach. Sas Kathy Platt the Interior of Aruba is dry Dusty and desert like a a a of m f r a a m t / w \. It a a a a. It a. F Ini 4 $ 10 stripes Magazine january 28, 993