Note: Our voyage ended early, and the last port of call was to be Aruba, but plans kept changing. See my comments and links at the end of this blog for “the rest of the story.”

Because I have visited Aruba before, I decided to share my findings and impressions as well as research regarding enslaved people of the past. 

• The island’s slogan is One Happy Island.
• This 18 mile long island is a home for flamingos. Most are on the Renaissance Aruba Private Island. (Guests of the resort can enjoy watching them.)
• Aruba is a gay-friendly Caribbean destination. LGBTQIA+ folks are welcome to bring their pride with them on holiday. This is not the case on several Caribbean islands, and some have laws making it illegal to be other than cis-gender and “straight.”
• If you request a Balashi cocktail you will get a glass of water. Aruba’s drinking water is safe, and they are very proud of it. They proclaim it to be...