Aruba,
the Las Vegas of the Caribbean, is a stark contract to the other
islands of the Caribbean. Just off the coast of Venezuela, Aruba is
actually a
desert island complete with cactus and desert dunes. Its location allows
the island to enjoy very comfortable weather most of the time - and,
unlike on most tropical islands, you seldom need to carry an umbrella.
Popularity
of Aruba
Though the aridness
of the island discouraged settlement by the 16th and 17th century
Europeans (and the many subsequent conquests be warring nations), this
climatic aberration is probably responsible for generating the very
successful tourist industry. In fact, tourism grew so quickly that they
had to place a moratorium in effect to curtail further development before
it ruined the very features which help make the island so popular.
Bulletin:
Carnival
Season!
|
The Interior
The interior of the
island belies its tropical location. Vegetation is what you expect to find
in arid terrain. But there are a couple caves that are popular attractions
and jeep tours provide a painless way to view the interior.
Recreational
Activities
The
usual recreational activities are available, golf, tennis, horseback
riding, surfing, etc., but the main activity seems to be in the
casinos.
Casinos
There are about a
dozen well-equipped casinos offering the usual games of chance. One game
which is very popular is a form of poker called Caribbean Stud Poker. It
is so popular that it can now be played on a video machine. Some of the
more popular casinos include:
|
