I never knew that king size beds were a possibility in a cruise cabin. It is pretty much wall to wall bed. However, it is very comfortable. Our inner cabin is dark and quiet and the gentle rocking allows for sleep to come quickly.
When we went to breakfast, Rob announced that he was getting Eggs Benedict. I asked where he saw that. “Right in the middle of the page.”
“I don’t see it. Show me.” And I handed him my menu.
Ironically we had two different menus. We asked our puzzled waiter which one was for this morning. Rob was the winner.
History of the Wristwatch
Before we disembarked, they had a “seminar” which really means they want to sell you something, but this topic sounded interesting.
Before the 16th century, time was measured by the sun, moon, constellations, and hourglasses.
In the 16th century, pocket watches emerged as the first portable timekeeping devices, elaborately crafted with intricate gears. They
were carried in pockets and were a symbol of precision and status.
Toward the late 19th century, watchmakers began attaching straps to pocket watches. This transformation led to the birth of wristwatches that were initially worn by women as fashionable accessories.
World War I played a significant role in popularizing wristwatches. Soldiers found them more practical than pocket watches in combat. The convenience of wristwatches led to increased demand. In 1933, a wristwatch was military issue.
The first watches were mechanical ones that had to be wound. Then there were automatic watches that self wound with movement. And now, batteries are used.
Many high end watches are Swiss made such as Tissot which started as a pocket watch.
Longines is the oldest wristwatch maker that began in 1832. Today divers and pilots use them. Gold and diamonds in these watches are loved by women.
After hearing this presentation, I want to learn more about the pocket watch that belonged to my Grandpa when I get home. The watchmaker told me that a watch that is over 20 years old and less than 100 years old is vintage and if it is over 100 years old, it is antique and very valuable.
Aruba
We arrived in Aruba at 1:00pm. We had a four-hour Best of Aruba tour at 2:00pm.
The original founders of Aruba came from South America 3,000 years ago. In 1499 Spaniards arrived to claim the island, and they lost Aruba in 1636 to Holland.
Oranjestad is a Dutch word meaning Orange City. It is located in the southwest part of the island and is the capital of Aruba. Aruba has one of the highest standards of living in the Caribbean region and a low unemployment rate.
Aruba is 19½ miles long and 6 miles wide. It is the smallest of the ABC islands at 90 square miles. Aruba is located 16 miles north of Venezuela and 800 miles north of the equator. The tallest building on the island is the cruise ship … today.
At one point, two-thirds of the island was covered in aloe vera fields, and Aruba became the largest exporter of aloe in the world. The industry continues today, though on a smaller scale.
The population of Aruba is 120,000. Everyone knows everyone and gossip travels faster than social media.
Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion in Aruba followed by approximately 75% of the population.
While Dutch is the sole language for all administrative and legal matters, Papiamento is the predominant language used in Aruba. It was officially recognized in 2003 but has existed for 400 years and originated in Curacao. Spanish has been spoken here for 200 years. English is used for tourism.
In 1986 Aruba established autonomy but is still under Dutch rule. Dutch Antilles aka ABC islands are one government and have one election.
They have a Dutch passport. Education is in the Dutch language. After high school, one will go to Holland for college. King William Alexander will loan the money and when one is finished, they pay him back.
- Blue represents the ocean
- Yellow represents industry
- 1824 gold
- 1879 phosphate
- 1890 aloe vera
- 1927 the Lago oil refinery was the biggest in the world at that time it was built. Currently it is owned by Citco.
- 1934 tourism; the first airport opened
- White outlining the star represents the white smooth soft sand. This is actually parrotfish poop. They eats coral and poops sand. Parrotfish are protected to maintain the beaches.
- Red Star in the top left corner represents the love for the island.
One
- Aruba has one National Park called Arikok. It is in the center of the island and makes up 24% of Aruba and contains highest point.
- Aruba has one airport.
- The only working lighthouse on the island is the California Lighthouse.
- Aruba has only one season: summer.
- It is rainy from November to the first week of of January. Aruba is a desert island with only 28″ big rain. When it does rain, the wind sends it west over the ocean.
- In a storm, the wind blows from east to west. Since they are in the south Caribbean, Aruba has never been hit by a hurricane.
- The hottest time is June to November. When there isn’t a breeze, it is very hot.
Aruba is bad in sports but Arubans love to watch them. However, Carnivale is huge in Aruba. It was first celebrated in 1954 and runs from January 1 until the last week in February.
Aruba has the most roundabouts per capita in the world and no stoplights.
Divi Divi trees are primarily located on the Caribbean island of Aruba. They are also found on Curaçao and Bonaire.
Drinking water is from desalination of ocean water so the supply is unlimited. However, it is very expensive since one has to buy it from the company named Web also supplies the electricity.
Aruba has a problem with boa constrictors. They are not native. In 1999 a Colombian brought a snake to the island. One measured 49 feet long. It is devastating the local wildlife.
Santa Nero is a native snake that is similar to a garter snake.
The locals eat iguana. They say that it tastes like chicken.
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