"One Happy Island!!" The Sights It doesn't take long to drive around this small island and it's a fabulous way to spend a day. There are a lot of ship wrecks in the waters and scuba diving is really popular. The Antilla is an old WWII wreck and is a great diving spot. We'll try to give you a little culture and history on this page of some of the great sights on this island...don't say we never teach you anything! History Aruba was discovered in 1499 by the Spaniard Alonso de Ojeda. Throughout the swashbuckling colonial era that followed, the island had its share of visits by pirates and buccaneers. In 1636 near the culmination of the 80 Year War between Spain and Holland, the Dutch took possession. There was an interregnum from 1805 to 1816 during the Napoleonic Wars and the English assumed control. In 1816 the Dutch returned. In 1824 the greatest treasure of all was discovered - gold! Now Aruba had its first industry and the mines yielded until it became uneconomic and was discontinued in 1916. But is was black gold that brought real prosperity. 1924 was probably the most important year in the island's history. Two oil refineries were built; the Eagle Oil Refinery on the west side of the island, and the Lago Oil & Transport Company on the east side of the island. The next industry to bring further prosperity was tourism. Cruise ships were the main source of visitors until 1959 when the first luxury hotel was opened. Over the years 28 additional hotels were the backbone of the island's economy. During the 1950's, the Eagle Oil Company was dismantled and ceased to exist. On March 31, 1985 Exxon closed the refinery due to reduced world-wide demand for oil and oversupply of refining capacity. Aruba is seeking new approaches for the development and diversification of its economy. After 1986, the government has emphasized on the tourism industry and has tripled the amount of hotel rooms. In the last years, Aruba's tourism has shown a constant increase. On April 20, 1991, the Coastal Oil Company reopened the refinery. Coupled with the booming tourism industry, it provides Aruba with one of the highest standards of living in the Caribbean. A variety of attractive fiscal incentives are offered to encourage the establishment of new industrial enterprises, tourism projects and off-shore companies. View from the lighthouse View from the lighthouse The California Point Lighthouse on the most Northern tip of the island View from the lighthouse restaurant Contrasting vegetation & scenery Bushiribana Ruins In 1872 the Aruba Island Goldmining Company Ltd. built a large smelting works at Bushiribana on the North coast, for the gold that was being mined at Seroe Plat and in its surroundings. The smelting works was in use for only ten years, but its construction was so solid, that ruins remain at the North coast and are still quite impressive. The Natural Pool The huge granite boulders found in abundance at Ayo The bar at the Natural Bridge The Natural Bridge Natural Bridge The Caribbean's highest and most dramatic coral structure, the largest of eight on the island, was carved over the centuries by the pounding sea and forms an arch measuring over 100 feet long standing 23 feet above sea level. Chapel Of Alto Vista Built by Spanish missionary Domingo Antonio Silvestre and known as the Pilgrim's Church. This restored chapel dates back to 1750. The winding road with crosses marking the stations of the cross. Bubali Bird Sanctuary Two connected man-made lakes provide sanctuary for more than eighty species of migratory birds including egrets, herons and cormorants, coots, gulls, skimmers, terns, and ducks. Arawak National Park Long before the Spanish arrived, Caquetio Indians of the Arawak tribe settled on the Paraguana peninsula in Venezuela (where we live now). Threatened by the Carib Indians who were extremely ferocious (and who we think are our neighbours now), they came to the Island of Aruba perhaps as long as 4000 years ago. Today, many names of towns and other geographical areas such as Turibana, Guadirikiri, Camacuri, Andicuri and Bushiri, originate from the earliest Indian chiefs and warrior settlers. Protected entrance to the cave at Ayo Arawak cave paintings at the Ayo cave Cave paintings at Arikok Back to Venezuela! More Aruba Fun! If you're too cheap to send me a message WITH a bottle then feel free to click the bottle and write it in my GUESTBOOK! You are listening to: Kokomo - The Beach Boys