Monday of our week long trip in Aruba, we headed out on a Jeep tour with ABC Tours.
One of the best parts about this tour is that they will pick you up from your hotel or apartment!
Once we all loaded in, we headed out for our adventure! The drive was beautiful!
Once we got there, they gave us information about the Natural Bridge and other interesting facts about Aruba. Then we had about 20 minutes to walk around and explore!
The staff with ABC Tours was amazing and always willing to take pictures. Since we had such a large group, they had to use two jeeps. The drivers on both never made us feel like we were missing part of our crew. They always included everyone!
Near the Natural Bridge was a gift shop and a small bar with food and drinks. They sold a variety of things including souvenirs and pastechi. Pastechi is what many people in Aruba have for breakfast! It is a lightly fried pastry filled with cheese or ham.
After this we drove over to the Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins.
Built in 1845 and operated for 10 years. The island of Aruba eventually produced more than 3 million pounds of gold!
Across from the ruins were hundreds of cairns (small piles of stones stacked together). We see them all the time hiking!
After this, we headed over to Alto Vista Chapel. The drive was beautiful.
Alto Vista Chapel is a small Catholic chapel that was built in 1952. The original was built in 1750 when the Catholic Christian faith started to be spread across the island by a gentleman from Venezuela.
Shockingly, Aruba is a desert island. Of course, when we went to Aruba they had one of the rainiest seasons! Here is Aaron and I in front of a huge cactus.
Our tour guide, Big G, said this is the greenest he has ever seen the island. I guess we got to experience Aruba in a rare form. Following the chapel, we headed to the California Lighthouse. The California Lighthouse was named after the ship S.S. California which sunk in 1910.
At multiple stops, there are local vendors selling smoothies and other goodies to enjoy! This one had a parrot!
Faro Blanco Restaurant sits right next to the lighthouse. It is known for having excellent Italian food. We enjoyed their photo stand-in.
After this we headed back to the ABC Tours headquarters where they provide lunch. The food was delicious and the servers were very friendly.
Once they realized we were celebrating our engagement, they brought us a special little dessert!
Then we drove to Arikok National Park.
On the way there we saw Little Aruba as they call it.
Here we were able to explore Conchi, the Natural pool. We have many more photos on our friends Go Pro that we have not been able to organize yet, so here are a few.
Then we drove to Fontein Cave which is a limestone cave. Inside there are pictographs and graffiti left by Arawak people and early Europeans.
There were natural Garra rufa, known as doctor fish, under a small bridge that we were able to enjoy.
The highlight of the trip for Aaron was underneath the pavilion in the parking lot where 3 boas were relaxing. None of us could believe it. Boas are not native to the island and they are starting to ruin the lives of native animals. They allow people to kill wild boas in hopes to save other animals. Thankfully, Aaron and Chris were able to hold 2 of them!
Our last stop on the tour was Baby Beach. On the way there we passed the Aruba Jail, probably one of the most beautiful views from the jail cells! Also, lots of goats!
This Beach is one of the less traveled to beaches and the water is beautiful. You can also order food and drinks at the little restaurant there.
By this time of the trip Lauren, Brad’s girlfriend, and I were feeling the full effects of our cold and getting back in the water was the last thing either of us wanted to do.
After Baby Beach we took the drive home back to Noord. I was absolutely exhausted between having a cold and being so busy all day. I headed to bed early. A few people went out to Hadicurari for dinner!
Seeing the island with ABC Tours was absolutely amazing and we all recommend booking the full day tour with them. It was totally worth it and they were all so knowledgeable about the island. They offer smaller tours and razor riding, but with such a big group this was perfect! We can’t say enough good things about ABC Tours! Naturally, we came home to our little kitty!
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