Oransjestad, Aruba January 14

Oransjestad Aruba January 14.

Aruba, is currently a constituted nation of the Kingdom of Netherlands and gained their autonomy in 1986. The island nation is just 18 miles off the coast of Venezuela.

This is the first port of call at this journey that we have actually visited before. This time we decided to do something completely different, and had booked tickets to the Atlantis Submarine experience. 

This submarine is not yellow, but wow we had fun!!

Diving down to 130 feet we got a fantastic close up view of the exotic marine life. Colourful tropical fish, coral fields and even a sunken ship wreck. The crew were also amazing sharing jokes and fun all the way.

After this we walked a little bit around in the city, and I remembered that the last time we been here I seen beautiful butterflies in frames at the market. I don`t normally buy lots of souverneries, but I love butterflies and had a plan to buy it this time. When we came to the market, and I seen the butterflies in the frame I just realized why I did not buy it the last time. They are beautiful, but they are not meant to be in a frame on the wall but free flying around sharing their beauty. So I could not buy it this time either.

We had a great day, but it was hot and warm as it is in the Caribbean. Back at the ship we enjoyed the sail away party as we set off to the next highlight on this cruise, the crossing of the Panama Canal. 

Ayo (Goodbye)

Next the crossing of the Panama Canal

Barbados, Bridgetown January 11 and 12.

Bridgetown Barbados January 11. and 12.   

This is our very first visit to the tropical island Barbados, and we loved it. 

Barbados is a former English colony who became an independent state in 1966, but commonwealth realm retaining Queen Elisabeth 2 as head of state.

First day we went to Boatyard beach, and the sand is amazing. Water is warm, and the sun is burning. 

We started with going out with a glass boat to snorkle at at wreck and look for turtles.

Unfortunately the boys did not see anything as they can not swim yet, but the girls and I seen turtles and beautiful fish.

We spent most at the day at the beach, and at the sunbed next to us was a nice American woman talking few words in Norwegian to us as her mother is born in Norway and later moved to New York. 

We spent the entire day at the beach, and truly had a great time. Sunbathing, kids playing football, relaxed and good life.

Next day when we entered a taxi with a group of Mormones from Utah, and one of them also spoke Norwegian with us, since he had been travelling around in Norway. Sometimes the world is really small, but most of the time I think the world is huge.We went to a mall (Limegrove), and on the way there we passed Rihanna`s house, and even though we seen her live  in Norway at the Nobel prize concert a couple of years ago, we had no idea she actually comes from Barbados.

Limegrove mall is nice and clean, but the shops were mostly Gucci and it`s like so the most interesting for us was a cafe with internet. Most of the time it is actually good to be disconnected to internet, as we probably all use it too much, but I can promise you we are all happy when we are able to read the news, stay connected to friends and for the kids to watch their favorite cartoons.

We walked to a nearby beach, but the waves where to big this day to go swimming. We sat at a beach cafe talking with locals. Most of the locals we met during these two days would not even consider to move anywhere else. We take that as a confirmation that life is good at Barbados. We for sure enjoyed our first visit, and will be happy to come back another time.

Next stop Aruba.