As a fellow colour lover, I enjoyed seeing all the architecture in this beautiful place. Difficult to decide which building I liked best but I think it has to be the pink shopping centre. Food looked delicious too, especially the dessert. Worth the money I am sure. Thanks for all the information you gave us about the town, as usual👍. The art depicting the boy and the nurse doll is a copy of Banksy's art he released here in the U.K, Willie, after the pandemic, celebrating our NHS.😊
Cheers Sheila! Some very interesting architecture in Oranjestad. Growing up in South Africa, I am used to seeing Dutch colonial buildings and houses, but they are almost always white - certainly not the colourful touch as is the case in the Dutch Caribbean! I cannot choose between the Hawaii and the Picasso pancakes, they were both delicious and satisfying. I was really hungry so one was never going to cut it :) And thanks for providing the information about the boy with the nurse doll, I never even realised it was Banksy!
Willie I came across your channel by chance! I have lived in Aruba for almost 10 years, you are well read and tell an honest story! keep it up and if you ever come back send me a message and I will show you the real local life and other beautiful places! Greetings Rik
Hi Rik! What a wonderful message to receive, thank you very much for your support and your kind offer! I will definitely take you up on it if I'm ever back in beautiful Aruba. I would love to see more parts outside of Oranjestad as well. Really enjoyed reading up about One Happy Island! All the best, Willie
The buildings and colours are amazing to see, plus the history of the Island. I have to say the island time is experienced in the south Pacific Islands also. PLus New Zealand by its name also has a dutch influence from the Dutch Explorer Abel Tasman who discovered the New Zealand Islands. But it was the British Queen Victoria who signed a treaty with our Maori people. Thank you once again Willie for an amazing tour of a beautiful part of the world. . .Kiwi from Virginia
Amazing to think how far the Dutch influence stretch Swanoaks! Glad you enjoyed this video - my absolute pleasure - and thank you so much for your wonderful continuous support and encouragement!
Treaties and battles and more! Torres Tasman and Cook crossed paths and blazed trails and explored in Australia and all parts known....so we americans are looking to Mars . . .or maybe a mars bar! Luv from california, cheers
Thanks for another interesting and informative vlog. Most people visit Aruba and just go airport-palm beach-airport and never learn about the place and it’s history. Did you do this on a Sunday morning cause there’s no one around town?
Hi David, thanks for watching! Glad you found it informative. This was actually shot on a Monday - my previous vlog of Aruba was done on a Sunday where I explore the beaches, hoping that the Monday would be busier when all (most of) the shops are open! But as you rightly observe, it still seemed relatively quiet in terms of people (definitely not cars though!)
Betico Croes is considered as the "liberator" of Aruba, he has a plaza dedicated to him not too far away from the main street. As part of his fight for Aruba, the island was meant to become independent 10 years after breaking away from the Antilles, however subsequent governments chickened out and the idea was scrapped. While there are some good arguments against Aruban independence, like Venezuela being right there and sometimes acts unfriendly towards others and Suriname going through dictatorship and violence after their independence, it's worth noting that while the population was asked in a referendum if they wanted to break away from the Dutch Antilles (95%+ voted for yes) the same was not done when it came to the question of going through with independence or not.
Oranjestad looks very colourful, I love it! How is Aruba for tourist/souvenir prices? I know you mentioned it isn't really cheap. Is it expensive like Iceland expensive? Also curious how the climate compares to Tunisia, which one is hotter? Great video as always! I'm a bit behind, catching up tonight :) Side note, love the Landshark chair lol
Certainly no lack of colour in this part of the world! Re prices - I'm actually going to put up a separate video in due course about prices / how much things cost in Aruba. Let's just say Iceland is a unique destination when it comes to price in general... As for the climate and comparisons to Tunisia - I can't really comment as I visited Tunisia during the end of autumn (fall) / beginning of winter, but I really struggled with the weather in Aruba. Maybe that was because I was filming and talking, which was not something I've done before in this kind of heat. I'm sure that if I didn't walk the distances I did and didn't constantly talk into a camera, that the heat would have been more bearable. Also, the wind makes a big difference to the overall feel - without it it would feel even hotter! Mate, that Landshark chair is right up your alley! :D
Fascinating to see these places off the beaten track. Love your history and informative approach
Cheers for the kind words! I enjoy reading up and learning about new places so the pleasure is all mine!
Another wonderful walk with Willie! Thanks for sharing!
Cheers Jim! Hope all is well is Tucson!
That hotel is decorated beautifully at Christmas!
Hi Jamie, I am sure it will be! What a wonderful and intriguing destination
As a fellow colour lover, I enjoyed seeing all the architecture in this beautiful place. Difficult to decide which building I liked best but I think it has to be the pink shopping centre. Food looked delicious too, especially the dessert. Worth the money I am sure. Thanks for all the information you gave us about the town, as usual👍. The art depicting the boy and the nurse doll is a copy of Banksy's art he released here in the U.K, Willie, after the pandemic, celebrating our NHS.😊
Cheers Sheila! Some very interesting architecture in Oranjestad. Growing up in South Africa, I am used to seeing Dutch colonial buildings and houses, but they are almost always white - certainly not the colourful touch as is the case in the Dutch Caribbean! I cannot choose between the Hawaii and the Picasso pancakes, they were both delicious and satisfying. I was really hungry so one was never going to cut it :) And thanks for providing the information about the boy with the nurse doll, I never even realised it was Banksy!
These is a really beutiful iceland Aruba thanks for sharing you
You are most welcome! And thank you for watching and supporting my channel!
Willie I came across your channel by chance! I have lived in Aruba for almost 10 years, you are well read and tell an honest story! keep it up and if you ever come back send me a message and I will show you the real local life and other beautiful places! Greetings Rik
Hi Rik! What a wonderful message to receive, thank you very much for your support and your kind offer! I will definitely take you up on it if I'm ever back in beautiful Aruba. I would love to see more parts outside of Oranjestad as well. Really enjoyed reading up about One Happy Island! All the best, Willie
Hey man i stumbled upon your channel accidentaly and i really like your content you got yourself a new subscriber 🙂👍
Greetings from Canada
What a wonderful message to receive, thank you! Really pleased that you enjoy my content. Happy exploring :)
Very educational thank u
Thank you so much for watching and supporting my channel :)
Beautiful place beautiful and bright 🥰
It was such a privilege to visit this beautiful island and its capital! Thank you for watching and for leaving a comment, it is much appreciated :)
Very beautiful place and inspiring interesting stuff and facts essential for travelling thanks
My pleasure, as always! Thanks for exploring with me :)
The buildings and colours are amazing to see, plus the history of the Island. I have to say the island time is experienced in the south Pacific Islands also. PLus New Zealand by its name also has a dutch influence from the Dutch Explorer Abel Tasman who discovered the New Zealand Islands. But it was the British Queen Victoria who signed a treaty with our Maori people. Thank you once again Willie for an amazing tour of a beautiful part of the world. . .Kiwi from Virginia
Amazing to think how far the Dutch influence stretch Swanoaks! Glad you enjoyed this video - my absolute pleasure - and thank you so much for your wonderful continuous support and encouragement!
Thanks for always taking us along on your adventures, Willie Explore! Great to see you're almost at the big 3K!
Small steps my friend! Cheers for your continuous support :)
Treaties and battles and more!
Torres Tasman and Cook crossed paths and blazed trails and explored in Australia and all parts known....so we americans are looking to Mars . . .or maybe a mars bar! Luv from california, cheers
Going to Mars to do a vlog...now there is an idea! Thanks for watching :)
Get a ride with Elon Musk perhaps? Space race with Jeff- Richard-Elon (just want a mars bar)
The light blue building at 44:20 used to be a police station.
Thanks for sharing this Jeff! Much appreciated
Thanks for another interesting and informative vlog. Most people visit Aruba and just go airport-palm beach-airport and never learn about the place and it’s history. Did you do this on a Sunday morning cause there’s no one around town?
Hi David, thanks for watching! Glad you found it informative. This was actually shot on a Monday - my previous vlog of Aruba was done on a Sunday where I explore the beaches, hoping that the Monday would be busier when all (most of) the shops are open! But as you rightly observe, it still seemed relatively quiet in terms of people (definitely not cars though!)
Betico Croes is considered as the "liberator" of Aruba, he has a plaza dedicated to him not too far away from the main street. As part of his fight for Aruba, the island was meant to become independent 10 years after breaking away from the Antilles, however subsequent governments chickened out and the idea was scrapped.
While there are some good arguments against Aruban independence, like Venezuela being right there and sometimes acts unfriendly towards others and Suriname going through dictatorship and violence after their independence, it's worth noting that while the population was asked in a referendum if they wanted to break away from the Dutch Antilles (95%+ voted for yes) the same was not done when it came to the question of going through with independence or not.
Very interesting, thanks for sharing! And thank you for watching my videos, the support is really appreciated :)
I'm interested in leaving the USA and Aruba is top on my list...
Cheers for watching Scott :)
Oranjestad looks very colourful, I love it! How is Aruba for tourist/souvenir prices? I know you mentioned it isn't really cheap. Is it expensive like Iceland expensive? Also curious how the climate compares to Tunisia, which one is hotter? Great video as always! I'm a bit behind, catching up tonight :)
Side note, love the Landshark chair lol
Seeing Ceres must have made you feel like I did when I saw Tim Hortons in the Philippines lol Always nice to see a shop or brand from home.
Certainly no lack of colour in this part of the world! Re prices - I'm actually going to put up a separate video in due course about prices / how much things cost in Aruba. Let's just say Iceland is a unique destination when it comes to price in general...
As for the climate and comparisons to Tunisia - I can't really comment as I visited Tunisia during the end of autumn (fall) / beginning of winter, but I really struggled with the weather in Aruba. Maybe that was because I was filming and talking, which was not something I've done before in this kind of heat. I'm sure that if I didn't walk the distances I did and didn't constantly talk into a camera, that the heat would have been more bearable. Also, the wind makes a big difference to the overall feel - without it it would feel even hotter!
Mate, that Landshark chair is right up your alley! :D
@@LandsharkTravels 100%!!!
Willie nog n Mooi Toer! Groete
Dankie Tosca, hierdie eilande is baie interessant. Groete
I have never seen Aruba so empty. We go in winter. The place will be packed.
Yep it was a quiet day in the capital. I am sure it can get quite chaotic!
I will say … don’t go on Sunday… most things are closed .
Unless you want to avoid the crowds and just drift! Thanks for watching :)
We couldn't even see the People of Aruba..
@@zulu_mafia it was a quiet day my friend.