Oranjestad (Dutch colonial like Bonaire) is Aruba’s largest port and the island’s capital offering of course the best shopping experience on its main street plus enjoy the sights of the colourful markets and the impressive Dutch colonial buildings. Aruba is 20 miles long located in the southern Caribbean and lies north of Venezuela and east of Colombia.After breakfast we met up with our American friends at the base of the gangway of the ship and they advised us of the best sites to see. Aruba countryside is much like Bonaire arid, dry lots of cacti and diving/snorkelling sites on the west side of the island. Jumped on a local open air colourful banana bus with tourists from the three cruise ships in port. Normal tour of the capital and airport, passed through rich and poorer areas of the island many colourful homes. Very barren like being in a desert of cacti, rocks and scrub with wind sweep divi divi trees.First stop was to view in the distance Cero Jamanota (188m) the highest mountain on the island in the Arikok National Park then 30 minutes at Ayo and Casibari rock formations shaped by boulders, some the size of small houses. Steep climb through the rocks to the top for a view across the island. All you see nearly everywhere is shrub covered landscape, cacti and bent over divi divi trees. Next highlight was a drive to the top north end of Aruba to the California Lighthouse named after the steamship California, which sank of the coast in 1891. Views of the island and beaches.Drove back down the west coast where all the tourist hotels, Casino’s and villas are on the “best beaches in the world”. Just looked like any other island with white sand, palm trees and turquoise water. A good dive spot is the Antilla which sank in WWII and is one of the Caribbean’s biggest shipwrecks. It lies at a depth of 55 feet it attracts hundreds of breeds of striking tropical fish, while many parts of the ship are overgrown with sponges and other marine plants. Richard would have loved to go for a dive there.Continued passed Palm and Eagle beaches where everyone is either para-sailing, on jet-skis, doing a bit of snorkelling or just sunbaking. A lot of the tourists got off the bus at De Palm Beach (two hours stay) but we continued on the bus back to the Port to explore downtown. Just a lot of expensive duty free tourist traps that don’t interest us.The other restaurants on-board we haven’t tried purely because of my IBS, as I don’t want to become sick due to rich sauces, any trace of wheat, dairy or preservatives. Plain old steam vegetables, white meat or fish suits us any day.Ventured down to the Atrium early to watch the String Trio playing classical music then the juggling team of Rootberry (really good including the sword swallowing) and lastly the Mardi Gras Dixieland Jazz Band playing. Nice to see all the old rockers get up and dance.