New Years - in the Sun

After celebrating New Years in Brazil last year (2010-2011), which was a pivotal turning point in my experience there, I decided that never again will I celebrate New Years in the cold.  Having celebrated the previous calendar changes in New York City and Chicago, I was more than happy to take in the sun and beaches of Morro de Sao Paulo last year.  True to my decision, I rang in 2012 in Aruba.  I know, my life is dreadfully difficult.

Luckily I have one of the best travel companions a person could ask for.  My great friend Katie is always up for an adventure, even a lazy, sun drenched, beach adventure.  Really it was more like a week long nap than an adventure... but regardless it was great.  Pictures are always better than words - enjoy.

Lazing on the beach - picture this for about 5 of the 7 days

Taking in the view at Baby Beach on the south tip of the Island

Katie perched on one of the native trees.  The wind is always blowing east to west, constantly.  As such, the trees start to lean and grow in accordance with the breeze.

Local wildlife.... goats.

Aruba's going green!!

LOL - I think it is hilarious that Aruba puts a Pareto chart of their traffic fatalities at key intersections... way to go on that reduction!!

Katie, perched upon a boulder, this time in front of the California Lighthouse on the northern tip of the island.

In front of the lighthouse.  It was a nice 2 mile walk for us which was a welcome break from lazing on the beach.

Mariza, Katie, and I watching the fireworks!!  Mariza is a CouchSurfer that we met up who was incredibly helpful and fun.  She made sure we had prime firework viewing spots!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!  Joyous 2012 to everyone!

Our fireworks viewing perch (Katie perches a lot it seems).  This is the 10th floor balcony of one of the huge hotels on the island.  Mariza helped us "sneak" up as we were not guests... but being Americans, we blended in without issue.

This is the east coast of the island, very rocky and rough.  Aruba is also a very arid island so most of the native vegetation is small brush and cacti.  The palm trees are brought in for the tourists on the west coast where the beaches are sandy white. 

We hiked through the National Park to this secluded natural pool.  We got up early to beat the tour groups who come on ATVs and horseback.  It was just us for almost an hour!!

That's me!!

Katie also took to climbing all over the rocks, albeit she did not brave the water to go swimming... it was so much fun!!

We took windsurfing lessons on our last day.  That's me rocking out!!

Oh yeah!!!  That is how you harness the power of the wind!

Check out Katie's perfect form!  Windsurfing is surprisingly simple (at first).  After 2 hours we were standing, moving, turning, and not falling... all at about 4mph.  Hey, it was a start!

On the bus!  A trip just isn't worth taking if you avoid public transportation...

Sunset on our last night... Paraglider slowly moving across the sky - beautiful

Showing off my sunburned left arm as we watch the sun dip behind the horizon.

7 days of relaxation.  7 days of going to bed early and getting up late.  Of reading and napping.  Of alternating between 10 minutes in the sun to 50 minutes in the shade.  7 days of SPF 50 applied multiple times a day.  7 days of catching up with a great friend, laughing at everything, and taking time to just breath.  

Katie and I are already planning the next big trip... Turkey 2013 perhaps... maybe sooner!

Happy New Year to everyone, may it be joyous and memorable for all the right reasons.