Which one to skip?

[Busybears]

We'll be in Aruba from 1 pm to 11 pm in January for the 1st time. We are trying to finalize a 3-hour tour with Bully starting at 1:30 pm, and have the following:

• Natural Bridge
  
• Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins
  
• Arikok National Park
  
• Ayo Rock Formation
  
• Donkey Sanctuary
  
• Ostrich Farm
  
• California lighthouse
  

Can we hit all of them in 3 hours? :confused: If not, any idea which one to skip (not worth spending time)? Or did I miss anything that we really should be seeing instead? At the end of the tour, we are hoping to be dropped off at Boca Catalina for some swimming/snorkeling then catch the bus back to the ship. Is that doable?

 

Your help is greatly appreciated!!! Thank you in advance!! :)

[Arubalisa]

Bully could guide you on time.

 

If I had to drop something it would be

Ostrich Farm (Imo :o, a bit of a tourist trap)

 

The gold mill ruins will be on the way to Natural bridge.

 

Donkey Sanctuary hours are Mon - Fri 9 am - 4 pm and Sat-Sun 10am - 3pm so will hopefully fit within your plans.

[mytime53]

We did a tour our first time to Aruba... here are a couple of my thoughts, and a link to descriptions and some pictures of some of the sights: http://www.aruba-travelguide.com/sights/index.html#arikok

 

Natural Bridge--well, it was a scenic natural wonder, being so large, but now it has collapsed. Pretty area, but you live on the coast of California, so it wouldn't be as special to you as to someone say from the plains states.

 

Donkey Sanctuary--There must be something special about this place, or so many people wouldn't go (it wasn't included in our tour). But I would like to be enlightened; donkeys are found all over the world, and are included in most children's petting zoos. I think it's great that they're being taken care of, but unless "animal shelters around the world" are on your bucket list, why do people include this on a tour of an island that many have traveled thousands of miles to see?

 

Arikok Nat'l Park--my kind of site--history and nature all rolled into one.

[canadarocks]

We'll be in Aruba from 1 pm to 11 pm in January for the 1st time. We are trying to finalize a 3-hour tour with Bully starting at 1:30 pm

 

I can't answer your question, but I'll be reading the answers and hopefully you'll post after you return. Because we are doing the exact same thing with Bully in March and your list of things to see is the same as mine! :cool:

[gargoyle999]

Donkey Sanctuary--There must be something special about this place, or so many people wouldn't go (it wasn't included in our tour). But I would like to be enlightened; donkeys are found all over the world, and are included in most children's petting zoos. I think it's great that they're being taken care of, but unless "animal shelters around the world" are on your bucket list, why do people include this on a tour of an island that many have traveled thousands of miles to see?

 

I was born in WI and now live in MN. Not too many donkeys around these parts and not available to pet in the local zoos either.

 

I'm going 'cause I really like feeding animals when I get a chance and I've never fed a donkey before. Doing something that I've never done before sounds like fun to me. How else am I going to feed a donkey unless I do it while on vacation?? :confused:

 

Plus I'll still have time to hit one or two snorkel spots which I guess I should stop doing because I've done that in so many other places. :rolleyes:

[Arubalisa]

If I am going to teach my teenage daughter about the history of Aruba, the donkeys are part of the culture and history of the island.

 

It also doesn't hurt that the sanctuary is a nice diversion from the beach for a couple of hours

 

It is run solely by volunteers. Our family would rather support them and their organization. These volunteers are saving the island's donkey population from extinction. We choose to support them rather than say pay admission to the "for profit" Ostrich Farm. ;)

[mytime53]

If I am going to teach my teenage daughter about the history of Aruba, the donkeys are part of the culture and history of the island.

 

It also doesn't hurt that the sanctuary is a nice diversion from the beach for a couple of hours

 

It is run solely by volunteers. Our family would rather support them and their organization. These volunteers are saving the island's donkey population from extinction. We choose to support them rather than say pay admission to the "for profit" Ostrich Farm. ;)

 

Thank you--I was really trying to word my question so that it didn't sound sarcastic--I truly was curious about the reasoning behind people's visits, and wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something that if I could have found more information on, I might have wanted to visit. I appreciate your answer.

 

Now I have another question that maybe you know the answer to, or might become curious about and ask on your next visit: Since the number of animals is growing, I'm wondering if the increase is planned carefully, or if nature is just allowed to take its course. If the latter, then when does saving them from dying out become a problem of too many donkeys to take care of?

[Arubalisa]

Now I have another question that maybe you know the answer to, or might become curious about and ask on your next visit: Since the number of animals is growing, I'm wondering if the increase is planned carefully, or if nature is just allowed to take its course. If the latter, then when does saving them from dying out become a problem of too many donkeys to take care of?

Good question. I am really not sure if they are at the point where they have to begin neutering yet or not.

There are about 100 donkeys on the island and of those, 2 herds of roaming wild donkeys. Their goal is to eventually take these donkeys into the sanctuary as well.

The wild ones biggest predators are motor vehicles and mistreatment by humans, there is still a fairly large mortality rate.

If you are on Facebook you can see some of their work at http://www.facebook.com/donkey.sanctuary.aruba

[mytime53]

Good question. I am really not sure if they are at the point where they have to begin neutering yet or not.

There are about 100 donkeys on the island and of those, 2 herds of roaming wild donkeys. Their goal is to eventually take these donkeys into the sanctuary as well.

The wild ones biggest predators are motor vehicles and mistreatment by humans, there is still a fairly large mortality rate.

If you are on Facebook you can see some of their work at http://www.facebook.com/donkey.sanctuary.aruba

 

If I remember I'll look it up next week when I get home. Right now I'm in a small (population about 100) fishing village, 1/2 way through a 2 week sub. teaching job. Due to bandwidth and other issues, I can't get on Facebook from here!

"biggest predators are motor vehicles": When you say this, do you mean people hit them on purpose? We have a high fatality rate of moose from collisions with autos, but only a moron would hit one on purpose, as that could easily result in the human's fatality, also (and certainly cause major damage to the vehicle)!

[Arubalisa]

No they are not hit intentionally, same as the animals struck by vehicles in the U.S. :( The wild donkeys on the island are losing their habit to construction on the island. :(

 

Abuse of animals is the same problem in Aruba as it is elsewhere due to people who are not, let's just say "right in the mind". :rolleyes: :mad:

[roysue]

Our group did an organized tour last year that included the California Lighthouse, the site of the Natural Bridge (also where a new bridge is forming, the Ostrich Farm, the rock formations. We are a bunch of pretty active 50 somethings. We loved the Ostrich Farm. Even though it is a commerical endeavor, we had some wonderful experiences there. We were able to hand feed the birds and also see some young birds. We learned about the ostrich and why they have become so popular. This was a great non-beach experience!

[canadarocks]

I've booked a three hour tour with Bully (1:45 - 4:45 PM) and I've asked him to take us to both the Donkey Sanctuary and the Ostrich Farm.

 

What else is do-able and a "must see" in that time frame? :confused:

[LynneL]

Could I get to Arikok National Park, as well as a couple of sites, on a 2 hr. tour or would 3 hr. be required. Also, is there a fee for entrance into the Ostrich farm?

[Busybears]

Time flies!! We'll be visiting Aruba in less than 3 weeks!! I think Bully said for 3 hours, we can visit the folloiwing:

 

Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins

Arikok National Park

Ayo Rock Formation

Donkey Sanctuary

California lighthouse

 

We really want to see Arikok but due to the short timeframe, we are skipping Natural Bridges and Ostrich Farm. Not sure if we can squeeze in something else.

[canadarocks]

Time flies!! We'll be visiting Aruba in less than 3 weeks!! I think Bully said for 3 hours, we can visit the folloiwing:

 

Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins

Arikok National Park

Ayo Rock Formation

Donkey Sanctuary

California lighthouse

 

We really want to see Arikok but due to the short timeframe, we are skipping Natural Bridges and Ostrich Farm. Not sure if we can squeeze in something else.

 

Please let us know what you end up seeing, as I have a 3 hour tour booked as well. Thanks!

[BroncosFan2010]

We'll be in Aruba from 1 pm to 11 pm in January for the 1st time. We are trying to finalize a 3-hour tour with Bully starting at 1:30 pm, and have the following:

• Natural Bridge
  
• Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins
  
• Arikok National Park
  
• Ayo Rock Formation
  
• Donkey Sanctuary
  
• Ostrich Farm
  
• California lighthouse
  

Can we hit all of them in 3 hours? :confused: If not, any idea which one to skip (not worth spending time)? Or did I miss anything that we really should be seeing instead? At the end of the tour, we are hoping to be dropped off at Boca Catalina for some swimming/snorkeling then catch the bus back to the ship. Is that doable?

 

Your help is greatly appreciated!!! Thank you in advance!! :)

 

Natural bridge collapsed years ago, I would skip that. Be sure to get to the Light House.

[Arubalisa]

Natural bridge collapsed years ago, I would skip that. Be sure to get to the Light House.

There is another bridge there as well as the one which had collapsed.

[Busybears]

Just got back from our cruise. I have to say, Bully is the BEST :D!!

 

We agreed on a 3-hour tour from 1:30 to 4:30, he ended up providing us a 4-hour tour for the 3-hour price because he said that's what we agreed on. What an honest man!! He was very patient, very knowledgable. and very fun to ride with. We ended up visiting the following:

 

Arikok National Park

Ayo Rock Formation

Donkey Sanctuary

California lighthouse

 

He then dropped us off at Eagle Beach at 5:30. He came back at 6:30 exactly as we asked him to. We were able to watch the sunset on the beach which was beautiful! The trip from the beach to the pier is $9 flat rate. Of course we tipped him well as we were very pleased with his service. Oh, he even brought water bottles and beer when he came to pick us up.

 

Thank you, ArubaLisa, for the excellent referral.

 

By the way, all the shops closed down by the time we got back to the ship close to 7, so no shopping at night. One couple went gambling in one of the casinos near-by and won some $$, though.

 

We'll definitely want to return to Aruba as we felt we didn't get enough of it ;).

[canadarocks]

We agreed on a 3-hour tour from 1:30 to 4:30, he ended up providing us a 4-hour tour for the 3-hour price because he said that's what we agreed on. What an honest man!! He was very patient, very knowledgable. and very fun to ride with. We ended up visiting the following:

 

Arikok National Park

Ayo Rock Formation

Donkey Sanctuary

California lighthouse

 

Thanks for the review. But did it really take you 4 hours to see these four things?

[Busybears]

I think so. We stopped often for pictures, etc. We were also into looking for iguanas and lizzards :p. He was very good at spotting them for us. He also showed us a huge cactus that's over 100 years old. At Arikok Park he even paid for our entrance fees to see a cave. I know it doesn't seem like a lot, but we actually did a lot.

[canadarocks]

I certainly don't doubt that you saw and did a lot. But I'm now a little concerned as we have the following 3 hour tour booked and I'm worried that we have asked for too much:

 

Donkey Sanctuary, Ostrich Farm, California Lighthouse, Alto Vista Chapel, Hill view of Aruba, Casibari Rock Formation, Bushiribana Gold Mine, former Natural Bridge, and the Oldest Cactus in Aruba

 

Bully hasn't said that it's too much for 3 hours..... Is Arikok not to be missed, and did that take up a lot of your time? :confused:

[Arubalisa]

Busybears you are welcome and I am very pleased to hear you had a wonderful tour.

 

If Bully said it can be done, it will get done. ;) :) I think he wrote the book. ;) :)

 

All of the below are pretty much in the same general area...as the crow flies...

 

In the space of about 5 miles, at one end the natural bridge and the other the lighthouse, off the top of my head, without looking up the exact locations. Between those two will be the ostrich farm, bushiribana and Alto Vista chapel.

 

Donkey Sanctuary, Ostrich Farm, California Lighthouse, Alto Vista Chapel, Hill view of Aruba, Casibari Rock Formation, Bushiribana Gold Mine, former Natural Bridge, and the Oldest Cactus in Aruba

[canadarocks]

Busybears you are welcome and I am very pleased to hear you had a wonderful tour.

 

If Bully said it can be done, it will get done. ;) :) I think he wrote the book. ;) :)

 

All of the below are pretty much in the same general area...as the crow flies...

 

In the space of about 5 miles, at one end the natural bridge and the other the lighthouse, off the top of my head, without looking up the exact locations. Between those two will be the ostrich farm, bushiribana and Alto Vista chapel.

 

Thanks Lisa!

 

Are we making a mistake by NOT going to Arikok though? :confused:

[Arubalisa]

Thanks Lisa!

 

Are we making a mistake by NOT going to Arikok though? :confused:

Personally, on a taxi tour, for an extra hour or two, IF you have the time, I would definitely go to the park.

 

http://www.arubanationalpark.org/ There are some Aruba landmarks contained in the park, namely: Dos Playa and Boca Prins along with their sand dunes as well as Fontein Cave and Quadirikiri cave. Imo, Quadirikiri cave was more impressive for its structures, but Fontein is more famous for it's Indian drawings.

[canadarocks]

Personally, on a taxi tour, for an extra hour or two, IF you have the time, I would definitely go to the park.

 

http://www.arubanationalpark.org/ There are some Aruba landmarks contained in the park, namely: Dos Playa and Boca Prins along with their sand dunes as well as Fontein Cave and Quadirikiri cave. Imo, Quadirikiri cave was more impressive for its structures, but Fontein is more famous for it's Indian drawings.

 

Thanks Lisa. You are a terrific "web-ambassador" for Aruba! :)