Local specialties & handmade items?

[Joby]

I am in the midst of reading/researching about local specialties and handmade items from the ports on our upcoming cruise (Aruba, Curacao, Grenada, Barbados, St. Lucia, Dominica, St. Kitts, Tortola). I love to buy local, unique, reasonably priced things from untouristy shops.

 

Examples might include: small paintings, jewelry, foods, cloth art, pottery, music...

 

I've read that Aruba's uniques might include gouda cheese, old license plates, aloe.

 

Any other suggestions and/or places to shop?

[Arubalisa]

http://www.visitaruba.com/ecco/ ECCO (Mainstreet- Havenstraat)- Tablecloths, Delft Blue, Souvenirs & Gift items, Handicrafts,T-shirts & Sweatshirts

Vendors stands- small paintings, license plates, possibly some jewelry (nothing too expensive, the "real" jewelers are all over the surrounding area (Mainstreet- Havenstraat, L.G. Smith Blvd, Renaissance Mall- map showing the area-- the cruise ship dock is just southwest off the map)

The Stands themselves are located between the cruise ship dock and marina just to the left (West) of #64 (bottom left corner of map)

http://www.shoparubarenaissance.com/MapMall.htm

 

Renaissance Mall - http://www.shoparubarenaissance.com/ Ton of shops selling just about everything- souvenirs, restaurants, jewelry, gifts, crafts, linens, Aruba Aloe. There used to be a music store located here, haven't stopped by there in a couple of years so can't guarantee they are still there. There is also an internet cafe located here.

Renaissance Marketplace- http://www.shoparubarenaissance.com/home.htm (use the marketplace button on top of page) Located East and across the street from the Renaissance Mall (catercorner) http://www.shoparubarenaissance.com/MapMark.htm More shops and quite a few restaurants/cafes, also an internet cafe.

Foods- there is a mini-market inside Renaissance Mall but for better prices, take a taxi to Lings & Sons http://www.lingandsons.com/, Certified http://www.megamallaruba.com/ or Hong King- big items to buy would be Gouda Cheese or Dutch chocolate http://www.answers.com/topic/dutch-process-chocolate

 

Aruba Aloe- http://www.arubaaloe.com/ There is a store within the Mall, but with today's restrictions on liquids and having to put it in luggage and worry about leakage, much easier to pay the shipping and order online. When we went to Aruba in September, with the shampoos, conditioners, lots of sunscreen, I must have had 25 ziplock bags. It should be no cheaper on the island than when ordering online.

[Arubalisa]

Vendors stands- small paintings, license plates, possibly some jewelry (nothing too expensive, the "real" jewelers are all over the surrounding area (Mainstreet- Havenstraat, L.G. Smith Blvd, Renaissance Mall- map showing the area-- the cruise ship dock is just southwest off the map)

The Stands themselves are located between the cruise ship dock and marina just to the left (West) of #64 (bottom left corner of map)

If it makes for easier visualization, ebslc's photo shows the proximity of the stands to the ship.

[Joby]

Arubalisa, thanks for the info--much appreciated!