Our dear friend Bernardo!









So here we come to the fun few days left of our international trip. I want to sum up the last couple of days of the trip because I think that it is about time. We start of the day with a bus ride into town and then a connection to the southern most tip of the island-baby beach. We asked the bus driver if there was a bus that went there-No, he could just take us to San Nicholas and we would have to walk the rest of the way. Then we gave us an odd look-while suggesting we not try to walk there, but stay in the city and enjoy Charley's bar. His comment only increased our determination to not only break the stereotype of the weak drunken tourist, but to challenge ourselves on this several mile journey. Baby Beach or Bust! With snorkeling gear in hand we climbed on the bus to San Nicholas-we could quickly tell we were the only non-native Arubains attempting to do so. We are dropped off after a great half an hour of country side viewing in the middle of NO WHERE. The bus driver did us a favor and passed San Nicholas, dropping us off in the middle of an outside city closer to the beach. He didn't tell us where, but gave some general directions and a wish of good luck. Great...so we headed off in high hopes and humid heat. We walked about 15 minutes when a women came out of her house and seeing we didn't belong, asked if she could help-she was shocked we were going to walk so far...but gave us more detailed directions which was very needed. So we follow them the best we could...but we got lost. After about an hour of walking we thought to ask directions for the third time. Our hopes not as high and the humid heat even higher. We learned we were walking the completely wrong way. We needed to head back to the beginning and start all over! So off we went. As we went back we passed this old man working on cars...we was shocked to see us out and in spanish asked, "Isn't it a hot day" we replied YES! So after a half an hour of more walking we see this car pull up next to us-it was that same man that asked us the question, Bernardo. He told us that if we were heading to baby beach, he would give us a ride-for FREE (rare offer in Aruba). We jumped end. He was such a delightful man, telling us about the area, and what the word bible stood for (basic information before leaving earth). He said to enjoy the beach, name the time we wanted him to pick us up and he would drive us to the bus station. WOW! Talk about the biggest blessing ever! He was good to his word and better. We loved the beach! Another highlight for Nick with awesome snorkeling. Then we were driven to San Nicholas...right when the bus pulled out of the station. The race began...Bernardo raced through the town trying to cut off the bus so that we wouldn't miss it-what a rush! We made it, all because of him and we headed back into town-so very thankful for our new friend. We ate more ice cream and great food. The next night we hung out at the tourist mall, where there was a fun water light show and more food and ice cream. Everywhere we went the world cup was watched-behind the water show was no different. We had a blast and the natural water falls, and man made fountain, not to mention the food was amazing- we are food people for sure! We had a blast!