A
day in DePalm-adise on the Natural Pool Jeep Adventure (pt. 3)
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| Rockin' (but not rollin') in the Land Rover |
What comes next is best described through the
analogy of popping popcorn - like little kettles waiting to be heated up and
popped, so are we! Hoots and hollers of “Yeeeeeehaw!” and “Wahoooooo!” are
projected from the back. I suddenly feel as though I am a part of a Mario Bros. videogame after breaking a
Brick Block only to encounter a “Starman powerup” (the Land Rover) that’s made
me invincible to all kinds of hazards.
Starting off smooth and instantly being jerked
side-to-side, front-to-back, right knee smacked on the dashboard, left leg
slapped against glove compartment, I am popping all over the place! Mind you, I
am up front in small quarters with the captain of our jeep trip while the eight
passengers on deck are being juggled around just as much, minus the knee smacks
and leg slaps. I turn around and peak out my peep hole, and Rocky was right – hair like Tina Turner from shaking like
Shakira.
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| On top of the Jamanota Hill |
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| The Watapana/Divi Divi tree |
With nothing but a smile on my face while clinging
on to the arm handle and clenching my teeth together, there is hardly any time
to take notes. Instead, I am admiring the rustic orange-colored rocks and the
ample amounts of Watapana/Divi Divi trees. At first glance, these shrubs look
like the offspring of a Weeping Willow tree gone wrong. At a second glance it
looks like a witch’s broomstick bundled with twigs that have been overworked
from sweeping through the night’s sky. Hunched over with thorns more than
blossom, this thin and rough-barked tree sprouts deep green leaves towards the
tip. Facing the direction of the wind and bent at a 90 degree angle parallel to
the ground, it gets its name from having been positioned the way the southwest trade
winds blow that provide the island with a constant cool and crisp breeze.
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| A rough and rugged sunset on land |
The color of the rocks, like a sunset on land,
creates a glowing, dusty presence. Taking all forms from jagged, to flat, to
round, to squared, to zigzag – these rocks look as though they can cause quite
some damage to anything but our jeeps, or as Rocky calls them, “Land Rovers, not Roll Overs.” The only other pioneers
that dare travel across these rough parts are those smart enough to travel in a
Jeep Wrangler (I have only seen two thus far). On the Rollercoaster of Aruba,
we reach the top of the highest point on the island, the Jamanota Hill (yes, a
hill. But don’t laugh! It’s rather high, and the island is so close to
Venezuela that on a clear day one can see the coastline of our neighboring
country that’s only 15 miles off the coast of Aruba). Having just as much fun bopping
around side-to-side and front-to-back like us, Rocky grins saying, “Evvverybody
put your hands up! Remember, you’re safe. We are here to rock, not roll.”
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| The Natural Pool |
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| Mr. Snack Truck |
With all bones still intact, we have made it to the
Natural Pool, or known here as Conchi, the island’s secluded gem located on the
wild windward coast of Aruba. A utopia in and of itself, this sea charm is
surrounded by volcanic rock that encompasses a 20 feet deep basin full of
colorful marine life, like Rainbow Parrotfish, Gray Angelfish, and Spot Fin
Butterflyfish to name a few. I notice an older, local gentleman and his dog
that have set up shop, literally, with his truck while a green sheet (held up
by driftwood) masks them from the unforgiving rays of sunlight. Selling snack
items like Rice Crispy Treats and individual packets of Cheez-Its, I hear one
of the group members ask, “Does that guy sell beer?” Ready to pay a pretty
penny, he surrenders his Ab. Lincoln $5 bill for a measly ice-cold Balashi (the
island’s locally brewed beer that tastes like a Dutch-pilsner). The dude's got to make a living somehow I guess?
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| Climbing down the stone stetps |
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| Nardin playing lifeguard |
Refreshing nonetheless, the troops head down with
their fluorescent masks and rubber fins in hand while their inflatable (that no
one ever inflates) life vests hug their bodies as they make their way down.
After a hike down stone steps of all shapes and sizes, my feet are met with
(what can be described as) bits and pieces of soft, crushed coral that feels rather
relaxing as I swish back and forth. Kneading into my heels and arches, the tension from having trekked down the hill is slowly but surely being eased away.
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Me on my perch (Check out the view in the background down below)
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Passing on the swim, I instead take pictures and jot
notes before heading back up to sit on my perch that overlooks the Natural Pool
while the wind seeps through my pores. After about 45 minutes or so in the
water, our group heads back up to munch on an assortment of Nature Valley snack
bars (I chose Peanut Butter because all of the Cinnamon-flavored ones were
gone) and chips while swigging down a Diet Coke. Bobby, the gentleman with the
truck’s dog, hung around exhibiting his best behavior while working the group
for a “Scooby Snack” before we hop back in our jeeps and rumble to our next
stop: the Natural (not-so-anymore) Bridge.
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| Bobby on his best behavior |
Stay tuned for my last entry on the Natural Pool Jeep Adventure next week!
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