Schnauzerjoy

We are on the Island now, and have been here for 2 weeks.
There is a bit more garbage these days, but it has just been eastern, where all the locals camp out at the beach with all the families for 1-2 weeks and that being coupled with the (rather small) effects of the strike of the public workers, seems quite logical. It's like in the US on the 5th of July or after a Superbowl.
We don't see a lot of empty stores, especially not considering that so many new malls are opening and stores switches to them.
I haven't been to the Red Light district, so cannot comment on that, but I have in most part of the world, where I have been, it is there, but here in Aruba we never paid any notice to it. It is away from the normal tourist district, so people who want it can go, and for the rest of us, its not noticeable (except for the advertising in the free newspapers).
We never walked in the area of the 1 or 2 streets downtown where there are a few homeless hanging around, we have only driven through it, since there are no shops or anything which you need to go to. I guess you have a choice, in all major cities around the world there are areas where I would not walk alone on a dark night. I have never had anyone begging for my money (except the jewelery shops) and I have never been anywhere in the world where I feel more safe than here.
The health care issue, I cannot comment as I have no idea, but from what other people say you have good local as well as US doctors and facilities here, bot public and private.
Regarding all the property development: There is a big property boom here, but that is because of people like you and me and thousands of others want a piece of paradise for ourselves.
It is a natural progression, when people discover that a place is a dream location, there will be someone to fulfill that increased demand. (Just like sex, drugs, religion etc). It happens in all the desirable locations all over the world.
We just took over our house here which we will use a couple of months of the year as a second home and I never felt better about a big buying decision, so I hope, for your sake, that you will also some day have you own piece of heaven here.

Best wishes

Carsten

RONNIE

Well put...Kteacher. Aruba has lost some of it's charm, and lost that when the building got out of control. Years and years ago, as soon as I saw the first Pizza Hut go up, I knew the island would never be the same. but this past week was insane. You'll see...and you will be very sad, I am sure.
Note to Itdpt.....did you have a car? Were you looking out the window? The garbage was VERY obvious along the roadsides this trip. Did you go to BABY BEACH? You would have cried. I did. The empty beer bottles were piled up under the little shelters, and the beach was loaded with cigarette butts and filth. Even some garbage in the water. I was very very very upset to see this.
Did you go downtown and walk around? If you did, then maybe you did not go down mainstreet...that is where the homeless druggies are 24 hours a day. They sit behind the buildings in groups. They take up the entire block....and growing. In the evening, they are in the downtown parking lots begging. AND>>>the empty stores are numerous. That is very disturbing. Downtown needs painting and sprucing up badly.

When we go to Aruba, we have a car and go everywhere all hours of the day and nite. Trust me, we didn't want to see all this, but it is there. it is not one happy island anymore. Aruba has problems.
My son and his finace went to Aruba last month, and the first thing he said to me was "Aruba just isn't the same anymore..." He noticed it right away as well.

That new Riu Hotel is an eyesore....maybe in Dubai it would look good...but it ruins the landscape of Palm Beach. I am shocked they would allow that kind of building. But Aruba obviously has no building controls...just like with the building going on now. TOO TOO TOO much. And, yes that new mall is nice, but...do you really like the big high rise parking garage that it came with????

Arubalisa

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geoawelch

Actually, now that you mention it, we run into the same thing after Queen Beatrix Day in late April every year. All is well again in a day or two.

cinny

It's been really interesting reading everyone's viewpoints on the current conditions in Aruba. I was initially shocked and saddened by the news of all of the garbage and homeless people. We will be leaving for our first visit to the island in two weeks and I have to admit that this put me in a panic. It was not a description of the dream vacation I had been envisioning. I am so glad that so many people have posted their opinions on this topic because it has reminded me that perspective is sometimes at play in these situations although I don't doubt that things are different than they used to be. I think Carsten makes a great point that once a place becomes desirable by many it is bound to eventually become corrupted by a lot of things that are undesirable. I am thankful that these situations and specific places have been pointed out so that I will be aware of them on our trip. I'm sure there is still a lot of beauty to be found on the island and I have decided to make this my focus. My heart goes out to those of you who have had dreams of living on the island and have been crushed by the current happenings. Thank you everyone for your honest opinions (the good, the bad and the ugly!)

Andrea J.

my opinion and it is neither correct or incorrect............just my opinion:
i like the parking garage at the new mall.......very convenient for those that need to park!
i do not like the new mall though!
it has added much congestion to an already tight area.
i do not like the fact that it has taken business from o"staad. something about wandering the streets of o'staad and shopping. the mall at palm beach, well it is a mall, something's missing.

(embarrassment) i do love the riu. the look, the feel, the grandeur
i miss the old aruba grand
but boy is that riu glamorous
certainly out of place in the scheme of things
nonetheless glamorous and breathtaking imo

again my opinion and i do think i am one of the few that thinks the riu is breathtaking. that is why i am embarrassed to admit it.
andrea

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Aruba trip? unknown at this point....maybe January 2009

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madricharubabound

we have been going to Aruba for many years. Yes there are changes, but not the reasons we go. The people are still the friendliest and just so much fun. The weather is the best in the whole world. Nobody can change that. We spent the month of January there this year and not enough I came home kicking and screaming. I love Aruba and the people. This was my daughters first time going t and what she absolutely couldn't stop talking about is the weather. So they can build and they can trash and people can complain but come on guys THAT WEATHER!! I think we can all agree on that.

Local Gabriel

I was browsing the topics on this forum and obviously came across this title that caught my attention. Unfortunately negative comments seem to draw the eye, as I'm sure this post is going to have a lot of viewers.

Nevertheless, the story posted by the person who started the thread pictures a doomsday scenario about many things on this island. I'm not going to get defensive about the comments as a native. Fact is that there are issues on this island that need urgent attention such as littering and not so nice areas.

As a local, born and raised, it pains me to see when people try to harm this island by littering and engage in activities that go against our common ways.

Fact is that Aruba has been through an explosive economic boom throughout the year where people lived with an average income per capita of US$ 11,000 to US$ 23,000. This means that more and more people have more means to apply for a mortgage, consequently home building skyrocketed. Automatically consumerism has skyrocketed as well. People can live with more dignity, however the downside is the excessive consumption and littering.

About half a million people visited us per year in early 90's to over a million in the present. This required more airlift and facility to house our visitors. Furthermore water and power consumption skyrocketed as well.

People liked the island that even considered owning a property in order to guarantee a place to stay next time.

Now more and more people are talking about overdeveloping. My question is: how much is enough? Who decides that? It is my personal believe that we might have reached and past the point that we need to determine what we want to do going forward. Indeed there are many locals like myself who believe that we need to channel current and future growth in a way that it is sustainable for the future.

I'm a 31 year old father of two young children, whose concern are having a good health care available, good schools safe and clean island and an island without debt for the future. I think it is the same hopes and dreams any other person on this forum has for their home country.

Despite a limiting local environment to pursue other venues in Aruba, I strongly believe we do have many options still available to guide this island into a direction that is acceptable for us locals first and automatically for our visitors as well.

Another criticism I read is that Aruba is losing its island touch, its Caribbean flair. I think that's a judgment call by all means.

Perhaps by that standard Aruba lost its Caribbean flair when the refinery opened its doors in the 20's and when the first hotel opened its doors in late 50's. My question is: what is Caribbean flair? I have enjoyed higher education in Europe, does that make me less of an islander?

Aruba's tallest building was Condorde (now Westin), inaugurated in the 70's. That must have been an eye soar back then. Coincidently it is Aruba's highest building.

Eagle Beach to busy? There is one big hotel that has facilities for their guests, namely La Cabana. Just south of it, the beach is long, stretched sandy and empty. There hasn't been a lot of construction until recently at Eagle Beach.

I have some more observations, but this post is way too long already for which I apologize.

I want to finish by telling people that sometimes we feel helpless with things that happen on our island, as we do not have a lot of direct control on what's happening. However, we have a huge say every four years. Next year in September it's our turn again.

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arubabeaches.net

skdiddy

Since this thread started that was EXACTLY what I was thinking! I've tried to stay out of this topic because of it's negativity, but I feel now that I have to give my opinion on this matter...

As "madricharuba" stated: You can't beat the weather. Oh man, that weather! I can feel the sun, smell the surf, feel the sand so powdery between my toes. The sky a shade darker blue than that beautifully clear water. The little silver fish that gather around my feet in the water. The memory of the 1/4" blue fish that hid by my chest for an hour one year. The starfish we found on the bottom of the ocean.

Is there anywhere else like it? No, that's Aruba.

All I have to say about the rest of the stuff is this: judge for yourself. Don't be discouraged and disheveled because of someone's comments.

Because we had a baby during our Aruba-time last year, we haven't been there for 2 years. And you know what? I can't wait to get on that plane. Can't wait! We count down every day...3 1/2 weeks and counting down.

I feel bad that you had a bad experience and you might not buy there now. I feel your pain about how you perceive the island now and wish you didn't feel that way. But people, this is one person's opinion.

Do yourself a favor: Judge for yourself...I'm going to, with a Balashi in hand in 3 1/2 weeks!!

Oh, and I'll bring the bottle back to my room for recycling as well!

And Gabriel, your insight is just what this thread/topic needed. Thank you!

Peace

SK

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Arubalisa

Gabriel I enjoyed reading your opinion on this situation. Maybe you can expand your thoughts in your blog (which btw I enjoy reading ).

As tourists we can complain all we want about overdevelopment, island healthcare, and a great many other issues. It is you Gabriel, and the other Arubans will have a great voice next September.

As skdiddy said, "Is there anywhere else like it? No, that's Aruba." Let's all make a conscious effort to pick up after ourselves and place our garbage in the trashcan where it belongs.

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