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    Awaiting Your Return From Shore | 
    Aruba, the smallest of the so-called ABC Islands, lies a mere 15 miles north 
    of Venezuela. Like its sister islands, Bonaire and Curacao, Aruba has scant 
    vegetation. Its landscape consists mainly of scruffy bits of foliage, 
    including cacti and the curious wind-bent divi divi trees, huge boulders and 
    interesting caves. The chief attractions, however, are the magnificent 
    beaches, turquoise waters and spectacular marine life, which lure scores of 
    visitors each year to the island. Along Palm Beach, which is said to be one 
    of the ten best in the world, is a string of hotels with glitzy casinos, 
    restaurants and exotic boutiques that line this stretch of white sand for 
    several miles. The crystal-clear waters are ideal for swimming and all kinds 
    of water sports. If you prefer to stay dry, you may enjoy Aruba’s exotic 
    underwater world from glass bottom boats or on a submarine excursion.Gold was discovered on the island in 1825, but by 1916 mining was no 
    longer economical. In 1929 it was oil that brought prosperity to Aruba. A 
    large refinery was built at the island’s eastern end, employing at that time 
    over 8,000 people. When the refinery was closed in 1985, Arubans were forced 
    to look for other sources of income, concentrating their efforts on the 
    development of tourism. Today, education, housing and health care are 
    largely financed by an economy based on tourism.
 Recognizing this fact, the island’s residents truly mean it when they 
    extend to visitors the greeting “Bonbini,” the native Papiamento word for 
    “Welcome.”
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    Awaiting Your Return 
    From Shore | 
  
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    Complimentary 
    Spirits Await | 
    
    Return to Your 
    Suite and Sail Away to The Next Adventure | 
    
    Entertainment 
    and Dancing Await You |