Super early morning today, 4am alarms so we were up on the top of the Hooiberg in time for sunrise.... yes, all 6 of the team made it!! (Although it wasn't without a few grumbles). It may not be the highest point on the island (the National Park doesn't open early enough to sensibly climb the highest) but there are fantastic views and it was worth the early start for sunrise and photos. To the amusement of the others, Sophie and Abi experienced jelly legs on their climb down.
After 2nd breakfast (sandwiches) we were invited to APG President, Grace's house for tea - due to the moving sun, Hannah made use of the hammock - before our tour guide Nika arrived with Amy and Roselynn to show us some more of Aruba...Rock Formations at Casibari, the donkey sanctuary - the National Park - looking at several caves, dipping our feet (for the brave) and hands (for the more brave) to be nibbled by fish and looking for the blue crabs in a bay. Lots of photos later and we took the back exit of the park past the wind turbines to head to the most Southerly point on the Island... a huge red anchor (cue more photos). We also drove past the dog cemetery before our last stop at the "mermaids tail" - a rock in the sea that looks like a mermaids tail. Nika was fab as a tour guide and kept the team amused when giving left / right directions at short notice or saying it the wrong way round! Nothing turning around can't solve.
Wednesday 4th September
Today was a lazy morning for most but Louise and Jos were up early to go to the butterfly farm for meditation and a swim in the sea. Heather kept us focused on training plans and we suddenly realised we didn't have anything for tea! Oh no!! We are out at an APG organised treasure hunt tonight! Where we got a hotdog at the end (but our home made chicken nuggets and chips waited til we got back - nom nom!).
Some great PR videos were created by the Padvinsters at the end of their walk around Oranjestad, and we're viewed by all at the fab make shift cinema in a car park.
Thursday 5th September
Today we started by donning a hard hat for a tour of the desalination plant.... the place where the Arubans use reverse osmosis to turn the sea water into safe drinking water for the whole Island. After the excitement of a freebie after the tour, we settled back into creating training plans for the weekend. And mid afternoon Sophie met the Governor of Aruba, chatting about our volunteering over here. The Governor was very grateful and appreciative of the GOLD team volunteering their time to assist the APG in training Leaders.
Some great PR videos were created by the Padvinsters at the end of their walk around Oranjestad, and we're viewed by all at the fab make shift cinema in a car park.
Thursday 5th September
Today we started by donning a hard hat for a tour of the desalination plant.... the place where the Arubans use reverse osmosis to turn the sea water into safe drinking water for the whole Island. After the excitement of a freebie after the tour, we settled back into creating training plans for the weekend. And mid afternoon Sophie met the Governor of Aruba, chatting about our volunteering over here. The Governor was very grateful and appreciative of the GOLD team volunteering their time to assist the APG in training Leaders.
We’re nearing our last training weekend! Find out what we had in store for the APG in our next blog!
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