Let us know whodunnit there. Have a safe trip and don't go off with the locals if you've had one too many, look what happened there nearly 2 weeks ago.
(or you could take me...x-that you're not my ahem TY-age-PE)
Seriously, though, don't leave your extra battery in the only re-charger you own plugged into an outlet in your house....and if you do, maybe Aruba will be "duty free" for you and therefore loaded with electronic/camera shops.
Must haves...
-electrolite tablets (don't want to dehydrate)
-SPF 1K lotion
-sunglasses--for you and for camera near white sand
-sense of humor
-low expectations (you'll always be pleased, then)
-Dad's credit account #
-excuses for why buying this relatively-inexpensive-camera/lens will further your career/educational pursuits...
HAVE FUN!
TAKE LOUSY PICTURES THAT DON'T FIT ANY UPCOMING CHALLENGES!!!!
AND!!!!!!
THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!!!!
>>Visit the local library...they are the best-kept secrets of tourist destinations. Full of information (not provided by the "chamber of commerce"), friendly people with in-depth local knowledge, and (best of all) a link to the internet so you can check your DPC scores and next challenge.<>
My only suggestion would be to have fun first and take pictures when you can. Oh, and if your going to be there for a while, you might want something to dump memory cards onto. I took a laptop on our vacation and it came in very handy.
Maybe. I've got two 1 gigs and a 512 for the D70... but I might bring the laptop just incase.
Made the extra battery mistake (well actually didn't have one and forgot to charge my only one) in New Orleans. I was perterbed. I'll never do that again.
I think I'll be alright, I'm not the type to drink or go to nightclubs at 3AM. Usually around here at 3AM I'm watching star wars (because I'm a loser). I'll be sure and supply you all with plenty of pictures.
Right now I'm at an internet café in downtown Oranjestad. Aruba is great! I've already nearly expended my three cards.
I've visited the butterfly garden and utilized my rad Nikkor 60mm Macro lense, and have pretty much visited all of the places to take pictures. I don't think I'll find something for the challenge, so don't worry... no ribbon is headed my way any time soon.
Another reason for the trip is diving; I'm a certified diver. So far I've done two dives on the trip... I have a night dive tonight and two dives tomorrow, so that should be fun. What I really want to get is an underwater case for my D70, but that costs more than the camera itself. Bah! So for now I'm stuck with the little underwater handhelds, which are lame. But if I get a good picture, I'll scan it and post it here. During the first dive I got to swim inside of a German WW2 Frigate called the Antilla sunk by the Dutch the day after the Germans declared war on the Netherlands. That was pretty rad.
I also got to drive an offroad Jeep Wrangler around the island. Aruba, unlike much of the caribbean, is completely desert, it looks like a piece of Arizona. I saw the California Lighthouse, ruins of a gold smelting facility, the natural bridge, some rock formations, lots of cool things. I have a bunch of pictures to post here when I get home.
I wish you guys were here with me (except BradP, because then he'd get a ribbon...jerk.)
Had a brilliant holiday in Aruba last year - plenty of sunshine! Definitely go diving and out on the catamarans, hire a jeep and drive round especially up to the Natural pool and the rocks with drawings on (can't remember the name! but a really quiet place in the centre with fabulous rocks and plenty of photo opportunities By no account go down the tunnel of love unless you want a nasty experience or enjoy climbing about underground in pitch black with no signs visible of where to go, and go horse riding.
Relax and watch out for brilliant deep red sunsets!
