Aruba’s Thanksgiving: The Feast of Saint John & Dera Gay

Hey people! It’s your mama’s favorite tour guide, Beach Lama, and today on the Sly ’n Snide Tour Guide, we’re talking Aruba’s Thanksgiving: Aruban style. Specifically, we’re diving into Día di San Juan and the wonderfully weird tradition of Dera Gay. Yes, we’ll be oversimplifying a few things… for time, sanity, and the faint hope…

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The Balashi Gold Smelter and Mill: Aruba’s golden trails

Balashi Gold Smelter

In our last episode, we explored the Bushiribana Gold Mills and traced the early days of Aruba’s golden history. Among the key sites of interest is the Balashi Gold Smelter, which played a significant role in Aruba’s mining history. The Balashi Gold Smelter was essential in processing the gold extracted from the island. It all…

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Discovering Aruba: A Tour of the California Lighthouse

Tour guide Beach Lama standing in front of the California Lighthouse in Aruba on a clear sunny day.

Welcome, Ladies and Gentlemen, to the Sly & Snide Tour Guide Show! I am your host, Beach Lama, and today we embark on an exciting excursion through the enchanting island of Aruba. Join me as we explore sites of historical, cultural, and societal significance, providing you with insights that will surely deepen your connection to…

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The Arubian National Anthem (Aruba Dushi Tera)

Statue of Rufo Wever and Juan Chabaya Lampe, composers of Aruba’s national anthem, with a visitor interacting at the piano monument in Oranjestad.

Commemoration of Aruba’s Flag and Anthem The 18th of March marks the official commemoration and celebration of the National Flag and Anthem of Aruba. In this edition of the Flag N’ Anthem special we’re going to talk in short about the Arubian National Anthem. Don’t forget to check out our previous article on the Arubian…

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Alto Vista: The Cradle of Arubian Catholicism

Landscape photo of Alto Vista Chapel in Aruba overlooking the Caribbean Sea, surrounded by cactus and rocks.

Freedom of Religion in Aruba Aruba is an autonomous representative democracy within a constitutional monarchy and as such every citizen has the freedom of religion, among other rights. Although the island is 80% Catholic, there are about 50+ different religions, denominations, and beliefs. The establishment of Catholicism as a predominant religion stems from the arrival…

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Hallmarks of Arubian Industries: Bushiribana Gold Mill

Ruins of the Bushiribana Gold Mill on the northern coast of Aruba.

Tourism as Aruba’s Modern Industry One of the significant historical sites related to this industry is the Bushiribana Gold Mill, which played a crucial role in Aruba’s mining history. For those of you who’ve been living under a rock either by choice or persuasion, Aruba’s primary source of income is tourism. The island’s white sandy…

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