2004 Panama Canal Cruise -- Aruba

The last stop on the cruise was the island of Aruba. This intriguing island nation is quite small, close to the Venezuelan coast, and has a very dry climate. The beaches are absolutely lovely, you know the kind with sand that is soft and pink.

We took an "adventure" boat that let us enjoy viewing reefs, fish, and an undersea wreck in comfort without even getting wet.

These pictures were taken primarily with our new Kodak DX6490, which we love. The 10x optical zoom is great, and the electronics do a fine job of automatic adjustment and flash operations.

NOTE that these photographs are Copyright©1998-2019 Robert and Sandra Swanson. I greatly appreciate people viewing the photos, but not stealing them. If someone is interested from a commercial point of view, please contact me.

CLICK ON THE THUMBNAIL IMAGES TO VIEW A LARGER IMAGE

Sunrise as we approach our berth at Aruba -- 2004 Panama Canal Cruise

More cruise ships in Aruba; this is the C. Columbus, German cruise ship -- 2004 Panama Canal Cruise

Right astern of us, the huge Adventure of the Seas -- 2004 Panama Canal Cruise

This boat will take us out to the special viewing boat at the reef -- 2004 Panama Canal Cruise

On board the shuttle boat; note the beautiful pink sand beach -- 2004 Panama Canal Cruise

Heading out to the reef -- 2004 Panama Canal Cruise

That's what we looked like, heading out -- 2004 Panama Canal Cruise

Our guide, on board the special viewing boat -- 2004 Panama Canal Cruise

On our viewing boat, lots of folks, including a very adventuresome grandmother -- 2004 Panama Canal Cruise

Fish, fish, everywhere around the wreck -- 2004 Panama Canal Cruise

Closeup of the hull of the wreck -- 2004 Panama Canal Cruise

The wreck is now covered by sea life -- 2004 Panama Canal Cruise

Bubbles near the wreck are from the scuba divers exploring it -- 2004 Panama Canal Cruise

More of the ship's fittings -- 2004 Panama Canal Cruise

Closeup of the wreck -- 2004 Panama Canal Cruise

We see the natural reef now, coral formations everywhere -- 2004 Panama Canal Cruise

Fish and fan coral -- 2004 Panama Canal Cruise

Fish on reef -- 2004 Panama Canal Cruise

Two (at least) kinds of coral -- 2004 Panama Canal Cruise

Brain coral -- 2004 Panama Canal Cruise

Back to the shore, and then we'll take the bus back to the cruise port -- 2004 Panama Canal Cruise

On the way back to the cruise port, the bus was hit by a golf ball (one of those dangers of being at a resort) -- 2004 Panama Canal Cruise

The Legend was berthed alongside the channel, so lots of interesting traffic to see -- 2004 Panama Canal Cruise

The other ship was close, indeed -- 2004 Panama Canal Cruise

Passing by -- 2004 Panama Canal Cruise

Gone -- 2004 Panama Canal Cruise

Airplanes passing by, too -- 2004 Panama Canal Cruise

2004 Panama Canal Cruise -- Aruba

More Links