Caribbean Compass Yachting Magazine January 2017

— Continued from previous page
The trail takes you right round the rhum factory,
with big posters explaining the process. It
leaves you at the shop for visitors, where you
may partake in free rhum tasting: what is there
not to like? If it is time for lunch, Habitation
Depaz has a very acceptable Creole restaurant
overlooking the cane fields. It sometimes gets
crowded so it is not a bad idea to book when you
arrive. They have a serve-yourself bar, and you
tell them what you had when it’s time to pay.
Finish with a double espresso, because now it is
time for the second half of the walk. At least it is
mainly downhill.
Down the Hill to Ruins
When you come out onto the road, turn right.
You can try to take the first right-hand fork you
come to, which diverges very slowly from the
main road and brings you out at the big stadium.
Or you can continue downward to the next
one (Rue D’Orleans). In either case, when you
get to a T junction, turn right on Rue de la Reine,
which takes you northward along the east side
of the stadium. This will bring you to the next
attraction: the Centre de Decouverte des Sciences
de la Terre.
Although people had written to me approvingly
about this museum over the last couple of
years, I never realized what exactly went on
there, so I took an opportunity to visit. It is a
strange ultra-modern building, and houses the
best museum about the Mt. Pelée volcano and
the St. Pierre tragedy that I can imagine. By the
time I came out I almost felt like I had lived
through the 1902 eruption myself. When you go
in, they give you an electronic tour guide in
English or French. These conduct you round
each exhibit explaining it, and you will view
many great photos from the era. Make sure you
also see the movie; it is the best. If it were on
Imax, I think I would run out screaming. But
before the next showing, you may want to ask
the person who shows the film to add the
English subtitles.
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Even in the dry season, the waterfall behind
St. Pierre hikers offers a place to cool off
JANUARY 2017 CARIBBEAN COMPASS PAGE 33
The Renaissance Marina, located in the heart of
Oranjestad is part of the Renaissance Aruba Resort and
Casino and can accommodate more than 50 yachts.
Located at 12° 31' 2.3124'' N 70° 2' 16.8'' W, Renaissance
Marina is the island‘s most beautiful marina. It stretches over much
of this picturesque waterfront community combining the largest
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beauty of the Marina.
The marina supplies fresh running water and
110/220/360V 60Hz electricity, satellite TV with security
guards on duty 24 hours a day. For your convenience
there are showers and ice machines available.
Contact us by phone at +297 588-0260
or visit our website: www.renaissancemarina.com
Operating Hours: Mon - Sat, from 8am to 6pm