Not much food is grown locally, but the variety in the local cuisine is extensive. There is a very wide range of international cuisine and several of the more famous fast-food chains have premises on the island.
National specialties: •
Keshi yena (cooks take a wheel of Gouda cheese, pack the hollowed-out center with a spicy meat mixture of either chicken or beef, and then bake the whole concoction).
• Lamb or goat stew (
stobà).
•
Cala (bean fritters).
•
Pastechi (meat- or cheese-stuffed turnovers).
•
Ayacas (leaf-wrapped meat
rolls).
National drinks: • There is no national drink as such but, as ever in the Caribbean, all alcoholic punches and cocktails will usually be given a ‘kick’ with a liberal dose of rum.
Legal drinking age: 18.
Tipping: Hotels add a 15% service charge to any food or beverage bill. Restaurants may add 15% service to the bill; if not, 10 to 15% is normal.
NightlifeThere is one drive-in and one indoor cinema screening the latest blockbusters. The highlight of Aruba’s nightlife, however, is the casinos; most open from 1100 until the early morning, with a few opening 24 hours. Hotel bars usually offer live entertainment and most hotels run theme nights. Alternatively, there are several cocktail bars and nightclubs in Oranjestad; join one of the party buses for a lively pub tour. Another option is one of the party cruises, usually offering dinner, drinks and entertainment.
Next Page »
.JPG "Divi divi tree")
