O is for Oranjestad

When I get around to penning a book about my travels, with each trip beginning with a letter of the alphabet, "O" will definitely stand for Oranjestad. Oranjestad (O rahn ya stahd) is Dutch for "Orange Town" and is the capital and largest city on the island. Here you will find great hotels, restaurants, casinos, and luxury shopping, including Gucci, Polo, and Rolex. There are also numerous jewelry and fashion boutiques. The buildings are quite colorful and very reminiscent of our own Charleston, South Carolina. The orange structure is the nation's Parliament building, the seat of government. An excursion through Oranjestad will remind visitors and students from South Carolina just how historically and culturally intertwined our state is with the Caribbean. The USC/University of Aruba project will allow students to explore those roots, gaining perspective on the origins of our state's tourism assets and attractions. Come on down y'all!

Parliament of Aruba

Fort Zoutman Historical Museum